Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.
Waltzing Australia
Showing posts with label Parks and Gardens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parks and Gardens. Show all posts
Above:Kookaburras
The kookaburra is native to Australia and New Guinea and is one of my favourite birds because of their unmistakable laugh. When you hear them, it brings a smile to your face and you feel like laughing with them. Tree kingfishers, they're a large bird growing 28–42 cm (11 to 17 inches). Aborigines of the Wiradjuri group called these birds guuguubarra - the English word kookaburra comes from that. The above photo was taken in a childrens' playground.
Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree,
Merry merry king of the bush is he.
Laugh, Kookaburra, laugh, Kookaburra,
Gay your life must be!
The above words were penned by Marion Sinclair in 1932 and is a well known and much loved children's song..
Click the video to hear the laughter.
Today's quote: As I stood on the lonely backroad, I'm sure I heard birds, kookaburras, laughing ... Steven Herrick
Above:Forgotten
Strolling through Gasworks Park I espied this forlorn pair of sunglasses sitting on a tree trunk ..... waiting.
Today's quote: The only thing faster than the speed of thought is the speed of forgetfulness. Good thing we have other people to help us remember ~ Vera Nazarian.
Above:Queen's Park fountain
Queen's Park in the suburb of Moonee Ponds and is a small retreat from nearby busy streets. Early travellers heading for the goldfields met here because fresh water was available in the lagoon. Burke and Wills camped here on their fateful journey to cross Australia.
Today's quote: That which the fountain sends forth returns again to the fountain ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A sign reads,
"Hi there, you're in the Urban Garden Amphitheatre.
Enjoy it. It's yours.
Stretch out on the grass.
Or pull up a seat."
Federation Square’s most intimate outdoor space - The Amphitheatre. Encircled by zinc-clad walls with views across Flinders Street onto St Paul’s Cathedral, this unique venue lets you get close to the action at events like the Comedy Festival, the Melbourne International Arts Festival and festivals celebrating the colourful and vibrant culture of those who have come from other lands.
Walking down the steps is the "Urban Garden"
Today's quote: No two gardens are the same, no two days are the same in one garden ~ Hugh Johnson
Above:The Birds
You could be forgiven for thinking you have just stepped into an Alfred Hitchcock movie -
remember ..... "The Birds"?
What Is It?
This is actually part of the Scar Project which is located at Enterprize Park. Indigenous people would traditionally take pieces of bark from some trees to make canoes, shields or baby cradles and these 'scar trees' would serve as a signpost for other clans to let them know they had entered the land of another community. The "Scar Project" is representative of these scar trees and was constructed by Indigenous artists who used original wharf poles from Queens Bridge.
Walking along the northern side of the Yarra towards Spencer Street, I came upon this interesting structure. On taking a closer look, it turns out it is a pigeon loft, created to entice the pigeons away from the CBD.
This pigeon loft was placed here in Batman Park as part of the City of Melbourne's pigeon management programe and is intended as an alternative home for the city's pigeons especially those around the Town Hall, City Square and Bourke Street Mall.
Pigeons in the city have been a nuisance for decades and their droppings cause uncleanliness generally and also damage to city's buildings. Sitting in Federation Square you're surrounded by them.
The loft is painted with light coloured corrosion resistant to reflect the heat and minimise internal over-heating. It houses two hundred nesting boxes for pigeon breeding. Eggs laid will be replaced with artificial eggs intended as a humane way to control and reduce pigeon numbers.
Bird feeding around the loft base is permitted to attract birds out of the CBD to this area. Bird feeding is not permitted in any other area around the CBD.
I wonder if people had a problem in the old days when pigeons were used to carry messages? Perhaps governments could re-introduce this practise - think of the savings you'd make not having to buy postage stamps!
Today's quote: I don't mind being a symbol but I don't want to become a monument. There are monuments all over the Parliament Buildings and I've seen what the pigeons do to them ~ Tommy Douglas.
Every year from mid September to mid October Tesselaar's Tulip Festival is held. There are over 100 different types in all sizes and colours.
Above:Tulip Time
Tesselaar's Tulip Farm is in Silvan, in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges about an hour's drive from Melbourne.
Did you know
Tulip images are found as far back as the 12th century where they were used to decorate a Bible. The three petal image of the tulip was and still is used as a symbol of the Holy Trinity.
Above:Windmill
There is more than just tulips to see, although the flowers are the main focus. Various windmills are to be found.
Above:A shady spot
This chap looked like he had had enough.
