Heidelberg is a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, 11 km north-east of Melbourne's central business district. Its local government area is the City of Banyule. At the 2011 Census, Heidelberg had a population of 5,714. Once a large town on Melbourne's fringe, Heidelberg was absorbed into Melbourne as part of the latter's northward expansion after World War II. Heidelberg once had its own historic Central Business District including its own municipality in the former City of Heidelberg. It was named after the German city of Heidelberg.
The Heidelberg Shopping Centre, known as "Burgundy Street" has recently been revived. It had become rundown in the 1980s, but a new supermarket, and many trendy cafes have made the area much more liveable; as a result, house prices have increased dramatically. "Burgundy Street" is now known as Heidelberg Central Shopping Precinct and has over 230 retail/commercial and professional businesses. Over $1 million has been spent over the last 7 years to upgrade the infrastructure of the Precinct.
The Laneway Mural was painted by a group of artists in 2008 (see photo #11) and draws its material from many famous 19th century Australian paintings of artists belonging to the Heidelberg School (see photo #3). The lane runs perpendicular to Burgundy St and leads to a parking lot.
This post is part of the Monday Murals meme.
It was a glorious Spring day in Melbourne this Sunday, which was perfect for Father's Day outings. We went for a walk in the Darebin Parklands, and it seemed as though everyone was there enjoying nature and the weather.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
Australians observe Father’s Day on the first Sunday of September. It is a day for people to show their appreciation for fathers and father figures. Father figures may include stepfathers, fathers-in-law, guardians (eg. foster parents), and family friends.
This post is part of the Scenic Weekends meme,
Xanthorrhoea australis (commonly known as the Grass-tree or Black Boy), is an Australian plant. It is the most commonly seen species of the genus Xanthorrhoea . Its fire-blackened trunk can grow up to several metres tall and is often branched. In certain Aboriginal languages, it is called 'Bukkup' or 'Kawee'. In Xanthorrhoeas, the main way to identify them is by looking at the cross-section of the leaves. In the case of X. australis, the cross-section is a rough diamond shape, and the colour of the leaves is a bluish-green.
X. australis is not often seen in bloom because this species requires fire to stimulate its reproductive cycle. However, if it does flower, a flowering spike grows out of the top of the plant. Flowers appear on the spike, usually covering 1⁄2–5⁄6 of the stem. The flowers of this particular species have 6 petals. The crown of leaves of X. australis will be almost spherical in shape, the point of each leaf perfectly marking the shape of the imagined sphere.
X. australis has leaves which are softer and generally less rigid than other Xanthorrhoeas. Old leaves hang down forming a distinctive skirt-like feature that partly covers the fire-blackened trunk. X. australis flowers from July to December, but younger plants may flower in June. This species can also be found in South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania.
This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.
Pots Galore and Garden Centre is found at 770 Springvale Rd Braeside VIC 3195. We chanced upon it last weekend when we were driving back home from Frankston. It is a huge place with an amazing variety of pots and a good selection of succulents and cacti in the nursery section. I daresay it has been eclipsed by the larger and more modern Gardenworld nursery a few hundred meters south on Springvale Rd, however, there is a certain melancholy charm to it.
Even more so when one walks towards the back of the huge lot, where a duck pond and landscaped surrounds is situated. The whole complex has seen better days, but once again there was a serene and somewhat doleful air to it, compounded perhaps by the loneliness (we were the only people there...). Definitely worth a visit and as you can see it provided for some good photo opportunities and the birds loved the environs too!
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.
Last Saturday was the Eaglemont "Step into Spring Fair" which attracts many visitors of all ages. Eaglemont Village shopping strip is a small, traditional neighbourhood shopping centre next to Eaglemont Railway Station. The local traders thanked their loyal patrons with a variety of attractions including animal farm, jumping castle, abseiling wall, cup and saucer ride, inflatable shark slide, live music, sausage sizzle, roving balloonist, face painter, specialty food and wine, Father's day gifts, exquisite market stalls and much more. Good fun was had by all!
This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme.
"Creative Minds" is a shop on 206 Upper Heidelberg Rd Ivanhoe Victoria 3079. It sells all kinds of games, puzzles and toys for the young and young at heart. Most of their stock is fun and educational, or creative, which are excellent for kids. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable so if you have no idea what to get a child then ask for advice. Be prepared to browse a lot!
The façade of the shop is a great mural that immediately sets the scene for what one is likely to encounter inside. My fave part is the merman and mermaid. What's yours?
This post is part of the Monday Murals meme,
and also part of the Blue Monday meme.
Fairfield railway station is located on the Hurstbridge line in Victoria, Australia. It serves the north-eastern Melbourne suburb of Fairfield opening as Fairfield Park on 8 May 1888, being renamed Fairfield on 14 November 1943.
Fairfield was the junction station for the former Outer Circle railway line from 1891 to 1893 and the APM Siding from 1919 to the 1990s. Boom barriers replaced interlocked gates at the Station Street level crossing in 1969.
This post is part of the Weekly TopShot meme.
