LETS LOOK AT FASHION TO LIGHTEN THE MOOD

 

Hello

Heavy rain pelts down once more on the Red Cardinal nest,

the world continues to be weird,

and everyone is talking about the Oscars.

As ever, I liked the pink gowns:

But more fun, I think, is to see another round of ladylike frocks on a Royal Tour.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge embarked on a week-long tour of three Caribbean countries: Belize, Jamaica, and the Bahamas.

Catherine acknowledged the flags of each nation on her arrival, here in the cobalt blue for Belize.

Looking happy in a chic pill box hat..

Later, beating the heat in blue and red, in a dress which would not be out of place here in Brisbane in tropical Summer heat..

The royal couple attended an evening reception at the Mayan ruins in Cathal Peck:

The Duchess wore the first of three formal gowns, with pretty flutter sleeves, and

carried an embroidered Mayan clutch.

There were white pants:

We wear them a lot in the tropics!

And on to Jamaica:

 I love a yellow dress almost as much as a pink one, so this really appeals...

Gorgeous Roksanda dress, fluttering in the Jamaican breeze..

Perfect in the heat, this white lace dress was sweet, and a reminder of one the Queen wore in Australia, way back in the 1950s:

As they say about fashion, what goes around, comes around...

Green from the Jamaican flag appeared at the evening Reception, with a Jenny Packham gown, very much a Princess look:

Farewell to Jamaica:

I have been dreaming of a green linen dress like this...

Finally, to the Bahamas, in turquoise blue..

More pretty dresses...

and one final, and very elegant, formal gown,

pale blue satin by Phillipa Lepley:

And there you have it - a lot of fashion fun in one short week.

And back to the UK to catch up with the family.

The 80s vibe of the farewell dress divides the masses.

I like it, but then I like a puff sleeve, a peplum, and a pretty floral.

Well done Kate!

Be kind to each other, and take care

XXXXX

ST PATRICK'S DAY

 

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, dear Reader...

I like to acknowledge my Patron Saint, and wore green today for a coffee treat of green spinach scones at a nearby Patisserie...

Here are a few snaps from our visit to Ireland in 2016 on the occasion of our son's wedding to his Irish lass..

A mural at Wicklow, featuring St Patrick

Seen on my daily walk by the recently flooded creek..

Duchess Kate the Great, wearing glorious sapphire blue at the Commonwealth Day service..

A future Queen, looking stunning..

Two weeks after the devastating flood in Brisbane, our neighbourhood still bears many signs of the inundation....

Now removed, there were large piles of household goods destroyed by floodwaters.  About eight houses along the road at the bottom of our hill were seriously flooded...

This fence around a large horse paddock was only recently build, and now flattened by the strength of the rushing water...

as were the guard rails on several bridges over our winding creek...

and this flattened road sign..

At the Red Cardinal nest, we got quite a shock when water sprang up under our house, and we still have fans running to dry out the space so waterproofing and minor drainage repairs can proceed.

In fact, the entire hill in our area is still weeping water, which heads down towards the creek, despite there being minimal rain for over a week.

We have rented off-site storage and moved our business files there.  This will allow better circulation in the affected area and ensure the files are safe.

Sadly, the war in Ukraine goes on.  Refugees have begun to arrive in Brisbane.

Blessed St Patrick, pray for the Ukrainian people.

Be safe and well

XXXXX