Gardens - all shapes, sizes, colours and scents

Sue's invitation to Jenny G to stay the night was readily accepted.
Sunday 22 September we visited some spectacular prize winning gardens in the morning with Sue and Jenny G, and looked around the (now extended) chapel at Concordia College which Mum's father had helped to build. After another picnic lunch we met Ruth who took us to see (cousin) Flo, and then Auntie Annie and her daughters Ruth and Robyn. That evening Sue's sons Hunter and Flynn came over for dinner, and Sue also kindly invited Ros.

This Grand Champion garden at Vale View was huge

Jenny's cousin had a wonderful floral display around her retirement home

Concordia College chapel

Cousins: Ruth, Florence, Bronwyn

Robin, Ruth V, Auntie Annie, Bronwyn and Ruth H

Next morning on her way to work Sue dropped us off to see Beryl, a tireless charity worker whose handicrafts we admired and a sample of which we happily accepted. Ros promptly collected us to go and view some more gardens; we also drove past Ros' old house and explored mum's old high school (CHSHS) which was hosting an orchid exhibition. During our short visit to Ken and Elsie, who had just celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary, they mentioned remembering looking after me (in 1989)!

Beryl resides in the RSL retirement home, having supported their charity for decades

Jason and Ros and a garden bed featuring orange clivias

Bronwyn with Elsie and Ken in Salem Lutheran Rest Home

We met up with Sue briefly and Alison for lunch in Grand Central, after which we were joined by Ruth and son Josh. Laura made delicious scones for afternoon tea, and Claude regaled us with stories of a visit to Poland with his son at a time when armed guards were frighteningly present on internal flights. Mum was grateful for Sue's ongoing generosity in inviting Ruth and Andreas, Dianne and Brian (unknown to Sue) to dinner - Andreas, Dianne and Mum had been in the same year at secondary school. By now Mum was starting to struggle to keep up with the pace... - there was a lot happening, physically, and especially emotionally.

Allison, Ruth, Joshua and Jason in Grand Central shopping centre

Bronwyn, Ruth, Laura and Claude

Andreas and Ruth, Jason, Bronwyn, Dianne and Brian about to enjoy Sue's lasagna

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)

Travels with Mum

Friday 20 September. We left early in the morning to place Kimba 'in care' before Ros began her last day of the school term. After a brief hello with Robin and Melinda before their teaching day started, Ros whisked us off, via the trophy shop, to rendezvous with some more people! At Trinder Park we saw Dulcie (matron of Katherine House when Mum lived there, and recently discovered to be a second cousin of Mum's father!) and admired her red hippeastrums in full bloom.

Mrs G near her front door

We walked together to Lydia and Ed (who had worked hard to create a flourishing garden), pausing along the way to appreciate some orchids. Mum's cousin Joy met us there (I was still getting used to the way everyone seems to somehow know or be related to everyone else!) and took us to her home in Runcorn for lunch. Joy's brother Colin and wife Lorraine visited in the afternoon; family history books were viewed, and one even purchased!

Lydia, Dulcie, Ed and Bronwyn under flowering bottle brush

Jason and Dulcie enjoying morning tea with Lydia and Ed

Jason, Joy, Lorraine and Colin

Ros collected us after school and we drove to Toowoomba to mum's cousin Ruth and husband Andreas. After a quick hello, Sue met us here and took us to our Westbrook home for the next days where her partner John, a butcher by trade, had prepared a delicious BBQed dinner.

Once again we were to have the company of an active 10mth old kitten. Percy, missing his owner Zoe who was away a few days, had a quaint habit of ambushing Mum as she walked along the hallway. Not quite as frightening I felt as the Australian magpies which I first encountered in Adelaide.

Percy, a determined explorer

Magpie

All things bright and colourful

After so long living in Europe I was now very conscious of the colour and brightness of this environment, a realisation eloquently expressed in a recent interview by Clive James: "After shivering in England for years I could see clearly in my memory what a bright and healthy wonderland we had been privileged to grow up in". I was not fast or clever enough to photograph any of the Ulysses butterflies, but I did find a wing under the step into my cabin. I found this interesting curved seed pod beautiful, but have not properly experimented with the black or 'burnie' bean...

A curious and colourful collection

Thornton Peak, Queensland's third highest mountain at 1374m, had its head in the mist for much of my stay, and proved tricky to photograph. I was grateful to hear that Steve had dissuaded Jason from attempting to scale this and other peaks in the vicinity.

