Blue Flax Lily

We are very lucky at my work to be surrounded by native bushland and I often go for a wander in my lunch break to spend some time amongst the trees and wildflowers, birds and lizards (and, most likely, a large population of snakes) that inhabit the blocks around us.  We are also fortunate to have a pretty courtyard garden that has been lovingly brought to life and tended by one of my colleagues.  It has succulents and natives, flowering annuals and larger species such as frangipanis and hippeastrums.

Earlier this year, we had our big international dementia conference, and part of our displays included a gorgeous native sensory garden, which I was lucky enough to work in (a nice way to spend a day at work is in a garden – even if it is inside a convention centre!).  It featured lots of beautiful natives that are particularly fragrant or textured – great for people with dementia to touch, smell and experience safely.

One of the plants displayed was the Blue Flax Lily – a gorgeous grassy-looking native with AMAZING blue “berries”.  The fruit is a ridiculously bright purple-blue and stands out amongst the more muted, dull browns of the bushland.  We also have a potted example in our courtyard garden (a leftover from the Conference) and I have been out there this morning, taking photos of it, as you do.  I desperately want to try one of the berries – they are absolutely edible and a tasty “bush tucker” treat.  At the moment there are only two or three berries on there and I don’t want to pick them because a.)  that would be a bit mean and b.) knowing me, I won’t like the taste and then they’ll be wasted.

But, if nothing else, they are so darn pretty to look at.  I look forward to them growing bigger and getting more fruit on them.  Then I won’t have to feel guilty about stealing the berries ha ha, but also because those little flashes of blue are a delight.  Nature is so amazing 🙂

You can read more about the Blue Flax Lily HERE

Bushwalkin’

A long day today at work with no computers and no phones.  Difficult to get any work done and especially frustrating as this is my last week before I go on a month’s leave, so I’ve got plenty that needs doing.  I filed and sorted invoices, shuffled paper around and looked out the window a lot today.  It was chilly, but bright and sunny outside, so I decided to take a longer lunch break and have a wander in the nearby bush.

We are lucky enough to be surrounded by bushland on all sides (pretty much) at my work.  It won’t be there forever ; we are soon to have new premises built which will take away most of the natural flora and landscape.  While a new building will be nice and bring all my workmates back together in one place, it will be sad to see the loss of the trees and wildflowers, not to mention the birdlife and reptiles.  I worry about the cockatoos and skinks, snakes, and possums that make their home there.

So today I soaked up the sun, wandered among the grass trees and banksias, and took a few happy snaps of the surrounding bushland.  So many beautiful textures and colours.  I would have been quite content to amble about by myself for hours, but that’s probably not the safest idea and I was still expected to be at my desk (albeit positioned near a window so I could stare out of it) until home time.  Such a shame.

I should go for a walk more often during my lunch break. Most days I don’t even have a lunch break.  I just forget to.  I often eat at my desk, which is naughty, I know.  I sit at my desk, grumbling at my computer, drinking too much tea and getting fat.  A daily midday walk would be much more productive and would mean I could forego my after-work walk which, I must admit, has also fallen by the wayside, much like my promise to eat better and stress less.

So, today, I walked.  Not far and not too briskly, but at least I got up from my desk and got some fresh air and sunshine.
Hope you managed to do the same today (or can at least promise to try to do it tomorrow).

🙂

 

Autumn

Nature in Autumn is such a show off.  It’s like it brings out its showiest frocks before it has to hunker down in sensible, warm attire.  I’ve never noticed before how pretty my street is in Autumn.  Where have I been?!  Such beautiful colours!  Typical of me to notice it just as it is about to turn into Winter (ugh!) but I suppose it is better late than never.

Hope you are somewhere beautiful in your little corner of the world today x