Thankfully I no longer have to worry about exams in October, but our senior school and university students know, that the arrival of the first purple colour means that it is time for some serious study.
This year the jacaranda colour has been exceptional. The Hungry Hikers on the evening of the 21st October, organised our 'walk' to be late afternoon to enjoy the Bloom Festival at the University of Queensland. The univesrity grounds and buildings are lovely at any time, but in October quite spectacular.
Our plan was to meet at 3.30 at the university, take a walk and then picnic with cheese and bubbles, beneath a spreading jacaranda. At 6pm the trees were to be illuminated and at 7pm a light show, set to music of one of the students.
Alas, the first of our lovely 'spring' storms arrived as we were all driving to our destination. A few frantic mobile calls had the plan changed to meet at Margot's, who lives across the river, but quite close to the uni.
Thankfully, by 5pm, all the rain had passed and we took the walk across the Eleanor Schonel, bus and footbridge, to Bloom.
Just outside the Grand Court there were flowering gums and a multitude of parrots were feasting.
My friend Jocelyn told me of having accidently found the best street of jacarandas in Brisbane, Pring Street, Tarragindi. Of course I had to find them as well. It was a week of storms and the previous evening's accompanying wind, created a carpet of colour beneath the trees.
With just 10 new and traceable cases of Covid a day in Australia, our state borders are now opening. I invited Jocelyn to join me at the family farm of Lochiel outside Kyogle, across the border and a 2 hour drive from here. My Grandfather and Great Grandfather took up a selection in 1901. An avenue of jacarandas were planted along the driveway to the house. I have seen them looking senational, but maybe age is catching up with them, as on our visit, there was hardly a splash of colour. We weren't too early for them as the new growth of leaves was already coming through. There had also been a storm just prior to our arival.
A tad disappointing, but it is always wonderful to spend time at Lochiel, and there was plenty of purple to be found whereever we drove.
I look forward to reading your comment.
What glorious purple when the Jacaranda blooms! That's a wonderful photo of your smiling face! You're lucky to have restrictions lifted. Is tourism allowed from out of country? Our numbers continue to rise. Bob and I are still hunkering down.
ReplyDeleteStay hunkered Barb! No overseas tourism for the foreseeable future. No meeting my darling Nora, who is now 10 months old.
DeleteThe blooms are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing. Nature is looking very gray here these days.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed how gloomy on the web cam of Charlottetown.
DeleteBen loved last week's 10 cm of snow, though.
Love those purple blooms! I've never seen anything quite like it. I'm glad there are hardly any COVID cases where you live. Wish I could say the same for the US....
ReplyDeleteThey are from Argentinia. They are now being black listed as a threat to native plants. Such a shame.
DeleteHopefully things are about to change in the US.
THey are gorgeous--- And I think the cows like the blossoms as well. Our situation with the disease is a nightmare. Hopefully we will begin to see some serious effort made at control when the Orange Clown is sent away.
ReplyDeleteWe get full on news re the Orange Clown. You must be happy with the outcome, [should have been more overwhelming] but you must also be worried about what will happen before he leaves.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, those are beautiful! I don't think your country should let anyone in, though!
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is very likely, Mary. Even crossing our 7 state borders has been a no, no.
DeleteSo very pretty! I just love jacarandas!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard not to, Lady Fi.
DeleteGorgeous trees and flowers, and the urban views are very beautiful too. It's always a pleasure to see well-planned and well-kept areas. They surely help people feel better, especially in this coronavirus-blighted year.
ReplyDelete"Bravi!" to your country's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Stay safe and well!
The greater Brisbane area is to be congratulated on the 'green' spaces they have created.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Tho purple is just gorgeous! What a treat! I have seen plenty of the four-legged creatures you pictured here lately, but I finally got a chance to get caught up on some blog reading this afternoon.
ReplyDeleteWe have a jacaranda next door in the the mountains and it doesn't flower until mid December. I often think how if we waited for the jacarandas in these parts we would surely fail our exams. They flower earlier in Sydney.
ReplyDeleteThe purple colours are quite extraordinary, amazing pictures
ReplyDelete