Waiting for business

These colourful beach umbrellas with acompanying tables, chairs or sunbeds, were "at the ready" for an influx of beachside visitors to Fano on the east cost of Central Italy back in May.

(The fellow basking on the rocks obviously likes a more rugged approach to his coastal outing!)

A thoughtful touch! .... not far from the shore were these equally colourful private changerooms

and the whole area was kept beautifully clean.

(In the foreground there appears to be a dance floor set up perhaps for evening entertainment - now that's a beach holiday with style!)

With appreciation, am linking up to 

Blue Monday and

Monday Mellow Yellows

An intricate creation

 

Another bloom from Canberra's Floriade in September

Linking up with Monday Mellow Yellows

Canberra offerings

Following a delicious Sunday lunch at the lakeside sailing club with my hosts and their friends, I took a stroll down amongst those venturing onto the water of Lake Burley Griffin in their various craft.
(Having now been able to refresh my memory as to the vast area this lake covers, I am better able to understand how fellow photoblogger Kayakcamerman keeps coming up with a stunning variety of sunrise captures! If you've not had the pleasure of visiting his site, may I encourage you to do so - you won't be disappointed)

These Strelitzias ("Bird of Paradise") were available for purchase from

the fabulous Farmers' Market where my hosts and I enjoyed

a scrumptious breakfast

This gorgeous Pansy was one of many thousands providing complementary

ground level accompaniment to the millions of tulips at Canberra's

annual Floriade exhibition.

Linking up with Blue Monday

Mandarin Orange Monday

 Monday Mellow Yellows, and

Today's Flowers

(with thanks to all the patient, accommodating hosts!)

A gift

Last Christmas I was given a Phaleanopsis Orchid plant bearing several gorgeous blooms. Since my green thumbs are more a shade of yellow, I feared for its survival!

However, it seems to have thrived in the warm, light & sunny location

of my bay window and this is the first of its ten (!) buds

that opened a few days ago - I'm ecstatic!

Linking up with Nick's Floral Friday Foto
Macro Monday 2,
Monday Mellow Yellows and
Flowers from Today

What a poser!

A change of routine provided the opportunity for a walk around Mawson Lakes

on a lovely warmish (15oC) Winter afternoon.

This gorgeous New Holland Honeyeater obligingly sat still for me for quite some time, perched on a garden railing.

Linking up with Blue Monday

Macro Monday 2 and

monday mellow yellows

with thanks to the hosts of those sites.

Bright & cheery

Unexpected finds on an unexpected walk!

Joining up with Flowers from Today and
monday mellow yellows