LEST WE FORGET

Today is Anzac Day, and a very special commemoration, the centenary of the landings at Gallipoli during World War I.

On Anzac Day, April 25, we remember Australian and New Zealand service men and women, who served and died in all wars.

The landing on the beaches at Gallipoli, alongside the British and French forces, was the first major military action by the ANZACS (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) in the first World War.

It is often referred to as the time our nation 'came of age', just a few years after Federation, when we became the Nation of Australia.

Rosemary for Remembrance

This morning we attended our local Anzac Day Parade and Memorial Service, one of hundreds such events across Australia.

Hundreds lined the streets.

Frail veterans rode in lovely old vehicles.

My grandfather Cecil, and his two brothers, all farmers, enlisted in 1915:

My grandfather is the one on the right, looking so young, and a lot like one of my brothers.

They went first to Egypt, with the AIF (Australian Imperial Forces), where they trained for several months, in the vicinity of the pyramids.

Google image

Note the kangaroo: somebody brought him as a mascot!

Later Cecil and his brothers were deployed to the Western Front, serving near Ypres in the mud of Flanders.

30,000 Australians lost their lives there. 

They were very fortunate, as all three survived.

We visited the area a few years ago, and saw preserved trenches, wondering how anyone had lived through it all.

Mr Cardinal's family were less fortunate..

Two of his great-uncles perished in the same area.

We found the name of one brother on the Menin Gate...resting place unknown..

the other brother's grave we found in this little War Cemetery, near Ypres.

My grandfather's medals...

Grandfather went to England before he was repatriated to Australia after the war.  There he met and married an English girl, they returned to his farm and in 1920 my father was born to them.

This year he will be 95 years old.

I have made Anzac Biscuits, a favourite Australian delicacy, and a must on Anzac Day.  Might even give some to Dad on Sunday...

Lest We Forget

XXX

AUTUMN THOUGHTS

My mother used to say a pink sky at sunset means a cool morning to follow...

Hope so - thanks Mum!

My antique pansies are showing some delicious Autumn tones..

and we have thousands of these orange berries on a tree  

some call Sheena's Gold - I am not sure if that is its real name.

It has blue flowers also.

In a triumph of hope over experience, I bought some potted tulips at Coles.

Tulips are not something grown in the tropics, but I am undeterred.

After they flower, I will plant them in the 'cold' garden at the back of the house.

It gets only morning sun, and is cool enough to occasionally produce a daffodil, much to my delight.

Why not tulips?

Little Aussie came to visit yesterday.

He is getting So Tall, and is such fun to be with. 

 We love that he loves visiting us...

Aussie remains crazy for Star Wars, so we watched part of the original trilogy..

Naturally, we played lego...

But, now we really know he is growing up -

the first thing he put together was 'A resort!'

I took these pictures of Lilacs in Canada in 2013..

Isn't it beautiful?

And the scent is divine...

Long-term readers know I sing with the Choir for Ladies of a Certain Age..

Last week we rehearsed the old war-time song: We'll Gather Lilacs:

sweet and sentimental, but so retro, it has to be back in vogue...

Won't be long now, and I'll be gathering lilacs in the Spring again too...

Have a lovely week.

XXXX

FLOWERS OF AUTUMN

Hello...

I read in the newspaper that Autumn in Brisbane is five weeks late this year...

but we are grateful, a hint of cool has begun,

 and both we and the garden are thankful for the change in the air.

Maximum temperatures of 27 C.  and a few minimums of 14 C.

Much better, and the flowers don't die in one day.

We popped into the garden centre for some mulch..

but I found a punnet of Linaria, Fairy Bouquet.

It reminds me of my mother, who used to grow it when I was a little girl.

Of course I had to bring some home...

Such dainty, pretty little blooms.  I'll keep you posted on their progress.

Then there was the punnet of antique colour pansies.

I know, we are going to Canada soon, but....

can't let pansy season go unacknowledged, can I?

This is me, about to hit the walking trail -

 to shake off a few kilos before we set out..

as you do...

and because there has been a hint, a slight promise,  of the possibility of winter,

I found a new cashmere jumper..

and a floppy felt hat.

The last time I owned a hat like this, my children were very small..

It is even possible the Beatles were still together.

Mr C and I watched Episode 1 of Wolf Hall...

and loved it.

Having grown up hearing about Henry VIII and his six wives,

and as avid lovers of history, we thought we might find it a bit stale.

Not at all.  It is a fresh take on history, with the story working around Thomas Cromwell, in a portrayal rather different from the generally accepted historical record.  It is beautifully filmed by candlelight and natural outdoor settings, and the costumes are wonderful.

Here's Anne Boleyn showing one of her skills:

Can't wait for Ep. 2.

Maleny says Hi!

Have a good week.

XXX

EASTER FROLICS

Hello, dear little chocolatty bunnies, Readers

I hope you had a fabulous Easter...

We two cardinals fled both the city and the crowds at the beach and braved the wet weather to perch high on a hilltop north of Brisbane...

A rainbow greeted us on arrival at our B&B...

and these:

along with entrancing views of the Glasshouse Mountains *...

despite the rain...

We visited the local township of Maleny - 5 bookshops in the main street!

enjoyed the many art galleries..

bought fabric..

dined on fish with rose petals..

and loved the wisteria.

Now we all know the best part of the B&B is the second B, don't we?

Souffle was divine..

Easter eggs on Easter Sunday...

They have lorikeets there too -
and, according to our lovely hosts, who warned us to keep the screen doors closed, also possums, pythons, and scrub turkeys.
Just like home..

Misty Easter morn, before the mountains emerged..

Close up of one of these rocky edifices, captured on the way home..

* The Glasshouse mountains were named by Captain Cook on his voyage of discovery up the Queensland coast in 1770.

This fellow followed me ..

I'm calling him Maleny..

Thank you all for your lovely Easter greetings on my previous two posts.

I enjoyed receiving and reading them, and am forever grateful for all the friendships I have found in the Land of Blog.

I hope your Easter was also delightful.

xxxx