Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers bus trip – By Denis Anthonisz
Source : Silverscene Official Newsletter
Thirty-six members and friends chased ‘flower power’ in Toowoomba and it was a wonderful day…. except for the weather. Toowoomba delivered its inclement best of showers and top of the mountain fog, however this failed to curtail an enjoyable day of ‘flower magic’ and Silver Fawn community. Our Belbaker bus also enjoyed us celebrity
status as it was the Maroons’ Bus that transports the Queensland Rugby League team in its quest for the Holy Grail. And it was expertly driven in tricky conditions by the lovely Lou, a commercial pilot on Covid enforced sabbatical.
First stop was the beautiful Laurel Banks Park, awash with colourful gardens. The floral display ‘What flutters by’ was absolutely stunning and was revealed in all its glory when one mounted the viewing platform. Gastronomic delights are always top of the list at Silver Fawn gatherings and morning tea wasn’t to disappoint. Ribbon cake, a cheese and chilli sandwich and a Melting Moment were befitting the golden plate they were served on, washed down by hot tea and coffee and iced coffee. The State Rose Garden was our next stop. This was a good news/bad
news scenario! Most of the bushes hadn’t flowered yet and the rain which had been threatening all day began in earnest. And the good news? We had a giant pergola structure to shelter under and enjoyed a delicious rice and curry lunch courtesy of local foodie, Ronald Muller, washed down by iced coffee and enlivened by convivial company.
Our celebrity bus then commenced on its journey to some of the prizewinning gardens. It was interesting to see how excited the winning gardeners were to see us, even when they realised it wasn’t Daly Cherry Evans and his team of Queenslanders get off the bus. They were eager to bask in the beauty of their gardens and shared their labour of love
and devotion to Seasol. The mosaic of colours and the creativity of those amateur champions was something to behold. The consensus of the Silver Fawn judging panel was that the real judges got first and second place mixed up.
Last stop, Queens Park, emerged from the fog and cloud with the weather providing a challenge to avid flower
seekers. The brave were rewarded with spectacular combinations and designs of garden beds displaying magnificent
bouquets of an amazing variety of flowers. A grey day buoyed by blue skies and wide smiles in a maroon bus. Another successful Silver Fawn Bus Trip!
Denis Anthonisz
