Seat Series #1 : Contemplation Seat

We have places to sit scattered all round the garden. 6 benches, 3 picnic tables plus chairs and a couple of random seats.

This morning, at 6am, as I went around dead heading, plus pulling the occasional weed, checking if anything needed watering and communing with my flowers I came across Jack sitting quietly on one of the benches sketching. So I joined him. The light at that time of the morning is inspirational. Should take some photos. So Jack went for the camera while I sat and waited with my dead heading bucket at my feet….That started a train of thought….

“Let’s call this the “Contemplation Seat” said Jack. “Sounds great” I said, as we passed the camera back and forth taking photos while sitting on the “contemplation seat”.

That’s when the idea was born to go round sitting on each seat/bench, giving them all names, and I will share the views from each seat with you all.

So today you may like to join me on the “contemplation seat”, look around, the sun is just over the horizon, tipping the bushes giving them a halo of iridescent light. We are sitting under the Frangipani tree. Look up into the canopy at the interesting pattern of the Criss-crossing leaves and the play of shadowsThen look down at our feet, the flowers are starting to fall as they come to the end of their flowering period. Soon it will be a daily job to pick up the fallen leaves.

 

Sitting in the shade is cool and tranquil, but it is going to be another hot day. The Croton bush seems to be on fire while behind it the Salvia and bromeliads add a cool contrast. Last week I had a great find at the op shop, for $5, a calibrated rain gauge. You can just see it waiting for rain behind the Salvias.

Jack’s Desert Roses are doing very well and 3 of them have been given a pride of place on pedestals where they will get all day sun. They flourish in this spot and from the seat we can just see 2 of them through the Frangipani branches. You will see them better from the next seat…Looking to the right the large pot has water lilies growing in it. Big healthy leaves but the flower has just finished. At the back of the cottage garden border behind the water-lily pot, in the top left corner of the photo below, the new Lilly Pilly leaves are making a bold statement.

Here is a closer look at them. The Powder Puff Lilly Pilly is showing off its new leaves, a soft, iridescent dusky pink, such a contrast to the vibrant green. They always surprise me the way they just suddenly appear, almost like autumn leaves. Sitting here, quietly looking around, is a beautiful way to start the day. A time of peaceful contemplation. The air is filled with bird song, In the distance I can hear the busy chattering of the lorikeets as they head out from the nature reserve and the sweet song of the magpies. While the raucous crows make their presence felt.

 

I notice the bird bath needs filling, and the butcher bird will soon arrive for his breakfast, so time to move on and do a few more jobs before breakfast and while the temperature is still a comfortable 25 degrees. Picking up the dead heading bucket I go for one last look around.

I hope you enjoyed these few quiet moments joining us on the “contemplation seat”.