How about a country walk this morning?

Good morning... or afternoon, or evening depending on where you are in the world.

I decided this morning that Muffy and I should stretch our legs.

I know that's a little difficult for Muffy, with being so near to the ground

(virtually challenged shall we say) 

but when she's up for it, she certainly can walk.

So instead of the park as usual this morning, we heading out into the country lanes.

Would you like to join us...?

The fresh gusty wind was playing with the clouds... chasing their shadows across the fields.

The birds were also having great difficulty navigating, with gusts blowing them off course and whether they wanted to or not, making spectacular acrobatic displays.

The gorse is stunning at the moment and I'm sure there wasn't this much around at this time last year. 

It's bright yellow floral display is quite a delight whilst we wait for the sun to return.

I remember someone asked on a previous post what gorse actually was but unfortunately I've forgotten who asked! 

I know it's an age thing.

Here's a few facts about gorse for those that aren't familiar with the thorny evergreen.

The flowers have fantastic yellow flowers that have a distinctive coconut smell.

It likes banks, heaths and sea-cliffs although at the moment it appears to be everywhere I look.

Folklore says you should only kiss your beloved when gorse is in flower. 

The good news is that it is pretty much in bloom at any time of year! 

But the peak time for the vibrant yellow blooms is April and May.

This photo might give you some idea of how strong the wind was... I even had to hold onto my hat!

One advantage for Muffy being so low down to the ground, is that she was tucked away behind the granite walls for much of the time, so out of the strong wind... otherwise with her being off lead she might have been the first dog to fly!

Does anyone else remember playing as a child with dandelions? 

We would shout and chant "wet the bed... wet the bed" if anyone picked one and on a more friendly note, we would use the seedlings to tell the time singing the rhyme... one-o-clock, two-o-clock...etc etc... whilst blowing the seeds from the stem.

Just another little fact... did you know that a seed can be carried as many as five miles from their origin.

It also has the longest flowering season of any plant! 

No wonder I can't clear them out of my garden.

It was lovely to have you join me this morning... I hope you enjoyed it.

I thought I've shown you enough of my garden and some of the plants within it

(see my Instagram feed in my sidebar if you don't use Instagram) 

so I thought it was a good idea to expand and go further afield, quite literally.

Well, I'm off now to tackle those dandelions and other weeds.

(whispering voice... the sun's shining!!!)

Have a wonderful Wednesday... enjoy!

I Spy With My Little Eye...something beginning with P

I have no idea what my friend put in my cuppa this morning after our walk, but my...oh my...I've been like a dog running on lino ever since!

I've completed numerous tasks and chores that needed my attention and some that didn't...but I just went for it anyway!

It could be something to do with the fact that the sun has made an appearance today. The temperature is nearly up to my tolerance level...just skirting below at 15 degrees celsius. Tomorrow it's supposed to hit the button ~ 16...whoohoo....watch me go!

I've mentioned before when you're out walking how easy it is to miss things....you just don't see things unless you open your eyes...like the uneven pavement until you trip, or the puddle until you're knee deep in muddy water...and that's just what happened on our Sunday morning walk.

 I admired this beautiful huge tree as we walked past, but then my OH said...Psst....'look'!

Now it's your turn to play...can you see it?

Here's a clue....

Let's sneak in and take a closer look...

That is one cosy critter....

Here's a picture so that you know what the other end looks like?

Yep it's a possum!

I know they're very controversial creatures...some people love them whilst others hate them.

I have to agree I think I might have a problem if one chose to nest in my roof space or attic...making an incredible smell and mess, but so far they've stayed at a distance so I'm okay about them. 

It's very difficult to get a good photo as they are nocturnal marsupials and therefore as this model above demonstrates very well...snooze during the day! 

(This photograph is curtisy of unisa.edu.au )

I think I may need a snooze now I've sat down....

I hope you have a productive day too :D

Are you free to join me in a walk?

