Date of Adventure:
Thursday, 20 January 2011
For distances statistics, click here.
For other data, click here.
Maps of Adventure:
Before we offer an explanation of the title of this adventure, we should mention that this adventure took place a year, to the day, since our last one. At this rate, we are scheduled to finish this project in December 2040, weather permitting. But, we press on.
The title was given in honour to the extraordinary prominence of vegetation in this adventure. As we weave this narrative together for you, dear readers, we will reveal various botanical aspects to you.
The area covered was bounded by Holyrood Street, New Street, South Road and Margarita Street. It is a beautiful, magnificent area that we have had little to do with in the past. There have been, however, some exceptions for me, which I will go into during this account.
Even in Hampton, one can have "wards" or areas that may be unfamiliar to other Hamptonians. I have reflected that there may be people who have lived here for generations and for whom this is Hampton, and other parts of it (our parts) may be as foreign to them as Caulfield or Footscray.
We started off at about 2.40pm. on a beautiful, sunny and warm summer day. We began by heading west on the north side of Holyrood Street, from the corner with Margarita Street. We turned into Hardie Street, and outside number 1-3 (at which, some hideous building development is taking place) a contractor or project manager arrived, had a look at something and said to his sidekick "Rich, get your phone and ring up those idiots from Abco Hire".
Sasha insisted on taking this photo at 7 Hardie Street of a mailbox inside the fence.
She didn't like it. She also took this photo of a keen bowler in full flight, across the road at the Hampton RSL and Bowling Club.
Outside the bowling club, in Hardie Street, is their hot water service.
I wonder if I'm the only person who thinks it odd that a club or private premises can install their hot water service on a public footpath. I might try that and see how long it will be until I get sued by someone who skateboards into it one night.
This is a view of the Hampton RSL and Bowling Club in full splendour, taken from Holyrood Street.
The pine trees were grown from seeds brought back from Lone Pine, in Gallipoli, by Lance Hill.
Summing up the jolly feel of the area, was this house number in Holyrood Street.
Heading east down an unnamed lane from the corner of Holyrood and New Streets, we noticed how residents, whose properties are adjacent to the lane, use the lane as their private gardens. Good on them! In keeping with the garden theme, we have never seen such a concentration of fig trees in one area. They were everywhere.
In Bolton Avenue, outside number 20, was this inspirational archway across the footpath.
I'll have to create something similar in Bluff Road.
My only previous involvement with Bolton Avenue was back in 1981. I was in my final year at Hampton High, and a girl in Form Five invited all us form-sixers to a party at her home. I think that her name was Nicole or Andrea, or something similar.
Of course, teenagers experiment with alcohol, and we were no exception. Consequently, I remember nothing about the party. But, I do remember trying to get home in an inebriated state with, probably, Paul and Mark. We were set upon by a couple of chaps from a rival party. They sprayed us with a barrage of tracer fire from fireworks that were available at the time, known as "six-shooters". It was like some night-time battle during the Balkans War. I was hit several times and my new, tight, beige polyester/wool blend jumper was singed. Maybe not a bad thing after all. After the culprits were out of ammunition, Dutch courage told me that they had to be chased and punished. Now, I don't speak Dutch, but I did chase them, yelling obscenities, and it worked; they ran off.
At the eastern end of Bolton Avenue, there is a lane, which joins it to Gordon Street to the north. It is this path that inspired the name of the adventure. I'm not sure what happened to the drought, but I don't think that it had much of an effect in this lane. It has the thickest, most lush examples of every botanical specimen know to man. You could be forgiven that you were in Baron Ferdinand von Mueller's private garden. There is just enough room for a man to pass through and, perhaps, a horse. There was also the peculiar, but distinctive, smell of beehives in the area.
To demonstrate the whimsical nature of the gardens in the area, 27 Bolton Avenue has a large wooden wombat installed in the front yard. Anastasia just had to sit on it.
Alexandra took this photo outside 3 Bolton Avenue of a purple flower from a tree, which seems to be endemic to this area.
Like the figs, they are everywhere. What are they? Can someone help us out?
A stunning example of some of the magnificent architecture in the area, is this house at 36 Bolton Avenue.
We can only pray that decency and common sense will prevail in the looming conflict between residents and developers, who may seek to demolish some of these masterpieces, in order to make a quick profit.
In Hoyt Street, we found a cumquat tree, whose branches overhung the footpath. Naturally, we all sampled these marvellous fruit. It was Alexandra's first time and she approved.
I have a very interesting connection to Hoyt Street. In the few months since this adventure, Victoria has had a new governor sworn in - Alex Chernov. Governor Chernov is a member of the Russian Community and, as such, was a family friend of my parents. The governor's parents lived in Hoyt Street; I vaguely remember visiting the house. In 1969 we moved into Carr Street, Moorabbin. I was a five year old and needed to find a State (Primary) school. Hampton State was our preferred school, but Carr Street was outside the zone. To remove this dilemma, cut through the red tape and put everyone out of their misery, a plan was hatched where I would be officially registered as residing with Mr. and Mrs. Chernov in Hoyt Street. Problem solved. Just don't tell anyone in the Education Department. Within a year, we were living in Littlewood Street anyway.
In keeping with the recurring theme of dead rodents on our adventures, here is another one outside 15 Hoyt Street.
We finished on the spot where we had started and, as a bribe for having the pleasure of Alexandra's company, we debriefed at one of her favourite ice-cream parlours: Cold Rock at Shop 4, 63-73 Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda. I can't remember what Anastasia or I had, but for Sasha, it was doughnut ice-cream with cinnamon doughnut chunks. Enough said.
