Coming together

Hi dear readers, if you would like to keep reading this blog you can now find it combined with jayssimpleliving.

www.jayssimpleliving.wordpress.com.au
Hope to see you soon.

Last of the summer roses

It's Autumn and the weather has finally started to turn. There's a chill in the air most mornings now.  Most flowers have died off or are well on their way.
There are still some roses about, but, even these are dying off. There's only one or flowers still blooming on most bushes. These are a few of the remaining full blooms.

The last of the 2016/2017 summer roses.

A favourite flower

It took me many months to find out what these flowers are called. I love them and now know they are Bromeliads.

Aren't they gorgeous. This orange colour really stands out and look what l found the other day.

So pretty in white. They look so different to any other flower l've seen and that's what made me turn back that first morning l saw one.

Bromeliads, most definitely one of my favourite flowers.

Look what's growing

Can you see that speck of yellow in the background? Try and expand the photo and you will see them more clearly. Remember these,

They're growing again. I was out early yesterday morning for my walk and was actually on the other side of the street. It's all fenced off now as you can see in the photo. I looked over to see if anything was being built and saw what looked like a spot of yellow, high tailed it over to the fence and was so pleased to see them.
I walked away smiling. Nothing's been built yet and these resilient little yellow flowers are back again. I will definitely be keeping an eye on this block and if l see anyone around will ask if l can take them.
Made my morning.

Rainy days

It's been wet here the past few days. Up North there is flooding, but, here in Melbourne we've just had overcast skies and rain periods. The humidity has still been high but, at least we've been spared the hot sun.
Here are some photos that l've taken the last few days.

This was take early yesterday morning. Look at the different size droplets that are clinging onto the seat.

I love the way droplets of water cling to blades of grass.

Also love the way the water reflects light like a mirror.

This is very much a dead tree, but, there's something about it that draws me to it. I've photographed it a few times and am still drawn back to it each time l pass this way; it's still beautiful.
So that's my view of rainy days. The sun is out again this morning and l'm going out for a walk. Wonder what l'll see today.

Fading flowers

It's Autumn in Australia now; not that you would know it here in Melbourne. The weather is hot and humid. Despite it being warm the days are getting shorter and the flowers are starting to die off. There's not as many for me to photograph, but, some are still hanging on, like these beauties. Aren't they gorgeous.
Here's a few more that l've been able to capture in the past week.

Look at these delicate beauties.

This one looked interesting because this mass of blooms is at the end of a bare branch.

and this is one that is about to bloom.
Of course, just as the Southern Hemisphere is now in Autumn, the Northern Hemisphere is now in Spring. That means that there must be a lot of flowers coming into bloom on the other side of the world.
So what's blooming where you are?

Has a mystery been solved.

I first saw this flower in December last year. I was out on my morning walk and, as l always do, was looking at all the flowers in every garden l passed. I had actually walked passed this one and was so taken with it, turned back. I had never seen one like it, still haven't seen another one like it.

It still looks amazing to me. Straight away l started asking people what type of flower it is. Everyone l've asked has had the same reaction as me, they think it's stunning, but unfortunately no-one has been able to tell me what it is. This house has high fences and the gates are always closed so l don't feel comfortable going in and asking them.
Then on Tuesday l was introduced to someone who is a very keen gardener. I asked if she would be willing to look at these photos and she was more than happy to. Straight away she said it's a bromeliad. I was so happy, gave her a big hug and started looking up photos of bromeliads as soon as l got home.
Now, l've looked at a lot of photos and haven't been able to find one that looks like this. Is this a bromeliad or is it something else?
Can any of you confirm that this is a bromeliad.

What a beauty

Look what l came across on the weekend. This is called a prickly pear cactus, at least that's what l know it as. I've never seen one so big and with so much fruit on it.

Not all of you may see the beauty in this, but, l think it's amazing. I will admit to a bias towards cacti, l love them; love the fact that they are so easy to grow, love that they need very little water, love that they live for years and love all the different flowers that they produce.

This cactus would have started life as a small little plant. Cacti are so easy to grow, snap a piece off one of them, plant it, water it very occasionally and then let it grow. As l was looking at this one l was wondering how old it is and that's another beauty of cacti; they are a cheap and easy way to plant a garden that will last for years.
Who else loves cacti like me?

What plant is this

I was out on Sunday and as l was walking away from the train station l noticed this plant in the front garden of a local business.

Look at the vibrant green foliage, and that's what caught my eye. Every branch is covered from bottom to top.

This was as close as l could get. It's like the branches, if that's what they're called, are covered with tightly packed star like flowers. It looks very impressive and having pine bark around them makes them really stand out on a dull day.
So what are they? I haven't a clue and hope one of you, my dear readers, can tell me.

Mornings

I'm always out early. I love to go for my walk first thing in the morning, and when l'm out, l always look at the sky.
The sky is like an ever changing canvas.

And there's something special about watching the sun rise, even when it's cloudy.

The air is fresh and there's the promise of a brand new day. It's quiet and look how mellow the new sunlight is.

If l go out in the afternoon there is a completely different feel, and look, to the very same streets. That's why l love to walk in the early morning.
What is your morning routine?

Update.

A update on the gorgeous yellow flowers. I walked past there this morning and, just as l feared, the block has been cleared and the flowers are gone.

As you can see it's been mowed down to the ground.

What a shame but l couldn't just take them as it felt like l would be stealing. Hopefully l'll see them again some day.