Bringing Fun & Friendships to Seniors

A beautiful sun shone on us all day, and the trees, plants and flowers smiled, bowed and waved to say hello on Friday!

Our day to Toowoomba commenced with an enthusiastic group of people ready to observe the wonderful work of the many people who create the annual Carnival of Flowers. There were 47 of us and we were just so fortunate to have Club members, friends, Halcyon residents and people from other groups join us to make this day such a success.

Life at the Carnival this year was different to previously. It is being held over a month and the gardens were judged on Friday. COVID requires online tickets to attend any of the winning homes. Once we knew the winning home address, driver Phil took us past the house in our travels.

When the bus set off from Pimpama, Phil engaged us with information about the area through which we travelled. We also enjoyed anecdotal information provided by fellow Probian, Beverley Gordon. Did you know the soldiers painted on the M1 noise barriers near Ormeau are seven men who came from Ormeau but did not come home? Three were sons of the Seymour family. Lest we Forget!

Arriving at Picnic Point we enjoyed the beautiful sunshine at the park along with morning tea. Some of the ladies provided lovely biscuits and cakes which went down a treat. It was then back on the bus to travel to Laurel Bank Park. There were arches, gardens, specimen trees and so much more to see. The theme in the park was ‘I see a dinosaur’. The presentation was magnificent and we delighted in the creativity! Colour was everywhere and under the beautiful blue, cloudless sky, it lifted our souls.

Queens Park was our next stop. By then everyone had earned their lunch, picnic style or purchased! Again, we were wrapped up in the beauty of colour and design plantings. It was a sight to behold! The work which takes place each year to bring this event together is just wonderful. People meandered along the paths across the grass to individual gardens while flowers wafted in the gentle breeze. They brought their dogs, came in buses, cars, bikes and on foot.

Our last garden stop was a trip out to The Japanese Gardens. The beauty and peace of this Japanese garden welcomed us. There were lakes, bridges, waterfalls, trees and landscaped shrubs to behold. We walked in dappled sunlight and along the winding paths and stone landscaping.

Toowoomba is a city with beautiful houses and well-maintained gardens. As we drove around, we saw many of them from the higher vantage point in our bus seats. A worthwhile option on a lovely day.

Travelling home, Beverley Gordon entertained us with a number of poems written by her late husband Barry. They were very Australian and were enjoyed.

Lastly, driver Phil, took us to a Church plant sale. What better way to end the day than with some plants which will remind us of the wonderful day we had at the Carnival! We were blessed by nature and the individual beauty we now hold in our memories and photos stored.