Visiting

                                          

  Happiness is ...................
                                         visiting with my niece Betty.

It is only a 25 min drive to Betty's, yet finding the time to take that drive, is often just too difficult.
Yesterday I had repotted all my pot plants, so I made the time to drive out to give Betty all my extra cuttings this morning. On arrival, as always, I wished I had been out sooner. A] to spend more time with Betty and B] to enjoy her garden, birdsong and wildlife.

Their wonderful bushland setting.

And in their front yard.................

On leaving home, I was almost out the front door when I decided to return for my camera - just in case! 

After a very enjoyable coffee, Betty and I set off around the garden for me to discover all the changes since my last visit. It wasn't long before I discovered these algae and I just HAD to dash back up the slope to collect my camera from the car!

Nearby were these self sown, baby staghorns.

                                     

                                                                          

Flowering moss

                      

Moss and fern

                   

The children's potted Christmas tree now growing in the garden.

Golden Grevillea Honey Gem against a winter sky.

 

 

The pet goat - Charlie

                 

New focal points

                       

                       

  

 

As I stood up from taking this cute ant, I noticed movement in the tree near me. I was very surprised to discover these mountain parrots calmly relaxing under the canopy of the tree and showing no inclination for flight, even though we were so near and not exactly quiet. There were 4 and Betty said it was not an unusual occurrence.

Finally, 2 very young  native Australian Grass Heads. The 2nd sending up its 1st flower spike.

The morning rushed by and so I made my departure vowing to return sooner, rather than later.

This evening I discovered it will be 'sooner', as I have left my coat on their tank stand! 

Thank you for visiting.

Please feel free to leave a comment.

Confusing Daisy Hill / Venmans through walk.

Please enjoy the photos by clicking on them to increase their size.

Our initial plan was to take the ferry to Stradbroke Island, hike to the Blue Lake and then whale watch from Point Lookout, depending on the weather conditions.
We had had a week of dismal, cloudy, damp weather so it was lovely to see the sun out at 6am.  The forecast however  was for strong coastal winds, so after much humming and harring we decided to postpone until next week and instead do the through walk from Daisy Hill to Venmans. Frank assisted in helping me leave the 2nd car at Venmans.  9.30 saw us enjoying our pre-walk coffee and watching the ducks on Denis Lake. It was lovely to have Liz join us on this occasion.

 
               
                         

                                    

At 10 o'clock we set off after giving Liz a few hints on how to use her poles.

On entering Daisy hill we quickly spotted a small wallaby, who hopped away when he heard our noise. Thankfully I was able to get a clear photo with my zoom. We were unable to spot any koalas in this lower section of the forest, so detoured into the Koala centre for a few minutes. Here injured koalas are rehabilitated and returned to the wild when possible.

From here we had to locate signage for the Buhot Creek circuit. Quite a challenge but finally we were enroute.

This is the linking trail to the Buhot circuit. Quite dry bush. On reaching the circuit we discovered it bordered the edge of a billabong style creek and the vegetation was quite lush with lovely stately melaelucca paperbark trees thriving in their favourite conditions.

After about 1/2 hour the trail climbed away from the creek  with steep drops appearing on our right. One of the reasons for having difficulty finding our route was the fact the park has many uses. Mountain biking, horse trails and forestry roads,

 

We had rested under these trees for water and a snack being totally unaware that around the bend was this picturesque drop to a water filled quarry.

                                     

Soon after this quarry there were 3 unmarked trails to choose from.  After much debate and map deciphering, I made the decision on which one to take. Usually if we make a wrong turn it doesn't worry us but today there was a deadline. Liz had to collect her 2 young children from school at 3 o'clock. Each time the trail headed west instead of east I was in a state of panic. When this sign was finally located I knew I had got it right. Such relief! Another 3/4 hour and we had arrived at Venmans with time for our picnic lunch before the school run.

This approx 15 km, lovely walk is spoilt by its lack of signage. I have already sent an e-mail to our local council.

Following are a few of the more relaxed moments.

                          

    

 

                                                         

 

                                              The large joey is still feeding from the pouch.

Ladybird voted this an A-plus day, because she got to have a ride on a horse!  Even with the poor signage it was still great to be out and about down under with friends.

Happiness is ................... 

                                         seeing a tiny green caterpillar hiking.

Thank you for visiting.

Please feel free to leave a comment.