Some more 'iPhonography' whilst working - Sydney Harbour!

So, with my current working schedule, I am normally stopping first at Seaforth on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Its a nice spot, and I visit just near The Spit Bridge.

But today, this stop was not required, and I had a little bit of extra time up my sleeve, so I ventured to somewhere more familiar, my old work at The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. More over, Mrs Macquaries Chair, which has spectacular views of both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and The Opera House! I managed to get here just on sunrise this morning, and there was some glorious light; I just wished I had my actual camera instead of my trusty, if not old, iPhone 7PLUS!!

I was actually here several weeks back, and even though I was in my fully marked work car, with the engine running, an overzealous Ranger started to book my as I hadn't used the parking meter. When I got out and said I am here, and the car is running, we had a quick chat and later went on my way! haha

Also here, is a small garden, and a most impressive Xanthorrhoea... Isn't she lovely with the CBD as a backdrop??

After that, the day got very 'boring' and routine, heading to Darlinghurst, then the Inner West before heading back to the Lab. In my drive from the Lab up to Galston however, in these times of Coronavirus (COVID-19) where at a funeral only 10 people are permitted to attend, I managed to get to see a very dear friend in Melbourne, preside over his mothers funeral in Tasmania over a live stream, and whilst I was driving, I was more listening to it as opposed to watching, as I wanted to remain safe on the road. You did a wonderful job and held it together in a very testing time DW, I know mum would be proud...

No time for any sort of gardening in the courtyard today though, but the beds will all get a water tomorrow, and maybe a light trim of the Vibernum screen just to keep it in check, but we will see!!!

Hope you've had, or have, a wonderful Wednesday!

Hoo roo for now...

------

Another dull day really

Well today was a bit of a 'just another day'... I had a bad nights sleep really, and I feel that was the catalyst for the day ahead! But I woke up before my alarm at 0430 anyway...

A quick shower and a shave, some breakfast whilst Bronty was outside, and I got the car ready for the work day ahead and left into the darkness and soon, rain...

Whilst the day itself went ok with nothing out of the ordinary happening, from Seaforth, to Darlinghurst and up to Galston and Kenthurst, before a quick stop at Lakeside Private Hospital....

But, getting home this afternoon I saw that the Poppies and Alyssum's were going great guns, as are the Marigolds, Sweet Peas and Lobelia's on the side of the house, so I would give them a foliar feed! So I set about mixing it up in a 9lt watering can, and hand watering them... I can't wait for Spring to bloom!!

Also, this past summer, the Cyathea Tree Ferns took a bit of a hit in the sun and heat, so I have moved them both together, and into a more protected area. As such, I have several new fronds rolling out...

Hoo roo for now...

------

'The Spit' - a blessing though COVID-19

So far, in this pandemic of COVID-19, work has changed, a LOT! But for me, more fortunately, I have been filling in whilst another colleague is on leave...

And whilst I am grateful I still have a job, let alone a full weeks lot of work, we can't deny that through these challenging times, we are all on stress trying to work and make ends meet...

The view, sunrise doing my first job in Seaforth, is nothing more than a pleasure I have during this time!! How are you handling these challenging times??

Hoo roo for now...

------

Preparing the courtyard for Spring...

So, now that the courtyard is finished, I can now start planning my Spring display. Next to my recycled brick paving, I have two half wine barrels which have Climbing Roses in them. I am also using these for som Spring Annuals as well.

So I have had in my mind, Poppies (Papaver) and some Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima syn.) in the pots, these are more pastels and whites in colour, and I also added in some Crocus (Crocus spp) in a dusty purple with a darker purple vein through the petal...

BUT, more importantly, before planting the seedlings, I had more important things to tend to, morning tea of Chocolate Hot Cross Buns with a cuppa!!!

Hoo roo for now...

------

Garlic Prawns, with Tomatoes, Moscato and Tomato Sauce and Basil

So, I had an idea for dinner tonight, and it turned out sort of alright!! Ok, maybe MORE than 'alright' and maybe more 'bloody fantastic!!

I had this idea of ingredients, prawns for protein, garlic butter sauce, and tomatoes, and then expanded it for some wine (Moscato) and basil, so I went shopping...

It was a really simple and basic dish. Starting with pasta first in a pot of gentle boiling water. Then, in a seperate pot, heated a bit of oil and pepper, added the tomatoes (a mix of Sorento Cherry Tomatoes and a tub of mixed cherry tomatoes) until just softened, and beginning to breakdown. I then added the prawns and garlic butter knobs, until the butter had just melted, then adding in the satchel of tomato paste and a 1/2 cup of the wine; Moscato.

When the pasta was just shy of being 'Al dente', I then added the basil into the pot to wilt down, and drained the pasta. Returned the pasta to the pot it was in, and poured over the prawn dish with sauce, and stirred softly, and served it up with a glass of the wine!!

Next time, and there will most certainly be a next time, I will use a slightly different, less sweet wine, and maybe even add in a chilli for a bit of a kick, but I was really impressed with how it turned out!!!

Hoo roo for now...

------