White picket fence and cricketers. The perfect accent to verdant green grass and purple jacarandas.
Magnificenct Jacaranda
Spring in Sydney, the time when the Jacaranda trees bloom. They barely have had time to loose their leaves before being adorned with sweet, almost unpleasant, purple, trumpet shaped flowers.
Jacarandas are difficult to photograph, their magnificenct colour being lost against a blue Antipodean sky. I was fortunate to spot this one from a third floor window, while waiting for a meeting to begin.
November winds and rain will soon scatter the petals. Regally carpeting the ground under the Jacaranda’s skeletal canopy of twisted branches.
Skeletal ferns
New fronds were beginning to sprout from the base of a palm tree. Skeletal fern leaves remain as a memory of previous growth.
Tropical frangipani
I am used to seeing dome shaped frangipani trees, in Sydney, with plump looking branches and a mass of long, sword shaped, leaves. This example in Port Douglas, Far North Queensland has produced gorgeous blooms, with few leaves and a totured looking trunk and branches.
Small flowers
Spherical pale pink buds, smaller than peas;
Row upon row, silently waiting, in lines.
Forming grape like bunches,
Until flowering time.
Closed-litter Rainbow Skink
After being in Port Douglas for just over a week, the sun came out. While sitting in our courtyard, eating lunch, we spotted three of these fellows. Each keeping to their own patch. When two became too close speedy chasing and tail biting took place. A Google search identified them as Closed-litter Rainbow Skinks (Carlia longipes).
Water lily
For me, this glorious water lily symbolises holiday time in Port Douglas, Far North Queensland. It’s petals and radiant centre can only be seen during the day. As soon as darkness descends, the bloom closes, held tight within a teardrop shaped bud. It serenely stands sentinel over the pond, evoking a feeling of peace and calm.
This trip has reinforced the symbolism, as it has rained every day.
Blustery beach weather
I wonder what is is so intriguing to the group of people on the right. Some others make their way along Four Mile Beach, ignoring the blustery weather.
Bougainvillea litter
The entrance to our villa is marked on the ground by bougainvillea litter, strewn by the breeze. However, the picture does not capture the majestic proportions of the palm trees standing sentinel over the Pink Flamingo resort.
Red hibiscus
It has been three years since we last stayed at the Pink Flamingo, Port Douglas, Australia. In that time we have moved house, married at the British Consulate, Sydney, and my position title, at work, has changed three times.
This trip to Far North Queensland is an opportunity for us to live a simpler life. Relaxing, unwinding and spending time together are the only objectives.
October in Port Douglas is usually dry with occasional showers. It has so far rained every day since Sunday, with more forecasted to come. This has not stopped us from enjoying the pool in the resort and going into town.
This morning, the clouds parted to reveal the deepest blue sky. I was fortunate to be able to take the above picture of a beautiful red hibiscus flower.
theINFP 