Almost Discarded

Last Thursday 26th January was Australia Day.
And many people flocked to the Dromana foreshore for celebrations.
Here, some are queued for a ride in the surf boat.
I was so intent trying to include all the shadow patterns on the sands, I did not notice that the pier in the background appeared to be rising to the skies!
At first, I was going to discard this photo.
But I liked the shadow patterns.
So here it is.

Shadows on the sands
Gift of early morning light
Gentle summer shapes


Shadow Shot Sunday 2 is hosted by Magical Mystical Teacher, Chubskulit + Gemma Wiseman


I Saw Sunday is hosted by Susannah


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Clock Reflections

A melee of shop and escalator reflections in the side of a very large clock hanging high at Melbourne Central, a railway shopping complex.

Time reflects a space
The colours of a moment
And the hands tick on


And here is the full version of the clock!


Hosted by James
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Australia Day Flags on Flinders

Flinders Street station Melbourne displayed flags for Australia Day celebrations yesterday.
In my Dromana world on the peninsula, there were early morning fun runs along the foreshore, a free bacon and egg roll breakfast (only sausage on a roll last year), vintage car displays, music by the pier and the opportunity to have a ride in a surf boat.

A day for outdoors
A day to hear the music
Of Australian worlds


Hosted by Sandy Wren Sylvia

Another Lord

A quirky sign for a small hamburger and chips shop in Swanston Street, Melbourne
The caption about caring puzzles me. Not sure why that would be added.
Caring about good food? Customer service? Anything?

A different lord
William Golding might enjoy
No flies on this sign


Signs, Signs is hosted by Lesley

B is for Busy

Busy, bustling Melbourne Swanston Street.
It is busy with different modes of transport, people walking and a swirling mix of light and shadow on a summer's day!

Busy urban pace
Colourful sense of movement
A form of lifestyle


ABC Wednesday Challenge Round 10 is hosted by Mrs Nesbitt
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Walking in Waters

Quite noticeably this summer, many people - esp children - are not donning swimming costumes for beach time.
Instead, they wear tops with sleeves, hats and shorts even for entering the water.
This photo was taken at Dromana beach on Port Phillip Bay.

A new beach fashion
Protection from summer rays
Practical caution


Hosted by 2sweetnsaxy aka T. Bruce
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Sir John and His Lady

Sir John Holland's last resting place is at Flinders Cemetery, on the southern end of the Mornington Peninsula - not far from his beloved Flinders Golf Club.
Holland’s construction company was involved in iconic Australian projects:

the Snowy Mountains Scheme, the West Gate Bridge, the Sydney Entertainment Centre, and the “new” Parliament House.
Further in Melbourne, he was involved in the construction of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Eastlink and the MCG's Great Southern Stand.
He was also involved in the construction of the Tasman Bridge in Hobart and the Captain Cook Bridge in Sydney.

And it all began with:
His first major contract was to build a shed for £200. The shed was to be built on the property of a farmer called Malcolm Fraser.
(This information is not totally correct! It was Malcolm Fraser's parents' property of 'Nareen' in western Victoria which became Malcolm's later. And the shed was a woolshed.

Just a sideline, Malcolm Fraser now lives not far from me at Thurulgoona, a property in Red Hill South/Merricks with views of Westernport Bay!
'Nareen' was sold in 2000 says the government website but HERE says differently. 'Nareen' is now listed as the Nareen Homestead Complex.)

Malcolm Fraser became Australia's Prime Minister 20 years later.
And it was then that the John Holland Construction Group was commissioned to build the new Parliament House in Canberra.
More details of Sir John's amazing life are HERE!
The turned head of the magpie on the headstone is similar to the magpie symbolising Collingwood Football Club in Melbourne.
Perhaps Sir John was a supporter.


Next to Sir John's resting place is that of his lady.
So strange! I have Googled her name several times and can find no information at all about her.
I am quite sure with her "compassion for others" she may have been involved in community life! But on that, the records are silent.
Perhaps the only clue is the wren symbol on her headstone.
In Celtic worlds, the wren mainly symbolised creativity, sharing, friendliness and free spirit.
More details HERE!
Further, Sir John re-married in 2003.
His new wife's name was Suzanne (Suzie on his headstone) Wharton and she was not given the title of Lady.

Taphophile Tragics is hosted by Julie

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Melbourne Carriage Tours

One of the horses on a horse-drawn carriage tour in Melbourne CBD.
There are many different horse and carriage styles plus the drivers often dress up too!
These carriage tours are available at weekends and all weekdays throughout the summer school holidays.
They may be boarded in Swanston Street and tour the city main streets.
More information on 12 companies operating these tours may be found HERE!
It costs about $100 carriage hire for half an hour's tour.

Sampling some old ways
Riding a horse drawn carriage
Yesterday's romance




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Our World Tuesday is hosted by Arija, Gattina, Lady Fi, Sylvia and Sandy
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Point Nepean Transporter

This piece of machinery looks like a tractor!
But it is used to haul open carriages for those who don't wish to walk the hilly 6km stretch ~ at Point Nepean on the far southern end of the peninsula.
The whole is called a "transporter"!
So here, do we see a window or a door?

Unique travel mode
Open to fresh air and views
Recycled tractor.


A view of the rocky headland and transporter as it nears the end of its journey.
I walked the whole distance once - one way.
On this day, I chose to take the transporter between points of interest.
Fortunately it has several stopping areas and runs half hourly.



Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors is hosted by Toby
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