The Beginning of Specialness...

I can hardly believe that this is the third year I have blogged about my wanderings, and the wonders of Floriade!

Our city's central, Commonwealth park, is transformed with the coming of the spring each year, into an incredibly beautiful flower festival (mostly spring bulbs) which runs for a month from the middle of September in Canberra, Australia.

I think that every year, I love it more, and want to share it more, with you. 

 I agonise so about getting the right shots to do it's beauty justice!

There are winding pathways, with quiet benches and lawns for sitting, praying and pondering quietly.  Down the way there is a ferris wheel and a tea cup ride, children bouncing on an inflatable castle to the soundtrack of one of those noisy carnival organ things (essential to create the right festival atmosphere)!  

Tara and I found blue flowers this year, for Emily...

We found a nook, and picnicked in the sun.

And, not that I mean to brag - but I made the most AMAZING tuna, avocado, tomato, cheddar cheese, red onion with a lime mayonnaise dressing, in the history of picnic-kind..!

Then pondered and prayed a little myself, and absorbed some highly anticipated sunshine - post winter sunshine warms and charms like no other...

Had a brief, but beautiful time with my best friend in between trips away...

And so enjoyed seeing this years art installations in the trees!

A rather unusual, picture of all four of my children with assorted sun hats!

We made an afternoon of it, and truly it was special to be welcoming the spring once more!  It has felt like a long and cold winter.  But the spring brings in the change for me, more light, more hope...  

So this day, for me was to mark the beginning of all these good things, all the specialness of the Aussie summer, the heat, the outdoor dining, long walks in the daylight saving, and this year, a new baby for my arms to hold.

I think it will be the most special summer of all.

Shell xx