Tree Trunks and Jacarandas of Tarragindi

 South East Queensland has been swamped with rain over the past few days. A further deluge was forecast for today. Waking up early and finding it dry, I decided to walk my local 5 km circuit. 

Tarragindi is a very old, hilly suburb of Brisbane (approx. 1930s) and consequently very leafy. Its most notable tree is the jacaranda, brought to Brisbane from South Africa in 1864. At present, the trees form a vivid sea of purple and violet, and the pavement below is a carpet of fallen leaves.  Pring Street is always particularly beautiful, so I made it my main destination.

But first, the tree trunks on the footpaths caught my attention. 

Low, dense cloud as I set out.

Amazing new growth.

The Flame Tree is also looking stunning.

Flame Tree, misty mountain, and spot the jacaranda.

Leopard Tree.

The jacarandas nearing Pring Street.

Looking east, then west. Same tree.

Now entering Pring Street and its spectacular purple blossoms. The blue sky didn't linger.

Looking up. 

White jacaranda. 

Looking back down Pring Street. 

Making my way home.

Top of our street

Bottom of our street.

It has rained steadily all afternoon, and it continues as I turn out the light.

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Contrasts - Prince Edward Island / Brisbane

 I have been home just over a week now and am finally recovering from jet lag. The island feels so very far away again. There are many - one husband says too many - photos of the amazingly beautiful island as it took on its early fall colours, to relive my visit, along with endless photos of our wonderful Grandchildren, now 9 and nearly 7.

The morning after my return, I was awake at 3 am. By 5 am, I decided to dress and check out sunrise. There was little colour, but the air was cool, so I continued walking. A wonderful 4 km was enjoyed, leading to this post of contrasts.

City skyline

Suburban Street

Suburban road v village road

Diving birds v birds flying in formation.

Mango tree recovering leaves after a major pruning because of its size in a suburban garden v trees about to lose leaves. 

 (soon after arrival)

 (

(3 days before departure)

Steep driveways and gardens v the flat everywhere.

Housing styles. Fenced and all unfenced on the island.

Weedy footpaths v always manicured.

Sturdy shrubs v soft and feathery.

Contrasting bushland walks

Drought leaf litter v autumn leaf litter

Our tree creatures v island tree creatures.

Suburban sunrise v waterway sunrise.

I'll have been home from Canada 2 weeks tomorrow. 

I was crazy busy before I left, completing Grandad's book. I was finally happy with it on the Saturday evening, 4 days before departure. I delayed pressing send until Sunday morning. All went well until page 41 of the download. I could not find the issue, so had to wait until Monday morning to ring the Photobookshop help line. A wonderfully patient and helpful assistant then worked with me off and on, all day Monday. More than one page had issues. Finally, at 10.02 am Tuesday 25 th August, I watched every page download. Such a relief! Exactly 24 hours later,  my aircraft was racing down the runway to take flight. The book was waiting for me when I returned, and I am thrilled with it. My cousin's 70th birthday and the gathering of the Cullen Clan to celebrate the 122nd anniversary of Grandad's selecting Locheil is on the 17th. These past 2 weeks have seen me coping with jet lag, catching up with friends and creating decorations for the event. Hopefully, come the end of the month, I'll get back to regular blogging and reading all your wonderful blogs.

A few of the 80 pages from the book.

Cover and pages 1 and 2.

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