Tuesday, January 6, 2015

SULTRY SUMMER




The sultry summer of Queensland continues...


We have been to the beach:



Loved the fretwork in the awning of this shop..



Had fish and chips..


and icecream at Massimo's...


and bought a pineapple tea cosy at a little market we found..




Coffee in the local rustic general store..


with a little dragon running around our feet..

Humidity was 110%..


Our plant nursery has re-stocked after Christmas -


Isn't it strange - the succulents we loved in the 70s, abandoned in the 90s,
are back in style -






Sophie, Countess of Wessex, turns 50, and looks better every passing year.
Here she is posing at the Wessex home, Bagshot Park.


She was interviewed for Harpers Bazaar.
I wonder if she reveals her secret for Princess-style glamour..

Definitely giving the younger Royals a run for their money..


Keep cool,
 we can make it through another 3 months of this...


XXXX


39 comments:

  1. The rose is stunning and those fish and chips look yummy! That humidity must be quite something....uck! Suzy x

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    1. I think the roses are the only ones who love the humid weather, Suzy! Fish and chips = delish..x

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  2. The humidity must be brutal. I do like your pineapple tea cozy a lot and enjoyed seeing that little dragon.

    Darla

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    1. It was love at first sight for the pineapple cosy, Darla.
      Those Eastern Water Dragons are funny little guys, with heads cocked to the side; they are quite bold when looking for crumbs.

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  3. The humidity really is the worst isn't it! Funny as you say about the succulents, plants seem to have fashions as much as clothes and home décor don't they. I love love love the tea cosy and I noticed that pineapple tee shirt too! I hope that you keep enjoying summer. xx

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    1. Some people like the heat, but I think Nobody loves the humidity, Amy. Yes, pineapples all over - might as well go troppo!
      Plant fashions - are they dictated for us by big corporations? Probably... xx

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  4. Trish, it is so awesome to see you posting pictures of your hot weather when we are all freezing here in the States...a big cold front moving through the whole country tomorrow. Our average in Texas is 64, but it's been in the 40s and 50s during the day. I'd prefer your warm weather...can you send some?

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    1. OK, will send over some warm, Linda, but you must send a cold breeze back in return :)
      I have heard about the cold front coming tomorrow - expecting to see good snow footage on TV.

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  5. High humidity would do me in, I have to admit. I love the pineapple teacosy and the beautiful rose. I could live with a bit of colour at present, for sure. Everything looks pretty grey here!

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    1. The humidity does me in too, on a regular basis Jenny. This summer has been the worst in years. Pineapples are the cheer-up factor this week. At least we have bright colour!

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  6. It sure is hot..
    We will be having that weather starting around May..getting hotter to July and August.
    Nice photos Patricia.
    love your pineapple T shirt and the T cosy.
    the fish and chips look yummi... cant get that here..
    xxx val

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    1. Hello Val, yes, I know you do get surprisingly hot weather over in Portugal. But no fish and chips? This is terrible, you will have to open a boutique cafe. Glad you like my pineapple tee - sequins, no less. Happy days xxx

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  7. It sounds really hot there. I'm glad to see you've been able to get to the beach, that must have been a little relief. I really like your pineapple shirt and tea cozy, very summery and tropical for your sultry summer. :)

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    1. Hi Jennifer, yes, too hot for me. I'm dreaming of some frosty cool these days. Pineapples seem to be the way to go - if you can't escape, embrace the tropical!

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  8. I think it is easier to have princess style glamour when at least you have the culture and recognition to be able to have this sort of glamour - it's a two way thing.

    Your heat/humidity must be quite overwhelming at this time of year - bad enough down here, at about 90% humidity, slightly cooler temperatures. Also not conducive to princess style glamour :)

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    1. Hmm, yes, very perceptive Sarah Liz; the culture and recognition thing would be a pre-requisite. I doubt I could rock that elegance at the local supermarket :)
      Awful summer this year, wherever you are - and definitely not a time of glamour!

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  9. Hi Patricia.....
    So different to have the opposite climates!
    I will be at the beach come February....
    I just love your cute wee feet....painted toes....and sweet yellow sandles!
    Enjoy your week...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Ah, I suspect a journey Linda, if you are going to the beach in February, the coldest month in old Canada. Painted toes say thank you - they are out on display at least 9 months of the year, so pedicures are mandatory here :)

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  10. Not only are the flowers beautiful, but you take beautiful pictures, Patricia. The few pictures I take and post to my blog are always darker than the lonely ones here.

