Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Italian Festival weekend - part 1 - Saturday afternoon

I took a million photos of our weekend away, but I know you don't want to see them ALL so I'll just do a few blog posts with snapshots of the mini-holiday, ok?
Ingham is 2 1/2 hours north east of where we live, further up in the tropics. This weekend was Ingham's annual Italian Festival and being that Mr Elefantz and our children carry the Roman bloodline we needed to begin the drive with some evidence of their Italian heritage...
Have I ever mentioned that Blossom is a soccer fan?
On our arrival in Ingham we head straight to the Festival to buy our day pass, then decide to go into town and have a look along the main street before heading off to the caravan park...
Blossom finds an evening bag she thinks will look gorgeous with that debutante gown she'll wear next year... (the red band on her wrist is her day pass to the Festival)
As we wander past the surf shop we have to stop and stare because the mannequins are dancing! 
It was two teenage boys - they are REAL mannequins and kindly posed for our photo - and I mean posed! LOL!
Deciding we need to get to the caravan park and change before heading back to the Festival we leave Ingham and drive the 18 klms to Forrest Beach. This is the prettiest countryside! So lush and green, and all sugar cane plantations...
That's how Ingham came to have such a huge Italian population. At the turn of the century many, many Italians came to Australia and moved up here to work the sugar plantations. They worked very hard and eventually bought their own farms, became doctors, accountants, lawyers...they put down roots and so began the celebration of all things Italian in Ingham to this day.
The caravan park we stayed at was on the beach, and we had a little old motel room that was so primitive, but just perfect for us to wind down and relax. 
With rusty cutlery, mattress springs sticking into our backs, a broken toilet, and billions of mosquitoes eating us alive - it was magical. 
The view from our room out to the ocean...
Blossom having a cuppa...
Mr Elefantz checking out some local maps...
Blossom reminding us she is also a proud Australian...
All rested, we decided to head back to the Festival. 
More later....
Hugs
Jenny
xxx

9 comments:

brunella said...

HELLO!!!!I am writing from Italy,exatly fro Rome.....Do you have italian orogins....but it is wonderfull!!!!!Italy is a beautiful country....small contry compare to your Australia....Well CIAO CIAO from the LAND of your Ancestors.....
Brunella

http://suami-patch.blogspot.com

Jeannie said...

What a wonderful looking time you are having! I hope you enjoy every bit of it!!

Alice said...

Gorgeous photos!! And thanks for the mini history lesson. I imagine there will be tons of delicious food!! Have a great time! L,A-

Jose Ramon Santana Vazquez said...

...traigo
sangre

de
la
tarde
herida
en
la
mano
y
una
vela
de
mi
corazón
para
invitarte
y
darte
este
alma
que
viene
para
compartir
contigo
tu
bello
blog
con
un
ramillete
de
oro
y
claveles
dentro...


desde mis
HORAS ROTAS
Y AULA DE PAZ


TE SIGO TU BLOG




CON saludos de la luna al
reflejarse en el mar de la
poesía...


AFECTUOSAMENTE
JENNY


ESPERO SEAN DE VUESTRO AGRADO EL POST POETIZADO DE CHOCOLATE, EL NAZARENO- LOVE STORY,- Y- CABALLO, .

José
ramón...

Allie said...

Ah this looks lovely Jenny, so close to the beach yay! I love Blossom's hair and that evening bag is so pretty!

barb's creations said...

Sounds like you're having a lovely time :) Barb.

Joy said...

Look how gawjus Blossom is with her new 'do'!!! Love it!!
So glad you had such fun dear Jen ... loving the piccies too :o).
Hugs,
Joy :o)

Fee said...

Looks like a wonderful start to a lovely weekend. Love the pic of Blossie in the back seat - She is so pretty :)

Anonymous said...

Blossom has exquisite taste. ;o)

Lovely images of just some of Australia in winter. Much greener and sunnier than Victoria. (smile)

PS: How wonderful that you have a comment from Italy. Oh I love the internet!