The Joy of Clouds

Clouds

 Our sun is seems to be setting much earlier. I walked across to my neighboours last week, a little after 5 pm. As we chatted, the setting sun reflected soft colour on the whispy clouds to the east. The parrots in the gums near by, began their evening squawking and jostling.

It really is a most beautiful time of day. I just had to grab my camera and head towards the golf ponds.

View to the NW.

Views east and over the ponds.

Laurel then spotted the moon rising on the horizon. Photo with my phone.

With my camera - which I quickly retrieved from next door. Alas, the clouds weren't going to give the moon its chance to shine.

Thursday 25 April was Anzac Day.

The sky that greeted my day.

Cuppa view - 9.30 am.

These clouds swirled across the sky above the Beenleigh Memorial service.

Walking back to my parked car, I happened to look skywards to be greeted by this rare sun halo. A friend sent me her capture.

Belinda's

Anzac moments

I've included this not so great rendition of our National Athem, as the flags had been quite listless throughout the ceremony. They finally got flying as the music became more rousing.

It is a wonderful time of year to be out and about and sky watching.

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Bon Voyage Walk

Wednesday 17 April - a post to crack Bill up!

Back in November, Hugry Hiker Jayne announced that she had just booked a month's cruise with Virgin's "Resilient Lady". It was a special too good to miss! - Dubai through the Suez Canal to Barcelona and then through the Mediterranean. Jayne and her husband had booked to go with another couple, however, as a consequence of Jayne's announcement on this day, 22 friends, and friends of friends, are now in Dubai on day one of this deal. Sadly, the war in the middle east has cut short the cruise. The Suez Canal is to be bipassed. After 3 days exploring Dubai, they will fly direct to Barcelona. Thankfully, their departure wasn't last weekend when Dubai had torrential rain fall with unheard of flooding. There is no evidence of this a week later, but apparently it is a hot topic of conversation.

So back to my blog post. After climbing a mountain on the previous Sunday, my legs required a leisurely stroll. I came up with the following plan. Meet at Orleigh Park, West End. Take the City Cat across the river to St Lucia. Walk to the Go Between Bridge and complete the circuit on the opposite shore.

View as we set off.

Return leg.

Along the way.

Curious pigeons at our picnic spot.

The life of a retiree is tough in Brisbane's warm, April sunshine!

I had made simple newspaper hats, with the name "Resilient Lady", for the group who were sailing. A Bon Voyage Boat and message was on each plate, and Instagram gave me the idea to create an aircraft from sweets. Those not flying off had an Aussie creature in their boat.

May their journey be safe and the most amazing adventure.

Joc particularly liked the aircraft.

Each of us contributed to the delicous fare.

Just the best time with friends. Early in May, Jenny is also off to adventures in the UK, so Laurel and I will be lonely, but I am sure we will still find great walks and good food.

For Alexandra. A photo of the 'heart' tree taken on Sunday.

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A Perfect Morning

Wednesday April 10.

Crisp, clear, stunning blue skies have finally arrived with cooler temperatures, leading into our winter.

Notice, I don't use the term autumn. Noone here does. We are complaining that the days are shorter but loving the absence of humidity. 

During this week, I changed my daily route to include Mt Warren Hill, in preparation for Sunday's climb of Mt Maroon. The images below would have been taken from about 6.30 am on. Not an autumn tree to be seen.

A clear view of Brisbane's skyline. [approx 40 km away.]

Mt Tamborine in the distance, where we often take rainforest/waterfall walks.

A 'green' street, just below the ridge I had walked.

Mt Warren Boulevade.

Yvonne Street, which I normally walk down to get to the oval.

View from the Boulevade down to the Albert River.

A stunning Leopard Tree against the blue sky.

These grasses always thrill me in the morning sunlight, with a gentle breeze blowing.

After a summer of rain, any open field/meadow is totally overgrown with tall grasses and weeds.

The only sign of autumn - the frangipani losing its leaves.

The wattle are in bud.

Wattle and yellow Alamanda vine.

As winter arrives, the roses and annuals finish, but there is still plenty of colour to be seen in our gardens.

Gorgeous flowering gum or eucalpytus.

Ixora plants - small, top L, mine. Top R a massive specimen.

The bougainvilleas are always showy. Sometimes contained. Often left to their wild devices.

These shrubs on the edge of a garden, were a haven for several Fairy Wrens. I was so glad I had my camera with me. I'd hoped to spot a koala on the ridge.

Throughout this walk of 7 kilometres, I was often greeted by the sweet scent of the Mock Orange shrub. 

I loved the seeds of this unnamed tree.

More colour.

My garden looking lovely on this wonderful blue sky day.

So, this is how autumn looks in the sub tropics. It was the most beautiful morning to be out walking.

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