Spring is just around the corner

Technically it is day seven of Spring here in Australia....a time of new growth but also a time of Spring 'ailments'. It is still quite chilly and with the change in season many of us suffer from hay fever, sinus congestion and asthma with many virulent viruses lurking as well. I've been fighting one for two weeks now and it would seem a good proportion of Adelaide's population are too! Little Wade even had a quick trip to hospital but we are hoping with some sunshine ahead we can put that all behind us. The new blooms seem late to me but are still so beautiful........

 Each day I wake thinking I feel better so I rush around only to find two days later I am back feeling unwell again. But one day we did venture into the city so Larry could watch a final game from his football team while I wandered our historic Botanic Gardens. It was very cold and still looking like Winter but none-the-less it was a wonderful few hours on my own......

 In just a few weeks this arch will be covered in vibrant purple wisteria........

 In one corner is the barrel like structure of the National Wine Centre of Australia surrounded by a native garden.....

 And this is my favourite image of the day (taken like the others just on my mobile phone)....this is the Bicentennial Conservatory.........it fascinates me how the blue of the sky shows up in the water but not overhead........

 Thousands of roses will be covered in rich colourful blooms very soon......

 Some had still not be pruned and had very late (or very early!) blooms.......

 As I wandered along North Terrace I couldn't help noticing how derelict some of our beautiful buildings have become.........

 But then my passion for Adelaide was renewed as I passed the Museum, Art Gallery and Adelaide University..........

 

 I can recall as a child entering this building - the Elder Conservatorium of Music where I was full of trepidation and tummy nerves as I sat one of many pianoforte exams.........

 The inevitable glimpse of progress that rises above the old to make way for the new in the shape of an enormous crane.........

 But then another set of derelict buildings came upon me again....this time 'my' Royal Adelaide Hospital. I say 'my' as this is the place I did my nursing training. It is now in the process of being demolished to make way for new ideas and is simply now known as Lot Fourteen........

 It was a complete shock to see one wing of the hospital open to the elements but very satisfying to see the plaque acknowledging its past......

 I have a busy few weeks coming up with another William Morris in Adelaide tour starting in just over two weeks so I will enjoy sharing some of our beautiful city with others. Tomorrow I will be speaking at a stitching day with 90 other quilters as we learn a little about Beatrix Potter so I must prepare for that. For now I will finish with these images sent to me by Michele from Queensland. I met Michele (who also happens to have one L in the spelling of her name!!), on Norfolk Island and we remain in touch by email from time to time. This is her version of the Arabesque quilt and how splendid it is.......

 And Michele's completed May Morris Sampler from our Norfolk class.....how beautiful it looks hanging in her home with the Morris bed cover as well! Thankyou Michele.....your quilts are beautiful. 

Thanks again for dropping by.....more soon when I hope all the sniffles are behind us x