On this day, 16th October, 2019, this dragonfly decided to say hello.
A Friendly Dragonfly
Category: Photo
Hutt Lagoon
Aka The Pink Lake, near Port Gregory, WA. Hutt Lagoon is Australia’s Most Unique Lake
Hutt Lagoon, or the “Pink Lake,” is a marine salt lake in Western Australia, famous for its vibrant pink color caused by the Dunaliella salina algae and high salt content
When we arrived the lake was a beautiful pink colour. Then the wind got up and the colour disappeared. Thankfully, the wind dropped away.
Roadtrip
Today, Thursday 28th, we are heading up to Sunset Beach, WA, to visit our rellies, my grandson and his family. And we are looking forward to seeing our three great granddaughters, for the very first time.
We have just pulled in to the roadhouse at Cataby, making a pee stop, where these beautiful flowers are enjoying the sunshine.
It is almost as if they are cheering us along our way.
The WA weather is also behaving itself. The sky is blue and clouds white and fluffy. Not the dark and brooding ones that have filled the skies around Perth for the last few days.
Remembering
Yesterday, 9th August, would have been Steves birthday. It was the first since his passing earlier this year.
We thought we would honour his name by having a meal and raising a glass at one of his favourite destinations.
And so it was that we found ourselves heading up to Mindari to visit The Boat. Mindari is about 60km north of Perth, normally an easy drive of an hour or so.
However, yesterday was very wet, and the drive took a bit longer. The conditions on the highways were diabolical. The wipers were going at their max rate for most of the journey, and the road spray was severely reducing visibility.
Having safely arrived at The Boat, we grabbed a table and ordered our drinks and meals. Obviously, given the weather conditions, we opted to sit inside.
Chilli Mussels for Gerry, Garlic Prawns, and Rice for Denise and Battered Barramundi with Chips for me. Oh, and a sharing platter of cheesy garlic bread. All the food was, as usual, very well cooked and tasty.
We raised a glass to Steve and wished him a happy celestial birthday, The Boat, being one of his favourite eateries, he would have approved.
While having our meal, I noticed that we had an observer, keeping tabs on us.
The drive home was much better, dry and sunny.
Blowing The Cobwebs Away
We have been in WA for nearly a month now. Having travelled out from the UK to support our daughter following the passing of Steve, her husband.
Up until now, our time has been filled with preparations for the funeral and general mundane household shopping trips and, most recently, collecting Steves ashes from the funeral home.
To be honest the weather hasn’t been the best but yesterday we managed to get out of the house for a couple of hours. This is the first time that a trip out hasn’t had a purpose. By that, I mean it was, just to get some fresh air, for a change of scenery.
We opted to drive down to Rockingham, forty odd kilometres south of Perth, to walk along the foreshore. After a forty-five minute drive, we found ourselves on the prom.
The sun was shining, and the sky was blue, and with a temperature of 20°C it really was very pleasant. We had already planned to have fish ‘n’ chips, and so it was we found ourselves sitting in the sunshine enjoying an al fresco lunch.
Freshwater Cobbler in crispy batter with crispy but fluffy chips. The Cobbler was a first for me. The lady who served me in Nae’s Seafood & Grill informed me that it was a kind catfish. It was very tasty, but it’s not Cod or Haddock. However, it did hit the spot.
Then, it was time to head back along the prom and back to the car. And, after a forty minute drive home, we were soon sitting in the lounge with a very welcome cuppa.
The brisk, but not unpleasant, sea-breeze definitely blew away the cobwebs we had accumulated.
Shame the weather forecast for the next few days shows a temperature drop and plenty of rain and thunderstorms.
Just Call Me Peregrine
A photo from a good few years ago. Taken at Manor Farm, Hampshire
This Peregrine Falcon was part of a display focussing on birds of prey.
Action Stations
Spitfire and Hurricane pilots demonstrating some close formation flying at the Goodwood Revival.
Sorry if I have posted this before.
3 English Roses
This is just a nostalgic photo from a family gathering at my parents’ home in Hastings, many years ago.
So, Maureen is the eldest of Kathy’s daughters. And, Kathy was my mums eldest sister.
Mum and Kathy were two of six siblings!
I’m not sure of the occasion or why they were sitting with ‘wellies to the fore’ but I do know that getting any of them to sit quietly for a photo would have been a challenge as they all, like me, could talk the hind leg off a donkey.
Unexpected Picnic Guests: A Pheasant Encounter
There we were, minding our own business, enjoying a sunny picnic in the grounds of Blenheim Palace. When this fellow came mooching along, hoping for a tasty morsel.
What, do you suppose, had caught his eye ? Was it the pork pie with its jelly and crispy crust? Or was it the egg mayonnaise and watercress sandwiches. Perhaps, when all’s said and done, it was strong cheddar cheese and tangy chutney.
Either way, he was out of luck with me around. I don’t share my food with party crashers.
Last Knockings
This is pretty much the last knocking of our tomato crops this year. There are just a few green tomatoes yet to ripen.
We have had a good crop this year, but sad to say, it could have been better. We sort of screwed up.
We have two pyramid planters, but we, by mistake, planted bush/trailing varieties in one.
Oh well, lesson learnt. Overall, we are pleased, and the flavour of homegrown fruit and veg is always superior.
These varieties are all very sweet, but the little orange ones are sooper sweet.
WrAnTz 