Good morning, dear ones. It’s my last day in Australia and I’m feeling very sad about leaving my dear folks and this beautiful country. I have never visited a place where I felt so thoroughly loved, accepted, and welcomed as Australia. I’m going to miss it terribly.
The sun is shining so cheerily this morning, birds twittering away, the horses snuffling and swishing their tails outside the window. It’s so peaceful, I love it.
Today I’m going to share a few pictures of rural Australia. I’ve spent nearly my entire trip in the country, visiting the farms of my friends throughout Queensland, marveling at the staggering beauty of each place, basking in the serenity and peace sitting on their back porches sipping cold Aussie beer or icy Lemon Lime and Bitters.
This weekend I visited Kris and Jeff’s place. How I love their wrap-around veranda that captures every breeze and makes you feel cool and refreshed no matter how hot it gets.
We wandered through Kris’s gardens, admiring the flourishing tomatoes and citrus trees. Her marigolds are stunning! Huge bushes full of glowing blossoms in rich orange and russet.
We wandered down the back of the property to view the damage from the floods. Their once smooth driveway is now rutted with deep gutters that make it impassable. It’s going to take heaps of work and a lot of money to fix it, but in typical Aussie fashion Jeff and Kris just shrugged and talked about how lucky they were to have their lives and home. Amazing.
After bravely attempting to teach ME how to drive a tractor (heavens!!!), my friend took the driver’s seat and I hopped on back as we went for a drive through the trees to see the dam. Along the way we saw flowering prickly pear, lovely gum trees and a cute little wallaby that bounded away at our approach.
It’s so amazing to see Australia so lush and green. The flooding was horrible, scary and traumatic for so many, but it also resulted in stunning vistas of emerald hills and bright green meadows full of wildflowers.
I can’t wait to share more of my adventures with you. I’ve got recipes and photos and all sorts of lovely things, and will start posting when I get home. 🙂
Much love and big hugs to you!
Next time you’re in Australia be sure to come visit me in Melbourne!
You’re bringing me back some Tim Tams and Apricot Delight yes??? 😉
Safe journey home darling!
So sorry we didn’t get the chance to catch up. Next time for sure. Have a safe journey home.
It’s beautiful! Most of the North American continent is freezing and you look like a page out of summer-sweet. I am looking forward to your posts about your Australian adventure. Have a safe trip home.
Velva
Have a safe journey back home!
I always have the hardest time going home too, especially in winter. But hurry back so you have time to post more stories about your lovely trip!
Sounds like you had a wonderful time Krista – floods & all 🙂 Have a safe trip back & can’t wait to read more about your recipes & travel adventures! xo
Gorgeous photos!! I would love to visit there one day. I told my husband we should try to find a job there. With the sun always shining, I bet the people are just so warm and friendly. Looking forward to the stories and recipes.
So glad you had an awesome time here in Oz my friend, you really got to see this country in one of its more dramatic times, but hey….. that’s Australia isn’t it 🙂
I always have very mixed feelings about going home, its nice to see friends again. But for me it only takes a few days / weeks befor I want to drive back to the airport again and fly away 🙂 Queensland is great state to travel travel in though, nice and quite for most part. Except for the east coast of course 🙂
I can’t wait to hear more and see some of your delicious discoveries while travelling down under Krista!
Your photos certainly look amazing, as you say you are sorry to be leaving, is Australia somewhere you would consider living?
hey there,
i see you’ve enjoyed queensland. I hope u werent efferted by the floods. did u pass by brissy at all in your journey here?
I’m in love with that veranda! I’d sure love to visit Australia. Thanks for taking us along!
Wow. You’re doing so much traveling. Have a safe journey!
I hope next time you make it to Sydney. We would have had a great time and I would have enjoyed showing you our beaches!
Glad you enjoyed your stay – you look lovely and radiant in that photo! 🙂
Have you considered working for the Australian Tourist Board?! Having read the last few posts I think you should!! Fab pics.