I had a very lazy day today for Australia Day. I put my flags up first thing as I forgot last year!
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| Flags flying and table ready for champagne to celebrate Australia Day |
Then drove down the Channel to visit two absolutely beautiful open gardens.
The first one was Greenslade, where Wyn and Rupert, the garden owners, have created paradise. They came from the Northern Territory seven years ago, looking for a cooler climate. The garden was established but had been reduced in size from the original when gardeners were employed. Wyn told us they have reinstated the borders and they also have an orchard and vegetable garden. The herbaceous borders and the roses were just fantastic. Lovely walks down to the beach and along the creek with a small waterfall.
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| These photos don't do it justice. A magic spot. |
Then up to Bracken Ridge, at Flowerpot. A very new garden only four years old, I feel very inadequate when I view their hard work.
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| Beautiful flowers, lovely spot with views out over the Channel.....sorry not a photo here of that |
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| A scarecrow garding the compost and the echidna who thought by hiding here I couldn't see it! |
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| So many bees! and they were huge! |
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| Fantastic vegetable garden, so jealous! |
Of course coffee and cake *yum* at Fleurties near Woodbridge rounded off a lovely morning. Then dropping my friend home what did we spy on her drive but an echidna, how Australian is that?
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| top photo is a sculpure at Fleurties, so kitsch it was georgeous. the cacutus flower was also there, IT WAS HUGE! |
Oh I forgot to mention the amazing scarecrows all down the highway, couldn't resist stopping to photograph the two headed Tasmanian and the buxom wench hitching to the fair (Middleton next weekend). Aren't they special!
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| Anyone?? I need a lift to the fair....cute, cute, cute, lift those skirts girl. |
Happy Australia Day, everyone!
P.S. Just back to say what is on the sign on the scarecrow, asked by a friend:
A Fine Thing by Rosemary Dobson
To be a scarecrow
To lean all day in a bright field
With a hat full Of bird's song
And a heart of gold straw.
With a sly wink for the farmer's
daughter
When no one sees and small
excursions
Returning after
To a guiltless pose of indolence.
