Visited the EKKA today

Everything moves and nothing changes.

The Royal Queensland Show is Queensland's largest event. The country comes to town to show livestock and produce. Show ring events prevail but the dog shows, cake making sideshow alleys, and junk food stalls are all part of the play. Strawberries and cream everywhere this year and the old Dagwood Dog now costs a whopping six Aussie dollars. Original buildings being torn down and repaired, school bands blasting off everywhere and the big People's Day ring events still to come. Could not find the flower pavilion so unable to check out the orchids. Drat! And sunburned head. Forgot the hat. The show goes on!

Mind travel

Today is my 77th birthday and for weeks I have been wondering how to celebrate it in true Capricorn style. A few days ago, I started this illustration.

The 8.5 tonne rock was a birthday gift to myself back in 2006. A watery cascade reticulated through and over the rock that sat in a small pond – display centrepiece in the orchid igloo. Perfect setting for Dendrobium – my favourite orchid family.

Here, Dendrobium fimbriatum sits foreground, Dendrobium Gatton Sunray lower rock, and Debdrobium chrysotoxum top of rock.

A backdrop of palm frees and a bamboo overhang, supporting various Hoya species, completes the picture. How many shots were taken of Orchid Rock over past years but, somehow, this illustration is the way I shall best remember the scene as I get ready to plan a new (and much smaller) orchid garden here in Brisbane.