Hellebore heaven

I had forgotten that much of the garden sleeps in Winter ( not the weeds though, as we have discovered on return).

And definitely not these little specimens of gorgeousness.

 They are blooming their heads off right now.

This is their time to shine.

( these are yours Judy D.)

A visit here yesterday has truly inspired me to add some more of these beautiful tough plants to our garden.

These photos were taken on my phone whilst juggling my gloves, hat, scarf, bag, etc so a bit blurry but I'm sure you get the picture!!!! 

They are truly a glorious plant.

Unlike us, they are not troubled by cold or frost and eventually become quite drought tolerant.

You can collect the seed and grow your own. (Course I will be!)

Right then, which ones to buy?? Which ones to leave behind??

 Names like double primrose picotee were jumping out at me!

Such a dilemma.

I eventually settled on this little collection of ten.

Most of these little pots were $7 each.

The bigger flowering pots were $30 each.

 I really would have loved ten of those!

We were taken on a tour of the production line.

It must be hellebore heaven working there in spite of being labour intensive.

Icy water for the early birds today.

Home to some reading material. Mmmmm.....which one first.

Gorgeous daphne blooms just opening after being unceremoniously plonked in the ground just before we went away.

A lovely welcome home from these two little pooches.

Kiann's friends gave her a wonderful baby shower yesterday.

Baby White is due mid September.

And we had FaceTime with this little shocker.......

......who lights up our lives every time we set eyes on him.

( blurry image from trying to take a photo whilst talking to him)

We are flying over in a couple of weeks to scoop him up and play Superheroes with him. 

( Must remember to google who they all are and whether they are goodies or baddies!)

Going backwards again

Started our long drive home in snow this morning...well, flurries really (just out of Bathurst ).

( taken whilst whooshing along in the car)

We started thinking about all the amazing places we'd seen and I suddenly realised that we were still seeing them!

 At least, I was.

 It all depends on how you see things.

(Whooshing again.....!!)

( after the fifth turn around, I was reluctant to request another one!!)

And then this......just before we finally reached home.

Late afternoon on Wednesday ........

The spectacular Three Sisters.

Six million years ago it would have looked much the same apparently....an ancient landscape and oh so stunning. 

It is part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

"As romantically beautiful as can be imagined"......without a doubt.

The whole landscape has profound spiritual significance to the aboriginal people.

Yamba.

A few days ago....( can't remember exactly when to be honest!)

We loved Yamba. 

It has the most picturesque beaches and great fishing spots.

Turners Beach....(just for R and R).

And rock pools .....( Amy's favourite beach pastime).

All that sun and blue sky seems a world away now.

But it's nice to be home.

And Australia, you really are a beautiful country. 

In order this time

Farewell Tin Can Bay......

We loved your walks and bird life and rare humpback dolphins that arrive each morning.

This little guy kept his eye on us as we walked.

The Paperbark trees are scattered around the foreshore. They are a favourite of the Rainbowbow Lorikeets that frequent Tin Can Bay in their thousands.

Beautiful bark. Beautiful tree.

Oooo.....that shirt has shrunk too! How did that happen?

Toowoomba.

Overlooking the Lockyer Valley. 

Not very clear unfortunately. Early morning vista.

Toowoomba is renowned for its parks and gardens.

They have a Carnival of Flowers each year in Spring. I noticed beds of newly planted seedlings everywhere.

 It must look amazing when they are all blooming their heads off.

The drive along the New England Highway is so picturesque and is dotted with farming properties.

( taken whilst whooshing along in the car )

                              ............. this old house..........

We visited Glengallen House on our way to Killarney. It's an 1867 sandstone country house that's been uninhabited for more than half it's lifetime. ( 20 km north of Warwick )

A fascinating story.

It was abandoned in the 1940's and lay open to the elements, vandals, birds  and stock. It remained derelict for more than 60 years.

Originally a grand old home employing 5 gardeners and 7 servants and including stables, servants quarters, dairy, tennis court, fernery, orchard and formal gardens to name just a few.

......and now beginning to be restored to it's former glory.

Congratulations to the people involved in the Trust who have taken on this enormous task.

Heading out of Killarney and into the mountains today.

Spring Creek flows over Queen Mary Falls and into the nearby Condamine River and then on to the Murray Darling river system.

Had to get my"huff and puff" going for the 45 minute circuit !!!

A little further up is Carr's Lookout.

Coffee at the Falls cafe afterwards.......

 .......along with trees wrapped up for the Winter and......

..........Birds! Come on birds.......!!!!! ( King parrots and crimson rosellas ).

A fairly long drive today. We have arrived in Yamba.

Our little Pilbara family.