Photos

    Day Trip: Macedon And Trentham

    I had the pleasure of taking the day off today and going for a few walks around Macedon and Trentham. Being someone that’s really into keeping with a routine, I try to do these walks at least once a year. It’s been somewhat delayed this year, due to work commitments, but with the public holiday tomorrow, I thought I was a perfect time to get outside and do them before summer rolls around.

    Below are some photos of each of the walk.

    Macedon

    The first walk was along the borders of the Macedon Regional Park, following a self-plotted course, more-or-less, along the Bendigo railway line. It’s a little difficult at times, maybe bordering on dangerous (and possibly not super legal either), so I’d probably wouldn’t recommend this. But since it follows the rail line pretty much the entire time, it’s a good opportunity to catch up on some train spotting.

    I realised today that it’s been 10 years since I first walk this particular trail. I’m wondering if it might be time to retire it. As nice as it is, there are certain aspects of it that are getting a little tiresome. Plus it’s always boggy, even during the height of summer, meaning that you’ll usually get your socks wet and your pants dirty when you walk it. Even so, walking it is always a pleasure.

    Trentham

    Following a brief lunch in Kynteon, it was time for the second walk: The Domino Trail in Trentham. This is a rail trail that travels through some really nice forest. Last time I did this, more than a year ago, the path was closed as a severe storm brought down a number of trees and I was unable to do the entire path. Fortunately the trees were cleared and the path reopened.

    I caught the rain a few times and much of the track was quite boggy given the decent amount of rain we’ve received, but overall, it was a nice day out.

    Rail work beginning in earnest. A large work train carrying ballast and track sections has pulled in:

    Series of SSR locomotives

    They had to close the road and pedestrian level crossing. I thought it was because they were doing work on them, but it’s probably because they’re blocked by this train:

    Pedestrian level crossing blocked

    More track works going on, this time involving this pile of ballast in some way.

    Tried something different for lunch today: a halloumi cheese pocket. The ingredients were halloumi cheese and pastry, so not a particularly large lunch. Was still quite nice though.

    Halloumi cheese pocket on a plate

    Speed bocce with friends today. Congrats to Jules for winning the 2022-23 season, breaking a three-way tie at the end.

    A Day in the Life

    Metro train crossing pedestrian crossing

    North-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Vic, Australia at 8:20 am.

    Waiting with my coffee at the rail crossing for the train to pull into the station. Going to the cafe involves crossing the rail line, which can be a little busy during the morning peak.

    Homeward bound.

    Empty gate at airport Plane arriving at gate

    Birds in the hand.

    Two cockatiels on a hand

    Back in Canberra with Ivy and Archie, my sister’s cockatiels. 🦜

    Same time and place as last week. Different species of bird.

    Purple swamphen with two chicks Purple swamphen with two chicks

    Spotted this morning as I was walking to breakfast. πŸ¦†

    Dinner at The Mint. This is my table, which is the same table I sat at last time I was here, in January 2020. Feels like a bit of a bookend in a way.

    Along the boundary of Melbourne Port.

    Railway tracks with a road on the left and the Melbourne Port fence on the right.

    At least one photo will be taken at this event (well technically the setup of the event).

    Sign that says 'Photo and video will be taken at this event'

    Rail works.

    Flags at half mast at the school today to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

    Australian and Aboriginal flags at half mast

    Some Photos of The Yarra Trail

    Went for a very short walk of the Yarra Trail around Heidelberg on Saturday. The evening light was really lovely so I though I’d take some photos.

    Second breakfast time.

    Sulphur-crested cockatoos feeding outside a different house.

    Breakfast time.

    Sulphur-crested cockatoos feeding outside someones house.

    Off to breakfast this morning.

    Track running through forest

    Met some locals on the way.

    Rainbow lorikeets and a galllah sitting on a fence
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