Monday, 13 October 2025

The Joy of Being in the Country

Friday19 September

Two years ago I attended Kyogle's Country Show. I was very impressed. 
I was able to attend again last month and decided to enter in the photography and crocheting competitions, with no great expectations other than adding to the number of exhibits. This necessitated my driving on two consecutive Fridays, to enter my pieces and then to attend the show. 

The drive down is always relaxing. Country vistas quickly calm and soothe.


It was a low cloud foggy morning. I was unable to see Mt Lindsey but but Mt Barney was gently unwrapping itself. 


 Photos delivered by the 9am deadline, I continued on to Locheil. Look who greeted me on my arrival.


The Jacaranda tree's foliage was turning yellow, before the leaves drop and the arrival of wonderful purple blooms.



The 30 year old Azalea in front of the house was looking magnificent, as were all the staghorns.





King Orchid

Chinese Ground Orchid

I was interrupting my cousin's morning of fertilizing his finger limes. Once we shared coffee, I insisted on helping.



Mulch spread to perfection by yours truly.

Avocado blossom

Blood Orange

Macadamia Nut blossom

Red Cedar

White ants destroying the old dairy.


Moreton Bay Fig planted by my Grandfather on my Uncle Stan's 7th birthday, 1928.


Almost home, I just had to stop and enjoy these Spring Minions.

Spring in my garden the following afternoon.



A week later .................

Saturday 26, I was woken by a wonderful dawn chorous. I had travelled down on the previous day and had totally enjoyed day 1 of the show.

Once woken, I didn't linger long.






I hope your volume is up. More stirring country sounds.


The agisted cattle took off once they spied me, eventhough I was a great distance from them.




Spectacular cluster of branches on this tree.


Sulphur Crested Cockatoo - can be heard screeching noisily in one of the videos.


The following morning .........
















If you hadn't noticed, visiting Kyogle, Locheil and being in the country is a very happy place for me.

I would love to read your comment.

12 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post! Every one of those pictures made me smile. Speaking of smiles, the baby 'roo looked like he was smiling at you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The joey was just the cutest and it had me smiling too, Bill. It was very special that they didn't get frightened and hop off immediately. I saw several more wallabies on my early morning rambles, but from at a distance and once they saw me, they were soon gone.

      Delete
  2. I love the sounds of Australia you shared on this post. It gives the photos an additional element of wonder as one can picture and both hear what a setting must be like.

    I love that fig tree that has been in the family so long. What a wonder it is!

    Beautiful images, Helen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie, we have a dawn chorous here, but often muffled by the roar of the M1 motorway and ambulance and police sirens. It is such a joy to be on the farm listening in a such a peaceful setting.

      Delete
  3. Such different countryside to ours and I can feel the heat from here. Beautiful images. B x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbara we have pockets of countryside that make us think we might be in England but otherwise I our flora and fauna is much harsher but still incredibly beautiful.
      Re your comment of you could feel the heat. The mornings at this time were 17C, but by early afternoon had reached 30C.

      Delete
  4. These huge trees are magnificent, so different from ours here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Totally magnificent, Margi. Very tropical.

      Delete
  5. Good luck with your photo competition. I know you will do well! Those staghorn ferns are amazing, as are the beautiful skies!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The driveway is lined with them and give a sensational welcome. My Uncle Stan in his later years, collected them from trees by the creek and attached them to the jacarandahs. Now the spores keep new ones growing, especially when we have had a good rain season.

      Delete
  6. Dear Helen, your photos are gorgeous and captivating! Thank you so much for sharing.
    I want to thank you so much as well for your regular visits and kind comments on my blog posts. I post just twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays, and I really appreciate you for your kind support!

    I don't know much about plants and flowers (I know a lot more about animals and birds), so I had no idea about the Lantana! Thank you so much for telling me about this! I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and educating me and others as well who may not be aware of this!
    I hope you have a wonder filled rest of the weekend and week ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Linda, hopefully the lantana sold in colder climates will not be able to survive out of a garden and so not become the pest it is here.

    ReplyDelete