2020
A year, that for so many, has brought only heart break and hardship. As I scrolled through my photo library for this year, I was again overwhelmed with gratitude that Covid19 had so little impact on my daily life. Each and every week my images are of the happiness and beauty that has surrounded me.
My random choices.
January - the drive to O'Reillys
Our icon Australians, thankfully waiting for us to pass before they crossed the road, as we travelled to O'Reillys for a quite spectacular day of hiking. Foggy skies and hot air balloons greeted us on the early morning drive. Lush rainforest, waterfalls, blue lamington crayfish and the odd snake or two, basking in the sun, made the day special.
February - Mt Glorious hike
Here we are enjoying the view back to Brisbane, comptemplating the magic of the rain that had broken the drought and doused the bushfires.
March was a month of unusual butterfly activity. Unusual in their numbers and for actually resting long enough for me to get a photo.
April
There have been some spectacular sunrises during the year, but none more so than on this morning, as I set off on my daily walk.
May
Our winter skies are often wispy and dreamy. They fill me with awe.
June
Late June, we no longer had to walk solo. Three of us went on the great 'resin' hunt, in a local Conservation Park. On this day the aromas and 'greens' of our Aussie bush were remarkable.
An iconic river scene at Goondiwindi, as four friends and a small car, headed west to explore 'The Outback' of Western Queensland.
August
Hiking the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail - 16 km between Harlin and Toogoolawah.
September
Sunset at the Pyramid, Girraween National Park.
October
A chance sighting of the Harlequin Bug, on an early norning hike of Mt Cotton.
December - Brisbane from Kangaroo Point Cliffs
November - Box Circuit hike
Return to the rainforest at O'Reillys, Lamington National Park, a day of wonder at nature's tenacity and age. Giant trees held us spellbound.
A very special, 6 am misty view. My brother was down from north Queensland, to be with his wife who had had a major operation the previous day. It was a glorious morning to be out walking, and on our arrival at the hospital soon after, we found Michelle making a marvellous recovery.
As 2020 draws to a close, I am filled with hope that the vaccines will go a long way to making the world a safer, healthier environment for all.
What a wonderful recap of your year! I'm glad 2020 didn't bring you any awful hardships. Let's hope this darn virus goes away so we can travel again. I'm still hoping to come visit you sometime in the future.....:)
ReplyDeleteHappy New year. Congratulations on your retirement. I know you will make the most of it.
DeleteA visit in the f u t ur e .............. definitely welcome!
This has been such a sad, hard year. I want to come visit too.
ReplyDeleteMary I hope that 2021 will be brighter for you!
DeleteSee you Down Under sometime!
Such a wonderful collection of "random choices" for the year, filled with such positivity for 2020 when it could have been filled with doom & gloom. I loved looking through this post. Thank you Helen for always sharing the joy of your adventures.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynda. Your daily posts certainly make my mornings brighter. Happy New Year.
DeleteAnother fine walk-- and a perfect picture of the lady and her child. Now that more than 1 in every 1000 Americans has died from Covid thanks to criminal leadership, and it's only going to get worse for another few months--- It is hard for me to keep a reasonable attitude. Oh well--- It's another reason I'm glad to see another new post from Helen!
ReplyDeleteThank you Bill.
Delete1 in every 1000, what an abhorent statistic. Continue to stay safe.
It was great to see your retrospective of the year. Yes, I, too, feel fortunate that much of my daily life was not impacted because I'm already isolated out in the boonies. I do hope that vaccines will make some of our "normal" activities the norm again - visiting family with no thought of compromised health, church in person, attending sporting events in person - just to name a few. Cheers to 2021, Helen!
ReplyDeleteCheer back to you Kim!
DeleteA wonderful collection of images for this most terrible of years
ReplyDeleteAll the very best to you and hoping for a better 2021!
Thank you Andy.
DeleteI sincerely hope that the UK vaccine rollout is successful and 2021 soon finds normality.
Thank you for sharing the year 2020 through your eyes and words! It is easy to find beauty to ease the soul even at the worst of times. I will join Linda and Mary for a visit to your amazing land down under!
ReplyDeleteWould it be wonderful if the three of you could travel at the same time!
DeleteSuch a happy post, filled with wonderful memories. I love that photo in the tunnel! Happy 2021 - keep safe and well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your beautiful thoughts in Goodbye and Hello. I am thrilled that there will be a daily 'small stone'.
DeleteGorgeous shots and such lovely memories. Wishing you a year filled with good things.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lady Fi for your comments and your inspiring blog. May your year be filled with only good things too.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete