Back From the Xmas / New Year Break.

Yes I'm now back from a fantastic Xmas / New Year break with my eldest son and my grandchildren.  We always have such a wonderful time when we visit with them and we bring back many, many treasured memories.

We once again made it to the New Year's Eve fireworks show down at Southbank.  It's such a great spectacle.  We went to the 8.30 pm show with our grandchildren, and joined in with a crowd of around 80,000 spread out along the banks of the Brisbane River. 


Here's a little a taste of the show.

I also managed to visit my favourite spot in the city, the Roma Street Parklands, on the morning of my last day in Brisbane.  It's a haven, even on a hot summer's day.

Here's a collection of photos taken on January 4, which is mid-Summer for us.  I put the photos together as a video clip.

Back From The South ... The Year In Photographs ... October 3, 2013

So I'm back from visiting with my son and grandchildren, and have finally found some time for posting.  It's been a lovely break, and I'm looking forward to the coming long weekend before the last term of the year begins.

Down in Brisbane, I managed to visit my favourite garden once again.  The Roma Street Parklands is a spot I love spending time at, and even more so if I'm lucky enough to take my grandchildren with me.

We got to spend a few hours there this time and we all had a thoroughly lovely morning.  In the photo above, you can see them enjoying a delicious drink of Russelia flower nectar.  That's something I told them about when we first visited the Parklands a few years ago.  Now, every time we visit, they have to stop and take a little taste!  It's become a bit of a tradition.

Anyway, as usual, I took loads of photos of various corners and plants at the Parklands, and I just had to share a few in this slideshow.

Flower Flaunt Friday ... A Special Garden Away From Home

I've been away from home lately.  The school semester break saw me jetting off to Brisbane to attend a conference ... the things we teachers do when we're on school holiday!!! ... and to visit with my son and his family.  I had some spare time, in amongst the busy holiday goings-on, to visit my favourite spot in the heart of our state's capital city's CBD.  The Roma Street Parklands is a 16 hectare oasis right in the middle of Brisbane.

One of the most popular spaces in the Parklands is the 'Spectacle Garden'.  As you meander along its pathways, you are treated to a fabulous display of seasonal colour in the flower beds.

But added to this gorgeous collection of blooms, there's also a herb and vegie garden,

 wonderful water features and art works.

For this Friday's flower flaunt, I've put together a little video of various snapshots I took as I wandered through the Spectacle Garden on a fine early Winter's day.  Do click on the enlarge box in the bottom right-hand corner to enjoy the full spectacle!

I'm joining Tootsie for Fertilizer Friday / Flaunt Your Flowers

I'm also joining Tina for Weekend Flowers

Wordless Wednesday ... Winter Colour In the Park

Joining  Wordless Wednesday

Tina's Wordless Wednesday

and Linda's Wordless Wednesday

Mosaic Monday ... At The Parklands.

I was lucky enough just recently to be able to visit the Roma Street Parklands down in our capital city.  This fabulous parkland area is located right in the centre of the city, but when you're there you feel like you're a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

I've only highlighted a few corners of this vast parkland, primarily the water features along the parkland creek and lake, and the garden known as 'The Spectacle Garden'.  There's so much more to this special place.  It's a must see whenever you have the opportunity to visit Brisbane in Queensland, Australia.

I'm joining Mary at Little Red House for her Mosaic Monday meme.  Make sure you pop on over there to see loads of fabulous mosaic creations from people all around the world.

Mosaic Monday - A Stroll Through The Parklands.

It's been a while since I participated in Mosaic Monday meme ... but I've been thinking about something for the last couple of weeks now and I thought I'd share it with you.  Of course, it's got something to do with flowers and gardens!

In three weeks time, it's our mid-year break from school ... listen carefully, you can hear teachers all over Queensland sighing with relief!  Two terms of teaching over, Semester 1 reports finished, Parent-Teacher interviews completed ... and a two-week break!!!!  Of course, most teachers are back to school in that last week of holidays busily preparing for the next two terms.

For me, it's time to fly down and visit the grandchildren ... oh, and of course, my children!!!  (They always accuse me of thinking of them last!)  Whenever I visit my precious ones, I always try to visit the 16-hectare oasis in the middle of our state's capital city ... the Roma Street Parklands.  It's a breath of fresh air and I can literally spend hours strolling around the wonderful gardens.

So ... here's a quick glimpse of the Parklands from this time last year ... and I'll probably be sharing more photos taken when I get back there very, very soon.

 The Water Feature Garden:

 The Canal Gardens:

 The Spectacle Garden:

 The Walkways:

For other great Mosaic Monday posts, visit Mary at Little Red House.

Mosaic Monday - Grandchildren At The Gardens

Having had time off from the blogging world to visit my grandchildren, I just had to create this mosaic upon my return. For other great Mosaic Monday posts, visit Mary at Little Red House.

My grandchildren have grown up so far in two rather soul-less suburban gardens ... you know the ones!  They're located in those brand new suburban housing developments.  The backyard is grass ... nothing else! ... and the front yard has the obligatory kidney-shaped garden bed that includes the mailbox and plants that some property developer managed to get a great deal on when they buy in bulk!

So, when Gardening Grammie makes a visit, she tries to make sure they get to visit a great garden.  This one is my favourite ... there's far too much to see all in one go with three grandchildren, so they get to see something new every time they visit this public Parkland.  They love it ... and so do I.  The pleasure in their eyes when they get to see, touch, smell and appreciate all the colours and textures is a delight to the soul.  This particular part of the Parklands is called the 'Spectacle Garden' and it is quite a spectacle in Autumn!
(Click on the mosaic to get an enlarged view).