Wednesday 22nd May 2002.in cold/wet and wind blown Port Melbourne.
As I have described the beautiful Garden City Reserve in all its golden glory bathing in the Autumn sunlight It is now a mass of fallen,strewn leaves from the 70 yr old elms,oaks,poplars scattered far and wide most of them ending up in residents gardens,no easy task raking or sweeping them up especially when they are wet.They fill the gutters and down the drains blocking them when the rain is at full pelt.
Our council in Port Phillip has set aside $45,000 for extra work to be created in cleaning them up.I will query the amount in a city as vast as St Kilda,Sth Melb and Port.One hopes that when collected the leaves will become compost for ratepayers to collect and use on their gardens.
I watched the Spirit of Tasmania leaving Station Pier this week and wished I could be one of those on board.I have happy memories of the many times I travelled there always by ship.
In July the Tasmanian Government will launch 2 new ships in place of the Spirit,these two ships will be a little smaller (still carrying cars etc} and will depart 7 days a week from Port Melb and like wise Devonport in Tasmania.This is due to the demand of those now travelling with vans,campers etc.
People now retiring earlier and seeing their own country perhaps for the first time and being able to spend longer than the usual annual holidays.(Good Luck to them) and it is good for Tasmania as tourism is their main money earner.
I don't mind the winter by the sea it never seems quite as cold and bleak as living in the hills of the Dandenong Ranges where I once lived for a short time.
My Mother used to say that in the hills one was more aware of the changing of the seasons than one who lived by the sea,some truth in that I think.I like to walk after tea with my dog Jessie ,this I can do in Port Melbourne as we have good street lights and concrete footpaths not so in the hills.
And when the winter winds blow and I am sitting by my solid fuel log fire I could be anywhere.
My computer is not in the room with the warm fire so I won't tally any longer except to say I feel a little chilled so am off to toast my toes..Lois Daley Wed 22/5/2002 7.53.pm.