ROUND AND ROUND THE WORLD/GARDEN

 

Hello dear Readers.

Greetings from the Iris, who are doing a very nice line in heralding Spring at the Red Cardinal garden.

We have been in and out of lockdown and restrictions until my head is spinning.

Or is that the seasonal allergies which come around this time of year?

The world has gone a bit mad - poor Afghanistan, shocking scenes as the frightened population try to get away, while rescue missions struggle to bring out our citizens and those who helped them, who were there lending aid and support.

And Haiti, so sad to have this shocking earthquake and loss of life.  Only recently we watch a repeat of the Joanna Lumley 'Hidden Caribbean' doco where she went to Haiti, a poor and very fascinating country.  Do you enjoy Joanna's travels too?

Travelling has become a distant dream.  I painted a watercolour copy of a Cezanne painting on show in the Met Masterpieces exhibition (see previous post).   I know, very presumptuous of me to paint my own Cezanne!  It is Gardanne, a village in Provence where we had such an enjoyable tour in 2019... Happy memories...

More sad news today, there are wildfires in the forests of this beautiful region in the South of France.

While we were restricted to a 5km radius (last week), we could still visit the local Garden Centre.  These birds were fabulous!  (as was the price...)

They reminded me of a garden sculpture seen in our Blue Mountains Garden Tour back in April this year:

We were so fortunate to have had this holiday and to visit our twin grandsons in Sydney.  Alas we have been unable to see them since, as the Delta Covid has overrun poor Sydney.  Despite best efforts, the daily total climbs (681 today).

It is a big worry to us, as to so many families concerned about and unable to see and visit loved ones.

We bought an olive tree, to fill a sunny, well drained spot in the back garden.

It is near the lemon we planted last year, which is showing enthusiasm again:

I am dreaming of a little produce garden out there...

(We had the regular zoom meeting with the Finance Guru this week - he mentioned the dreaded 'downsizing'..... I think not!)

One of the hanging baskets we are babysitting for our Brisbane son and his wife (they are moving house).  I do not know its name, but it is having the sweetest little white fruits, about the size of a pea.

Thus far, we have kept everything alive.  Their mint and Rosemary are thriving.  All the cactus are still alive and propagating.  Fingers crossed.

Loved this pair of swans at the garden centre.  They are 'spensive too...

Just as well I grabbed my white swan a couple of years back - $12, K Mart.

Should have bought a second one - they usually travel in pairs...

In other Covid news, Brisbane has apparently overturned the recent outbreak, with zero new cases for two days.  Our Premier is urging people to vaccinate immediately, to be ready for the next surge.  With more than half of the remainder of Australia now in lockdown, it is almost inevitable.  However, our borders are now strictly guarded - very few can enter.  My first Pfizer jab is scheduled for next Tuesday.

Over in Canada, children born in 2009 can now have Pfizer.  Our older Canadian grandson has already had his first jab, before commencing High School in September.  I hope Australia is watching this development.  It seems the Delta variant spreads virulently among children as seen in the local area outbreak.

Wherever you are in the world, take care and be safe.  

With love from the Red Cardinal

XXXX