Blue on Blue

At the beginning of this year I was greatly blessed to have been invited to experience a house exchange to Vancouver Island in British Columbia. 

As I live in South AUSTRALIA and Canada had been on my travel wish list for more than 30 years, it will come as no surprise that I joyfully accepted the invitation!  It was a dream come true.

Below is one aspect of the view from the front garden of the property, which is situated adjacent to a couple of marinas and a bird sanctuary.

Behind these blue "doors", expensive yachts are moored

 Joining in with Blue Monday

(Thank you Sally, for hosting)

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

Iris + "friends" at Giverny

This gorgeous Bearded Iris caught my attention as we sauntered through the charming village in Giverny on our way to Monet's Garden, where further delights awaited.......

There are way too many gorgeous blooms captured during that outing to include in one post, so I will spread them out over coming weeks.

Meantime I hope you will also visit the following memes to feast your eyes on the contributions of fellow bloggers.  Enjoy!

Blue Monday,  Macro Monday2 and Today's Flowers

                

Local wetlands

These wetlands at Modbury, South Australia, attract a variety of birds and ducks

which can be fed from an adjacent timber landing.

Looking at this scene, it's difficult to imagine that just to the left behind those green raised banks

is a busy 4-lane road!

(This is another archival shot, taken with a Canon iXus 60 point-and-shoot)

Linking up with Blue Monday

Early evening shadows

These images are of nearby Mawson Lakes, taken at dusk. 

The first was taken using the Programmed setting

and this, taken a minute later using the dusk setting

so am joining in with three photoblog sites:

Blue Monday,

monday mellow yellows and
Weekend Reflection

I have recently changed over to Google Chrome and am still 

adjusting to the differences from IE, but it certainly is faster!

My thoughts and heartfelt prayers go out to all in Australia's State of New South Wales - especially the Blue Mountains - who have suffered

devastating loss due to bushfires.

If you are given to praying, please uphold these folk as they come to grips with their loss; not just of lives and property, but irreplaceable memorabilia.

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!)

Antiques & Memorabilia

A visit to some of Strathalbyn's antique & memorabilia shops

was a given during our recent visit there!

.... couldn't resist this framed poster!

... nor these old cameras (not a Hasselblad or Voigtlander to be seen!)

and while I greatly enjoy ironing, don't think I'd be saying that

if I had to use these!

I wonder how many sales this machine recorded

                      .... and who could forget James Dean, the Hollywood actor who   
                                     died in a car crash at the tender age of 24?

or the essential Elvis?

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead and

linking up with

Blue Monday

A blue dawn

Linking up with Blue Monday

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.

A Hen in the Hills

A Purple Swamp Hen enjoying the waters within Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens.

(Hoping you'll agree that Purple is near enough to Blue to qualify for inclusion with

 Blue Monday)!

Australia Day

Saturday, 26 January, was the official celebration of our nation's foundation. It was a day for recognition with National, State and Local Government Awards being given to those who have made a significant contribution to our communities and the nation in general.  Also, it was a day when many around the country chose to become Australian citizens.

In our local park, thousands gathered to celebrate with outdoor barbecue breakfasts (or lunch for the late risers!), to play tennis, cricket or football on the fabulous facilities Carisbrook Park provides or just to sit and enjoy the day with good friends and family.

In addition to mobile food outlets, there were many attractions for the children, but also some fascinating vintage motorbikes and a stunning old Rover car. The weather was just perfect too - a positive blessing after some recent temperature "scorchers".

Joining in with Sally and others at Blue Monday

"http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/"