More Mildura, pioneers and Dan and the Ducks

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Scrub and orange grove at Mildura

Feeding the ducks

Well, at the top, a patch of Mallee Scrub and beneath it a citrus grove. Can you imagine looking at that scrub and then visualising a grove of oranges? Not to mention grapevines and vineyards! My mind would have been totally in la la land after months of walking, or bouncing along in a bullock dray, from Melbourne to Mildura in the hope of starting a new life and making a fortune. Ha! I think those early pioneers didn't have much money to spare, if any, and it was hard labour to make the scrub habitable before they could begin their 'farming'. I can't imagine the hardships the women and children must have suffered, but look, here we all are reaping the benefit of the labour and deprivations. The photos were taken in and from the Inland Botanic Gardens. It was lovely to walk along the dirt tracks and pathways, admiring the remnant bush, and the new plantings of many other native plants, not necessarily indigenous to the Mallee. I mean, roses? There is a magnificent rose garden her in Mildura, but of course it wasn't in bloom this time, but many of the native plants were in flower and were delightful. I was pleased to fall into the information centre and have a reviving cup of tea. It was a particularly warm day, but enjoyable for all that.

The bottom photo is of Daniel and me feeding the ducks on the banks of the Yarra River at Warrandyte. Daniel loves to feed the ducks, but doesn't like them at all, as you might be able to tell from the photo. He nearly toppled over the back of the seat, trying to get away from the ducks which he felt were to close for comfort. But if I threw some bread at the birds he became most annoyed and insisted that he wanted to give them the bread. What a circus. He also hated the pigeons which were there for the free lunch, and kept flying to close to him. He did laugh when a duck walked right over a pigeon, nearly squashing it into oblvion. However, the bread ran out and the ducks moved onto the next group of people who looked as though they made be about to dispense largesse!

I just love Warrandyte. It has retained its small village air, depite the encroaching housing developments all around it. The Yarra ambles along, in time with the many walkers who make good use of the walking paths along its banks. It is a very relaxing place to be, despite the number of tourists who go there of a weekend. We tend to go through the week, hen there are not quite so many cars and people. There are lots of lovely little coffee spots and, the most wonderful antique shop, called 'Ratty and Moe's'. (Someone knew their books!) I often browse around the shop and I nearly always find something inexpensive that I am unable to resist, much to Ray's disgust - sometimes! There is also a large playground where both of our youngest grandsons like to play, despite the pigeons that abound near the baker's shop at the edge of the playground. It is a gathering place for young mums and their infants, and becomes quite noisy sometimes. It is also a place where some people insist on tying their dogs whilst they have a coffee. The poor pooches protest loudly everytime someone walks near their owners. Ah well, one must take the good along with the bad. Don't get me wrong. I am fond of dogs, especially well behaved ones.

I am still trying to find the photos I took today to post but......I just know that out there in cyberspace there is a large storage area for lost computer items. You know, the eails that get lost in transit, and phots that are on the computer, but just refuse to be posted to the blog. They probably get together and have wonderful gossip sessions and parties.

It's late, and I am getting a sore neck. I seem to have been on the computer all day, with various things that needed to be done.

Hopefully I can post the latest lot of phots when my 'expert' comes around to help.

Cheers!

Afternoon tea, choir and kamikaze birds

The bush chapel at Mildura Inland Botanic Gardens.

Hi folks,

You are invited to afternoon tea. We had friends in yesterday and I was inspired to take a photo of the table. And have I had trouble getting photos onto this blog! Here is some of my recent china acquisitions, and a hand embroidered table cloth which was worked by my grandmother. I was going to set the table with another cloth she had done, but i couldn't find it. It has beautiful deep red roses embroidered on it. I have turned the house upside down, but no can find! (I am nasty enough to think that my sister may have borrowed it. I will apologise if I happen to find it elsewhere!) However, they were impressed by the pink setting. I cannot resist buying fine china and my collection is still growing. I think it may have to do with growing up in the era of elegant afternoon teas and suppers. My family was not wealthy by any means, just ordinary working class folk, but there was always nice china for afternoon tea, and even at dinner. Practical kitchen china for everyday use, and the fine cups came out each weekend for guests. Our house was always overflowing with visitors, whic in retrospect was very nice. But I suspect it has led to my dislike of crowds. If ever we had staying visitors I was never sure where I might be sleeping at night, because the family always gave up beds to visitors. (Whether I wanted to, or not!) When I was older, and even when I was engaged, I often had to fight my way over sleeping bodies to find my spot to sleep. My family dreamt of mansions, but lived in a very ordinary Victorian cottage. Ah well, that is also probably why I am paranoid about my bedroom space. But the table was always beautifully set in our house. My youngest son calls me Mrs. Bucket, and my dear friend next door sometimes rings and asks 'What's for afternoon tea, Hyacinth?' Honestly, some people seem to be terrified of fine china. I think I should start a movement -'Bring Back the Elegant AFternoon Tea!"

