Getting Better

My cough is actually improving, but it prompted me to look for this photo I took of a sign in Delhi in 2008:

The guy on the left says that his cough is still no good, and wonders what he should do. The answer is that a cough that continues for more than three weeks could be TB, so he should go and get himself tested at a free TB centre.

Plant Hunting

It was a cool and misty morning as I set off to get to the Friends of the Botanic Gardens Autumn Plant Sale before all the good stuff was sold!

By the time I arrived the sun had banished the mist, and streams of people were leaving the sale with trolleys, boxes and bags full of plants. Fortunately there were still a few plants left, and I bought myself three new vireyas.

Afterwards this was a nice spot to sit and enjoy the peace of the gardens.

I was fascinated to see the pink tree, as I've never seen it in flower here before. The label says it is a Chorisia insignis, (although that is supposed to have white flowers, and the Chorisia speciosa have pink ones). It's probably not a particularly noticeable tree until it flowers unless the trunk is swollen and covered in spines, which this one's isn't yet.

The tree is originally from Brazil and Argentina, but the first one I ever saw was in Amritsar in November 2007:

And then I saw another in Lodhi Gardens in Delhi just a few days later:

So it was nice to see one right here in Melbourne.

Little India Trip

A fun day out visiting Dandenong's "Little India" with some friends.

I didn't buy much, but did take the opportunity to get a copy of Peepli Live which I missed at the cinema last year, and a couple of my favourite things from India - Medimix soap and a tiny packet of biscuits.

Pest Versus Pest

Today I saw an Indian Myna trying to catch an Australian Plague Locust.  The bird seemed a little surprised that this grasshopper could fly, but they both disappeared from view quickly and I don't know who won.  Who should one barrack for? It's a dilemma!

I had no chance of getting a picture of them, so here's an Indian Myna not being a pest:

In India, December 2008.

Fabric Desire

A friend introduced me to the Beautiful Silks shop in Fitzroy. This wall of printed Indian cottons and silks first made me want to go back to India, but then reminded me that I still have a large quantity of fabric I bought on my last trip that I haven't done anything with yet.


Then we walked down Brunswick St to The Fabric Store, and drooled over their wonderful range. I'll definitely be going back there!