Cabin-dwarfing Thornton Peak

Wednesday 18 September arrived all too quickly and it was time to drive back to Cairns before the day became too hot. Tanya showed me the magnificent paperbark gums at Palm Cove and then dropped me in Cairns while she went for lunch with her daughter. The Lagoon was closed for cleaning (this and so much more I discovered from the eloquent NZ manager) so I resolved to paddle there on my way back. I walked along the esplanade, looked at the hostel where Jason had stayed, discovered the fruit bat tree near the library, looked at souvenirs (eventually buying only a tin of tea back at the Tourist Information where Tanya had dropped me), walked into the Reef Hotel Casino and up to the Wildlife Dome to chat with the koala on duty near the entrance to this city zoo. Time passed so quickly that I needed to rush, without paddling, to meet Tanya. Enroute to Delma's home in the Cairns suburb of Manoora I commented that I half expected Del to be no bigger than I am, and soon found that was indeed the case. We waved Tanya good bye, and I immediately felt at home. I had already mentioned to Del that looking at old photos was something I was keen to do, and in no time we were absorbed in the collection of albums she had selected.

Delma in her front garden

It was  a pleasant walk up the road to the pub for dinner. Back home we continued to learn more about each other and our far flung families, Del's European travels and interest in jewellery. Next morning my taxi to the airport arrived about 2 mins after Del had phoned. Views over turquoise sea and golden sand were a highlight of the Qantas flight, along with a tasty light lunch, and soon we landed in hot and sunny Brisbane. Ros was there to greet me, and I was pleased but not too surprised to find Jason with her. And now, patient reader, follows a month of Jason travelling with me in south east Queensland, meeting friends and relations, many long unseen, and some completely new acquaintances!

The enemy is sicklepod

Monday 16 September saw me wise enough to know that Tanya's cappucino was not to be missed for breakfast.

Cappuccino and fresh air were features of breakfast

Eventually I asked if any had heard the shots in the night. 'That was me', proclaimed a grinning Steve. 'My aim is not too good with a torch strapped to the shotgun, but I think I hit that wild dog in the rump!'  Mystery solved, but even so I did not fancy the company of such creatures so my doors stayed closed overnight. Back at the tree planting site some weed control was in order. I enjoyed pulling out sicklepod (once in seed it is impervious to poison) and was delighted to learn that death by fire was its fate. I was not too impressed with Steve's idea of simply dousing the freshly pulled weeds in something flammable and setting alight, and my disdain soon proved justified. After gathering plenty of kindling a fierce blaze under the midday sun saw the job well executed, and I felt happy and fulfilled.

Recently planted trees and ashes from the sicklepod burning against the backdrop of Mt Sorrow

I readily partook of the afternoon trip to Mossman to stock up with provisions, collect a repaired washing machine and deposit another. A cane train trundling down the middle of the main street confirmed that Mossman's sugar mill was repaired and working, to the relief of the local growers. I also became aware of how many places now provided shade for parked cars, giving protection from the sun, and on occasion hail. 

Woolworths in Mossmann, with peeking peaks!

On the way home I purchased a red paw paw (papaya) from a stall, the skins of which I hoped might lure the cassowaries to visit. We returned via the little town of Daintree (untempted by the crocodile express), explored a little upriver, and took in the view from Walu Wugirriga lookout. Dinner was another of Tanya's delicious, chilli featuring, creations :) 

Fruit stall and Bismark palm

Daintree ferry crossing - Steve's small sailing boat was moored on the opposite bank

For breakfast Tuesday I enjoyed some paw paw, and hoped the cassowaries would appreciate my generosity and do the same. Hearing that Roger (Steve's boss who was to arrive that evening) was fond of a fire was all the incentive I needed to spend the morning gathering more than enough fuel to make a roaring blaze. I also needed to take more photos of my surroundings, collect some of the coconuts lying around, and so forth. An afternoon walk to another pool sounded a lovely idea. 

Steve fancied a quick swim

Detouring to investigate some signs of frustrated habitation, we took longer than usual to return home. Tanya reported that the cassowaries had been, stayed for about 20mins enjoying the paw paw, and left not long before our return. Arghgghgh!