(Thephotos are all over the place, with apologies. I am still not good at placing them. But I think I have worked out where I went wrong.)

Above the afternoon tea photo is me being reflective in the Bush Chapel at Mildura. This is one of the most peaceful places I have ever been too. The birds sing their hymns to the beauty of the day, and the wind swishes an accompaniment as it blows through the trees. Better than any human choir I have ever heard, I can tell you. It is lovely to find these little secluded places in which to take time out. Obviously I wasnt't alone, but himself headed off to take phot[s around the place, after taking this shot. You may be able to discern the rough hewn red gum pulpit at the left back of the phote, in front of the left hand 'pews'. There is also a rough hewn altar which can't be properly discerned here. It would be a lovely place to hold a wedding.

Yes, we finally got away to Mildura. Family dramas interrupted, but himself refused to come home, thank goodness. I am not sure about this role of family matriarch. My own boys are fine, but a dear and close cousin is not but, I am being a good listener, and we cut our holiday short by only one day to come and comfort her.

It was so warm and comfortable in Mildura. It made me realise just how very cold it has been in Melbourne this winter. We spent some time sitting on the banks of the River Murray soaking up sunshine, and watching the paddleboats churn past, and the ducks and pelicans preening themselves. I think pelicans are such graceful birds when in flight. Not so graceful on land, but imposing none the less.

I decided to rejoin the church choir, and am still trying to work out what range my voice has. I started off with the altos until the choir leader told me that I had a nice sporano voice, but I find soprano a bit high. Maybe I am a mezzo? Anyway, I manage to blend in reasonably well with the others until I get to know the tune, then I belt along with the best of them. I haven't yet been told that I am not holding the tune but...I don't think I will become rich and famous by singing! And I do like to sing along with whatever happens to be playing on the radio, or the CD. I love to sing 'Mietta's waltz song' sotto voce, and I adore 'Softly wakes my heart' from Samson and Delilah, and can keep pace with Marilyn Horne until her alto rises a bit too high for me. Well, we all have to try these things, don't we! I can sing the Vera Lynn songs reasonable well, but who wants to hear those these days!! (Me?)

The possum has finally been evicted from our roof. He was too clever by half to get caught in the trap but, the possum catcher conceived a cunning plan and blocked possum's door with rolls of newspaper, then returned an hour after dark and blocked the hole. We had heard the possum leaving his comfy abode, and we heard him trying frantically to get back in but he has now moved on, I hope. We haven't even heard him boot scooting the last few nights. I just love possums, but not in my roof thank you! We still have a kamikaze bird, attacking his reflection in our kitchen window. He began the assault whilst we were overseas, and has continued on, although with a little less frequency at the moment. I don't know whether he has realised he doesn't have competition, or is just exhausted, because I am sure he hasn't been taking time to feed. With our friends coming to afternoon tea yesterday I decided to clean the awful mess off the window, and I must admit that it looked much better, but not long after I had exhausted myself cleaning, my window cleaner arrived and did it all again! Ah well, them's the breaks. The bird has shown renewed frenzy today, simply because his reflection was clearer but hopefully the fascination with self will wear off -SOON!

But, enough. Have a good week. Next time, I will hopefully have sorted out the photos and get them correctly placed.

Possums,Harry Potter and Currawongs

What a day! We were woken up this morning by a tremendous clang and bang. After a wary moment we assumed the possum trap had been sprung and the culprit caught. Boy, was he annoyed, obviously trying to hurl himself out of the cage but....Ray finally fetched the ladder to investigate and we had caught one very annoyed currawong. Obviously coaxed by the choice bit of apple inside, it was beautifully caught, and we had to contact the possum person to rescue it. Apparently he freed a bird on Wednesday, obviously caught whilst we were out and about. So, we suspect no possums in the roof, just other critters. Bait is to be laid. I will keep you posted when we finally have a night without thumping and rustling. It is amazing how one can share one's premises with creatures, and not know about it for absolutely ages. Years, probably. Well, these humans are fighting back to reclaim their territory. Mind you, the possums still boot scoot across the roof!

What a cold snap we are having in Melbourne. Icy cold mornings, even severe fog this morning that kept aeroplanes - and passengers - earthbound. I haven't felt cold like this for ever. But then, we haven't had a 'real' winter forever either!

Have just come back from viewing another episode of Dr. Who! Who (whoops) would have thought that I would become a fan at my age! But, those daleks are interesting!

Well, I have just placed a picture that will test your ingenuity. It is another shot of our garden, with plants in bloom, including the Grevilla superb! Sorry about its positioning, but I still have a lot more to learn, as you can tell. I think I know what to do next time, but I really thought I had altered the way it was taken! justgoes to show, doesn't it.

