Autumn

Leaves, butterflies and fur from the dog are falling to the ground as the sun gets cooler.

The few flies are soaking up every bit of warmth they can find

Viewing the autumn moon

We went down to the lake to see the autumn moon over the water. The moon is the largest it has been for 18 years and it will take another 18 before it will be so clear and large again. It was beautiful down there. The crickets chirred and shadowy black swans were asleep on the water.
I'm no good at night photography and forgot about pictures anyway until just before we left, so these really don't show the moon we saw.

Really the moon looked like this begonia.

Begonia Festival

I've been to the Begonia festival every year I've been in Ballarat and it never fails to make me happy.  The conservatory is warm and  peaceful, full of outrageously over-the-top flowers and their admirers.

No noise, quiet conversation. Many, many cameras.

When the sunlight falls on them, the flowers glow.

The flowers are huge - they need wire supports to hold their heads up properly.

 

The first year I was very superior and I didn't think I'd stay long looking at hot house flowers, but I was charmed by the work and love that goes into this three day extravaganza and by the pleasure it gives.

Now I'm a begonia lover.

quilt patterns from the floods

Dogs of Honour

The wedding and the shoes

Went to Melbourne this long weekend to the wedding of two dear friends. They have taken about twenty years to marry - but the wedding was worth waiting for.

The bride wore a scarlet frock.

and golden shoes

Although they had to stop to find the ring

 and it rained down in buckets just as it was time for speeches and cake

It was a wonderfully happy day.

And full of frocks

It struck me that I have no frocks, none at all! My shoes do not have heels. But I'll enjoy shoes vicariously on this blog now. 

I love weddings, you catch up with people, get the goss and discover they have a quirky blog.