Month: January 2024

Point of Interest, Vic5 Comments

“Good onya luv, all the best”

Itching for Hitching

Jan 2024, Kunyung Rd, Mt Eliza, Mornington Peninsula, Vic The Moondah Gatehouse came up in conversation the other day whilst having coffee with friends and I thought it may be worthy of a sketch for my current project on local landmarks. Little did I know it would send me down a ‘rabbit hole’ of memories, so please bear with me. For those unfamiliar with Australian aviation history, I’d better start at the beginning. Sir Reginald Myles Ansett KBE (1909 – 1981) began his transportation career by providing a car and later bus service in the Western District of Victoria. Eventually, … Continue reading “Good onya luv, all the best”

Point of Interest, Vic1 Comment

Raising the Rattler Pole – The Last of the Connies

Itching for Hitching

Jan 2024, Melbourne, Vic On the corner of Spencer & Flinders Streets in Melbourne, you’ll find this full-sized replica of the last W Class tram that was built at the Preston Tram Works for service in Bourke Street, in 1956. The work of David Michael Bell, it is a poignant reminder of another era. Melbourne is proud of its tram history and so too is the city of Bendigo which has a tram workshop that repairs and restores heritage trams to their former glory for customers worldwide.  And the ‘Connies’, well that’s what we used to call the conductors. https://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/raising-the-rattler-pole … Continue reading Raising the Rattler Pole – The Last of the Connies

Uncategorized4 Comments

Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne

Itching for Hitching

Cranbourne, Vic, Jan 2024 Just 50Kms southeast of Melbourne, the Royal Botanic Gardens have transformed scrublands and what was a sand mine into a most unusual garden. The Gardens opened back in 2012 and although I visited several times back then I haven’t been there since. Until last week, that is. I’d like to say that the Gardens have truly grown into their own skin. They’ve matured beautifully. The garden consists of 300 hectares of natural bushland and a large stunningly landscaped garden showcasing the uniqueness and variety of our native plants. The day I chose to visit was particularly … Continue reading Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne

Places, Vic14 Comments

When Plans Go Astray

Itching for Hitching

Melbourne, Summer 2024 We tend not to go away over the summer holiday season as it is a busy time for families. Though we do like to spend our Christmas in country towns. This year, however, commitments and crazy weather have thrown every plan to the wind. We had hoped to spend Xmas up in the goldfields area around St Arnaud with our mate VeeWee but had to cancel our booking. When Xmas came around, we breathed a sigh of relief as the weather worsened, and St Arnaud flooded. It certainly was miserable weather and not suited to being in … Continue reading When Plans Go Astray