Above:Tip-toe through the tulips
Everyone likes to walk among the tulips.
Tulipomania
Tulipomania began in the Netherlands and the tulip became a status symbol for the rich. The gamble of creating a new colour break was an exciting game to play. Much experimentation was done trying to get the best effects. Wall plaster and powdered paints were mixed into the soil. Bulbs of various colour were spliced and joined together. Rare colours and streaks were also created - later with the discovery of the microscope these variations were revealed to be caused by a virus.
During tulipomania exorbitant amounts of money were spent on the frenzied purchasing of bulbs - houses were mortgaged and people joined syndicates to try the bulbs. Tulips were literally worth their weight in gold. A single bulb like 'Sempus Augustus' was worth more than a house in Amsterdam's best district.
Above:Tulips as far as the eye can see
The first famous tulips in the Netherlands were planted by Carolus Clusias, the curator of Leiden's botanical gardens. He was approached to sell them, but refused. Later they were stolen from his garden. It was these stolen bulbs that created the stock for the booming tulip trade throughout the Netherlands. The Dutch named their tulips after Admirals and Generals in the spirit of the times.
Nurseries were established in the 17th century and as the stocks grew so did the market. The new colour breaks were the most popular and helped maintain the aura and mystery of the tulip.
Above:Tulip Fantasy
It was cheaper to have a tulip painted by the masters of the time than it was to purchase a single bulb. Master painters were commissioned to paint a momento of the tulips grown, these became treasured possessions.
Bulb farms were worked by hand, fields were tilled, drainage trench ditches dug, bulbs planted and dead headed after flowering. The work was labour intensive.
Did you know
The tulip motif has been used extensively in art, as crystal etchings and the shape has been a feature in gold and silver work.
Above:Stall holders
Most all of the stall holders and people working here were dressed in Dutch costumes. There are twelve provinces in the Netherlands and "traditional" Dutch clothing is therefore different in each area.
Above:Traditional costumes
The young lad was working at the bulb buying marquee and was quite happy to pose. The centre couple are members of the Folk Dancers and the lady on the right I just happened to see walking around.
Above:Windmill girl
Another windmill. After this I had lunch. The cafe provided light foods etc., but I wanted Dutch food, so went to the stalls on the other side and had Frikandellen and Reifkoek. Frikandellen are Dutch sausages - like a minced-meat hot dog and Reifkoek are potato cakes. The potato is grated and mixed with onion then fried - very greasy and very fattening! Later in the day I indulged in one of my favourites - Poffertjes. Dutch pancakes. Miniature pancakes - you get 19 of them and I went for jam and cream. Lashings of creams, smothered in icing sugar. Mmmm....heavenly.
Above:Folk Dancers
While eating my lunch, just as I was finishing, I heard an announcement that there was to be Dutch folk dancing in the centre bit near the souvenir shop. Wasting no time, I walked there - there was a very large circle of chairs placed around, and I espied two empty chairs. Needless to say, I made my way quick smart to the appropriate empty chair(s) and sat down on one. Lucky for me that I did - soon there were many, many people standing in rows behind.
Below is a video I took with my camera. I didn't capture all of it and alas stopped in mid-air so to speak - before a dance ended. (I wasn't sure how long the battery would last, plus my arms were tired from holding them up to film)
Above:Melbourne Tukkers
The group is called the Melbourne Tukkers and I thouroughly enjoyed watching and listening to the music.
I found my toe a-tapping for most of the performance.
Above:Dutch Beauties
These lovely ladies were part of the folk group - as you can see they are all smiling and happy.
Above:Under the willow
After lining up for about 45 minutes to buy poffertjes, I saw this lovely old willow and was quite taken with the serenity of the scene.
Above:The Pathfinder
Photo taken facing west.
The Pathfinder (aka The Hammer Thrower), is a bronze sculpture created by John Edward Robinson in 1974 and stands proudly in the Queen Victoria Gardens. The hammer held by the figure has been stolen several times and duly returned or replaced by another.
About the artist
John Robinson was born in London on 4 May 1935 and died on 6 April 2007. He was evacuated to Australia as a child during WWII to escape the Blitz. Returning to Australia in 1952, he lived in South Australia until his return to England in 1969, where he devoted himself to sculpture full time. His major commissions include four sculptures for the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Gymnast for the New Olympic Museum, Lausanne, and The Pathfinder and Water Children, now with the City of Melbourne.
Above:Facing east
This shows the garden bed in which The Pathfinder stands.