The cassowaries appeared from the far right when Jason and Hester were visiting

Accessing coconut insides is another specialist task accomplished by Steve

Replete after dinner: Steve, Roger (suitably impressed with my fire making prowess despite an absence of Boy Scout training), Tanya and her son Beau

Lost and Found in the Tropics

Sunday 15 September I awoke after a sound sleep and peeped out from the mosquito net to see this lovely misty mountain scene.

A cabin with a view

In the absence of any other way of knowing the time, the noise of the generator confirmed when the others were up. In daylight I soon found my way back to the house, making certain to remember landmarks along the way, such as the ablutions block and long drop.

Flowers from ginger plants in the garden adorned the shower

Long drop, framed by twin coconuts, with shower next door

Steve drove to the tree planting site (about 15km north) to show me some of Jason's handiwork, set against the spectacular backdrop of Mt Sorrow. The heat from the sun soon became intense so we took a sheltered walk to a tranquil pool in the creek between the two planting sites. Still not terribly compos mentis, my sense of direction was a little off as I attempted to find the way out again! Steve expressed surprise that any of 'the Hoffmann cousins' with their country background could be so daft!  Ha - I think I was the only one of my generation of that extensive clan to have grown up in town! After a short detour taking in the picturesque views at Cape Tribulation it was time to head home for a late lunch and relaxed afternoon.

I almost tripped over this well camouflaged goanna at Cape Tribulation

When the day cooled a little, Tanya showed me nearby Thornton beach, telling of the volcanic pumice washed up from NZ. We watched four lads swim to nearby Struck Island, clearly unconcerned about the potential presence of crocodiles. At low tide a causeway allows this island to be reached on foot.

Thornton Beach looking south to Cooper Creek which is inhabited by crocodiles  

Four lads have almost reached Struck Island

I settled in my cabin for another rather early bedtime. About midnight two, very close sounding, shots rang forth. What potential maniac might be on the loose my fertile imagination wondered? I closed the insubstantial lattice doors, turned off the light and burrowed deep under the doona (the temperature did drop at night!), hoping to wake alive next morning.

Tropical Wonderland

Saturday 14 September. Despite a couple of hours sleep I felt more than a little disorientated in sunny Cairns. 

Lipstick palms adorned The Hotel Cairns where I snoozed

The 8am walk around the seafront with Steve allowed me to recognise some of the views in Jason and Hester's photos, although I could not recall the town at all from a family visit back in the 70s. Tanya then drove us to the botanic gardens where Steve's knowledge of exotic plants soon became evident. An 11am brunch appointment at Holloway beach north of Cairns was comfortably managed; the photo suggests I indulged in my first, long awaited, malted milk. I do remember the sad phone chat with June (Steve's mum) which revealed that her sister Val, who had a deep stroke before I left England, was unlikely to recover. I also spoke with my father's cousin Delma, and hoped she might like to meet and get to know me.

Brunch in a pleasant cafe next to the beach in north Cairns

The weather had warmed considerably so as we journeyed north I was pleased to discover that in Tanya's car air conditioning equated to opening the window. My ongoing somewhat confused state deepened when the chap we picked up on a 180 degree detour near Port Douglas was dropped off in Mossman (although this did explain why he was not unhappy about being squashed in the back seat with Steve and assorted objects) and replaced with the motor for Steve's boat! Feeling the need of fresh air and less motion, I wandered around Mossmann while the others went about their business. I was awestruck by the huge epiphyte covered rain trees lining the road heading north out of town, and perplexed by the horrid substance-less smell (too recognisable to one who gets travel sick) which I later learnt came from the sugar mill nearby.

Looking south towards Mossman

I was awake enough to appreciate the Daintree ferry crossing, and soon we arrived at Steve and Tanya's residence near Diwan. I later discovered that the main gate has lovely images of a frog (symbol of the Australian Rainforest Foundation for whom Steve worked) and local big bird, the cassowary. 

The frog and cassowary (hidden by eucalypt flower) gate

I soon settled into my cabin, 'Ulysses', and agreed with Tanya's recommendation of sleeping with doors open to appreciate the morning view. Tanya created a most delicious Thai pumpkin curry soup for dinner from pumpkins grown in the garden. I accepted Steve's offer to walk me back to my cabin as, even with a lamp, I risked not finding my way. In Perth, while most went to bed around midnight I, still hyper, sat up for hours checking emails, FB, trying to convince myself I really was in Australia; now I was in great need of an early night. With the Internet only available in Steve's office, I downloaded my latest photos and soon nodded off.