Sunsets

We have had some beautiful sunsets lately, so I would like to share some of them with you.

Liz Needle - linking with "Skywatch Friday".

Our World Tuesday

We had a very quiet Christmas this year with half the family in Sydney or Canberra having Christmas at home for a change. However those of us here had a really lovely day - Mark cooked a goose - absolutely delicious - and there was plenty of wine and good cheer tp make it a great day.

Boxing Day was even quieter and the dogs and I took advantage of the cool evening to walk off the excesses of the day before. I had forgotten how pretty this area is after good Spring rains - no, not forgotten, just taken our beautiful Hills scenery for granted.

Come on Mum. We're ready to go!

The vineyards are looking beautiful - lush and green. Mount Torrens in the distance. I love the patterns the rows make.

The dogs were enjoying the walk too.  "Hmm, this looks  a likely tree

This is an inviting looking road

."

.
With a pretty house at the end.

The dam is full and rarely disappoints

 And today was no exception

 A Pacific Black Duck

An Australian Wood duck

 And an Eurasian Coot with offspring

The lads disappeared into the pines after rabbits  

While I took time to look at this pretty Melaleuca and the pretty, but noxious weed - African Daisy.

I enjoyed this scene from the top of the rather steep hill - I do have to get fit!!

But not this one on a neighbouring property

The horses came down to see what we were doing - and kicked one of the dogs for getting too close.

The homeward stretch and the cows showed little interest in us,

and neither did the flock of wood duck in the front paddock.

The boys had had enough. Come on Mum, what's keeping you.

I'm not waiting. I want my tea!!!

Ok Boys. We must do it again sometime.




Liz Needle  -  linking with "Our World Tuesday" ,  "Outdoor Wednesday" and "Wednesday Around the World".

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne

One of the delights of Melbourne is the Cranbourne Garden, an auxiliary to the Royal Botanic gardens. This garden specialises in Australian native plants and is set in acres of natural bushlands which can also be explored by eager bird watchers.

The centre of the gardens has been designed to represent the Red Centre of Australia and from that central point other themed area have been designed. Our visit was only a short one, but I am looking forward to returning and spending more time walking through the other areas.

This, I think,  represents one of the rivers with towering red cliffs and rock pools.  Someone more local may be able to give an accurate explanation.

And a few of our native plants

Liz Needle  -  linking with:

"Our World Tuesday"

"Outdoor Wednesday"

"Wednesday Around the World"

Melbourne Botanic Gardens

I recently spent a very pleasant few days in Melbourne with cousins. One of our outings was a morning in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens - in the rain, I might add. I was amazed at the beauty of these gardens right in the centre of the inner city.

I  first visited way back in the sixties, having always felt an emotional tie as my great grandfather  E B Heyne was head plantsman there in the 1850s and drew up the plans for the original gardens under the guidance of the director Ferdinand von Mueller. Family legend would have it that he was the designer, but later research has found no indication of this, though he was certainly the draftsman.

This is not a copy of the original which was in black and white, but it is a modern replica.

It was rather surreal and kind of nice walking through gardens where my great grandfather had worked and seeing old trees which he may have seen and even planted over 160 years ago.

Liz Needle  -  linking with

 "Our World Tuesday"
 "Outdoor Wednesday"
"Wednesday Around the World"
"Wednesday Waters"

Still Spring

The weather man is being so kind to us this Spring with a series of beautiful mild days - perfect for gardening - and a decent rainfall every week. I have only had to water the garden once this Spring. Great for the water bill - I wish I could say the same for the electricity !!!

Some more Spring delights from the garden.

My one Rhododendron has been gorgeous - actually I have 2 of them, but only this one actually flowers properly. I have always struggled to keep rhododendrons alive - heavy clay and not enough water perhaps. Anyhow, this one has thrived.

I do love the Phildelphus. The flowers are so delicate and pure.

And the roses have excelled themselves - but please don't ask their names - I am hopeless at remembering names.

Liz Needle  -  linking with "Floral Friday Fotos".