I thought if you had a few minutes free you might like to join me on our morning walk?
It was Zac's last morning with us...yep his holiday's over and he's back home, probably enjoying being spoilt...you know how they do that to us? Sulking because they were left behind...how could they go without ME? I'll show them! etc etc...
Madame Mufftypup has had a very quiet afternoon sulking in her bed....but I've told her we'll see him again soon (^,,^) but she's not convinced.
Anyway...let's enjoy the day and our walk. It certainly was a beautiful morning. There was a crispness to it but then autumn is approaching here. We've had 31C degrees today which is crazy. So off we go.....

Here are the kids enjoying a roam off leash...so many things to investigate! 

Doggy heaven...

As you may know if you've visited me before I adore trees so here's a beautiful specimen. I always expect the trunk to feel warm like its alive which I know it is, but you know what I mean...like its a limb of a huge animal with pale skin. I know I frighten the kids sometimes...I know I'm strange : )

I love the white revealed once the bark falls away.

The sun was delicious and I really appreciated it...

These cuties caught my eye to ~ like a fairy village. It's amazing what you notice once you start to blog. Everything shouts out at you for a photograph...(oh no...tell me it's not just me again?)

This bird I believe is a Butcherbird. I think it may be a Grey Butcherbird but it could be a Pied Butcherbird.

Here's a Butcherbird song.

The sky was cloudless and then I noticed the moon. How brilliant is that...it forgot to go to bed. Maybe it wanted to enjoy the day too?

Look there's someone else flying by... 

This plane was circling around and around...not sure why?

It wasn't the usual thing to see so I hope it was okay?

Sorry its a little blurred but my zoom isn't that good!

 How amazing is this paper bark...I'm told you can paint and draw on it...hmm...food for thought there.

 I know I mention the rainbow lorikeets regularly on my blog but today I finally managed to get up close and personal...They were sitting and chatting in a garden...so I snapped them whilst I could.

 This seed block is the one they visit ~ not mine unfortunately. I won't give up though.

How rude of them to ignore mine : (

 Now then, here's a little quiz for you...what is this? I haven't a clue but I loved his wings.

After the treelined walk we come to a couple of ovals for a quick game of footy. Muffin has always been a very keen player. It's amazing how fast her little legs will go.

The tallest building in the background is the Eureka building in the CBD... I plan to visit one day but I'm not sure about the glass cube which projects 3 metres out from the building, with you in it - suspended almost 300 metres above the ground! It's the only observation deck in the world that can thrill you with 'The Edge' suspended almost 300 metres above the ground! Eek!
The Skydeck is situated on the 88th floor and is the highest public vantage point (285m) in the Southern Hemisphere. If I do visit then I'll definitely either take you with me or let you see evidence that I was there.

Back to earth....as well as the blackbirds I never expected to see oak trees here. But I'm so glad they are.

And so back home for a well needed cuppa...and the final splash of colour.

Have a wonderful day...keep smiling and enjoy your day : D

Take time to think....

I thought it might be time to stop and perhaps take a leaf out of Santa's book....

Not necessarily go surfing but to stop and sit awhile or better still to take a breather whilst out walking. Clear the chesticles, mind, soul and all that.

I can say that today because yesterday I finished dressing the tree and baked two batches of mincepies. Whoohoo ;D

So the weather was perfect this morning....sorry I don't mean to gloat but it was! The sun was shining  but it was cool, crisp and clear. So do you need a break from the festive fever.
Come on and I'll shall show you some things I saw on my route.....

Get the kettle on...sit down and take 5!

I'm surprised that this photo came out at all really because the fungi was sitting quite high up the tree and I had to capture it with my arms stretched up and on tipytoe. Not bad eh?

This Jacaranda was certainly enjoying the morning sunshine too.

I remember the first time I saw a jacaranda was in South Africa. I don't think I'd ever seen anything like it before. The street was lined on both sides giving a spectacular sight.

I thought this tree looked like a chap that had some comment to make as I passed but managed to hold back...or is that just me??? Eek...I must check my medication!

There was a bush bearing fruit but I'm not sure what it was...?

If anyone can shed some light on what it is...shout up....

here's a close up of the fruit to help...

And here's the Agapanthus growing randomly near the railway line.

nearly done...ahhh....

And just to show I wasn't telling any porkie pies...here's my mince pies to prove it.

I haven't put the recipe on today but if you would like it just let me know and I'll add it on....

