24 September - Carnival of Flowers, Toowoomba.
It has been 4 years since the Hungry Hikers visited this amazing festival of colour. Even so, I made the decision on leaving home, that I wasn't going to take photos but just enjoy the beauty. On arrival that lasted all of 2 minutes. On a stunningly glorious day of only 22C, and greeted by a dazzling mass of colour at Spring Bluff Station, I just couldn't keep the camera from clicking. This post is of the Hungry Hikers enjoying the day.
First sight.
And the colour explosion begins.
This year the HH'ers have set a goal of 10 km plus to be walked each week. We knew we would be pushed to cover that distance today, so when we saw a 500m circuit we hit the trail.
A dance or two added a few more steps.
Coming off trail a small waterfall and a bed of clivias greeted us.
It had been a 6 am start so it was time now for a cuppa amongst the beauty. This week I was the provider. I brought a few flowers from my garden.
During the carnival, a train brings festival goers in Toowoomba, down the mountain to Spring Bluff Station to picnic and enjoy the colour, before returning back to the top. We were almost through our cuppa when the blast of the engines horn alerted us to its imment arrival.
Leanne quickly found a viewing spot.
Next destination - The Museum of Toowoomba, where we took a Penny Farthing bike ride, [well perhaps not] and viewed the 40 floral hanging baskets entered by children's groups.
We crossed the road opposite the museum to enter the spectacular colour palletes of Queen's Park.
Laurel Bank Park was also filled with colour.
Blogger has made a mess of uploading my photos. Doubles and triples and out of sequence.
Two private open gardens were viewed next. This was the first private garden we visited. Les, 96 and 4 months has lovingly tended it for 40 years. More about this garden in my next post.
Second private garden. This one had this lovely small courtyard to relax in.
We unfortunately had a deadline to be back in Brisbane at 4 pm. At 1pm we drove to Picnic Point for our lunch whilst enjoying the view along the Brisbane Valley. A quick look at the flower beds here and a purchase of an ice-cream, then saw us headed home to the noisy busy city and for me a traffic jam.
My own tiny bed of colourful sweet peas, restored my joy of our wonderful day in Toowoomba.
Life is incredibly hectic at present. This week I haven't been able to respond to your comments, but thank you.
I would love to read your comments.
Lovely photos and beautiful smiles.
ReplyDeleteThank 😊 you so much for sharing, ❤️ Helen.
Linda, it is a pleasure to share the beauty.
DeleteI just love the colorful flower gardens. Thanks for all the photos!
ReplyDeleteMore to follow, Lnda. The colour was amazing.
DeleteOF COURSE, you couldn't resist taking photos of spectacular beauty! And how would the rest of us enjoyed it without your photos? It looks like a delightful day!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kim. It was a glorious day and enjoyed to the max!
DeleteWow soooo many flowers. Beautiful. I have a Clivia in a pot growing on my window sill. I can’t imagine it surviving outside in our temperatures. B x
ReplyDeleteIt most certainly was a 'wow' day, Barbara. Clivia grow themsleves here. They are very hardy and love shade.
DeleteI know from personal experience that taking pictures often leads to seeing more beauty, and more interersting things. ANother very enjoyable post, Helen.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you Bill. I really don't know why I had that crazy idea!
DeleteWOW hold on to your hat, that's quite the explosion of colour! I find taking photos is a part of the whole experience, I am so glad you took photos on this day, they are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe colour explosion continues in my next post, Alexandra.
ReplyDelete