Papugai
Thursday, 20 January 2011
For distances statistics, click here.
For other data, click here.
Maps of Adventure:
Before we offer an explanation of the title of this adventure, we should mention that this adventure took place a year, to the day, since our last one. At this rate, we are scheduled to finish this project in December 2040, weather permitting. But, we press on.
The title was given in honour to the extraordinary prominence of vegetation in this adventure. As we weave this narrative together for you, dear readers, we will reveal various botanical aspects to you.
The area covered was bounded by Holyrood Street, New Street, South Road and Margarita Street. It is a beautiful, magnificent area that we have had little to do with in the past. There have been, however, some exceptions for me, which I will go into during this account.
Even in Hampton, one can have "wards" or areas that may be unfamiliar to other Hamptonians. I have reflected that there may be people who have lived here for generations and for whom this is Hampton, and other parts of it (our parts) may be as foreign to them as Caulfield or Footscray.
We started off at about 2.40pm. on a beautiful, sunny and warm summer day. We began by heading west on the north side of Holyrood Street, from the corner with Margarita Street. We turned into Hardie Street, and outside number 1-3 (at which, some hideous building development is taking place) a contractor or project manager arrived, had a look at something and said to his sidekick "Rich, get your phone and ring up those idiots from Abco Hire".
Sasha insisted on taking this photo at 7 Hardie Street of a mailbox inside the fence.
She didn't like it. She also took this photo of a keen bowler in full flight, across the road at the Hampton RSL and Bowling Club.
Outside the bowling club, in Hardie Street, is their hot water service.
I wonder if I'm the only person who thinks it odd that a club or private premises can install their hot water service on a public footpath. I might try that and see how long it will be until I get sued by someone who skateboards into it one night.
This is a view of the Hampton RSL and Bowling Club in full splendour, taken from Holyrood Street.
The pine trees were grown from seeds brought back from Lone Pine, in Gallipoli, by Lance Hill.
Summing up the jolly feel of the area, was this house number in Holyrood Street.
Heading east down an unnamed lane from the corner of Holyrood and New Streets, we noticed how residents, whose properties are adjacent to the lane, use the lane as their private gardens. Good on them! In keeping with the garden theme, we have never seen such a concentration of fig trees in one area. They were everywhere.
In Bolton Avenue, outside number 20, was this inspirational archway across the footpath.
I'll have to create something similar in Bluff Road.
My only previous involvement with Bolton Avenue was back in 1981. I was in my final year at Hampton High, and a girl in Form Five invited all us form-sixers to a party at her home. I think that her name was Nicole or Andrea, or something similar.
Of course, teenagers experiment with alcohol, and we were no exception. Consequently, I remember nothing about the party. But, I do remember trying to get home in an inebriated state with, probably, Paul and Mark. We were set upon by a couple of chaps from a rival party. They sprayed us with a barrage of tracer fire from fireworks that were available at the time, known as "six-shooters". It was like some night-time battle during the Balkans War. I was hit several times and my new, tight, beige polyester/wool blend jumper was singed. Maybe not a bad thing after all. After the culprits were out of ammunition, Dutch courage told me that they had to be chased and punished. Now, I don't speak Dutch, but I did chase them, yelling obscenities, and it worked; they ran off.
At the eastern end of Bolton Avenue, there is a lane, which joins it to Gordon Street to the north. It is this path that inspired the name of the adventure. I'm not sure what happened to the drought, but I don't think that it had much of an effect in this lane. It has the thickest, most lush examples of every botanical specimen know to man. You could be forgiven that you were in Baron Ferdinand von Mueller's private garden. There is just enough room for a man to pass through and, perhaps, a horse. There was also the peculiar, but distinctive, smell of beehives in the area.
To demonstrate the whimsical nature of the gardens in the area, 27 Bolton Avenue has a large wooden wombat installed in the front yard. Anastasia just had to sit on it.
Alexandra took this photo outside 3 Bolton Avenue of a purple flower from a tree, which seems to be endemic to this area.
Like the figs, they are everywhere. What are they? Can someone help us out?
A stunning example of some of the magnificent architecture in the area, is this house at 36 Bolton Avenue.
We can only pray that decency and common sense will prevail in the looming conflict between residents and developers, who may seek to demolish some of these masterpieces, in order to make a quick profit.
In Hoyt Street, we found a cumquat tree, whose branches overhung the footpath. Naturally, we all sampled these marvellous fruit. It was Alexandra's first time and she approved.
I have a very interesting connection to Hoyt Street. In the few months since this adventure, Victoria has had a new governor sworn in - Alex Chernov. Governor Chernov is a member of the Russian Community and, as such, was a family friend of my parents. The governor's parents lived in Hoyt Street; I vaguely remember visiting the house. In 1969 we moved into Carr Street, Moorabbin. I was a five year old and needed to find a State (Primary) school. Hampton State was our preferred school, but Carr Street was outside the zone. To remove this dilemma, cut through the red tape and put everyone out of their misery, a plan was hatched where I would be officially registered as residing with Mr. and Mrs. Chernov in Hoyt Street. Problem solved. Just don't tell anyone in the Education Department. Within a year, we were living in Littlewood Street anyway.
In keeping with the recurring theme of dead rodents on our adventures, here is another one outside 15 Hoyt Street.
We finished on the spot where we had started and, as a bribe for having the pleasure of Alexandra's company, we debriefed at one of her favourite ice-cream parlours: Cold Rock at Shop 4, 63-73 Fitzroy Street, St. Kilda. I can't remember what Anastasia or I had, but for Sasha, it was doughnut ice-cream with cinnamon doughnut chunks. Enough said.
Papugai
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