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Lately - postcards and morsels from Good Things

25/10/2014

48 Comments

 
Pair of pears at Floriade
Lately, life at the Blue House has been deliciously interesting, if not just a little bit busy. We're settling into our retirement and making the most of each and every day. Of course, there's the mundane of daily life (minor illness, keeping fit, dieting, and so on), but in between that we've managed to squeeze in a bunch of outings and a few short getaways, too.

Peter's lovely mam came to stay with us for a week at the start of Spring and we were fortunate enough to be invited to attend the launch of Floriade, Canberra's annual flower festival. It seemed as though we had the entire park to ourselves. Mam had a ball inspecting all the flowers, and Peter and I had our first ever ride on the ferris wheel. 
Old fashioned stocks at Floriade in Canberra, Australia
Pretty in pink at Floriade
After Floriade, we took Mam to High Tea at the Burbury Hotel. The finger sandwiches, sliders, scones and little cakes were delicious, but just a little dainty for my Peter (and I forgot that he really dislikes capers and mayonnaise!). That said, we all enjoyed the selection of teas. And the service was lovely too.
Sandwiches and sliders - High Tea at the Burbury in Canberra
Platter of petit cakes - High Tea at the Burbury in Canberra
We've driven past Tulip Top Gardens on the Old Federal Highway at Sutton more times than I care to remember, so we thought it was time to pay a visit. The blossoms and tulip beds were at their brilliant best and we loved the chance to sit and listen to chamber music (and the song coming from the frog ponds) while we snacked on some little Dutch pancakes. Mam was quite mesmerised by the beauty of the blossom trees. 
Tulip Top Gardens off the Federal Highway near the ACT
Camelia flower at the Tulip Tops Gardens
The family of magpies has returned to our garden, after disappearing before last Spring. One dominant bird peers in through the French doors and sits on the kitchen window sill, trying to get our attention. They love the snippets of fresh meat we've been putting out for them and serenade us in chorus, almost as a gesture of thanks. As many as six or eight birds visit at a time! We're hoping they like us enough not to swoop us when we go cycling. 
Magpie in my garden, Canberra, Australia
I thought I'd try my hand at juggling oranges recently. It was part of a playful photo shoot for my spot on Geodip. In case you were wondering, no I can't, but I'm going to keep trying.  Ü
Bizzy Lizzy juggles oranges
We had such a wonderful time at the Sapphire Coast earlier this year, we thought we'd take the opportunity to pop back down to Eden for a spot of whale watching. Right now, hundreds of whales are migrating south, many stopping to play with their calves in Eden’s Twofold Bay. This event is celebrated annually with a whale festival, to be held at Eden on 1-2 November this year. Armed with all-weather gear, cameras, ginger pills, and plenty of hope, we boarded the Cat Balou for a morning out to sea. It was an amazing experience and we did manage to see around a dozen whales (mostly mothers and their calves), but none poked their heads, flukes or tails out of the water. Of course whales are wild animals and whale watching is very much dependent on weather conditions and whether the whales are curious and playful on the day. It was really quite rough out on the water the day we went out. If I were a whale, I think I might have kept my head down and minded my own business too. We made the best of the trip and enjoyed sightseeing and photo walks in the area, including a visit to the Eden Killer Whale Museum. Incidentally, sunsets at Snug Cove in Eden are among the best we've seen! 
Curiosity on the Cat Balou, Eden NSW, photo by Peter Buckley Good Things
Picture
Whale in the seas off the coast at Eden in NSW, photo by Peter Buckley, Good Things
Seagull at Snug Cove, Eden, NSW photo by Peter Buckley, Good Things
Ropes in box at the Killer Whale Museum in Eden NSW
Old wooden boat at the Killer Whale Museum in Eden NSW
Pelican at sunset, Snug Cove, Eden, NSW photo by Peter Buckley, Good Things
Stay tuned for postcards and morsels from our recent trip to Young, NSW for the long lazy lunch among the cherry blossoms, as well as our road trip to Queensland a few months back. 

Now tell me, dear readers, what have you been doing lately? Do please pop in and say hello, you know that I love hearing from you. Bizzy xox
48 Comments
Maureen link
24/10/2014 08:28:31 pm

Liz, your photography is what I'd do if I were as good as you. :) LOL

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Lizzy
24/10/2014 08:34:04 pm

Maureen, love, I beg to differ... your photography is outstanding!

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KRISTA R BJORN link
24/10/2014 08:58:25 pm

So many gorgeous adventures, Liz. :-) What a beautiful time of year to visit those lovely gardens. :-)

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Lizzy
24/10/2014 09:02:15 pm

Krista, thank you! I hope you're keeping well and enjoying your weekend.

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Gourmet Getaways link
25/10/2014 07:15:58 am

Such lovely photos! Great job, Lizzy! Keep 'em coming please!

Gourmet Getaways

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Lizzy
25/10/2014 09:15:21 am

Julie, thanks so much!!

