Hello all – welcome to autumn here in Australia where there are all kinds of activities and festivals to enjoy.  Ken is continuing his quest to make as many short movies as possible so has planned a calendar of events that we can both attend which will provide him with colourful subject matter.   There really are so many opportunities and ideas for projects to pursue now that we are retired.

Dahlia exhibition and show, Mt Waverley

If you were interested in growing dahlias or just wanting to enjoy the beauty of these blooms, this exhibition and show was absolutely magnificent.  Here are a couple of photos:

One of the exhibitors was Country Dahlias from Winchelsea near Geelong.   If you live near Melbourne it is possible to visit their 2 acre dahlia garden and wander around at your leisure.    They are hosting a festival on the weekend of March 21st/22nd which sounds good.  Unfortunately their brochure does not give a web site and I haven’t been able to find one, though they are mentioned on the net under plant nurseries.   If you live in other States of Australia, search out the events calendar for your area.  Conversely, if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you will just be starting to think of planting out your tubers.  I remember with nostalgia how my father loved his dahlias;  he grew those ones with the huge heads.

Quilt and felt hat display at Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne

I was so inspired by the felt hat display and came home full of enthusiasm for making one for myself.  However, I was a little sobered by the process when I checked out some YouTube tutorials.  I am undaunted and think I will pursue the idea.  It could be a good project for the winter months.  I will keep you posted.  The quilts must have taken hours of work.  I have never attempted one myself though my daughter made one some years ago.  I am sure if you want a really absorbing pastime, quilt making would fill the bill.

Here is a picture of the hat display:

Kite Festival at Rosebud, Mornington Peninsula

Yesterday we went to the Kite Festival at Rosebud.  Though this event was more for young people, racing around flying their kites, there were still quite a few older folk with their grandchildren, enjoying the spectacle of the professional display as shown here:

I didn’t realise there was still so much interest in kites.  Ken says he remembers, as a boy, making a kite from split bamboo canes to required shape, putting cotton around the outside, then laying on tissue paper and sticking to the outside string after which he attached a tail and more string to pull it into the air.

Volunteering as a Community Visitor

I have chatted before about the Community Visitors Scheme which pairs volunteers with a resident in an aged care facility who is need of a visitor to share some time them.  There are so many people who sit alone all day and never have a visitor.  This is so sad.  After the death late last year of the lady I was visiting  I decided to take some time away but this week I was introduced to a new inmate who I will be visiting from now on.  We chatted briefly and I am sure that we will be able to develop an ongoing and fulfilling relationship.  Here is a rose for her from my garden:   

If you are interested in finding out more about the scheme in your area, visit:

http://www.communityvisitorsscheme.org.au

That’s all for this Blog.  Let me know about your activities.  Until next time,

Enjoy every day

Janice