Keeping Busy

Where does the time go? March is almost gone and yet, it seems to have only just started in my mind. So here is a visual roundup of some of the hikes of both the Hungry Hikers and Gaiter Girls.

Wednesday 7 February

Scarborough to Woody Point - 20 km return.

Our 'cool towels' proved their worth, on this hot day. New on the market.

Tuesday 13 February.

Elanora to Main Beach return - 15 km.

Murky start. Sunny finish.

The swimming centre for the Commonwealth games, nearing completion.

Wednesday 14 February
Currumbin Rock Pools and Palm Beach Parklands - 3 km.
The aim of this day was to keep cool!

We may not have walked far, but we all managed to swim over and back, across this inlet off Currumbin Creek.

Tuesday 27 February

Elabana Falls, O'Reillys.

The falls in full spate, after days of heavy rain.

King Parrot

Lamington Spiny Crayfish

Interesting facts about this crayfish. https://hillstoheadlands.com.au/crazy-crayfish/

Wednesday 21st February

Main Beach to Surfers Paradise, to view the annual sand sculpture exhibition. The week's thunderstorms had wrecked havoc on the sculptures.

I don't think I've seen our world-renowned, downtown Surfers Paradise, look so dismal and empty of tourists.

Tuesday 13 March

Broadbeach to Main Beach, on a sunnier day.

"Feel the energy, excitement and impact of the games as this spectacular new commission takes up residence on the Esplanade. Inspired by a starting gun's blast, tropical fruit, flowers and the stars, this vibrant sculpture celebrates an unforgettable moment in time."

We weren't very impressed with this Commonwealth Star Sculpture [the large star on our flag], specially commissioned for the Commonwealth games the Gold Coast is hosting, 4 -15 April.

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The Joy of the Unexpected.

Today has been filled with the unexpected joys of nature. My camera clicked constantly to capture its amazing beauty. Over the past week, there have also been occasions when I have marvelled at its awesomeness, right on my doorstep.

The colour in this quiet corner of my garden appeared overnight.

As I snapped this kookaburra sitting on our fence, he turned to face me, revealing his catch.

A goshawk visited our pool fence as we sat resting inside. Thankfully he was in no hurry to rush off, while I dashed for my camera.


A new family of ducks, grazed the slope opposite our home.


Unusual mushrooms on my morning walk.


The very loud sound of cascading water in the usually sleepy creek I walk beside, drew me to its bank. I shouldn't have been surprised by the volume of water, as it hasn't stopped raining for a week.

This morning I drove to my cousins home to help with some gardening. Her garden backs onto a field of unmown grass. I don't normally have my camera with me when I visit, but today I must have had a premonition of what I was to discover and grabbed it with the car keys.

It wasn't difficult to spy these mushrooms, the size of dinner plates, emerging from the long grass.

Work done, the decision was made to take our coffee to the local lagoon. Just so many unexpected, delightful moments ensued.

A black swan and her only, very young, gosling.

Unusually brown ducks resting.

The path around the lagoon is well over a kilometre.

 Great excitement when several, of my favourite tiny bird, [Superior Blue Wren] flitted onto the grass, and occasionally sat still long enough for me to capture their image.

A country girl at heart, these lovely beasts lifted my spirits even more.

A quiet moment in the gum tree for these corellas. They are an incredibly rowdy bird.

The loop completed, I was very happy to discover that the ducks and swan were still wanting to pose for me.

 Unlocking all the doors on my arrival home, I was surprised to see so many golf balls on the 6th green. A closer look and the realisation that these were just more mushrooms.

Of course my camera and I had to take a closer look and even more were found.

Over the past week, we have had 4 inches / 100 mms of rain. This was on top of a very wet February.

The ground is very damp and the humidity is high again, perfect conditions for mushrooms to emerge. 

I hope, that you too have found joy in the beauty of nature, on my doorstep.

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