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Francesca link
25/10/2014 11:24:11 am

What a visual feast- the photos are quite outstanding. I feel I can smell the flowers, touch the magpie feathers and then- the seaside shots, incredible. You were fortunate to get good whale shots- mine have always been too distant and blurry.

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:22:53 am

Oh Francesca, thank you for your very kind words!

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Amanda (@lambsearshoney) link
25/10/2014 11:40:58 am

Oh Liz, what lovely images of the birds - that last one of the pelican is stunning! Looks like retirement is suiting you both very well.

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:23:08 am

Amanda, thanks ever so much! It sure is. : )

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Eha
25/10/2014 01:28:52 pm

What a happy, happy collection of photographic memories . . . a wonderful journey for us also on a Sunday morning!! Boo to the whales for not quite saying hello but the rest more than made up for it methinks . . .

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:23:20 am

It did indeed, Eha : )

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@ChristineSalins (FoodWineTravel) link
25/10/2014 02:34:55 pm

Lots of lovely morsels there, Liz. A pity I missed Floriade, the first time in years that I haven't been. Glad you finally got to go on the ferris wheel!

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:23:30 am

Thanks Christine. : )

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Glenda link
26/10/2014 03:55:40 am

Lovely shots Liz

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:23:40 am

Glenda, thank you kindly.

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Adri link
26/10/2014 06:31:23 am

It looks like retirement suits you! These photographs are just beautiful, and I hope you continue to live life to the fullest!

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:23:53 am

Adri, thank you, that's so kind xo

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David Scott Allen link
26/10/2014 11:44:26 am

Lovely photos, Liz - a wonderful way to wile away part of my afternoon, which has mostly been spent catching up on my friends' foodie adventures and baking. The perfect Sunday, don't you think? Your spring photos are glorious - wonderful to see as we head deeper into autumn.

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:24:17 am

I think so too, David... autumn or fall must be beautiful in your neck of the woods.

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e / dig in hobart link
26/10/2014 04:37:13 pm

spring looks so beautiful in canberra. how wonderful, all that colour!

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:24:30 am

It is, Elizabeth : )

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Mrs Mulberry link
26/10/2014 08:42:42 pm

Wow, Francesca is right Lizzy - your post is a visual feast - your photos capture spring so beautifully xxx

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:24:42 am

Thanks ever so much, Mrs M!

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Anne link
26/10/2014 08:54:07 pm

this looks a pretty idyllic life. I love the horseshoe sculptures.

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:25:01 am

Thank you Anne... life is sweet right now... : )

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Amanda @ Gourmanda link
26/10/2014 09:44:03 pm

That photo of the blossom trees is just stunning! What a wonderful place to go for a wander.

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:25:13 am

It sure was, Amanda, just lovely!

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Hotly Spiced link
26/10/2014 10:10:34 pm

The ferris wheel ride sounds really romantic and how lovely to have a private and uncrowded tour of Floriade. I'm glad you and Pete are enjoying your retirement xx

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:25:33 am

Thanks so much, Charlie. Peter and I are indeed enjoying it!

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Rosa link
26/10/2014 11:13:35 pm

Lovely pictures and food! That magpie shot is wonderful. A pretty bird...

Cheers,

Rosa

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:25:45 am

Thank you, Rosa : )

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Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
27/10/2014 04:25:22 am

You've been very busy Lizzy! :D

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:25:54 am

Very!!!

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kellie@foodtoglow link
27/10/2014 09:16:10 am

Some really very beautiful images, Liz. It looks like you have got the hang of this retirement thing! PS your post-Floriade high tea looks delectable. :-)

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:26:11 am

Hiya Kellie, yes it has been excellent!

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Liz link
27/10/2014 12:18:00 pm

There's a lot of beauty in your part of the world right now...and you've captured it magnificently!!! Good luck learning to juggle ;)

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:26:22 am

Oh Liz, thank you LOL!

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El link
27/10/2014 02:10:30 pm

Looks like you had great fun. I especially love the tea. Happy spring to you!

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:26:39 am

Thanks so much, El!

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sherry from sherryspickings link
27/10/2014 02:21:35 pm

what a wonderful post. i love the photos especially of the flowers and birds. i have a baby magpie coming for food at the moment plus a currawong and butcherbirds and kookaburras. it is such fun!

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:27:10 am

Thanks ever so much, Sherry... it's lovely feeding the birds, isn't it!

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Mary Frances link
29/10/2014 10:29:21 am

What an absolutely gorgeous post. High tea looks incredible.

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:27:27 am

Oh Mary Frances, that's so kind, thank you.

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Glamorous Glutton link
29/10/2014 12:35:26 pm

The gardens looked wonderful, I love your pictures. A perfect trip for us all, thank you. GG

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Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:27:39 am

GG, thanks so much Amanda. : )

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Susan Manfull link
3/11/2014 07:42:42 am

Gorgeous photos of flowers.I especially like the one above the magpie--it looks like a small animal itself! I almost forgot how cold it is outside!

Reply
Lizzy
7/11/2014 09:27:52 am

Thanks so much, Susan : )

Reply

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    Üdvözölöm
    Photo of Liz Posmyk, Food Writer, Cook and Traveller

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