Sunshine on a Suburban Walk

Gaiter Girls walking.

 Last week was all cloud, rain and 'cool'. Four inches of rain and, we were reaching for our jackets when the evening temperature dropped to 18C. Yes, I can hear you groaning and wishing for the same. I had planned a completely different post for this week, but on walking in early morning sunshine with the Gaiter Girls today, I decided to share our sunshhine with you. I fully realise how awful the weather has been in the northern hemisphere.

Not only was it sunny, but everywhere looked stunning after the week of rain. We were walking in an area near Janice's and the houses are on small acerage blocks. Although sweaty when we completed  the walk of 6 km, it had been a glorious morning for excerise.

5am sunrise

6.45 am, Albert River

Kookaburra perching on the railing.

Flame tree

Someone is ready for Christmas!

Soaring eucalyptus.

A fenceline lined with agapanthus.

An interesting mailbox.

The poincianas are really starting to make a magnificent display.

Colour in Janice's garden. Hibiscus and Tibouchina Jules.

Coffee view. Can you see the orchid on the jacaranda?

I hope my sunshine has brightened your day!

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This is November

 Wednesday 20 November.

No walking today as the rain has hardly stopped for the past 48 hours. Thankfully just sufficent falls where I live. Such a shame though, as the temperatures have dropped to the low twenties. One almost needs a cardigan!

November storms.

This one had hardly any wind, but just enough to blow over my lovely pink grevillea at the end of our pergola.

The storm below, completely bipassed us. Very heavy falls nearby. I noticed the colour in the sky to the east and went to investigate. I quickly grabbed my camera.

North east

West

Last rays.

November sees the last purple blossoms clinging to the jacaranda.

The burst of red blossoms on the poinsiana trees.

November brings the heady scent of the frangipani blossoms.

November for many is the completion of high school days and university examinations. The weekend treks to the coast become a traffic nightmare. On Saturday I was visiting a friend at the coast for lunch and left a couple of hours early, to have a relaxed drive down. I took crocheting, a book and messages to be sent. Alas, none of that was touched as I was captivated by the busyness of the seaway.

November sees me watching the sun rise as I commence my daily walk of six kilometres. However, I still arrive home hot and sweaty. A dip in the pool is very welcome.

The rain had just passed on as I set off yesterday morning, enhancing the trunks of the eucalpytus and leaving raindrops glistening on native blossoms and trees.

Did I catch a raindrop falling?

November rain quickly produces overgrown footpaths and lawns, plus a mushroom or two.

For Alexandra - this heart still amazes me.

I spotted this heart as my son and I set off to play disc golf, beneath the canopy of autumn colours. Such a special morning.

Finally a surprise sighting of this number plate in a local shopping centre. I wish I had had time to discover who owned it and their connection to PEI.

As November rushes towards December and the busyness of Christmas, remember this.

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Lavenham, Suffolk

 17 October

I'm taking a break from the heat to write about the wonderful day we had exploring the quaint villages of Suffolk. Before our departure in September, I had googled the prettiest villages to visit. I then created a map with the directions to each one. There were ten. Of course the reality was, that the first 4 or 5 were so lovely that we ran out of time very quickly. 

Lavenham was top of each list I googled and just a half hour drive from our accommodation in Mendlesham Green. Located in the heart of Suffolk, it is considered to be Britain's best preserved medieval village. It was one of the historic 'Wool Towns', famous for its blue broadcloth which was exported as far a field as Russia. [1257 era] Most of the buildings in Lavenham today, date back to the 15th century.

We were very fortuanate it was a quiet day for tourists, We quite easily found a free carpark at the top of the town.

We walked down to the Swan Hotel, and accidently found a nearby quaint coffee shop to quench our thirst. I continued on alone as Frank's legs at the moment are reluctant to walk any great distance. This is the route I slowly took.

Leaving the carpark I was impressed with the grapes on this lovely driveway entrance.

Then the red boots caught my eye.

The carpark was on the top of a rise and the road dipped down into the town centre before rising again, as it exited Lavenham. Just pretty cottage after pretty cottage with its thatched roof and tudor walls, greeted us.

Walking down the main street.

The view of the main street from the dip as the road rises, with the Swan Hotel on the right, leaning crazily in all directions. It wasn't alone with this drawback.

At the Swan Hotel, we turned right into Water Street and were amazed that medieval buildings continued as far as the eye could see. 

This is the shop that [screenshot from google maps] temped us in for its chocolates and ice creams, but first we climbed the stairs to the tiny cafe above.

As I continued, every building was eye catching.

St Peter's and St Paul's Church in Anglo Saxon times would have been wooden, but in the 14th century was rebuilt in stone. It looked magnificent, surrounded by headstones and autumn trees, on the hilltop at the southern end of Lavenham.

A glimpse

Full view.

Time had gotten away. There were more narrow lanes to negotiate. More villages in my next post.

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