Breakfast with my Feathered Friends

In Our Garden

It is always difficult to settle after visiting our family and I also miss the special beauty of Prince Edward Island. This year our Grevilleas have been stunning for weeks on end and the Lorikeets visit for an hour or so every morning. They are such happy, noisy, playful birds to watch. They soon lifted my spirits immensely. As I wasn't well, there was no busy agenda for my day, so I took time to enjoy their visits. I even took to wrapping myself up well on the cold winter mornings. [10C - slippers, jumpers and rug] to eat my breakfast under our pergola, and watch them in the pink Grevillea, just 2 metres away.

They continue to bring me so much joy and jobs are regularly put on the back burner.

23rd July - A beautiful day and a stunning Grevillea, being enjoyed by a Noisy Miner and myself.

29th July - We had had several days of cloudy weather. I had just set up for breakfast with the parrots when I was stunned by the sun rising above this cloud bank. The cloudbank then slowly rolled away to the east.

11 August

A Honey Eater joined the dining table.

The ducks found worms for themselves.

12 August

18th August - How many Lorikeets can you spy across our neighbours, and our own white Grevilleas? There are actually many more than the eye can see.

19th August

31st August - spot the parrot down under.

9 September

The gold of the Greveillea is stunning against the blue of the sky.

10th September - I had been out all day and on my return was greeted by this young, fluffy Butcher Bird practising his call. My husband commented that he had been singing for a good hour, non stop.

7th September - no birds, but an eloquent sunset.

11th September - this morning. A video of the playfulness of the parrots, taken from both my garden and that of our neighbours. Other lovely birds are joining in and drowning out the roar of the M1 traffic! [The droning sound in the background.]

The constant screeching of a flock of Lorikeets settling for the night is not a pleasant sound. Thankfully we just have these delightful morning visits. [Answer - I could count 7 lorikeets.]

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A Golden Walk

Wednesday 30 August

 

A very welcome coffee after our early start and 2 hour drive to the Somerset Trail at Mt Mee.

It was my turn to provide morning tea. 

Each time we visit Prince Edward Island, my husband and I have to make a visit to Georgetown, to a lovely cafe for its delicious cinnamon buns.  On Instagram recently, I found a recipe for them, that I thought I'd give a try. I have rarely had success using yeast, but other than the mixture flying around the kitchen initially, I was thrilled with my efforts. 

The Hungry Hikers said, "Don't brag. Prove it!" They were suitably impressed.

Body fuelled, we set off on our 14 kilometre hike, which was initially through soaring gums and rainforest.

The gums soared and monster bracken fern covered the forest floor. 

"Jenny, where are you?"

Camera stop equals rest stop!

About 4km in,  we entered a golden trail of flowering natives from the Pultenaea group - Pea Flowers, enjoyed for most of the remaining trail.

Both Joc and Leanne were thrilled by this section of trail.

What they were looking at.

Further on!

A passing, friendly hiker, was happy to take this shot.

The view before I climbed down from the boulder.

We were all grateful that Leanne had packed a bag of Maltesers. In a few week's time, they will have melted, this far into the hike.

I've hiked this trail on numerous occasions. I manage to forget over time, just how many short steep inclines there are!

Another section of bracken fern before the Somerset Lookout.

Somerset Dam Lookout - a beautiful spot for a rest.

Nearby was a very sad purple Pea Bush. The storm later in the day, hopefully, would have refreshed it.

Pea Flowers and possibly pink Boronia's.

Back to the rainforest. A couple of k's to go.

Here the native bees were buzzing so loudly, I just had to record them. I hope you can hear their humming.

This giant fell to the axemen, many years ago.

The final hundred metres.

Delicious homemade sandwiches for lunch were enjoyed. We were ready for the journey home.

These native Australian plants have put on a fine show this year, making for a very uplifting hike.

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