'It pleases me to take amateur photographs of my garden, and it pleases my garden to make my photographs look professional' ~ Robert Brault, writer. There were cameras and photographers in all shapes and sizes at this year's Floriade and Nightfest. Literally every second person, (be they adult or child) was taking snapshots on their iPhone, iPad, pocket-sized point and shoot, or state of the art DLSR. And why not, with such visual splendour of flowers en masse. All one can say is, smile for the camera, please. Precious in pink...
A medley of colour...
Shades of gold...
Cooking class with Julie Goodwin, Oxfam and the Yellow Van...
During the opening weekend of this year's event, Australia's first MasterChef, the delightful Julie Goodwin, who is an ambassador for Oxfam’s GROW campaign, presented a series of cooking demonstrations in collaboration with The Yellow Van food rescue service. The message of Oxfam's Grow Campaign is, as Julie explained, that 'there is enough food for everybody in the world, but not everybody gets it'... in other words it is not distributed to everyone. With this in mind, Julie pointed out that simply because vegetables in the home fridge are a little bruised, old or wilting, parts of them can still be used, rather than being thrown out and wasted. Julie also spoke about her chickens, which she described as 'really joyful little creatures' that 'gobble up' all the vegetable scraps and leftovers, hence very little is wasted and bountiful eggs are produced in return. Using primarily 'rescued' foods, Julie created a minestrone, roast pumpkin pie, corn fritters with onion jam, and a mushroom and leek slice for her cooking demonstrations. To the delight of the audience, there were tastings too! It was a pleasure for me to finally meet Julie, I have been a fan since the MasterChef series, one of my recipes appeared in Oxfam's latest Vegetarian Cookbook, and for some time Julie and I have corresponded via Twitter. 
Out in the garden...
The Urban Agriculture Australia permaculture display at Floriade caught my attention and I spoke with a gentleman who explained the process of growing plants such as strawberries in bales of straw or hay. From an urban agriculture point of view, he said, this kind of gardening is suitable for people who move into new suburbs where the soil isn't particularly good, and they can start growing in hay bales. To do so, first, water in a cupful of fertiliser such as Dynamic Lifter over a two day process, then repeat over two weeks. This is to ensure that the carbon/nitrogen ratio is balanced. Then it's a matter of 'sticking a trowel into the bale', making a gap and planting potted plants direct into the bale. As the bales break down, they generate heat so they can be covered with plastic over arches, which work as a mini glasshouse in winter. Interesting! Nightfest light show...
Commonwealth Park comes alive after dark for NightFest, a ticketed twilight event featuring spectacular colour and light shows, live music, comedy and DJs, as well as night markets and a variety of food stalls. Nightfest ran from 25-29 September this year and attracted huge crowds of visitors from Canberra and around the world. Actually, I think the event was sold out! Congratulations to the organisers of Floriade 2013. I think this year was a beauty, both visually and in terms of the line up of events and guest presenters. NB: If you have not yet been to visit Floriade, there's still time. It runs until 13 October 2013. Tell me, dear readers, have you ever been to Australia's Floriade, or do you have a similar flower festival in your part of the world? And do you enjoy photographing flowers?
44 Comments
Lizzy
7/10/2013 07:56:17 pm
Thanks so much.... stunning subjects, really : )
Lizzy
7/10/2013 07:56:36 pm
Dear Rosa, thanks so much, very kind : )
Lizzy
7/10/2013 07:57:07 pm
Hello Serena, thank you very much! I've heard of Tulip Top.... it's not too far down the highway from our place, we must go! : ) 6/10/2013 11:59:22 pm
Your flower pics are beautiful Lizzy and congratulations on having a recipe in the Oxfam cookbook. It must have been a thrill to finally meet Julie, she looks lovely.
Lizzy
7/10/2013 07:57:37 pm
Thanks so much Catherine, it was a pleasure to meet Julie, she is lovely. Very down to earth : ) 7/10/2013 11:29:24 am
Beautiful images Liz and I love the idea of growing strawbs in a hay bale. x
Lizzy
7/10/2013 07:58:06 pm
Thanks so much Kyrstie.... stunning subjects... and isn't the idea of growing in straw a good thing! 7/10/2013 11:32:41 am
i can't belive it's been a year since mum and i went to floriade... your pics make me want to go again. i love ranunculas and mine have been a bit weedy this year, so seeign these 'professional ones' is just gorgeous. you are so lucky to have floriade right on your doorstep!
