This weekend was the annual Peony Festival in my area. There are over 300 varieties of peonies in the gardens. In its 8th year, the free event now attracts many visitors from this region and beyond.





Although spring came early, plenty of the peonies were still in bloom and, happily, the sun was shining.


A few artists had stalls featuring watercolours, painted screens, bits of jewelry, sculptures and other assorted wares. These dancers sprang up, unannounced, on the grass. Whether the language I heard being spoken by their leader was Mandarin or Cantonese I don't know, but they danced to the accompaniment of a single drum. (The peony is a flower of great cultural significance in China.)



One woman, who was also watching the dancers, mentioned she had lived in the area for 24 years and that it was her first time being in this park by the creek. Does your home area often any places or events you wish to explore this spring/summer?