Friday, October 12, 2012

PURPLE


Well what a Week of Weather we have had ...
Several days of scorching summer heat,
one day when, at last, it rained all day ...
Followed by high blustering winds, winter temperatures, and a very cold night.
And it snowed - just a couple of hours away near Stanthorpe on the southern border of Qld.
It has been like some sort of rapid educational experience in the varieties of weather possible and available in sub-tropical climates in October!

Today calm has been restored, and we have been out and about, admiring the annual Jacaranda tree fest which bursts out in Brisbane every October.



From any vantage point in town, you can see a city dressed with dappled spots of purple lovliness ...


Wore my purple jeans:









This purple floral umbrella belonged to my mother.



The most popular painting in the Qld. Art Gallery is this:



Under the Jacaranda, 1903, by R. Godfrey Rivers.

This lovely impressionist-style painting shows the artist and his wife taking tea, under the first jacaranda brought to Brisbane:
 planted in the Botanic Gardens in 1864.
All the trees in Brisbane are said to be decendants of this original tree.
Art lovers like to bring jacaranda blossoms into the gallery and place on the floor beneath the painting.

We love our jacarandas!

Enjoy the purple and have a great weekend
xx






15 comments:

  1. I grew up in Southern California and the first Jacaranda blooms of the year were cause for long drives down streets lined with them. They are such beautiful trees, even when not in bloom, with their delicate leaves. Thanks for the information on the Australian Jacaranda.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did not know there were jacarandas in California, but now you mention it, the climate would be just perfect. They do make beautiful avenues, and many streets in Brisbane are lined with them. We have planted one in front of our house but it is only as tall as me, so not doing much yet!

      Delete
  2. oh my goodness the purples are just amazing! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For one month, we are purple heaven round here! x

      Delete
  3. What a gorgeous post ; just the name "jacaranda" has a lovely exotic feeling to it ...! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Silver Bunny - it is a special name, and everyone knows the jacaranda tree. I went to a costume party dressed as one a few years ago ...! xx

      Delete
  4. Love those Jacaranda trees, one I am not familiar with. How appropriate that you wore your purple jeans! All your pictures are great. Glad you finally got the rain but sounds as if you got other weird weather stuff as well. Enjoy your lovely trees and have a good weekend, Patricia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sanda, I am surprised the jacaranda have not made it to Alabama; maybe the climate is not quite right for them. Have to wear the coloured jeans a few more times before summer sets in for the duration; much too hot for jeans then. Have a nice weekend.

      Delete
  5. How I love to see Jacaranda in full bloom. They are truly a magnificent tree. Their light color purple, a sight for sore eyes.
    Pretoria is known as the Jacaranda capital of the world. Avenue's of jacaranda.
    My son 's avenue to his estate is lined with Jacaranda and oleander.
    Although growing well here in Portugal, they are not a popular as Australia or S.A and other countries.
    A lovely post Patricia.
    have a great weekend
    val

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true, Val, a full blooming jacaranda is a wonder to behold. I didn't know Pretoria was known for them. An estate lined with Jacaranda and oleander sounds really beautiful. Here they are sometimes alternated with Silky Oak, which has large golden flowers blooming at the same time. Happy Sunday. xx

      Delete
  6. How lucky the Jacaranda flowers survived that wind on Friday so you managed to see them! We have one flowering in our backyard, and the carpet of flowers underneath is nearly as beautiful as on the tree. Next we will be heading into Poinciana time. Fingers crossed for more 'agreeable' weather this week...
    *love your piccies!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Judith, now you mention it, they must be tough little purple bells to survive that wind! I love the jacaranda carpets too - extra prettiness. Poincianas are good too. Weather has gone quite nuts - noone knows what to wear anymore!

      Delete
  7. I love the Jacarandas too, such a lovely colour. However I used to dislike them when at school, as they always reminded me of exam time! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Fifi, agree, jacaranda is a perfectly lovely colour. Sad about the association with exams though! xx

      Delete
  8. satta king it's necessary to consider the possibility of burnout. A good way to combat that is to write in stages. First, sit down, and simply write your general ideas for the article. Play Bazar Then, take a break. Later, you can hone the focus of your article, edit for grammar, and add finishing touches. Take breaks as needed in between these stages to stay fresh and avoid overload.

    ReplyDelete