CAMPANULA

A self-seeded Campanula seedling growing and flowering amongst stones and rocks.

"One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity." - Albert Schweitzer

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URBAN GARDEN

The irises are in bloom...

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and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

IN GIPPSLAND

Gippsland is an economic rural region of Victoria, Australia, located in the south-eastern part of that state. It covers an area of 41,556 square kilometres, and lies to the east of the eastern suburbs of Greater Melbourne, to the north of Bass Strait, to the west of the Tasman Sea, to the south of the Black-Allan Line that marks part of the Victorian/New South Wales border, and to the east and southeast of the Great Dividing Range that lies within the Hume region and the Victorian Alps.

It is a farming and pastoral region many parts having become highly productive dairying and vegetable-growing regions. Gippsland supplies Melbourne with most of its needs in these commodities. Gippsland has no deposits of major industrial nonmetallic minerals, but it does feature the world's largest brown coal deposits and, around Sale and offshore in the Bass Strait, some of the largest deposits of oil and natural gas in Australia.

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HAPPINESS

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and also part of the Seasons meme.

LIGHT SHOW

When you have no tripod and  the camera slips from your hand after you've pressed the shutter button! I superimposed the same image enlarged and flipped in Photoshop. Just for fun. This was a photo of the road with cars going by our house at night.

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SHY DOG

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RAINBOW

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A ROSE...

And what a rose! The magnificent 'Mr Lincoln' currently in bloom in our garden.

Rosa 'Mister Lincoln', also known as 'Mr. Lincoln', is a dark red hybrid tea rose cultivar. Bred by Herbert Swim and Weeks Rose Growers in 1964, the rose was named an All-America Rose Selections winner in 1965.

The stock parents of this rose are the hybrid tea rose cultivars 'Chrysler Imperial' and 'Charles Mallerin'. The plant was introduced into the United States via California by Star Roses in 1965. 'Mister Lincoln' was the best-selling crimson rose in the US for many years. Known as the "California drought friendly native rose", it won the All-America Rose Selections award in 1965.

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PLANE TREES

The plane trees (Platanus × acerifolia) in our neighbourhood suddenly went very green over a couple of weeks, sprouting their Spring finery of new leaves.

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and also part of the Nature Notes meme

YARRA VALLEY

The Yarra Valley is less than hour’s drive to the northeast of the Melbourne CBD and is the place where Victorian wine-growing started in the mid-19th century. As one goes past the outer suburbs of Melbourne, one encounters rolling hills densely planted with vines, beautiful verdant valleys and distant blue mountain range backdrops. There are lush pastures, beautiful forests and rivers with villages surrounded by bushland like Marysville, Healesville, Yarra Glen and Warburton.

There are many vineyards to visit, ranging from the small family concerns that produce boutique wine ranges in small quantities, to the larger concerns that have many hectares of vines and produce wine by the megalitre each season. There are hundred-year-old vineyards and wineries as well as the new arrivals that have just planted out their vines. One may sample the wines, tour some of the winemaking facilities, and there is no dearth of places to linger over a meal as one discovers the regional fresh produce, well-prepared food that is matched to the local wines in the vineyard restaurants. One may also choose to stay a night or two in a chic boutique B&B, a self-contained cottage, a winery retreat or even a five-star luxury hotel/resort.

We visited the Domaine Chandon Winery close to Yarra Glen.

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LIFE BY THE POND

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and also part of the Seasons meme.

TRAIN STATION

At my local train station early one morning!

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SPUN

FULL MOON

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PATIENT DOG

Waiting for his master...

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AT THE FLORIST

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SPRING IN THE SUBURBS

The plane trees in this suburban street have sprouted all their leaves and the green canopy will provide shade, coolness and a refuge for the birdlife during the Summer months. And did I mention the carbon sink effect and the generation of oxygen?

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and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

AT CHADSTONE SHOPPING CENTRE

Chadstone is described as "The Fashion Capital" and is Australia’s largest shopping centre and a world-renowned fashion and entertainment hub for local and international visitors. It maintains that it offers an all-encompassing retail experience, Featuring over 550 stores, designer boutiques and over 30 luxury brands. Visitors can now shop, dine, play and stay with the 5-star Hotel Chadstone on site.

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SPRING THOUGHTS

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and also part of the Seasons meme.

DINNER OUT

Sunday dinner at our local pub, "The Old England" Hotel in Heidelberg. A lovely evening in civilised, quiet surroundings with tasty food.

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DUCKS

The Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata) also called the Maned Duck is very common throughout Australia and can be found in most suburban parks and waterways. They are also seen in woodland areas often perching in the trees. The male is on the right, front and has the darker head, while the female behind to the left is more speckled and has a lighter-coloured head. Here they are seen in the Darebin Parklands in Melbourne.

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PAINTED SKY

The sky has always been a source of inspiration for artists and here is one of my paintings inspired by a sunset in the City. You can find more of my paintings in my Instagram account: @jammysevenk

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APPLE BLOSSOM TIME

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MERRI CREEK

Merri Creek at Clifton Hill on a fine Spring day.

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and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme

and also part of the Nature Notes meme

AT FLINDERS ST STATION

Where many train journeys begin...

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IN THE MOONLIGHT

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SUNRISE SPECTATORS

Pigeons on our neighbours' roof enjoying the sunrise sky.

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SUNRISE ON THE YARRA

The Yarra River right in the centre of the City in Melbourne.

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TREE MALLOW

Malva arborea (previously known as Lavatera arborea, or, more recently as Malva eriocalyx), the tree mallow, is a species of mallow native to the coasts of western Europe and the Mediterranean region, from Ireland and Britain south to Algeria and Libya, and east to Greece.

It is a shrubby annual, biennial or perennial plant growing to 0.5–2 m (rarely 3 m) tall. The leaves are orbicular, 8–18 cm diameter, palmately lobed with five to nine lobes, and a coarsely serrated margin. The flowers are 3–4 cm diameter, dark pink to purple and grow in fasciculate axillary clusters of two to seven.

The leaves of the species are used in herbal medicine to treat sprains, by steeping them in hot water and applying the poultice to the affected area. It is theorised that lighthouse keepers may have spread the plant to some British islands for use as a poultice and to treat burns, an occupational hazard. Thought to have been used as an alternative to toilet paper. The seeds are edible and are known in French as "petit pains", or "little breads".

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CARPE DIEM

Stopping to have a quiet moment, relaxing, sharing a drink, enjoying the Spring sunshine, taking in the serenity. These are the moments we cherish as time inexorably races past us.

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

TIME FOR A BBQ

 The barbecue shelter in the Darebin Parklands. A popular place now that the weather is improving.

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