    Sophie does look lovely. She must be happy.

    What a cute pineapple tea cosy!

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    1. Hi Debra, and thank you - and thank goodness for modern digi cameras, too. I haven't a clue about photography. Sophie seems to have a happy life these days, yes. I am amused by the tropical pineapple cosy - as if you would need it to keep the tea warm in this heat!!

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  11. Hi Valerie, I'll have the staff anytime - so much more free time for creativity. The English climate is amazing for skin - the Queen's complexion is incredibly fresh and translucent - not like many of we Aussies!

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  12. You have hot weather there, while I am enjoying the winter months here. January is one of the coldest months here. The picture of the beach is pretty. I have been wanting to go to the ocean lately and say hello. Coffee at the general store with your husband sounds charming, Patricia. Although those creepy lizards freak me out. I see them around here from time to time during the hot summer days. Your pink rose is beautiful. I hope to plant some roses this spring at our new home.

    It sounds like the new year is being good to you, friend.

    love,
    ~Sheri

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    1. You must plant roses, Sheri - they are so you! I saw the California rose parade on TV - very nice - and also heard about the cold weather. Enjoy the cool, and Happy New year.

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  13. Hallo Patricia,
    first of all Happy New Year to you and you family ! I see you are enjoying life !
    I see there is a Massimo's icecream shop :-) nice !
    thank you for your support and your visits and all the best again !

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    1. Hi Massimo, I hoped you would spot the icecream shop - thought of you :)
      All the best, and well done with the blog.

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  14. Replies
    1. My favourite rose bush, which we nearly lost in the heat. Finally recovered when the rains came, and rewards us with one perfect bloom. Happy new Year xx

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  15. Such beautiful, warming images! And what a treat to witness these warm treat from the chill of the northern hemisphere ~ thanks for that!

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    1. Thank you, Rose. Glad you enjoyed the warm respite - I hear it is extremely cold over there. I found your blog - very interesting!

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  16. Oh I remember those January temperatures and the humidity in Queensland - we lived there for a year in the 80's!
    Your red rose is beautiful, I know what a struggle it is to keep them alive in those conditions.
    Love the photo with your pretty yellow sandals and pineapple tee shirt... very slim Patricia!
    Wishing you everything wonderful in 2015!
    Shane

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    1. Thank you Shane, especially for calling me 'slim' :) Unfortunately my arms swell in the heat, but there you go.
      Hope 2015 is wonderful for you, too, and perhaps includes a trip to France? xx

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  17. I must say i couldn't cope with that humidity. I loved Johannesburg for its dry climate and hated Durban for humidity that made your glasses steam up when you got out of the car! Lovely photos as always and your glimpses into royal life keep me up to date on what goes on next door :)

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    1. I am not coping too well with it either, Val. We have the glasses steam-up going on most days. Glad to keep you in the Royal picture :))

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  18. It was a long drop down under this time. Seems, that I´m maybe the last one commenting here..
    Once again, so much in your post! Can you believe me when I say, that I´ve never even seen fish & chips!
    It is so absurd seeing and reading from heath, humidity at this point of the year, which is one of our coldest months - up above!
    Anyways, glad you are having a nice time. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hello Mette, I am amazed regarding the fish and chips, but then I think it is a British tradition, and transposed to the Commonwealth country that is Australia. Perhaps you have different fishy takeaway treats? I am looking longingly at the snow pictures, Europe, Canada, wherever - as this is the most annoying humidity we have had for quite a few years, but apparently it is the price we pay for some long-awaited rain!

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  19. Heat and a beach...... ah, I'm dreaming! Okay. I'll try to sympathise a little about the humidity. Here in Blighty it is cold and wet - I'd swap!
    Love the pineapple cozy, just the thing for fruit teas.

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  20. Hi there, thank you for commenting. The heat is a bit like the snow - there are good and bad aspects, depending on the day. Great idea re the fruit teas - I'll get on to that with my local tea purveyor!

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  21. It may be beautifully sunny and summery in your photos, but I don't know how you cope with the heat and humidity, Patricia. Do you ever get used to it, I wonder? Here it's cold and grey and damp and I'm swathed in layers to keep warm. :-) I'm glad you're enjoying some good days out. Those fish and chips looks delicious.

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    1. Ah, the short answer is that I don't cope particularly well with the heat and humidity, and this year has been the worst for a long time. I prefer to layer up to keep warm, which is easier. We only stayed overnight at the beach, enjoyed it, but then got back in the air-conditioned car and came home!

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