Summer Blues

Blue Agapanthus are common plants

in both New Zealand and Australia.

It's a sign of Summer in both our countries.

I took these photos when I was in Maldon, Australia

at Christmas.

In New Zealand 

Agapantus have been declared an invasive weed

by The Department of Conservation.

It is thought it arrived here with soldiers returning

from the second Boer War in South Africa.

It seems growing conditions here are perfect

and they can be found from North Cape

to Stewart Island, the southern most point of 

our country.

Aggies - as they're affectionately called

line the pathway to the house where we stayed.

Needless to say I felt quite at home here

thanks to the gorgeous blue aggies!

I'm joining Jeanne for 

Blue Monday

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Australian Sojourn

 I took the above group of photos at dusk

it was the most beautiful evening

and the light was quite magical.

It's times like this that I wish I had a camera

with a better lens (or two).

I love landscapes

however with my little Point and Shoot

I get limited results.

I would like more definition and I now know

from what Brian told me

it's all about the lens and the range!

I'm in the process of deciding which camera

I should buy, and weighing up the pros and cons.

I've already asked a few of you

who are keen photographers,

for your recommendations and the reason behind

your choice of camera.

Thank you for your feedback so far.

So please let me know if  you think your camera

is a great one - I would love to hear from you.

This is the main street of Maldon, Victoria

at dusk on a Sunday evening

not exactly buzzing - but I love that!

If you're interested you can see 

my previous Maldon post here

I'm joining Jeanne for Blue Monday

Judith for Mosaic Monday

and

Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia, Sandy and Jennifer for

Our World Tuesday

Thank you all for your visits

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane

Thank you all for hosting!

Who'll Come a Waltzing Matilda with me?

I love ‘outback’ Australia.

In summer it is dry, hot, parched and dusty

with a raw beauty

that has found a special place in my heart.

In my twenties I lived and worked 

in both Sydney and Melbourne

I preferred Melbourne.

Maldon where our son lives 

is an historic mining town from the

goldrush days of the 1800's.

It is made up of gold miners cottages

an interesting array of shops worth perusing and

footpaths shaded by wide corrugated iron verandahs.

There are deep gutters

to cope with flooding when the rains come.

Any new buildings are governed by strict building codes

and must be within keeping of existing.

Two styles of early Australian houses in Maldon.
I was surprised how lovely some of the gardens look
considering the dry climate.
Roses seemed to do very well
and hedging using native plants were lovely.

There were interesting shops to peruse
and I bought several bits in 'Much Ado'.

How about some dinkum Aussie country music

Waltzing Matilda

We enjoyed our week in Maldon
soaking up the Australian landscape, fauna and flora!

I'm joining Judith for Mosaic Monday

Take care and
be kind to one another

à bientôt



Shane

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/1979038/?claim=bjtxnjdfj2h">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Five on Friday

Our son lives in an old historical gold mining town

in Victoria, Australia

140 km north of Melbourne.

It was such an interesting place to visit

and you will see more when I post about it over the weekend.

We had several meals out and lunch one day

at The Wombat Hill cafe in Daylesford where

Croque Monsieur was on the menu and it was delicious!

 but not a wombat in sight!

Our  long awaited kiwi Summer has been interrupted 

with storms throughout New Zealand.

Unfortunate for campers whose holidays 

have been cut short because of wet tents and bedding.

Once the Christmas celebrations are over

many young kiwi families

pack their trailers with tents and other camping gear

hitch it to the car and

drive off in search of the perfect spot

 to spend their holiday 

at the beach or beside the lake.

In good weather this is a fun thing to do.

The rain that has interrupted a summer holiday for so many 

has come as a huge relief for farmers

as many have been in drought conditions for two years.

Now the farmers will all be out doing their

HAPPY DANCE!

When the Jacaranda blooms it's a sure sign of

Summer in our part of the world.

I'm very fond of it's blue flowers

however it can reach a height of 30 metres

which is too large for a townhouse garden!

We have become a nation of coffee drinkers

myself included.

This one was enjoyed at a cafe in Maldon!

I'm joining Amy at Love Made my Home for

Five on Friday

Take care and

be kind to one another

à bientôt

Shane