Wednesday, 19 October 2022

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!

I would love to read your comment.

12 comments:

  1. Your temperatures are perfect. Ours have been in the mid teens. Incredible for us this time of year!

    The gardens at Government House were gorgeous! Those dragons were quite something! I fearI would be afraid of them. What a lovely visit though.

    That foal was precious! Great post!

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    1. Marie, the water dragons are very docile and don't scamper off when one approaches. Seeing such a new born was very special and delayed our walk for quite sometime.

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  2. Another wonderful post--- especially the dogs immediately above!! I still can't believe the Queen is gone. I remember her coronation so clearly.

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    1. Thanks, Bill. I was thrilled with the dog photo the moment I took it. That doesn't happen very often.

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  3. All those pinks, violets, greens, and yellows look so pretty and vibrant! I love shades like those which the Queen always wore, they brought much cheer! I wonder what colour King Charles will bring our way! In the photo that shows the plastic cherries, that person at the bottom left almost looks like a photo bomber! :)

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    1. Ha, ha. I hadn't even noticed the little girl!

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  4. Wonderful spring flower displays.

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    1. The spring flowers are exceptional this year, a benefit of a year of rain.

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  5. Flowers, flowers everywhere! I spot our CO state flower - the Columbine. Love that last photo of the pups peeking out at you - great in B & W.

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    1. Barb, how lovely to have the Columbine on your doorstep!

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  6. Wonderful flowers! Those "fellows" look scary!

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  7. Hi Margi. Those "fellows" were super cute and not barking like most dogs when we walk past their yards.

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