Hi Jessie & All~
Finally, a place to talk about one of my favourite subjects: Australia! I am a Canadian woman who met her Aussie soulmate online, married him and moved to this beautiful Island Continent for three years. Now I am back in my own Province and about to send in my application to immigrate as a Spouse to Australia. My husband is still in Melbourne, working and waiting for me. I can't wait to get back!

Your last post was on Australia Day, I see. How are things now in, is it, Brisbane? Do you live in the city itself? What are your contacts with nature and where do you go to rest and rejuvenate?

Please tell me about the season now. Is the weather bringing you rain this first month of autumn?

Canadian Blessings to you
Natural Self

Hi Natural Self

Sorry that I've not responded earlier - I completely missed your post in the forum!

Yes - I do live in Brisbane. In fact, I've lived here since I was 10 (we moved from Ipswich to Brisbane) although my mother and brother now live in Mackay in NOrth Queensland.

Melbourne! Why would you want to live in Melbourne? (she says, showing the natural anthipathy of the Queenslander to anybody not from Queensland <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

Unfortunately, we are in the grip of drought at present. Rain is scarce, and when it does come, it's not so much rain as spit. Things in Queensland, especially, are getting desperate, with most of our dams getting towards their minimum level.

The rest of the country is not much better, and all Aussies at present are just praying for rain.

As for my contacts with nature - one of my favorite places within reasonable driving distance is the Hinze Dam in the Gold Coast hinterland. Many tourists never visit this beautiful place - sticking to the actual coast itself. The hinterland is beautiful.

I also love the Roma Street Parklands, in the middle of Brisbane and (of course) the original Brisbane Botanic Gardens (also in the city).

I rarely get to any of these with my work commitments - I work in the suburbs and there is not a park near where I work (however it's nicer working in the suburbs than in the city itself). Fortunately, on the weekends, I often just take a chair downstairs (I live in a block of units) and sit in near the fence usually doing embroidery or crochet and chat to the elderly ladies who live next door.

I hope that your Visa comes through quickly and we see you here in Australia with your Husband.

Blessings on you and yours.

Why would you NOT want to live in Melbourne?! [imageBellaOnline ALERT: Raw URLs are not allowed in these forums for security reasons. Please use UBB code. If you don't know how to do UBB code just post here for help - we will help out!

Hi Elle ~

I envy you to bits! Experiencing Spring in beautiful Victoria!
I've heard rumours of a migrating horde of people moving from VIC to Queensland, especially as winter appraches, but I'm sure that's *just* a rumour! ~ and I'm just pulling your leg...

While I'm still in Canada, awaiting Immigration's decision, I yearn to be there, partaking of the delightful sights and sounds of Nature coming to life... the Kootamundra Wattle, to name but one springtime miracle. I've never seen such a vibrant colour of yellow in my life, and certainly not in Canada. Yes, right now we have deciduous trees clothed in golds, ambers and reds, but it's not a sign of returning life, but rather of impending dormancy and death. I do accept the inevitability of the cycling seasons ... I just wish I were there and not here! LOL!!

I saw for myself that Melbourne, and its whereabouts, are precious jewels with their own special allure. I'm looking forward to moving there ... may it be soon!

What trees grow around where you are? What colours surround you?
Thanks for your positive comment!
Stella

Stella I hope your Visa comes through soon!

It's so beautiful and green here. It was quite dry at one stage in autumn and winter and the creeks and swamps were dry and the lake drawn down - now though we've had plenty of rain and everything is wet and full and the frogs love it. The wattle hasn't flowered just yet. We have lavender in our garden and it's burst out in bright purple flowers. My roses have gone mad after their pruning and are double their height already with dozens and dozens of buds. The ash and beech trees in our garden now have all their bright green leaves.

Well, I can understand coming from Canada, that Melbourne probably feels pleasantly warm to you ;-) It was a beautiful sunny day today, but with a slightly chill wind. But I wore a short sleeved top!

Keep well.

Stella, I hope that you hear about your visa soon! Please do keep us in the loop as to what happens.

Elle - it's always great when Bella gets another Aussie Editor (I remember the days when I was the lone Aussie here). Nice to meet you (and now - back to Melbourne Cup celebrating!

Hi Megan - good to meet you too!

Stella - I thought I'd post some pics of the beautiful Spike Wattle flowers and Hairpin banksias we saw on our walk the other day. I always think the Spike Wattle flowers are the colour of sulphur - they are so bright. Enjoy.

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Wow! I love Wattle - but for some reason we don't get a lot of it in Queensland - the same with Banksias.

I love the Hairpin Banksia because of the beautiful purple bits (I'm a purple girl).

Right now, in Brisbane, we're wanderig over the annual carpet of Jacaranda flowers. They may not be a native Aussie plant, but they certainly do typify a lot of Australian towns in the Spring and summer!

Hi and Happy Holidays!
I have finally received my Spouse Visa for migration to Australia!!!!! I am in absolute bliss, but holding back some for when I do get back with my husband! ;o) Ny planned trip is for mid-January, when both the airports and the plane fares are not so crazy.
We won't be living in Melbourne, thankfully, as I am not a city girl, but in one of its suburbs, so my husband can be close to his work. I too will be able to work and I'm looking forward to starting my own herbal business.
The Wattle flowers were just lovely, Thanks to whomever posted the pics! I can't wait to see them in person. The Jacarandas must be just about over now and the Poincianas blooming, too. Ah, I have so much to look forward to!

Many blessings from a snow-covered, cold Canada
Stella

That's fantastic news Stella! Congratulations!

Will you be west or east? I'm in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. It's beautiful here at the moment. I'll post some more flowers for you soon.