Lizzy
7/10/2013 07:59:05 pm
Hello there, I am indeed, you are quite right! It was better still when I worked just down the street from the event.... I spent every single lunchtime there. Hard to get there now, but do love it! Thanks for your kind words. Hope you get to go again too. 7/10/2013 02:06:30 pm
Flowers are so much fun to photograph! I love their colors and shapes. This looks like a wonderful event. Great photos - thanks.
Lizzy
7/10/2013 07:59:26 pm
Hi John, Thanks so much.... they are indeed, truly stunning subjects, : )
Lizzy
7/10/2013 07:59:52 pm
Thanks so much Shirley.... stunning subjects those flowers, so beautiful : )
Eha
7/10/2013 02:48:56 pm
Thank you for the beauty: tulips were my favourite flowers in Europe . . . thay still belong to the most beloved category. More importantly: am so glad to see Julie Goodwin do what she does . . .methinks she is generally so liked and admired: I do hope her message has an audience also. 'Cause the fact is that we could feed the hungry if only . . .when I see the amount of beautiful ripe fruit go to rack and ruin in many orchards in many parts of Australia, my heart just breaks . . .
Lizzy
7/10/2013 08:00:29 pm
Dear Eha, thank you very much. Julie is lovely and I really like that she is an ambassador for Oxfam.
Lizzy
7/10/2013 08:00:58 pm
Krista, thanks so much... how can one take bad pics of such lovely flowers? : ) 7/10/2013 09:44:46 pm
How beautiful Lizzy! It looks like I'll miss out on Floriade this year-for the first time ever- so thanks for the tour. It looks gorgeous indeed :)
Lizzy
14/10/2013 01:56:18 pm
Thanks Bec! I hope you are getting along okay now. xo Oh my goodness is this gorgeous... but more! I was taken in by the gorgeous flowers - and I have to say that sometimes that kind of concentrated beauty leaves me breathless... but then the cooking class and the Urban Farmer? What a tremendous event! There is a Floralies in Nantes but certainly not as big and not as diverse.
Lizzy
14/10/2013 01:57:39 pm
Jamie, thank you... the flowers were beautiful this year. I must tell you that every year the entire show of plantings takes a hammering from the weather, usually with rain and hail. This year was no exception, hence the tulip in my first shot was slightly marked. I am proud that my home city has this wonderful event. : ) 9/10/2013 08:51:15 am
What a beautiful and bright post! We are experiencing completely different colours here in Scotland - golds, reds and ambers from the turning leaves. And I learned how one can grow plants in a hay bale too - pretty cool :D
Lizzy
14/10/2013 01:58:15 pm
Ah, Kellie... autumn or fall is a beautiful time of the year, no? Hay bale growing does sound great, doesn't it. : ) 9/10/2013 08:21:48 pm
Breathtaking! What beautiful photos. I hope you're feeling better Lizzy xx
Lizzy
14/10/2013 01:58:35 pm
Lisa, thanks so much! The event was quite beautiful this year. : )
Lizzy
14/10/2013 01:59:24 pm
Hi Janie, yes, with the 'permaculture' roofing, the plants benefit from the warmth. We are still experiencing minuses overnight here, so it is a great idea for cooler climates : )
Lizzy
14/10/2013 01:59:45 pm
Amanda, thanks so much! I think you would love Floriade... yes, you MUST come : ) 10/10/2013 12:53:18 pm
I've never been to a Floriade so thank you for showing us how gorgeous it is :D
Lizzy
14/10/2013 02:00:04 pm
Thank you Lorraine, you must come visit one Springtime! : )
Lizzy
14/10/2013 02:00:38 pm
I love it too, Maureen.... loved it when I worked closer. Every lunchtime Floriade was where you'd find me. 12/10/2013 10:29:57 am
I love Floriade. It's such a special event and I think the best time to see Canberra. I love Julie Goodwin's philosophy and I would have loved to have seen her in action - I've only seen her on TV. She really was the best person to win that first series xx
Lizzy
14/10/2013 02:01:24 pm
True, but you know Canberra is also very beautiful in Autumn. Yes, Julie's philosophy is wonderful... it was my pleasure to meet her at last : )
Lizzy
16/10/2013 04:45:27 pm
Moya, thanks so much! Beautiful event to capture xo
Lizzy
19/10/2013 02:36:39 pm
Hello lovely, and welcome back! I missed you : )
Lizzy
24/10/2013 05:35:34 pm
Hi Martyn, my pleasure... it was very interesting! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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Hi. I'm Liz. I'm a writer, cook and traveller based in Canberra, Australia.
I love the process of writing and the stringing together of words to form a story borne from the wisp of an idea. I also greatly enjoy cooking and travelling. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes, postcards and morsels from my adventures, conversations with cookery writers and chefs, and news on food and cooking.  Search by topicNB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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