We are off to Mildura for a few days shortly, and I am quite looking forward to it. Hopefully it will be a tad warmer than it is here. I really enjoy visiting this place, with all its fruit trees, especially delicious oranges, gardens - the Inland Gardens are a treat - lots of native plants and a magnificent rose garden. Not that roses will be out just now! And the dried fruit, and the wineries.. An altogether good experience. Also, one of my favourtie antique shops! We will probably stop off to visit with friends who own a flower farm (they grow for the flo rist trade) and see what delights that they have in bloom at the moment. The specialise in native flowers, some of which always seem to be in bloom, not matter what the season.

We have our Harry Potter book!!! Yay!! But, I think I might let him read it first, as I have a couple of library books to complete. I shall just delay the pleasures of finding out what happens to Harry and Co. Snape is a goodie!

Cheers all

Favourite place 2

This, I think, is one of my most favourite places in the world, that I have seen. Glastonbury Abbey, in Wiltshire. Aeons of worship have made this one of Britain's most sacred places. And you can actually feel the sanctity (in the nicest way) I have been here several times, in different seasons, in rain and in sunshine, and each time I feel I want to stay here forever. The peace just seems to engulf one to the point where the outside worl is forgotten. Even the rain on theis last visit didn't worry me. Thre greeness, the ruins, the trees were spellbiding. It must have been magnificient before Henry Vlll dissolved the monasteries all around Britain, We have been to a number of sacred sites around the country, but none captured me or affected me as deeply as Glastonbury.

Forget the myths and legends which abound about the place. The gravesite of King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere was 'discovered' here in medieval times. A fortuitous discovery if one is a sceptic about some things mythological. But, it inspired the people of the time, and brought in a lot of money to the abbey, after which they were able to continue building.

The wonderful Glastonbury thorntree, which flowers twice a year instead of the usual once, and shich supposedly struck root when Joseph of Arimathea plunged his staff into the ground. It is wonderful to ponder on this small tree, knowing that it is a cutting of a cutting &c of the original. But it never fails to send a frisson down my spine as I think of ancient times, and that perhaps Joseph did bring the Christ to Britain as yet another legend has it!

The little town itself is full of atmosphere, and is a strong centre of alternative religion and healing. WE spent some time at Chalice Well some years ago, and again I found myself totally immersed in peace and beauty. Oviously the centuries of worship has worked its way into the very fabric of the building and even the atmosphere, not to be dislodged my any form of moderntiy, which just seems to blend in.

Wiltshire itself is full of all sorts of ancient history, some of which one accepts without fear or prejudice, and some areas which make one feel a little uneasy. Stonehenge, whilst being a little awesome, never fails to astound me, and my own personal theory is that something very small is missing from the place, and when and if, it is found the mystery of Stonehenge will be solved. All the modern druids in the world will never understand or solve the mystery of this very ancient place.

The Valley of the White Horse (Uffington) is a place that really spooked me when we drove through ti. I had terribly fearful feelings until we were well and truly out of there. Again, an ancient religion held sway in this area.

But enough! I bakc in 2007 and am now going down to the family room to watch the wquare box and the Midsomer Murders.

The ferry from Dover Castle

Here it is, from the castle walls. I was impressed anyway.

We found Kent a delightful county. We had been there before but hadn't done it all. The old castles, the gardens - especially at Sissinghurst Castle - where we stayed at the farm for four nights. Thiisis the first trip we have done at a leisurely pace, and it was just wonderful, as I felt I was able to take it all in.

Favourite place

Dover Castle was one of the best place son this trip. A number of friends had been over the years and raved about it, whilst I was saying "ho-hum', We thought we had best go for a looko this time and wow! what a blast! I was totally blown away when we went into the 'secret' war tunnels, where much of the planning during the second world war happened. There was a fabulous communications system, and variuos rooms for the different forces and their commaneders. Also a hospital, deep under the ground int he white cliffs of Dover. The look out points, holes drilled into the sides of the cliff, gave a fantastic view across the channel, and anybody would have been spotted. How very clever those Brits were, in their wonderful hidey hole. There is also a superb Saxon chapel on site here, with a beautiful interior. Stained glass etc. The views from the castle walls across the channel were just fantastic. There were even a couple of ferries docked whilst we watched.
As you can see, it was a very fine day, but we spent a lot of time outside looking for a sheltered spot to protect us from a very cold wind. But, I love Britain, regardless of the weather.

Our garden

This is part of our back garden, taken in summer when the shrubs and trees were over their blooming. Somewhere in amongst all the trees the possums live, but it is nice to have an almost bush haven on site.

As you can see, the Australian bush garden bears no comparison with the English or other northern hemisphere gardens.

I will take a photo when everything is out so that you can see that we do have colour at certain times of the year, and usually there is a wattle or eucalypt in bloom. (Obviously out of shot!)

We were absolutely ecstatic yesterday to discover that our front garden features on the front cover of one of Ray's garden club newsletters. I didn't recognise it, but he did - eventually! I am going to try and get a colour version of the newsletter, because the photo was taken on a warm spring day when there was a profusion of blooms around.

Happy gardening to all you gardeners out there.