Spring Watch (and Listen)

Another walk with wattle and cairns. 

Here's the thing about cairns; I like them, especially when walking through the mountains in the mist (hello, Scotland) as they are friendly indicators that I am on the right track. When they are randomly-piled 'sculptures' that assist in clearing the fields of rocks so that they can be ploughed and sewn with crops, I also admire them. When they are built up beside a track so that they can lead walkers off in the wrong direction, or disturb wildlife that lives beneath them, I am not so much of a fan. They still look good though (if sometimes phallic). 

See the book on the top of my to-read pile? That's in honour of the season. 

Someone let the cat out of the bag, purr-lease!

Ready to watch another Liverpool game with suitable accompaniment.

As Spring begins, the greenery is growing and the pathway to our front garden opens out into a beautiful-looking bower. 

We had a new addition to our Walking Crew as Purple Lady brought her new-to-her dog along with us on our weekend walk up Mt Painter and proved that not everyone will ever look at the camera at the same time. 

During this lockdown period we have decided to play our vinyl, taking it in turns to select an album to listen to in its entirety. Melantho rates them with varying degrees of approval, as you can see. 

This album belongs to Him Outdoors. I admit I came late to The Wedding Present. I had a pact with my best friend at university that I would always dance to any song played of theirs (she reciprocated to The Pogues; we both lost our banana to Carter USM). I miss those carefree student dance-tastic days, when the Northwest of England was where great music lived, musical energy was at 100%, and all that mattered was how jangly was your guitar? If George Formby had played a proper instrument rather than the ukulele he would have sounded thus.

"Lost your look of life? Too much apple pie."

I loved this band so much and felt they were criminally underrated. In 1988 as part of my feminist development, while others just dismissed them as pretty pop with nice haircuts, I went on a Reclaim the Streets march, where they played, 'I walk the earth my darling; this is my home.' Fantastic guitars and harmonies with a message - see Don't Call Me Baby - plus collaborations with Lou Reed, Zodiac Mindwarp and the KLF didn't hurt, but they were inspirational to me in their own right. 

"Don't you ever get sick of feeling sick about it?"

Watt’le We Do Today?

No week is complete without a photo of a cat.

I am trying to teach myself to appreciate the simple pleasures of life - like bed-sheets hung on the line and dried in the sun (and then filtered through the Prisma app on my phone), parrots in the trees, and the satisfaction of pruning the grapevine.

As I may have mentioned before, I am also very lucky to live in such a wonderful part of the world, where my local (one hour) lockdown walks can lead me past little street libraries and golden wattle.

Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) is the national floral emblem of Australia. It was formally adopted as such on the 1st of September, 1988 at a ceremony at the Australian National Botanic Gardens where the Prime Minister's wife, Mrs Hazel Hawke, planted a Golden Wattle. Four years later, in 1992, the 1st of September was officially declared 'Golden Wattle Day'.

The golden blooms against the green background are vivid and bright, heralding the arrival of Spring (also the first day of September in the Southern hemisphere) and the suggestion of a promising future. I think these connections could be used to celebrate the country and it seems to me that moving the National Day to this date could save a lot of controversy about the perception of 'Invasion Day' to make celebrations more inclusive. (And we could all do with more public holidays in the latter half of the year.)

I was therefore inspired to compose a dreadful limerick while out on my walk, which I share with you here. You're welcome.

Although it makes some of you wheezy,

Golden wattle really does please me.

And listen, mate,

To change the date

To September the 1st is easy. 

Baroomba Rocks

A spot of over-indulgence last night led to a sore head this morning. But a brisk walk up to Baroomba Rocks in Namadgi National Park wth Him Outdoors soon cleared that up!



Golden wattle (Acacia Pycnantha) in bloom



Canberra Botanic Gardens

When rehearsing for a play, I spend an inordinate amount of time indoors, so try to go for short walks and clear my mind. A stroll through the Canberra Botanic Gardens was a perfect way to get some air.

The flower of a Banksia shrub

Golden wattle

I liked the Australian water dragons who scuttle about the place looking grumpy but quite cute!



The crimson rosellas aren't considered exotic here, but I'm still impressed with their plummage.

Shaking his tail feathers