Homeward Bound

Hours of driving a familiar road can become a little boring, so despite my resolve not to take photos of the depressingly dry countryside on our recent trip to Victoria, boredom got the better of me.

These photos are all taken in New South Wales and include shots of roadworks along the Hume Highway as well as general scenes, all taken through the not-so-clean windscreen of a moving car - hence the quality!!!

Roadworkers' camp.

Surely one of the most mind-numbingly boring jobs ever created, but an important one nevertheless.

Although I don't particularly like large machines, I am quite amazed by some of the equipment used in these projects.

One day I'll take a series of road sign photos - although it's not the easiest thing to do while the car is moving.

Another roadworkers' campsite.

See....I told you it was dry!!!

On the Barton Highway, approaching Canberra. You can just see Black Mountain Tower on the hill in the centre.

Fire in the Brindabella Ranges south of Canberra.

Only a few hundred metres to go.

Garden Show - beauty in surprising places

On the same day that we visited the State Library, Old Melbourne Jail and walked what seemed like a marathon of streets, we made our way to the Garden Show in Carlton Gardens and the Exhibition Buildings.

I confess that I was really too tired to take a lot of interest in the Garden Show......

....... until we went into the Exhibition Building. That's when my interest in the plants decreased whilst my admiration for another beautiful building rose. Sadly, my photos barely do it justice.

Victorian State Library & Melbourne streets

The Victorian State Library is worth a very long visit. The displays, the history, and the magnificent architecture will keep you enthralled for hours.

The roof was once copper-lined, and though it now creates a much lighter atmosphere, many preferred the patina of the original copper. I never saw the copper roof, so I can't express an opinion, except that I love this building.

I always think it a shame when these lovely old building become overshadowed by towering edifices of concrete and glass.

Some more Melbourne streetscapes.

Chirnside Mansion....

.... was the third attraction on our visit to Werribee.

The tourist notes about Chirnside Mansion tell us that this exquisite 60-room Italianate Mansion, which was built at Werribee Park from 1874 to 1877, was a testatment to the successful partnership between Scottish squatters Thomas and Andrew Chirnside. The pioneering brothers were a driving force behind early settlement in this region, all of which evolved from humble beginnings.

Thomas Chirnside left his homeland of Scotland in 1838 with a few hundrend pounds in his pocket, a Bible and dreams of a new life in an emerging country. Boundless opportunities were available in a developing agricultural industry, and as an enterprising individual Thomas invested largely in stock and the land. His younger brother Andrew joined his bold venture in 1841 and together the brothers set about building a lucrative pastoral empire.

With the business progressing well Thomas returned to Scotland for a visit in 1845. He remained for a couple of years, during which time he fell in love with his first cousin, Mary Begbie, and asked for her hand in marriage. Her parents did not approve and he ventured back to Australia alone.

With Thomas safely back, Andrew finalised plans for his first trip home. But before leaving, his older brother asked a favour - to bring Mary back to Australia any way he could.

Andrew returned in 1852, accompanied by Mary as his wife. Thomas never married.

Thomas wanted Mary to reside in a home of stature and serenity unrivalled in Victoria. In conjunction with Andrew he set about building an elaborate 60-room Italianate style Mansion at their Werribee Park property. The residence was also an opportunity to showcase their successful venture to the world. Using the finest materials and expertise the Mansion was built in three years in the 1870s for Andrew and Mary Chirnside and their three youngest children.

Thomas took permanent residency at his nearby property at Point Cook until his last few years, when he joined Andrew and Mary in the elaborate Mansion at Werribee Park.

Thomas and Andrew passed away within three years of each other, in 1887 and 1880 respectively. Andrew left Werribee Park to his two youngest sons, George and John Percy, with a proviso that Mary maintain residency in the Mansion for her remaining days. The sons subsequently divided the property, with George overseeing the Mansion and surrounding land.

Mary died from a terrible accident in 1908. Her hair caught alight from a bedside candle and tragically she did not recover.

Chirnside ownership of Werribee Park ended in 1922. Initially purchased by a wealthy grazier from Warrnambool, it was sold again a year later to the Roman Catholic Bishops of Australia for development as a seminary.

