SEPTEMBER 2000

The Olympics are on at the moment and with it came unseasonably warm weather. A visit into the city last week really had a summer feel about it, with all the overseas and interstate visitors flocking around the Harbour, all in holiday mode. Somebody up there has certainly blessed us with this beautiful weather to show off our city at its finest. The excitement in the air is contagious once you're in amongst it and, with the sunny days, has led me to venture outside again and think about the pool. The white wisteria has finally crept into the gazebo and is almost ready to burst into flower. I can't wait to finally see the dropping white flowers dangle inside it. It has taken quite a few years to literally 'drag' the neighbour's wandering wisteria branches into my backyard and entwine itself into the gazebo.

I haven't bought any new ladies for quite some time, this lovely girl being the latest. The draping on her dress is beautiful, especially at the back. Again, I bought this one from my friends Paula and Eddie at Sutherland. I haven't been visiting for a while but last time I was there Eddie said he had recently returned from Italy with some fresh ideas, so with summer around the corner I'll be heading down their way to see what's new.

Up there with the others

Here I am late last summer, looking for those fingernails!

So, once the Olympics are over and we've all fully recovered from expending all that energy to search for the remote control, trekking to the fridge for a wine or two and cheering and flag waving from the lounge, it will be time to get back outside and get back into some serious tidying up in time for summer. Something so relaxing about getting outside on a warm night and watering the garden (apart from the mosquitoes that seem to always come with it). The pool still enchants me and certainly makes for a great backdrop for photos. Below is one of my daughter, on her 16th birthday, a regular garden goddess. She has certainly grown since those earlier photos with her brothers playing 'bacchanalians' in the backyard!