I’m not a footy fan at all but it would be very remiss of me not to mention the footy (Australian Rules) at this time of the year because, after all, the Grand Final is just around the corner.  Beware those who plan weddings and other events when the grand final is on! It’s been known to happen

Whether or not you follow the footy (and it seems to be a religion here in Melbourne) almost everyone wants to know who the winner is and you can often catch my husband and I watching the last quarter on TV if we’re not out doing something else.  Kind of depends on the weather.

I have no idea who might be playing in the finals, perhaps someone can enlighten me in a comment below. And I know that it is usually the last weekend in September but sometimes the first weekend in October.  Seems 1st October is it this year, one of our daughters has a wedding anniversary that day.

If you’re visiting Melbourne during that time and want to book tickets, you might get lucky by visiting this site.

It may still be August but Spring is definitely showing up around Melbourne.  In the hills east of Melbourne the Tulip Festival is held each Spring by Tesselaars. For those who are gardeners in Australia, the name will be very familiar, as you can purchase all sorts of bulbs and other plants from them all year round.

I first went to the Tulip Festival about 2 years ago with a somewhat pregnant daughter.  I loved it and went back again last year, twice, so I could have some time on my own with my camera in tow.

A friend recently gave my husband and me Tulips in a pot – they were in flower already.  A picture of one of them is below, bathed in early morning sunlight on our front verandah. We have tulips planted but they haven’t flowered yet. The daffodils are out though, as are the jonquils.

If you are a mountain biker, or walker, or perhaps just enjoy beautiful park lands for a picnic, then Lysterfield Lake Park is an ideal place to visit. Lysterfield Lake Park can be accessed from Horswood Road, Lysterfield and is almost 40kms from the City of Melbourne.  I go there to walk, always with camera in hand. It’s winter here in Australia and yesterday morning I got up early to view the mist over the lake that I knew would be there and watch the sunrise.

These are just some of the views I got yesterday.

1. Walkers and rider on the wall

2. The mist is starting to disappear as the sun rises

3. Young kangaroo. There are many in the park.

4. Grey Heron

5. The sun has dissipated most of the mist

The Dandenong Ranges is a great place for visitors to come. Not just from interstate or overseas but other Victorians too. There is so much to offer, especially during the school holidays.

One of the most popular attractions is the Puffing Billy steam train.  A favourite with both kids and adults, it is a great half day or full day event.  You can catch the train from Belgrave to Emerald Lake and stay there for a picnic, or walk around the lake, or stay in the kiosk for a meal.  Or you can travel further to Gembrook and wander the street there, looking at the various stores, before catching the train back to Belgrave.

Belgrave also offers a lot to view. The main street is lined with lots of interesting shops and many, many cafes or all sorts of types of food.

The Puffing Billy on the historic Trestle Bridge

Emerald Lake Park

A Vintage car on display in Gembrook

Photography Exhibition  

10 May—5 June

If you enjoy nature photography then the photos of Kathie Thomas will interest you. A winner of Bendigo Bank’s 2011 Calendar Photography Competition, Kathie will share more of her images at:

Kallista Tea Rooms, 103 Monbulk Road, Kallista.

Official opening:
6-9pm 13th May.

All welcome.

Please note: the Tearooms are closed on Wednesdays.