WINTER FOG

A couple of days ago it was quite a foggy morning in Melbourne. Some early risers braved the cold and fog and went for their morning walk in any case. Our post boxes are still red, by the way!

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme.

ANOTHER CERES MURAL

CERES - Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies, is an award winning, not-for-profit, sustainability centre located on 4.5 hectares on the Merri Creek in East Brunswick, Melbourne. It is no accident that the acronym was chosen mindful of the fact that Ceres was the ancient Roman goddess of agriculture (hence "cereals"). I have already posted some shots from CERES, which you can see here and here.

The CERES Return of the Sacred Kingfisher Festival is an annual community celebration welcoming the Sacred Kingfisher back to its original habitat, along the banks of the Merri Creek in Brunswick. The Sacred Kingfisher bird has become a symbol of "hope" connecting people and place. It is a community ritual and a working process with the Wurundjeri people, various cultural communities and performers of all ages and abilities.

As long as the Kingfisher returns each year in Spring, it is a sign that we are taking care of our local environment and the home or Stamping Ground of the Sacred Kingfisher. The community is invited annually to wear Kingfisher colours, make a mask, learn the Kingfisher Boogie at the Village Green and follow the Giant Mother Kingfisher puppet through CERES in celebration of the Return of the Sacred Kingfisher. The murals publicise the event.

This post is part of the Monday Murals meme,

and also part of the Blue Monday meme.

WINTER MORNING'S ROWING

A cold Winter's morning on the Yarra River, close to the Fairfield Boathouse. A brave soul was rowing and another one was taking his photo!

This post is part of the Weekly TopShot meme,
and also part of the Scenic Weekends meme,
and also part of the Nature Footsteps Inspiring Photography meme.

YARRA BEND PARK REFLECTIONS

Yarra Bend Park is the largest area of natural bushland near the heart of Melbourne. The park features steep river escarpments, open woodlands, playing fields and golf courses.  The park can be explored by foot or by bike, there is boating on the river and one can enjoy superb views of the city skyline. Pleasant picnic areas, barbecues, rotundas and playgrounds make it popular with families. Meals, refreshments and boat hire are available at venues within the park.

This post is part of the Weekend Reflections meme,
and also part of the Weekly TopShot meme,
and also part of the Scenic Weekends meme.

STORM BREWING IN FAIRFIELD

Our weather the past few days has been very unsettled, with so much variety that none can complain. Here is a rather stormy sky photographed last week during a walk around the neighbourhood. Thankfully the rain held off till we got home...

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

ORCHID TIME AT THE MARKET

You can tell Winter is nearly over in Melbourne when the orchids begin to flower. We are blessed with a mild climate and the Cymbidium orchids will grow well in protected spots in our gardens, without needing any extra care.

Cymbidium is the "king of orchids", as it is cold-tolerant and suitable for most temperate locations worldwide. These orchids are, along with Phaleonopsis, the most recognisable of all orchids, and rightly very popular. Easy to grow and bloom these elegant, hardy orchids come in a huge range of colours, sizes and shapes. See more information here.

We saw some delightful plants for sale last Sunday in the Kingsbury Drive Community Market. Although it was tempting to buy some, we resisted as we have about a dozen plants growing in our garden and what's more they are beginning to flower also. No harm in taking some photos, though.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

POND, IN ALL NATIONS PARK

All Nations Park is a contemporary 13 hectare regional park created on the site of the former 'Northcote Landfill'. The official opening on the 23 February, 2002 was attended by an estimated crowd of over 10,000 people. Situated behind Northcote Shopping Plaza the elevated site provides views, which are a striking feature of the park. A wildlife pond attracts birds, amongst which are ducks, moorhens and crested pigeons.

The All Nations Park landscape reflects Darebin's cultural diversity in the visual arts and design components of the park, and has many unique features including, The Hilltop, Veterans Walk and ANZAC Memorial, lake and performance area, The Olive Grove, lawn areas, contemporary Indigenous gardens, playground with disabled access, skate park, arts projects, outdoor exercise area for All Abilities.

This post is part of the Waterworld Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Wild Bird Wednesday meme.

PANTON HILL WINERY

Panton Hill Vineyard and Winery at 145 Manuka Road Panton Hill is a boutique winery that we have visited a couple of times and have enjoyed much. There are magnificent stone buildings reminiscent of Tuscany, in a typical Australian bush setting. This winery is only 40 minutes from central Melbourne. There is a warm fire in Winter, while in Summer, the stone buildings keep the inside nice and cool.

The job of transforming a 20 acre, rocky, dry bush block to the property you see below, began back in the early 1970's when Teunis Kwak arrived from Canada, and began the process single handedly. The buildings, all of recycled timber, stone from the property as well as some convict mined stone from the Grampians, have risen over the years. The vines which are biologically grown and manged, are mature. The youngest vines are over 18 years old, and have adapted well to the lean growing conditions of Panton Hill.

Wine is intense, fruity and complex and does very well in the cellar. The low rainfall, careful cropping with yields averaging 1.5 T per acre and long growing periods contribute to this. Gourmet platters are there to enjoy with the estate grown and produced wines - dry, sweet, sparkling and fortified.

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme.

SOUTH MELBOURNE MARKET

The South Melbourne market is a covered food and general goods market located in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It began operating in 1867, and is a Victorian style of building with wood and red brick. The market has undergone various refurbishments in its lifetime, some of necessity, after numerous fires. The worst of these was in 1981 when two of the original sheds were destroyed and, later in the year, stalls were damaged by bombs. In 2007/2008, the market's produce areas were redesigned, and in 2012 a new roof was added to reduce leaking and heat load.

With almost 150 stalls operated by small business owners, and 2 hours free parking in the undercover rooftop car park, the market features a huge range of products. As well as that, one may find interesting touches of art and culture int he market, including some quirky murals. The market is just 10 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD and is easily accessible by tram, bus, bike, foot or car.

This post is part of the Monday Murals meme,
and also part of the Blue Monday meme.