happy garden
Month: November 2024
back in the kitchen
home again
It’s good to be home for so many reasons. One being that I only took a single travel brush with me; it’s nice to have options again.
south head
Last day in Sydney. I caught the ferry to Watsons Bay and walked to the historic Hornby Lighthouse at South Head. Then I enjoyed a late lunch with a distant view of the city skyline before heading back to my hotel and then to the airport. What a wonderful holiday this has been!
yininyadmemi
My flight home was cancelled and re-booked for 36 hours later, so I suddenly have some bonus time in Sydney.
I found myself in Hyde Park, the oldest public parkland in Australia. After re-visiting the Anzac Memorial—I have childhood memories of this place—I discovered another war memorial nearby. Erected in 2015, YININMADYEMI – Thou didst let fall pays tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who served their country.
The artwork, created by Sydney-based Aboriginal Girramay artist Tony Albert, draws inspiration from his grandfather, Private Eddie Albert, who served during the Second World War.
In April 1941, Private Albert was captured following a German armored assault in Libya, where he was serving with the 2/15th Battalion. He was among the many prisoners sent to Benghazi before being transferred to a prisoner-of-war camp in Italy. After two years in captivity, Albert escaped in 1943 and joined the local partisans.
In April 1944, his group was recaptured by Italian Fascists. Three of the seven Allied soldiers were executed, while Albert and the remaining captives were handed over to the Germans. He remained in captivity until the war’s end.
The sculpture features four upright bullets, symbolising those who survived, and three fallen shells, representing those who were executed.
grevillea
After a visit to the markets, a walk around the wetlands, and lunch by the lake, we went to the nursery to select a native plant for my sister’s yard. I love this tradition; checking on “my” trees and shrubs each visit is part of the joy of arrival.
Fare thee well, family and gardens! Till next time!
galambary
Telstra Tower (also known as Black Mountain Tower) is one of the most visually imposing structures on the Canberra skyline, visible from many parts of Canberra and Queanbeyan. It provides important communication facilities for the area.
Prior to its closure to the public in mid-2021, it was a major tourist attraction, with visitors enjoying 360-degree views of the surrounding city and countryside. Telecommunications giant Telstra is currently considering plans to give the tower a makeover and reopen it to the public, perhaps as a site that celebrates Ngunnawal (local indigenous) culture.
Galambary (Black Mountain) holds deep cultural and spiritual importance for Aboriginal people, particularly as a sacred site for men’s business. Safeguarded by the Canberra Nature Park, it remains largely covered in native bushland—a lovely place to hike. We have happy memories of making the climb with Dad, so it was sweet to do it again.
Pardalotus punctatus
I‘m a sucker for a bird with spots, so I was delighted to spy a group of spotted pardalotes at my sister’s bird bath. So pretty!
munched
We had a lovely stay-at-home day today. My holiday is nearing its end, and I’m relishing these days with family.
Pogona barbata
It felt so good to go for a nice long ramble out in the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor in north-western Canberra, especially as we spotted some iconic Australian fauna. We followed it up with a delicious lunch, to make quite the perfect morning.
hashiworks 