This year, Australia, like so many other countries, has been battling against unusual weather patterns, in between coping with a pandemic. We have had an unprecedented amount of rain this year in our region. I read today that there might be a locust plague in the Eastern States of Australia due to our excessive rainfall.
Despite all this, as the Desiderata poem quotes,
“with all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world”
This wonderful poem was found in old Saint Paul’s Church, Baltimore dated 1692
To end the year, I’ve chosen some photos taken through the year, and the seasons.
Photos that show some of the more pleasurable moments in an otherwise difficult year.
Winter was particularly dreary this year, but we did have one highlight. Every afternoon, at almost exactly 4.00 pm this pair of King parrots came down to the bird bath. The female would drink, while the male perched on a branch of a nearby tree, then she would perch on the same branch while the male came down to drink. Then they flew off together.
Each following their instincts for survival, but touching none the less.
In spring the King Parrot pair, brought their young one to the wires above the garden almost every day to feed. What a delight!
During the winter we occasionally looked after our daughter’s dog Charlie.
Charlie doesn’t believe in sleep-ins, and I guess he is right, the winter mornings are lovely, especially with so much greenery and soft pinks and blues around mountains at dawn.
The pansies below have been in the garden for nearly two years! I don’t think we have ever had such a robust bed of pansies. Whatever anti-ageing tablets they are taking, I ‘d line up for them too!
They seem to be smiling all through winter.
I have often mentioned Ken’s garden in my posts. Ken is a neighbour, whose passion is his garden. He works tirelessly all through the winter to tend, not only his own garden, but to the verge around his property. This is a great public space for children to enjoy and for adults to chat.
Our own garden has never been so green, and shady…
Many thanks for reading my blog post today, I appreciate readers and comments, and enjoy following fellow bloggers, it is a wonderful window into other worlds.
Best wishes for Christmas and happy holidays.
Copyright Geraldine Mackey: All Rights Reserved.
Love those parrots and what amazing cornflowers. Merry Christmas and hope you have a good 2022.
Thank Barbara, Merry Christmas and yes, let’s hope all our vaccines make 2022 a little easier!
You have posted some amazing pictures, what an oasis of colourful peace your garden is, a great pleasure for me to look at thank you.
Thanks Susan, I’m sure the beautiful UK countryside is hard to match in greenery!
I never get tired of looking at what you have done in your garden and who visits it. Isn’t it wonderful to have the time to take note of the passage of time and all the different colours it brings!
Yes, I completely agree, it is lovely to have the time to watch the garden through the seasons. This year, we were in Lockdown during most of winter, so it was especially nice to see the birds coming regularly.
Well, you know you had my attention with your handsome birds. They always bring a smile. 🙂 It is also nice to see green landscape and flowers. Beautiful country you have. Parts of our country saw locusts this summer. The weather patterns here have been like a roller coaster. It’s going to hit mid 50’s today and then snow tonight. The plants must think they’re on a roller coaster. Enjoy your family and the holidays.
I’m sure our green countryside could never match your beautiful summer and autumn colours! I hope you plants survive the roller coaster of temperature changes…the same here today. Best wishes to you and your family for holidays ahead.
Oh, what beauty, a balm for this hard year. Dogs, birds, and flowers are three of my favorite things, and this post features each one of them.
Thanks Laurie, I agree, dogs, birds and flowers, the joys of life!
Charlie is so cute and so are the parrots. Your garden is really lovely and how wonderful those pansies and cornflowers are. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you and your family, Gerrie.
Thanks Sylvia and yes, Charlie is cute! Merry Christmas to you and your family, and I hope 2022 is brighter for us all, and that you are able to see your family more often too. As they say in Zimbabwe (probably in S. Africa too!) ….. Go Well!
Goodness, I do hope the plague of locusts doesn’t materialise. Those parrots are wonderful, how lovely to have a bonded pair and their chicks visit the garden. I’m loving Charlie and the early morning photos. The garden pics are lovely, especially those vibrant cornflowers. All the very best to you and yours.xxx
I agree, plagues of locusts sounds very biblical! I absolutely love King Parrots (although the females should be called Queen parrots!) and Charlie can almost speak!
All the best for you and your family Dina, I always enjoy reading about your projects and animal rescues.
Beautiful birds dressed in their Christmas colours!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Diana, may you have a happy and healthy 2022.
Thanks Diana, and Happy New Year to you too!
Gerrie, thank you for stopping by my blog so that I could follow you back to yours! I love Australia; I was there many years ago at New Year’s Eve and I remember the birds and the flowers so vividly. The king parrots are stunning and Charlie is adorable. Your garden is so lovely – oh to be in iris season again! Wishing you a Happy New Year!
Many thanks Lynn, I’m so glad you enjoyed Australia, I hope to see more of your vast and wonderful country one day (viruses permitting!) Best wishes for the New Year.