A bit of trivia
The Pathfinder was initially commissioned by mining giant Conzinc Riotinto (now known as Rio Tinto) which they planned to have on display in their proposed new building, but when it (the building) failed to go ahead, the statue was placed on long-term loan with the City of Melbourne. The Pathfinder was unveiled by Lord Mayor Councillor Whalley in April 1974. Information taken from eMelbourne
Some other works by Robinson
For those interested in art, I have included some of his other works.
Above:Bonds of Friendship
Bronze sculpture, 1979 and is 45 x 25 cm.
Above:Abstraction, sculpture pyramidale
Brass 1983. Stands 91 cm high.
You can find more of Robinson's works here.
Today's Quote: Sculpture and painting have the effect of teaching us manners and abolishing hurry ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Grecian or Roman?
Don't you just love the warm earthy tones with a touch of the rustic about them? I do and these wonderful examples are at our local nursery. And yes, that is water springing forth from the urn in the right foreground. I tried for a better shot but as there is a high wire fence around this section, I had to hold the camera between the wire "squares".
Today's Quote: Oh, tenderly the haughty day fills his blue urn with fire ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Floral Time-Keeper
Opposite the Victorian Arts Centre and National Gallery of Victoria are the Queen Victoria Gardens - Melbourne's memorial to Queen Victoria.
This huge floral clock which is opposite the National Gallery of Victoria, has over 7,000 flowering and bedding plants which are changed twice yearly. The clock was donated in 1966 to the City of Melbourne by a group of Swiss watchmakers. Behind the clock stands a bronze equestrian statue, a memorial to King Edward VII - Queen Victoria's successor. The statue, by Melbourne born sculptor Bertram Mackennal, was unveiled on July 21, 1920.
Today's Quote: Do not squander time for that is the stuff life is made of ~ Benjamin Franklin
Have a seat
These bright, fun "mushrooms" can be found at Docklands Park between Collins Street and Bourke Street. The park is part of a city parkland in Victoria Harbour. There's BBQ’s and a new interactive Play Journey with soft ground so if kiddies fall off the swings or other gadgets they don't hurt themselves. It's a really nice place to have a picnic or sit and read a book. The free City Tourist tram stops at the front at Waterview Walk and there are public toilets as well.
City map
The map above shows the location of Docklands Park.
Today's Quote: French painter Rousseau was once asked why he put a naked woman on a red sofa in the middle of his jungle pictures. He answered, "I needed a bit of red there" ~ Jean Jacques Rousseau
Just the spot for a cup of tea
Imagine sitting here among the potted plants with a cuppa, perhaps a book to read, or just to sit and inhale the freshness of the greenery. This little corner is at the end of the verandah of a country winery with rolling hills in the distance.
See the world at Cockington Green Gardens
This beautiful Tudor Cottage is the setting of one of the lovelest gardens with meticulously crafted miniature buildings of many famous places around the world. Set in landscaped gardens, with bridges and hedges, you could easily spend a happy half a day here as you step into another world.
See the blue domed St. Andrig church, a famous Ukrainian landmark which stands high above the Podil district of Kyiv,or the Borodudur Temple of Indonesia, or Groote Constantia from South Africa. Marvel at the mysteries of Stonehenge, be captured by the Traki Castle from Lithuania, built by the Grand Duke Vytautas Magnus in 1405, and stand at the Lahore Gate - the Red Fort of Agra. In this international section of the gardens, there are 31 buildings, castles and monuments to feast your eyes upon.
One of my favourite places in Sydney is the Chinese Garden of Friendship. As you enter these lovely gardens, you feel a sense of peace and serenity as you enter another world - a world of tinkling waters, enchanting Pagodas and charming landscapes, and it is hard to imagine you are within a stone's throw of a busy metropolis.
This magnificent Wall was a gift from Guangdong and features two coloured dragons. The blue represents NSW, and the gold-brown represents Guangdong. The Pearl of Posperity, carried by a wave between the dragons, symbolises the bond between the two cities.
The kiss of the sun for pardon Song of the birds for mirth You're nearer God's heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth
There's something about a garden - whether your own, someone elses, or a public one. It never ceases to amaze me the beauty and wonder of God's handiwork when I inhale the fragrance and see all the beautiful colours and myriad of petal design. It gives me a heady delight and makes me realise that amid all the troubles and trials and tribulations and strife - it is still a beautiful world.
These painted totem poles are a delight for children of all ages and test the climbing skills. Situated at Riverside Park on the Maribyrnong River, with BBQ's and rotundas, they provide for a family fun day.
Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.
