Frosty reflections

Frosty reflections on and around Lake Ginninderra

While I don’t count widespread frost as one of the positives from a winter in Canberra, the cold mornings mean still waters on Canberra’s artificial lakes and that means frosty reflections. It’s hard not to admire reflections in still water with a bright pure blue sky.

This morning when I woke it was –6.6 °C (20.12 °F). As I peered out my kitchen window I saw mist gently moving over the surface of the lake. The bright sunlight causing light to flare from the mist in all directions as blinding flashes inside my little flat.

Weather forecast at 6 am

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I can see these images every week and I will still delight in seeing them again and again.

As I walked around Lake Ginninderra I reflected on many things. Work, friends, family, wants, needs, the cold, the future…

Frost on the grass near Lake Ginninderra Gary Lum frosty reflections
Frost on the grass near Lake Ginninderra

I pondered new friendships and the enormous joy it brings to meet new people and know that I’ve had some part in bringing them joy.

frosty reflections Reflective selfie while walking past shops on Emu Bank. I saw a reflection of me and stopped and noticed the dome shape of my bald head! Gary Lum
Reflective selfie while walking past shops on Emu Bank. I saw a reflection of me and stopped and noticed the dome shape of my bald head!

This past week has had a couple of significant encounters, one professional and one personal. Such encounters bring meaning to life.

Joy can also be found in the beauty (albeit natural beauty in an artificial construct) of highly saturated colours that come naturally in Canberra with brilliant sunshine through pollution-free skies on a nearby lake.

Then there is the joy in satisfying my desires associated with routines. I walked around the lake twice this weekend. I recorded a podcast. I read blogs. I listened to podcasts. I watched YouTube videos. I shared thoughts and feelings online with friends.

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Reflections on Lake Ginninderra Sunday 16 July 2017 Gary Lum
Reflections on Lake Ginninderra Sunday 16 July 2017
Reflections on Lake Ginninderra Sunday 16 July 2017 Gary Lum
Reflections on Lake Ginninderra Sunday 16 July 2017
Reflections on Lake Ginninderra Sunday 16 July 2017 Gary Lum
Reflections on Lake Ginninderra Sunday 16 July 2017
Reflections on Lake Ginninderra Sunday 16 July 2017 Gary Lum
Reflections on Lake Ginninderra Sunday 16 July 2017

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Then there are the incidental things. Chocolate. My football team winning (Brisbane Broncos defeated the Newcastle Knights last night). A small piece of beef slowly cooking in my slow cooker and filling my flat with the aromas of onions, celery, carrot, meat and potatoes.

M&Ms and coffee Gary Lum
M&Ms and coffee

Weekends like this, even with the cold, with frosty reflections, are worth living.

Frosty Reflections on Lake Ginninderra Gary Lum
Reflections on Lake Ginninderra
Frost on the bridge near the Belconnen Skate Park Gary Lum frosty reflections
Frost on the bridge near the Belconnen Skate Park

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Tell me, dear reader, do you like frosty reflections?

What brings you joy?

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22 Replies to “Frosty reflections”

  1. Here in the middle of the summer, I’m not a huge fan of frosty reflections – though come the middle of winter, I’ll enjoy the thoughts of warmer weather (because when it’s -40, anything warmer seems excellent).

  2. On my family blog and FB, I relish winter. I adore frost and ice and snow. (I don’t like what frost does to flowers, nasty mess!) Reflections are one of my favorite things, as well. I’ve been thinking about joy lately. Not seeing it, but I reckon I should because I know blessings and joyful things abound in the world. Like blogging friends-so thankful you exist. I rarely talk to anyone, so this is a good outlet!
    This is a beautiful post-I enjoyed following you thru your wanderings. The colors are so vibrant, they make you want to wear them! (and your cooking post…I could SMELL it! Pretty amazing as you are on the other side of the world!)

    1. Thank you very much Kris. I think if I didn’t suffer with a skin problem I’d enjoy the cold more. Otherwise I do appreciate the beauty.
      Blogging friendships are amazing. It’s great to have friends all over the world.

  3. I love frosty reflections over the water. Great Laje photos Gary. Arrived back to Australia last night. It’s cold!!! Abu Dhabi my last stop was 38 degrees when I left so a touch warmer than Canberra.

    1. Welcome home Sue. Yeah, 38 °C is too hot. I like between 26 and 28 °C.

  4. The humidity looks lovely but the apparent temperature though 😞 But the lake looked really nice when the frost cleared. So clear, so blue. Now, how much of the M&Ms did you have 😂😂😂

    1. The humidity is an artefact I think of the frost. It feels dry. My skin is the best measure of humidity in Canberra and it’s dry as dry can be.
      I’ve been a naughty boy today. Two packets and one is almost gone.

    2. My skin is also the best measure of humidity. The higher the humidity, the better for me. You sound reasonable, Gaz. One chocolate block per day. It takes me about a week to to finish one block. Poor form 😂

    3. I wish I had your will power Mabel. I’ll probably start the second block tomorrow night 😁

    4. It is just me – my body is repulsed when I eat too much of anything 😂 Some ice-cream will go very well with them M&M chocolates 😁

    5. You can go to Woolies tomorrow and get the M&Ms while they are still on special, and stop by the ice-cream section 😀

  5. Frosty recollections….brrrrr!! What a crisp, invigorating day you had, wonderful, replete with the beauty of nature and hearty sustenance! ♥︎

    My favorite part of winter is those last few days where, if you pay close attention, you can begin a slow, daily countdown to the sunsets becoming earlier and earlier every day. Those days have an in-between the seasons feel to them for me….they’re so beautiful.

    And joy? Well, gosh! There is too much in the world that causes joy to name them all, of course. But lately, a worm has turned and I find myself basking in the joy of authentic (as opposed to artificial/superficial friendship. You may have inspired me to drop a little scribble on just this very thing….

    Link me to your podcast when you can, yeah?

    1. Mmm…JM, I agree, as winter turns to spring, as leaves start to grow and blossoms burst with colour. Despite my incessant bitching about the dry air and the cold winters here, the colours of spring are so vibrant in Canberra. The cherry blossoms are gorgeous and we have a tulip and bulb festival called Floriade. It’s like dancing in colour. You’re so right though, as the days feel longer you really know that winter is fading and summer will be around the corner.
      I look forward to reading what you scribble dear JM. Your friendship has inspired me of late and for that, I am so very grateful.
      The podcast can be found on another blog, it can also be found on iTunes and Stitcher, and if you can bear to watch, I’ve been doing it on YouTube of late too. I’d dearly love for you to listen in. Each show is short so commitment can be brief 😜
      That said, I know it’s not for everyone. I take a fairly traditional and conventional line, but it gives me a kick to put something out and have people listen. I recently got asked by a scientific society to write a short piece about it so hopefully, more people will listen too 😃

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