Jacaranda Days

It's Jacaranda season again in Sydney.

A carpet of purple blooms lies over the city, brightening our days and lifting our eyes skyward.

And it's turning into a trend.

The local Japanese population have turned jacaranda season into an instagram sensation and certain streets in Sydney have become inundated with tourists trying to get that purple selfie.

Luckily my suburb hasn't been discovered!

This post is part of Saturday Snapshot.

Jacaranda Time

November is jacaranda time in Sydney.

The streets of home are a gorgeous shade of purple. 

Their petals litter the paths and gutters and verges, carpeting the world in a violet haze.

The stunning purple skyline looks fabulous against blue skies, grey skies, buildings and walls.

If you follow me on instagram, you may have seen some of these earlier.

I do not apologise at all! 

They only flower for one brief month & I am determined to make the most of their beauty.

This post is part of Saturday Snapshot.

It's Jacaranda Time in Sydney

I love Jacarandas - from the very first tender blooms to the full blown purple canopy. 

I love the new green leaves that start to peep through half way through the flowering season.

I even love them scattered over the path after a rain storm.

Part of the reason I love them so much is that they are our wedding anniversary flower.

Six years ago today, Mr Seasons and I pledged our troth in front of our family and friends.

For me Jacaranda flowers equal happy memories and love.

This post is part of Saturday Snapshot

Botanic Gardens - Tree Art Installation

I love all the little hidden gems to be found in any big city when you have the time or opportunity to simply wander off the regular path.

Last week I was meeting a friend in the Botanic Gardens, but the bus driver forgot he still had one passenger left on board! So instead of being dropped off at the eastern entrance to the Gardens, I got the longer, scenic drive around the tip of Mrs Macquarie's Chair before being dropped off.

To meet my friend, I had to walk back up the centre island between the two roads.

And to my delight I found this gorgeous, discreet public art/poetry installation underneath a stand of towering gum trees.
Several glass columns inscribed with tree poems and literary quotes adorned the area. Depending on the light and dappled shade, the columns reflected back various tree-ish images and patterns.

An island of beauty and serenity and reflection that made the unexpected detour seem serendiptious.

I've spent some time on google trying to find out the who, why and when of this lovely installation, but I struck out. If anyone knows more about this work, please leave a comment.

To finish off this lovely walk through the Gardens, I'll show off a couple of 'Sydney in Autumn' pics, just because I can & just because Sydney looks glorious in any season!

It was pretty cool on the ferry trip home, so instead of braving the front of the boat, the sunset pics are filtered through the scratchy glass windows!

This post is part of Saturday Snapshot

Autumn in the Blue Mountains

The Blue Mountains are famous for their quaint villages, deep valleys and spectacular sandstone cliffs...oh, and of course, the gum trees! It is the bluish tinge produced by the vapour of the gum trees that gives the mountains their iconic name. 

However since early settlement times, the mountains have become home to an ever increasing array of decidious trees famous for their autumnal displays. Ash trees, maples, elms & an assortment of pears, apples & pistachios line the streets and highways & fill the beautiful parks found in each village.

Today's selection of photos highlight a few of the autumn trees to be found in Blackheath during March.

This post is part of Saturday Snapshot.

Fertilizer Friday

We're still in the throes of the wintry weather in Sydney.

My Fertlizer Friday this week highlights the winter trees in my neighbourhood.

Magnolia

Jacaranda

Maple

Kanga Cup, Canberra

We've just had a wintry week in Canberra for an International Football Competition called, Kanga Cup.
We had one boy playing and one boy refereeing.

This is our third year participating.
Each year the boys play at a higher level and progress further up the ladder.
But more importantly, it is a week long bonding fest!

They had so much fun together and really gelled together as a team.
They are a delightful group of young men - it's a pleasure watching over them.

Despite of, or maybe because of the extreme cold, the parents have just as much fun on the sidelines and after hours as did the boys. Team dinners are a highlight for both boys and parents.

Our eldest also had the honour of being asked to centre ref one of the finals.

Fog around Black Tower Mountain

Early frosty morning starts tested everyone's resolve!

Frosty fields & icy winds kept everyone on their toes.

Lots of layers in this selfie!

Team spirit.

Some of the dedicated band of followers (& another cold front moving in.)

Our tourist park was surrounded by Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve.
The gum trees were spectacular (as were the wintry blue skies).

In the middle of the Woolworths shopping centre at Dickson, we spotted a couple of early blossom trees going off!
I couldn't resist a few pics. Their scent was divine.

To cap off a glorious week of non-stop soccer, I also had the chance to visit a couple of art galleries and museums! Canberra is not only our national capital, but it's also the national centre for some pretty amazing art & cultural experiences.
But more of that next week :-)