Some shorter outings

The first shorter outing was to Port Melbourne, taking the tram to Beacon Cove and thence to Princes Pier.  The piles left from the full pier make an interesting snap.

There were plenty of Silver Gulls roosting on the piles.
A lone immature Pacific Gullwas the only non-everyday bird around: no Gannets, no Pied Cormorants.
As we walked towards the Pier the array of containers bluffed me a little into thinking they were some form of artistic installation!
The cranes and container handling equipment were surprisingly active for a Sunday.
I was very pleased with this photo of the yachts quite a distance out in the Bay.
The second walk was an evening tour of the gardens of Government House led by a member of the staff, supported by Michael, the Head Gardener (and quietly escorted by a security guard).  In the preview of the walk there was a lot of security information (bag checks etc) but in the event it was all very sensible. We did all have a visitors pass!
A view of the House, where we started.
Another view: this is where the flag raising for Australia Day - a big event - takes place.  The flag is that of the Governor with a golden field, reflecting the importance of that mineral to Victoria,
There are many trees planted by notable people,  This is a Royal Oak planted by Princess Anne on her recent visit as Colonel-in-Chief to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals.
This much larger tree is an Elm part of the original plantings: it is about 150 years old.
Another original: a Spotted Gum.  Micael said that when a tree is to be planted he draws up a list of 5 species with a mixture of natives and exotics suitable for the site.  There isn't a policy of native-preferred.
A rose garden (1) with a Wisteria pergola 2 -2.  This is one of the picking gardens which provides flowers for the house.
A very good looking Lemon-scented Gum.
This is a seating area next to the vegetable garden where the group of community women who work in this part of the gardens meet.  The wooden components come from a tree which fell.  (On which topic a branch on a palm tree crashed down just behind our group.  It will become mulch!)
A view of the vegie garden (and Michael).
The back of the House.
The garden was producing well as shown by these aubergines,
These were originally stables, including some additions built when Lord Hopetoun became Governor in 1889 and made it clear he was bringing his own horses from England.  
The visit concluded with a walk back to the gates with the CBD in the background.






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