Plunkett Conservation Park Spring Colour.

 Wednesday 7 September

The Hungry Hikers chose a closer location to wildflower hunt. Plunkett CP is just a 20 min drive from Beenleigh, with very little traffic.

It was again a cool spring morning but it didn't take us long to shed layers. We headed for Wickham Peak with its views across to the Brisbane City skyline and hinterland ranges. The hike is a mixture of gravelly or sandy trails or walking on sandstone slabs. Not far from our starting point is a long steep ascent with impressive cliffs and gullies. It was here that we found our native bushes in flower. There had also been a fire management burn recently and the flora was responding happily.

Play acting for our absent friend Jocelyn,  who took a little tumble here on a previous walk.

Grass Trees

Banksia - flowering finished.

Fresh brush of Banksia.

A short drive from Plunkett took us to a lovely park beside the Albert River for morning tea.

A belated post, but I am still finding joy in our cool, rain-filled, lush green, colourful spring. 

Here it is the end of October, and the thermometer has only just decided to stay in the 30s. Wonderful!

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A Picnic with the Govenor

Sunday 16 October 

Queensland's Government House hosts open days in their garden on a fairly regular basis. On this Sunday it was in recognition of the ascension of King Charles III as our Sovereign and Head of State.

The ornate gates were opened at 10 am and we were able to wander through the gardens, tour the official rooms of the residence and be entertained by the Brisbane Concert Band and Brisbane Pipe Band until 2pm.

It was a cloudy cool day, but very pleasant for sitting and enjoying the soothing sounds of the Concert Band and the rousing tunes of the bagpipes. 

Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, our lovely governor, mingled and greeted many of the picnickers.

I don't suppose you would believe me if I said we arrived in the Rolls Royce. 

[I have ridden in one though when I was working in a Hunting and Shooting Lodge in Scotland many years ago.]

It is still strange to not have Queen Elizabeth's photo in prime position.

The Ceremonial Room

Dining Room

The Snug

The Reception Room

On our journey home we made a short detour to the Roma Street Gardens to check the spring flower displays. Another perfect hour was spent enjoying these colourful and often fragrant floral displays.

There was a multitude of Water Dragons of all sizes, lazing in the sun and admiring the flowers. 

This little fellow was having a lovely time romping through the blossoms.

Australian native perrenials.

The exquisite European Columbine.

We were not impressed with the plastic cherries in this display.

A fine fellow!

You may have remembered these gardens from previous visits. I do love returning for my fill of colour and wonder.

On Monday morning, my Gaiter Girl walking group, once again discovered that suburbia isn't all bricks and mortar, on our local, 10-kilometre circular walk.

The Logan River borders Cornubia.

Cornubia has both dense housing blocks and acreages with lovely parkland throughout.

We were thrilled to spot this cute day-old foal and his Mum.

"Who goes there?"

Our very pleasant spring weather continues. Minimums of 18 C and maximums of 23 C to 27C. Just perfect!

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