I was hoping the weather would cool down in March after the heatwaves of February when rain and temperatures reached record levels. Since coming home from New Zealand in January I have been in heat hibernation through summer, doing very little and spending a lot of time in airconditioned places. But the forecast is for relentless heat and humidity to continue into March. Then thankfully, 10 days into March, the temperatures dropped below 30deg during the day and below 20deg at night. With the drop in humidity, slowly, my energy levels start to rise and being able to get a decent nights sleep makes a difference. I feel like doing things again.
March is also our combined birthday month and with our son and his wife also being March babies we usually arrange an outing together. This year we go to Kokomo Kitchen + Bar a waterfront cafe in Coomera, situated inside The BoatWorks. It’s a quirky little venue with a tropical vibe, relaxed, licensed outdoor dining space, overlooking the super yachts and Coomera River.
On the way out, through the boatyards I spot this very unusual cactus and can’t decide if it is a sculpture or a real plant.
It is a real plant…
Another newly opened restaurant we checked out was the Beach House. Have a look at this link for some interesting photos. Situated right on the banks of Currumbin Creek.
After a tasty meal we go for a walk along the Currumbin Creek.
Because the weather is slightly cooler it makes me feel like walking. Along the Broadwater Parklands is a favourite circuit.
Jack found a new friend. Careful Jack, do not go too close.
After all the rain and humidity the mushrooms/toadstools, I’m not sure which, are scattered everywhere. But I don’t think I will take any home for dinner…
Our first day trip since we came back from New Zealand is to Fingals Head, a narrow peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and the Tweed River in New SOuth Wales, approximately an hours drive. It is years since I last went there and the weather is now perfect for outings. We walk through one of the last remaining pockets of littoral rainforest along the Tweed Coast. A littoral rainforest is described as being a community of plants and animals that occurs close to the sea and is dominated by rainforest plants. Throughout Australia they are nationally listed as critcally endangered and at risk of extinction which is why the areas need to be protected and preserved.
The track leads to the lighthouse an historic building built in 1872.
We walk along the headland. It is exhilerating to watch the waves crashing over the rocks of the “Giants Causeway” The headland itself is an amazing basalt rock formation that was formed around 23 million years ago by ancient lava flows from the nearby and extinct shield volcano, Mt Warning.
When I “googled” Fingles Head I was amazed to see one of my “Gypsy Life” posts pop up about the last time I visited this place. It was 2015. I captured some lovely photos and being younger I had explored much more of this area. Go here if you would like to see this post. My “gypsy life” blog was to record our travels around Australia, but is now retired to the archives as a very handy record of those memorable times.
For lunch we went to the “Sheoak Shack”
When I visited in 2015 it was busy and the crowds were being seranaded by a guitarist. But it was not so busy today and we were seranaded by birds. A magpie and butcher bird competing for attention.
Do you remember I mentioned when we went to New Zealand and I sent all my plants to the sons garden that I did not plan to have any more plants? Well look what’s now taken residence on the balcony…..
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It’s lovely to have a few plants around, Pauline. We don’t have heaps but I’d hate not to have any. I don’t look forward to that energy sapping heat, but we’re a long way from that at present. Lots of welcome rain here and as I’m heading for the UK tomorrow I expect I’ll see a lot more. Always good to be by the water. Happy Easter, darlin!
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I missed having herbs handy for cooking so bought a parsley plant. It just sort of grew from there. Don’t forget to take your brolly and enjoy your family in UK. Have a happy Easter
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Ah, yes, I can imagine the heat and humidity sapping your energy. Makes me feel like a limp lettuce! Nice to see you out and about, you have so many lovely places to visit and plenty of good restaurants too. As for the plants, who were you kidding when you said “no more” 😂
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Oh, and belated happy birthday to you both 🎉🎊🎁
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Thanks Jude 🤗
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“Limp lettuce” love it. A very accurate description. I missed having herbs, so bought a parsley plant. It just seemed to grow from there 🤭
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Yes, herbs are essential. Parsley is especially useful and mint and tarragon are my favourites. And rosemary of course for the smell.
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Hmmm looks like I’ll be expanding 🤭 I don’t have those three…. yet…..🥴
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Great to see that little garden on you balcony, Pauline. Green fingers will not be held back for long. And nice to see you out and about in such lovely spots after your big trip.
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I struggle with the weather n summer, so love it when autumn arrives. I felt something was missing without plants, especially the herbs
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Looks like you had a good birthday month! Very handy to have four all at once 😃.
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March is my favourite month. Love family get togethers
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Beautiful. Happy Easter!
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Love the little rabbit have a happy Easter 🐇😍
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Nice one Pauline putting in the Butcher bird and Magpie chorus video.The Magpie was so close sitting very still, at first I thought it was a realistic toy put there by the management.😎
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They did make a beautiful duet 🎼🎼
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Euphorbia ingens ‘Variegata’, candelabra tree. This is the sculptural vegetation, although it could be another cultivar. ‘Variegata’ is sort of a generic term for any of the variegated cultivars of the species, but there seem to be a few of them. Some seem to be yellowish, like those in your picture. Others are whitish. Some exhibit more pronounced variegation, rather than more blended color. Simpler unvariegated green specimens are in the background. Euphorbia ingens is not related to cactus, but is actually a different species of the same genus as poinsettia. The blue cactus in front to the right, and the cactus in the background to the left, really are cacti.
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Thanks for the info Tony. Would never of guessed it was of the poinsettia genus. I liked its sculptural form
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Yes it is striking! Those are remarkable specimens.
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Is that your bird on the flag the Piping Shrike serenading you? It has a lovely song.
The restaurants look great, and dessert at the Beach House would be my choice.
Your plants on the balcony look happy. I hope they thrive.
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Those birds are a butcher bird, he has a beautiful and varied song, and the magpie is equally as melodious. No long trips planned this year, yet…. so the plants should be ok.
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Wonderful photos and I love your little balcony garden!
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[…] briefly mentioned in my recent “Changing Seasons” post that I have started a small balcony […]
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