NOVEMBER NOTES

 Time flies and it's already Mid-November ..

Summer heat has arrived along with a season of noisy thunderstorms.

Yesterday a storm rolled in around 5.30pm, and shortly after I took this photo we were plunged into darkness from the intense black clouds as heavy rain arrived, about an hour before normal Sunset.

Fortunately, we have not lost electricity from the almost daily show of thunder and lightning, but we always turn off appliances just in case.

A few years ago, lightning struck the house, and we lost computers, TVs, and even the iron which were plugged into the power.

Wasn't it lovely to see the Princess of Wales last weekend, at the Day of Remembrance concert and the military parade on Sunday morning.

She looks lovely, and so much healthier now following her cancer treatment.  Wishing her a happy and healthy future.

Happy Birthday to King Charles III who is 76 today.

He seemed to enjoy his recent trip to Australia, and also looks well after his year of treatment.

Agapanthus are in bloom...

Google image of a Wallaby

A few nights ago, our security camera captured a visitor to the porch:

a cute Wallaby (a small kangaroo) came up to our front door, had a look around, then eventually hopped back down the drive.

This is the first time we have seen one in our area, although there is bush about one km away.

Until we got the camera three years ago, we had no idea how many nocturnal visitors we have when we are fast asleep.

Cats are common, and there have been possums, reptiles, birds, dogs, and occasionally people! 

Yes, it is only November.

But I love an early Christmas, especially if I can entice the little grandies to come over and play around it.

Little Miss 2 loves a unicorn, and I found one just for her..

Tree memories of long-ago trips...

And gifts from lovely faraway friends..

Thank you dear Mary...

I have fallen away a bit on my junk journal obsession from earlier in the year, however am inspired to make a Christmas journal in Advent format, a daily page from December 1 to Christmas day.

I have collected a lot of cards and papers, hoping to show you when I manage to construct something.

Here's a rare pic of we two old Red Cardinals celebrating a birthday:

Happy Christmas preparations

XXXXX

Lego Christmas house ready to play

PRETTY LADIES

 This week Australia was host to special visitors.

 Our Head of State King Charles III arrived with Queen Camilla for a short visit on the way to a Commonwealth Conference in Samoa.

Sadly on this occasion the royal couple cannot visit Brisbane as originally planned due.  The King's ongoing Cancer treatment has meant he must curtail long and exhausting tours.

They arrived in Sydney on Friday night after the long flights from London, but still looked remarkably fresh.

Queen Camilla wore the Australian Wattle brooch, which was originally given to the late Queen Elizabeth II on her initial visit here in 1954.  The brooch came on each subsequent visit to our shores.

Back in 2016 I bought my own replica of the Wattle Brooch when we were in London.  Like many tourists, we went on the Buckingham Palace tour and ended up in their gorgeous gift shop.

Unsurprisingly, I ended up bringing home my own rhinestone version of this Australian designed white and yellow diamond brooch.

My mother told me about this piece when I was a little girl and I love to see tradition being maintained.

Sunday church in Sydney

Of course, I am always interested in the royal fashions.  Camilla has found her own style and always looks polished, understated and elegant, as befits her position.  The fact she is in my own age bracket makes me particularly interested in what works for her.

National War Memorial in Canberra

Parliament House, Canberra

National Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Greeting by Indigenous Australians

An Aussie Barbeque in Sydney

Cruise on Sydney Harbour

Final appearance at Sydney Opera House this afternoon.

There were numerous other meetings and visits over the five days: political and other particular interests for His Majesty, and several charities in which the Queen is involved.

The royal couple were well received by large crowds at designated events, and will need a rest day before the next leg of their tour.

From time to time, Camilla is seen carrying a Chanel handbag, lucky lady.

The occasional bottle of Chanel No 5 is as close as I get to touching on the amazing Chanel brand.

I recently went with a friend to see a new Ballet:

'Coco Chanel: the Life of a Fashion Icon', a performance by the Queensland Ballet.

We loved it, of course.

The Ballet was a full length production, covering all the major events of Chanel's very colourful life.

The following images are from Google Images:

The design of her logo

Another very enjoyable trip to the theatre was a 'date night' for the Red Cardinals.  

We went to see the lovely British actress and television personality, Joanna Lumley, live on stage talking about her life and travels.  In recent years she has been making wonderful documentaries as she goes to places such as India (where she was born), Japan, the Silk Road, the Spice Road, and many more.  Her charming personality was as evident on stage as in the series, and we loved every minute.  If you are interested in seeing far away lands, her travel shows make for very enjoyable viewing.

Hope you are all well.

Have a great week.

XXXX

VIVA MAGENTA AND SOME TRAVEL TALK

 Quick off the mark, Pantone has announced the 2023 Colour of the Year:

Viva Magenta!

Is is purple or is it red?

Illustrations seem to vary, and I have not seen it on any fashion items in the shops - yet...

I guess it is something like this trouser suit, a bluish red.

Red is a colour I rarely wear, although every few years I seem to invest in one red item...

Five years ago when we visited Canada in the depth of Winter, I made a red wool dress which makes an occasional appearance..

Do you like to wear red?   or Magenta?

Happy Birthday to Catherine, Princess of Wales, seen here in her first State Reception since receiving her new title.

I think she looks incredibly elegant, and will continue to perform her role beautifully as the years go by..

In other royal news, I read today that King Charles and Camilla will soon depart on a short overseas tour, the first since he ascended the throne.

I will be looking out for a new tour wardrobe for the Queen Consort, having a particular interest in nice clothes for women of, ahem, a certain age...  

I really liked her deep blue gown with sapphires...

They are going to a few places I have loved:

Paris.  Everybody loves Paris.

2014: The last time I saw Paris...

Berlin:  we loved it in 2018

The museums are astonishing - we had a fabulous five days there..and five nights at the Opera or the Symphony - bliss!

We saw the great Daniel Barenboim, conducting the Debussy opera 'Pelleas and Melisande'.

I thought I had died and gone to Heaven...

and not just because they had champagne and bagels at the Opera...

Ah, travel.

I hope the King and Queen enjoy a little of the Arts as well as the official aspects of their tour.  

I think they deserve a little break after the intensity of the past few months...

Have a great week.

I am starting to plan for our Canada trip this year.

So much to think about!

XXXXX