My world looked different after the rains stopped. Blue sky seemed bluer, white clouds whiter than ever before, brighter than memory allowed. Grey skies had dominated for so long.
My native animal neighbours appreciated it too, coming out of shelter to feed and scratch and dry off. Not having seen many since I got back from Thailand, due to the weather, I am relieved to see them.
A few wallabies, a family of roos…‘ Sawasdee-ka!’ I greet them, Thai style.
An echidna appeared just near the house, poking about in the overgrown herb garden. I have seen it, or a relative, there before. I expect the rocks provide good insect hidey holes for it to investigate.
Near the herb garden a large Wanderer butterfly decorates the lavender shrub. Although they are common here, familiarity does not breed contempt — they are very striking in colour and pattern, and I am grateful for their abundance.
Next day the echidna is still wandering about the yard as if intends to stay.
It feels like company; I am pleased to be sharing with a creature again, and to see something is using the useless grass.
As I have trouble putting a spade through this kikuyu sod, I am impressed that the echidna can poke and wriggle its snout through with no apparent trouble. An efficient ‘poker’ indeed.
Hello Anne,
How nice of you to give me that feedback! Yes Gosford was a different world in the’50s, as was Erina. No, I didn’t know the Vicary family.
I’ll mention Paul to Robert B when I see him next, but you can visit The Old Brush for a picnic if you like – it’s a lovely spot – and chat to Robert yourself.
Yes thanks, my grandchildren are fine – Tilly is turning two shortly.
Thanks for visiting the web site – drop by again, Anne.
Sharyn Ihave just finished The Woman on the Mountain and enjoyed it so much , I also lived in Gosford in the fifties moved there after the war it is not the place we grew up in i hate going back.Ithink you are very brave doing what you do and admire you for it.I live in Maitland and also hate to see what is happening in our valley. It is nice to see the echidna that you spoke about in your book.Did you know any of the Vicary family in Erina they had quite a large family and Wendy married my brother. I had best finish ,this was to be a few words and its turning into a novel . Also my ex son in law knows Robert Bignell, his name is Paul Taylor.Ihope your grandchildren are well. Regards Anne Harwood. nee Dicker.
It sounds a delight,l DWG, and your description has made it come alive for us all, so thank you very much for that detail, especially the Crucifixion ones. Dogwood sounds like a poor name for it, and for ours – pejorative almost.
Sharyn
You could “google” dogwood and get a complete or better detail of it. But my version will tell you that it is the most “sought after” tree in the home garden and very hard to get it to grow in the tamed garden. It grows in the temperate regions of US and here in the Southeast and where I live it is everywhere on my property growing wild. I have one that I planted 10 years ago when I came back to this region…just a dream of a tree. It grows to a good size and is covered in four petal blossoms with a cluster of red in the middle, red stems and red berries after the blossoms. It is also used to illustrate the Crucifixion Story as the petals have edges that seem a nail was driven through it and the center is a Crown of Thorns. When they bloom they create beautiful countrysides. I live in the Red Hills part of the State and it is quite beautiful all the time, but especially now. I have lots of birds right now..nesting and courting…in my yard and I do love them. I guess that replaces critters with four legs. Dogwood blossoms are almost always white, but there is a pink one locally. Thanks for your interest. DWG
My world is quite different from your drier W.A. one Fleur, but DWG’s picture of a soft green U.S. spring sounds not so different – apart from the critters of course.
We know azaleas, but what do your dogwoods look like, DWG? I assume they are different to our several small native trees that are commonly called Dogwoods. The one I know is Myoporum deserti, more like a shrub: graceful, thin-leaved, tiny white bell flowers.
We have had our share of rain where I am, however I suppose come August at end of summer, we will be glad to have had this much rain. It’s quite beautiful here right now, the dogwoods having just bloomed, and the azaleas are in full and all of the other spring perennials. Grass is green and with the soft rain today, a feeling of peace abounds. It’s hard to believe in the midst of all the natural beauty, that there is an economic crisis all around. I, of course, have not seen the beautiful creatures you keep “showing off” to your viewers. If you remember I just love the roos and appreciate always seeing their latest visits.
Thanks again for sharing and enjoy!!
Agaian, wonderful photos Sharyn, a glimpse of your neighbours and into your world!