The Victorian Government acquired Werribee Park from the Catholic Church in 1973 and commenced work to progressively restore the Mansion and remaining 400 hectares of land to its former glory. Now proudly managed by Parks Victoria, the park offers visitors a rich array of history, culture and stories to explore.

The Gatehouse

Victoria State Rose Garden

In the same vicinity as the Werribee Zoo is the Victoria State Rose Garden. Beautifully laid out and maintained, the display was breathtaking....the more so when you consider the summer that Victoria has just endured. These gardens are a credit to all concerned, and a 'must see' for anyone visiting the area.

We were there on a very sunny day, consequently the light was a little too bright for good photos, but I hope these will give you some idea of the magnificence of this garden.

(Click on the photos for a larger view.)

As we were leaving the gardens we struck up a conversation with a young couple and their two small children who live locally. They said they visit the gardens regularly (entry is free). They appreciate the space, the green grass (the children love that), and they all feel so relaxed and uplifted after time spent in this lovely garden.

A Great Day Out

Werribee Open Range Zoo (sorry, I can't get the link to work properly) is 30 minutes drive west of Melbourne, and is 'home' to many of the animals which require a larger habitat than is available at its parent, the Melbourne Zoo.

No, he's not one of the exhibits....lol

Meerkat posing.

Strutting emus

'Camouflagued' bus for our drive which enabled us to get closer to the animals......

......with easy access.

Although the bus stopped from time to time we didn't get out of the bus. So it wasn't always possible to get good photos through the narrowly opening windows.

Bison

Impala (I think)

African oryx

Resting camels

Zebras and oryx

Zebras and rhinoceros

Rhinoceros

African Wild Dogs

Lions

Hippo - not sure if the mudpack is a beauty treatment...lol

Time to wash it off

All clean and shiny - maybe the mudpack worked?

Cheetah

Ostrich...

....and zebra

I don't normally like zoos, although most of them these days seem to try and replicate the animals' natural habitat as much as possible. We enjoyed being able to get close and see these animals in a relaxed, natural setting.

Moonee Ponds

Whilst in Melbourne recently we stayed in a delightful Bed'n'Breakfast cottage in the suburb of Moonee Ponds, which is quite close to the city - only 20 minutes by train. I'd not stayed in one of these older suburbs before and was fascinated by the beautiful old homes. The blocks were fairly narrow but quite deep, affording sufficient room for a small garden in front and a larger one at the back.

I loved the quaintness of these homes with their little verandahs and lace trim. I could have taken endless photos instead of just these few that we passed regularly on our way to the station or the shops.

Many of them looked so solid and substanial, welcoming and homely.

The houses didn't have driveways at the front leading to a garage but backed onto a laneway with entry to garage or carport - although I fancy you would need a very small car to be able to manouvre into these garages.

One Wet Day in Melbourne

During our recent visit to Melbourne we spent a wet day in the city. Quite a novelty for those of us who haven't seen rain for such a long time.

Waiting for a train just like this - only going in the opposite direction.

St Paul's Cathedral - years ago the steeples towered over surrounding buildings. How times have changed!

A favourite meeting spot under the famous Flinders Street Station clocks......

....... and opposite, the equally well-known Young and Jackson's Hotel.

Melbourne tram.

Flinders Street - eastward.

Flinders Street - westward.

Sara arrives.

Flinders Street Railway Station from across the Yarra River.

The Yarra River.

Princes Bridge over the Yarra.

Father and daughter strolling along South Bank.

Buildings overlooking the Yarra.

South Bank skyscraper.

The Casino.

Kings Street bridge.

The clouds are getting more ominous.

Waiting for a certain photographer to catch up.

Flinders Street Station overshadowed by office blocks.

Another view of the station from the Elizabeth Street end.

Looking for coffee......Degraves Street.

Collins Street.

I worked in this Bourke Street building in 1964, but it was then a G.J.Coles store.

Swanston Street.

Bourke Street.

Wouldn't you think that fabric stores would provide comfortable seating for worn out husbands? Then they wouldn't need to hide their 'who-dunnit' books between the pages of the pattern catalogues in order to qualify for a seat....lol.

Back to Flinders Street to wait for our train which never came due to storm damage on the lines. After waiting half an hour we gave up and took a tram home instead.