Jacaranda

The Jacaranda trees are in full bloom in Brisbane right now. It is Spring here and the city is bursting in purple blooms in tree-lined streets and dottings in and around the city. It is a magical time of year and the quintessential image of Brisbane. Adding to that magic is a lovely purple blanket of fallen blossoms. Traditionally signalling the beginning of the exam season, it is said that if you haven’t started studying by the time the trees are bursting then you are doomed.

The Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is the site of Australia’s first grown Jacaranda tree and was depicted in the 1903 painting by Richard Godfrey Rivers titled “Under the Jacaranda Tree”. The painting is of the artist and his wife Selina taking tea under the tree. That tree was a Brisbane landmark until it was knocked over by a cyclone in 1980.

I am grateful to Walter Hill  who planted the first tree here in 1864. He was at the time the superintendent of Brisbane’s Botanic Gardens and obtained the Jacaranda seed from Brazil via the Australian wheat ships that traded with South America. It has brought so much beauty to our city.

Here’s a poem I wrote a few years back:

Jacaranda

September blooms of purple hues,
adorn the city street.
And in bright splendour praises Spring,
where limbs and feathers meet.

Amid soft purple hues I lay,
to rest my weary head.
In fantasies drifting away,
upon a sprinkled spread.

Copyright © October 2011 Norma Martiri

Under the Jacaranda Tree by Richard Godfrey Rivers 1903

Seppeltsfield

The Barossa Valley is just 65km out of Adelaide in South Australia and is a a major wine-producing region producing 21% of Australia’s wines. It is a beautiful region filled with villages, valleys, vineyards, fabulous food and patchwork landscapes. There are acres of vineyards and around 150 wineries and cellar doors to experience.

The Barossa Valley has distinct German heritage that dates back to 1842 when many of the settlers fled from religious persecution in Prussia, thankfully taking their vine cuttings with them. Today the old-world charm remains as new generations carry on with the family business and German traditions.

It was autumn when we were there and these photos don’t do it justice but it was still very beautiful. At every turn there is a spectacular view and landscape to take in. There is no doubt in my mind that this is one of the most romantic regions in Australia.

Our first stop was Seppeltsfield Winery. The Seppelt family settled in the Barossa Valley in 1851 and purchased the property now known as Seppelsfield. You can read more about the history here.

Be sure to visit The Barossa Valley if you are ever on this side of the world.
More to come in my next post.

The view from our hotel window (not on the Estate)

One of the roads into the Seppeltsfield estate

The Seppelt Family Mausoleum

One of the many Lutheran churches nearby

 

Port Adelaide Jetty at Sunset

We just spent a week in beautiful Adelaide in South Australia so I will be adding a more photos soon. Here are a few to start on my Adelaide series. Watch this space 🙂

 

Arbor Walk

Walu Wugirriga

Walu Wugirriga (Mount Alexandra lookout), Daintree National Park, North Queensland

Here is a panorama view from Walu Wugirriga lookout. Magnificent isn’t it!!!

Rainforest Walk

A leisurely Sunday walk through the beautiful Mt Glorious rainforest, Brisbane.

Sugar Cane

Sugar cane is grown along the east coast of Australia all the way from Mossman up in far north Queensland down to Grafton in New South Wales. Whilst driving in far north Queensland, we passed miles and miles of sugar cane plantations – it was never ending. Here is a photo of some of the sugar cane bins that sat waiting and ready for harvest.