It’s lazy I know, but it’s late, I’m tired, my feet ache and I need to pack for an early departure tomorrow. So I’ll let these photos from the streets, temples and restaurants of Colombo tell their own story …
First stop Singapore …
The first stop on my second trip to Sri Lanka is of course, Singapore, and a dawn visit to its World Heritage botanic gardens.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been there and I always find something beautiful in flower. This time it was what is probably my favourite tree – the aptly named Cannonball Tree.
Named after its fruit which are unsurprisingly just like cannonballs … this a truly spectacular tree, but not one you’d want to sit under once the fruit has ripened! Nearby was a Sausage Tree (no prizes for guessing what its fruit looks like) sadly neither tree was fruiting.
Some four hours and over a hundred photos later I stumbled out of the gardens in search of an iced tea and a blast of chilled air.
Next stop Colombo …
Winter’s end ?
I’ve been hibernating …
Comparatively speaking, I’m sure our winter is nothing to complain about, but that doesn’t stop me from having a daily whinge. My optimum operating temperature is between 19 and 29c so obviously things like an “Antarctic vortex” and low single digit mornings fit nowhere in this range. And that’s what we’ve suffered in the past few weeks.
Now there’s just the smallest hint that Spring is not far away. All over the valley the wattles (acacia) are blooming.
Our first National Wattle Day was held on the 1st of September 1910 as a way of promoting patriotism in our emerging nation. Un-patriotically, this year I’ll be in tea country high in the mountains of Sri Lanka, so I’m having my own little celebration now as my one and only wattle is putting on a spectacular show.
There are over 900 species native to Australia and I’m having a little trouble identifying mine. I didn’t plant it and I suspect that it arrived via bird poo – and for once I am grateful – as it’s not a weed and smells and looks delightful.
It’s also providing bees with some winter sustenance, and on that subject … my native bees have so far survived the frosty weather emerging last Sunday to clean out their hive. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to see them busily at work throwing out poo and dead bodies!
Crazy Day colour …
The last few weeks have been drizzly and dull – sort of what you’d expect as we approach the middle of winter. So Crazy Day was just the tonic that Bellingen needed.
What’s Crazy Day you ask ?
Well, on the third Saturday of June, Bellingen traders offer crazy discounts and set up stalls in the main street …
And as Crazy Day coincides with the monthly community market, talented people come out of hibernation to sell their creations …
Funky felt hats
Handmade felt clothing
Little princess dresses
Mandala moneyboxes
A gaggle of women friends from Goosey Goosey set up their stall to sell their quality hand-made art and crafts …
Goosey Goosey wares
Trish’s pears
Lyndley & Trish
Of course, nobody goes thirsty … there’s even pedal powered organic sugar cane juice on offer, and it tastes a whole lot better than it looks!
Sugar cane & ginger juice
There was an abundance of delicious (and mostly healthy) locally produced food.
The crowds came from near and far, the sun shone all morning, the children were entertained with camel rides and a bouncing castle, and a fabulous day was had by all.
Best gelato in New South Wales!
A Bellingen Diary 