I'm always transported back in time when making my mince pies, to a time when I needed a chair to reach the table top in order to help my Grandma make her's. She used to make them for the whole family. I remember thinking there were hundreds but maybe that's just in my memory. I do know the exact amounts but there were lots. Her kitchen became a hive of industry with flour puffs, icing clouds, and a good pinch of laughter.

Perfect memories...... :D

Right that's it for today...off you go....get busy peeps! Tea break's over.

Have fun....

p.s. Oh my...I really do need to check my medication...I thought it was Tuesday today, otherwise I'd have posted my Simple Woman's Journal. Oh well that'll have to be tomorrow now. Merry Madness!

A & E trauma for my Camera.....

Apologies that I never came back with a finished painting yesterday but it wasn't a good day really. Everything I tried to do just either didn't work or was a waste of time. Don't you just hate those kind of days....one step forward, three back!

I've also been very accident prone and suffering from dropsy. You name it I've dropped it over the last week. Imagine my horror in a beautiful kitchen equipment shop I swiped two lovely glass bowls from their display.

Visualise the four shades of red I turned when all the shop assistants and shoppers looked to see what was all the commotion and who caused it!

Thankfully they were so kind saying it was an accident and didn't charge me. {Perhaps they deserve a separate post ~ they have fantastic products}

I even dropped my camera whilst loading the car up after one of my outings. I was stunned and just looked on with horror.

It was like road kill....all its inners spilt across the tarmac. Half of me thought ah ha...now for that new camera but then this little Trojan has served me so well. I wanted to take a photo but dah....obviously couldn't. Carefully I picked up all its parts and rushed to the emergency room back home.

I fiddled and tweaked until it resembled something like it used to....ie bottom hanging out, scraps and scratches but mainly all bits where they should be.....

Then came the test....would it actually work again??? Nervously I ventured out and started to snap away. It was a tricky start but then everything appeared to have recovered from the trauma. Phewph...

Here's some pics after the accident

Banksia Spinulosa

Or more commonly named ' the toilet brush'

Bottle brush plants are evergreen trees with dark green leaves and red or pink flowers. The flowers are elongated at the end of branches and are comprised of short spiky petals. These flowers resemble a brush used to clean bottles with, hence the name bottle brush.

On with the walk....

I love the fact that there are weeping willow trees here.

I think they look so beautiful hanging over the water, gently swaying in the breeze.

It was rather warm so this shaded area was very much appreciated by both myself and Muffin.

Anyway, I'm away today to a creative craft workshop so I hope that I've left all my clumsiness behind. I'll let you know how I get on....

Have a fantastic weekend. Enjoy ; D

Meet the New Neighbours (Part 2)

Whilst out on our Doggie Walk this morning look who we bumped into.....

my how they've grown.

Mum wasn't so bothered this time at me approaching her brood. It could have had something to do with the bag of crumbs I had. I personally know how it is to try and feed hungry teenagers so maybe she was just thankful to have someone else give her a helping hand. I have trouble feeding one never mind five!

Typically Mum watched the kids devour the food and only nibbled whilst keeping an eye on everyone - meanwhile Dad just got stuck in.

As you can see Muffin wasn't too impressed. She was just loving lying in the warm sunshine.

Meet the new neighbours...

What a treat to see the new kids on the block. I had my hands full on this mornings walk with Muffin's lead, poopy bag (come on Boroondarra council - we need more bins), camera and generally everything but the kitchen sink.

The sun was shining and after yesterdays downpour it was just perfect to give the nursery an airing....

Muffin thought I was having a funny turn as we went stealth-like into the undergrowth. I know its not the best thing for a wildlife shot to have your dog with you but she's getting used to my antic's now and just sits patiently waiting for me to move on.

We were rewarded for our patience though as they began to stretch their legs....as you can see Dad knows we're there

They are five little feather balls....

Yep, we're behind the tree....

But then the warning went up and off they waddled....home to safety.
That's enough for one day

So apologies to anyone walking this morning if you happened to see a very dodgy sight - a suspicious woman hiding in the undergrowth - well now you know why....
Enjoy that sunshine.