The Carnival of Flowers = TOOWOOMBA

Saturday 21 September. The time had come to relive mum's childhood memories with the Carnival of Flowers. After a spot of quadbiking, we drove into Toowoomba and looked around Laurel Bank Park. The previous week SEQ had experienced much hotter temperatures than normal (and above those Mum was enjoying in FNQ) so the city's gardeners had struggled, mostly successfully, to have blooms at their best for Carnival week. We had lunch on a picnic table in Queen's Park before making our way, via floral and handicraft displays, and a concert, at St James', to the chosen site for the carnival procession. Sue's office being along the route allowed the luxury of hot drinks (for those who did not go on investigative walkabouts!) while we waited for the action to begin, and kerbside chairs gave an excellent view of the approaching spectacle. The 3pm start of this year's parade was later than in previous years, seemingly to miss the heat of the midday sun. The parade included floral floats, community groups, animals, cars and machinery, marching bands - I think there were more pipers than could be found in the whole of England! There was a much larger turnout than I had anticipated and we returned home through the most traffic I expect I will ever see in Toowoomba; the roads were clearly not designed to cope with this once a year event...

Jason and Sue at 'Waydon', Westbrook

Historic windmills opposite Queen's Park, near what was the entrance to the old Show Ground

Ros, Jason, Sue and Jenny G in Queen's Park

Enjoying the parade wait in shade and style outside travel agent Sue's office :)

Traditional floral float by Toowoomba Regional Council

After catching our breath briefly back at Westbrook, we were chauffered to the home of Sue's sister Jenny S and husband Noel. Jenny G came with us to avoid any chance of getting lost amongst the country roads of Biddeston! The evening's get-together was thoughtfully suggested and organised by Jenny S to help Mum see some of her many friends and family in Toowoomba. An unexpected bonus was to be able to see the distant lights of the new airport somewhat controversially under construction.

Jenny S, wearing 'appropriate' apron, was dedicated to fundraising for 'Brisbane Weekend to End Women's Cancers' at the end of October, hence the pretty pink!

Mum's party

L to R: John Graham Delmay Noel Jenny Judith John Trevor Keith Jason Alan Thelma Andreas Richard Trudy

Seated: Sue Ruth Bronwyn Judy (holding Trev and Judy's grand-daughters)