The sunny calm

Sunday was a bright, warm day.

But it proved to be the calm before the storm.

Monday morning brought thunder, lightning and a downpour.

the view from our front window

The storm quenched the garden's thirst, which had returned after a week of sunshine.

But not before I'd harvested our first artichoke.

Around the fountain, the irises are eye-catching ... white on tanned skin, violet on boot-polish black and purple stripes with just a hint of gold.

 

Lurking in the shadows, catching the rays of the afternoon sun, a glorious rose.

The first flowers of Spring

Oblivious to human events, the seasons and Nature move forward inexorably.

Here are the first flowers of Spring in the garden of Ellesmere.

A 19th century amphora, a recent purchase for the garden.

The beauty of Nature can comfort us in times of stress.

Viv's room rejuvenated

With the compulsory isolation (lock-down) now entering its fifth week, we've managed to do lots of put-off-til-later jobs.

One of those jobs was applying linseed oil to the floorboards in Viv's room.

I called it Viv's room because it contains many antique pieces from my late Aunty Viv's house, Karslake, in south-east Queensland.

I think the darker floor has really enriched the room and added to its character.

The canopy bed on the right is from Viv's home.  Made of silky oak, it dates from the early 1900s.

The early 19th century cedar chest of drawers and toilet mirror also came from Karslake. They were Hobart made and pre-date the establishment of Melbourne.

In the corner stands a cedar pedestal table from Karslake, with a 1930's radio I bought in France.

The silky oak wardrobe came from the same room in Viv's house as the bed and chest of drawers.