Parma Rd.

J and I spent the afternoon after work finished, taking a drive along Parma Rd. Driving along Parma Rd. is like taking a drive out to the countryside on one of those old dirt roads where one feels like we have traveled back in time. The fields seem to stretch as far as the eye can see to both sides of the road with beautiful olf grey gums and ghost gums standing to attention along the roadsides. They have grown so tall over the decades that their canopies now meet over the top of the road.

The area dates back to the mid 1800s when horse drawn carriages traveled through the countryside to take goods to market. There were many remnants of by gone eras dotted throughout the region.

It is very peaceful out in this area and when we wound the windows down I could hear the beautiful sounds of whip birds.

The surrounding beauty included ferns as well as lots of Australian native trees and bushes everywhere as we drove around and up over hillsides, their shapes carved by wind and rain over decades and centuries. the glow of the afternoon sun enhanced their goldern tones.

In the distance the hills and mountains looked carpeted in green pile; so rich after the recent rains. I thought about the farmers living out in this area, being able to step outside of their homes to take in such magestic views when ever they wanted to. I wonder if they become desensitised after a time and stop seeing it.

The glost gums fascinated us both. We have a large one in our front yard which stands approximately 35 meters and so we have watched the process that it undertakes as the seasons pass. During summer they loose their bark and underneath is the most amazing trunk and branches.

Almost white at first and smooth to the eye it feels ever so slightly rough to touch.
The ghost gums out along Parma Rd. were exact;y the same, smooth and white and they contrasted sharply with the other gum trees around them.

As we made our way home we stopped to watch a helicopter and passengers taking a flying lesson. HMAS Albotros is right near Parma Rd. as well and of course the navy has to train piots somewhere lol.