This post is to say thank you to Desley who met me for breakfast in the middle of a monumentally busy schedule. For once “the best coffeee in …” lived up to the hype, and we chatted over two cups and a classy Melbourne breakfast.
My date with Desley nearly came unstuck because I can’t read maps, paper or Google. Nor can I follow g-map verbal instructions. But I can ask a man in a hard-hat, at least in Australia, and that’s how I found Seven Seeds, pretty well spot on time, although I almost walked right past it. The buzz of conversation behind an anonymous door prevented that disaster.
Breakfast set me up for a day of walking, beginning at the war memorial.
After its grandiloquence it was a relief to reach the Botanical Gardens and more humble buildings built to suit their more practical functions: an observatory, a small building for the study of magnetism, and a house whose purpose I have forgotten.
After days absorbed by the city, it is a relief to walk on soft green grass and be towered over by trees. I follow the camellia walk and then venture via rainforest into the Chinese plantings, passing two special trees on the way. I suspect I’m not a city person at heart. I felt at home particularly amongst tree ferns, buttress roots, splotchy bark, and the sound of gurgling water. I’ve been a long time out of rainforest.
I leave the gardens at Gate H, and head back towards the city along the lunchtime jogging trail bordered by shapely plants chosen for sturdiness, accompanied by the smell of sweat and spurts of dust as joggers pant past.
I’m heading towards the Australian section of the National Gallery of Victoria for a quick look at their Aboriginal gallery, but first there’s a sculptural treat in the parkland leading to Federation Square.
The gallery taunts me with far too many possibilities for the short time left. I certainly can’t resist the corrugated iron (Rosalie Gascoigne created the horizontals; Victor Meertens the verticals; time the materials) …
… but I’m really here for something else, which turns out to be bark paintings, weaving and basket work by women artists. The natural colours of country affect me the same way rainforest does. Again, I feel at home.
The Aboriginal artists are Nonggirrnga Marawili (bark paintings); Linda Ganyila Guyula (woman’s string hat); Mary Muyungu (string bag with shells); Margaret Robyn Djunginy (suite of woven bottles); Delissa Walker (baskets with shells); Yalakupu 1 (string bag with feathers); Mary Mutumurruwuy (fish net); Elizabeth Djutarra (woven floor mat).
That’s not the end of my day. There’s still Australia Opera’s performance of “Carmen” to come.
Love those Botanical gardens
LikeLike
Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Blast Beach, orchids and P’s in a Pod | restlessjo
What a fabulous day. It was so lovely to have breakfast with you – thanks so much for that. Love your botanical garden shots, it reminds me that I need to go back there soon.
LikeLike
Please do, since I can’t! And have an extra coffee for me at Seven Seeds next time – I could use one now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so looking forward to going back to Seven Seeds! I forgot to say in my last reply – thank you, the job is turning out to be fantastic. Enormously busy but I love it.
LikeLike
The garden must have been a delightful respite from the city, such lush plants. Thank you for my preview photo from the exhibition, the women’s work is priceless, right up my street, what talent they have.
LikeLike
I knew you’d like the weaving. It was special for you. I wasn’t expecting weaving necessarily, but it was just right. There were also some lovely white lacy animals, but they were really hard to photograph. Have a look at this
http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/multimedia/sea-country-spirits/
LikeLike
Will hve to explore the Botanical Gardens next visit. Hobart one is also very good.
LikeLike
I only explored a small part of them: I just veered right and stayed on the main track.
LikeLike
Grinning to myself at the opening paragraph. That is so familiar, Meg! Which way’s left? 🙂 🙂 You do seem to love Melbourne and I can see why. I love the splendiferousness of cities for a short time too. Wonderful images, and I’m delighted to wander with you again, even from afar. Happy weekend!
LikeLike
You don’t have trouble with maps surely? I hope your Saturday was as good as my “Twelfth night”, which was brilliant.
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 A nice enough day here but yet again it seems to be ending in tears. Police are investigating incidents on London Bridge and at Borough Market with casualties involved. Our son is in London tonight but hopefully far from where this is taking place.
LikeLike
Oh, I’m so sorry. I haven’t been paying attention to the news in the midst of a self-centred life. Life must be a bit scary in England now. Stay safe.
LikeLike
Not selfish at all Meg. Just a little unsettling at the moment. Hugs darlin xxx
LikeLike
My favourites: the sculptural above-ground tree roots (which tree?), and the corrugated iron. Wonderful.
LikeLike
I don’t know specifically. Just rainforest tree buttresses, a charming characteristic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh how lovely to see those botanical treasures. I MUST get out to a nearby nursery that specialises in hardy exotics. I’m set on getting a few hardy Australian / New Zealand plants for my garden.
LikeLike
I definitely needed a dose of botanical gardens. I was surprised to see dogs enjoying it too. What are you looking at for your garden? My red cedar is the hardiest plant I’ve got: unkillable, but not recommended anywhere near foundations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I fancy a callistemon and a grevillea, a phormium and maybe some kangaroo paws. Also eventually aloes and agaves. No big trees – don’t want to hide the view.
LikeLike
I had to look up phormium. I was relieved to find it was NZ and familiar from gardens. It’ll be interesting to see how kangaroo paws go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s hope slugs and snails HATE them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, another wonderful set of wanderings!
LikeLike
I LOVED Melbourne – just in case you hadn’t noticed. New place, but my language (mostly).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I had no idea, Meg 😳🙄
LikeLike