Posts

Image
 U3A Gardening Group 2023 State Rose Garden Werribee Mansion Werribee Mansion Garden. Setting off from Selkirk's carpark, after I had dutifully fetched our leader's coffee, we drove through the rain hoping this would not be a repeat of the Tesselar trip! However, on reaching Bacchus Marsh the rain had stopped, so we were much happier. Els had organised the day so we were two groups, one for the gardens and one for the mansion, then swap over. After refreshments at the cafe, we met David, our Volunteer Guide for the garden, and set off on a wonderful discovery tour of the amazing trees in the Mansion Gardens,  including the Grotto, a lake, and many bats. Canary Island Pine Weeping Nootka Cypress Variegated Elm Grevillea Robusta-Silky Oak The lake from the Grotto Lemon-scented Gums Moreton Bay Fig with John and Evelyn Algerian Oak Querus Canariensis What a wealth of knowledge David had about all the trees. On to the State Rose Garden! Here David knew intimately the roses, names,
Image
 Colac Excursio n 24th October 2023 After meeting at the Buninyong Tennis Courts, an intrepid group set off to the epicentre of the latest earthquake recently in Victoria! How brave were we? However the effects of the earthquake was superceded by the potholes in the roads we travelled. We arrived at Colac Botanic Gardens [laid out in 1868] in plenty of time to avail ourselves of refreshments in the Gardens Cafe, which offered a great variety of foods and beverages efficiently served. After which we met Anne Mercer and Helen Paatsch, our guides for the morning. Terry had thoughtfully brought a portable loudspeaker so all we oldies could hear easily, but our guide refused to use it. So we strained to hear anything and the frustration on Terry's face was clear to all! As a result we tended to scatter and explore at our own pace.  Lots to see: The Oak Drive: a 100 year old variety of oaks. Children's Playground  National Trust Significant Tree Register: five trees in the gardens. A