Saturday, August 31, 2024

Open gardens in Maryborough

 It's that time of year when spring has well and truly sprung so we toured three gardens this year.


The greeters who issued us with our wristbands. The organisers are charging $5 each for entry which is very reasonable. You also get a map showing where to find the various gardens.


A tree house in the neighbour's mango tree. We had two mango trees when I was a kid and I loved to climb them.


The first thing you notice is how much shade cools the property.  Maryborough is supposed to hit 30 C (86 F) today which is unseasonably high.


Quilts in the background that are sent off to Africa.



The vegetation is so lush here.


We did not need it.


Some of this would be very old local hardwood.


Apparently, the foliage tickles the back of your legs.


These are made of shells.


Read more about shell bricks here.


This house would be so much cooler in summer than it's neighbours.


The second garden.


Dinner table in summer.


Garden beds galore. They never have to buy vegies or herbs.


Chook is slang for chicken.


Interesting fence.


More welcome shade since it was already starting to get warm.


Another shady spot.


This was interesting. You walk on the path in your bare feet and the different textures help you to relax.


Another path with the owner wearing her bare feet.


Mango trees flower in Spring and this one looks like it is going to have a good crop.


A path to our last garden through a small park.


It's a community garden looked after by about 30 people.


It's a great idea for gardeners who can't have a garden.


Interesting pizza oven. You would have no trouble finding it.


More shade.


Two stages of compost.


We both really enjoy coming to view the gardens. It was getting hot by now and my legs were getting tired so we thought that would be enough this year.











Friday, August 23, 2024

National Gallery of Australia

There were plenty of other exhibits at the Gallery so here are some of them. By the way, I apologise for the delay in finishing this blog entry. I had forgotten about it.


This was my favourite painting. It's interesting to read about the artist.


I liked the pattern. 


One of the most popular artists in Australia. More about him here.


I much preferred this museum to the National Gallery Victoria which features a paucity of seating. Standing for long periods is difficult for me so all the seating in this Canberra museum was very welcome. I also enjoy being able to sit down and spend some time looking at an individual work of art.


Close up detail.


Even closer.


There was a small Bauhaus exhibit.



Blue Poles by Jackson Pollack. It has an interesting history.


Detail.


The art gallery ceiling.


Marianne is taken aback.


Detail of a dress.


Another dress.


There is a wonderful collection of Sidney Nolan paintings, one of Australia's most iconic painters. He became particularly famous for his Ned Kelly paintings. Ned was Australia's most famous bushranger who wore a distinctive suit of armour.


Perhaps the most whimsical of Nolan's paintings.

I really enjoyed visiting this museum.