Griffith Spring Festival

 I told you I was going to the Citrus festival but when I got there, it was the Spring Festival. Maybe it has been rebranded in recent years or maybe I got it wrong but citrus was still the main feature.

As I drove into town, eight long hours after leaving home, the smell of citrus blossom was in the air. Just imagine how much perfume it takes to scent an entire regional city! I was astounded.

The main road through town has a wide median with lawn and trees and the citrus sculptures were all on the median. A nearby car park had been converted into a festival space with food trucks, a stage and a lot of tents selling the local beer "Yenda" 

As dusk approached, one side of the main road was blocked off to create safe, free movement for festival goers moving between the festival space and the sculptures.

It was a warm evening and the place was packed. I heard one local comment that Griffith is so quiet, the locals have to make the most of special events.

They tell me there were 60 sculptures but I only took photos of the ones I liked and that were easily seen from the pedestrian area.

Clean and Colourful

 In 1997, we (the ex and I) bought a house from an "old" lady. i don't know how old she was but maybe not much older than I am now. The house was built in the early 60's and hadn't been updated in the intervening years.I couldn't understand how she had never updated but now, as my kitchen nears it's 26th birthday, I have become the old lady who doesn't update and I am finally starting to get the house I always hoped for.

One consequence of being married to an abuser was that he didn't want anything to be nice for us, didn't want to spend the money, would have a melt down if I ever dared get a tradesman to do anything.

Back in 2000 we replaced the very basic old kitchen but the walls were never painted. In the early 2000s I took the peeling floral wallpaper down from the bathroom, hoping that my efforts to help would make it easier for ex to do a fresh coat of paint. The bathroom was never painted, either.

After ex left, I had no money and then when things got a bit better I was unsure whether I should invest anything into the house but a few weeks ago, I decided I would do a small improvement every month. 

The broken security screen door has been replaced, I bought a new door mat and then I took a bigger step: Yesterday the kitchen and bathroom were painted. I am so pleased. I wish I had done it before.

Lasy year I saw the Griffith Citrus Festival advertised but was unable to go. I made sure I was able to get  there this year and I will head off in a few days. Between the time when i booked and now, I have lost the desire to go. It is unusual for me but I'm not looking forward to it. I feel like a six hour drive is too much, I want to just mooch around home and not make an effort but I have booked my motel and I have decided to go and I am hoping I'll enjoy it once I get going.

 

There will be photos when I get back.

I am unable to stream Sue's funeral live tmorrow but I will be watching and thinking of her and her loved ones at the first opportunity.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

Boongala Gardens

 One of the nice things about working part time is having time to do fun stuff like visit gardens. Boongala Gardens is an hours drive from my place so by ther time we went there, had some lunch and got back, it was a decent day out. It's also nice that Briony is a teacher and has enough holidays to spend a day here and there doing thigs like this. I would do it on my own but I always prefer company.

Briony and Sally

There were little sculptures and disused farm equipment adding ambience in every corner

Native Hibiscus

There were native rock orchids of all colours but I only photographed this one

Native bee hive

I'm not sure what this is, maybe a possum box

Gymea lily

The gardens were originally established to attract birds. It worked!

Thanks for visiting with me!