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Sue's Walk Report:
On 27th August, a slightly windy but sunny morning, we had 11 join in the Dandenong Creek Trail in the Heathmont area, having our cuppa halfway at the "Cafe on the Park". We started our walk at the H.E. Parker Reserve, Heathmont.
Short story! I bought my good friend, Lyn White, a book for her birthday a while ago because I liked the photo - (see attached photo - it's pretty, isn't it). The book, "At the Foot of the Cherry Tree", is written by Alli Parker, who, it turns out is one of the H.E Parker family. Lyn is your girl if you want to know more - I haven't read it, but Lyn thoroughly enjoyed it. Maybe one for our Book Club.
Now for a bit of nonsense to finish up with - nothing to do with walking!
"I wish people realised it's actually more expensive to shop at Aldi. Oh sure, the groceries are cheaper. But then, halfway through your shopping, you browse the middle aisle. Minutes later you have spent $49.95 on a battery operated guitar, and $66.50 on a solar powered cuckoo clock. You'd have been better off at Coles or Woollies!"
Our next walk is Thursday, 12th September at Heatherdale Reserve (off Heatherdale Rd) at the car park of Heatherdale Bowls Club. I look forward to seeing you there.
PENTRIDGE PRISON
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'HM Prison Pentridge was an Australian prison that was. established in 1851 in Coburg, Victoria. The first prisoners arrived in 1851. The prison closed on 1 May 1997. Pentridge was often referred to as "Bluestone College',Coburg College" or "College of Knowledge".
Wikipedia
Our visit to Pentridge on 26th August.
Twenty members attended. It was a most informative morning led by our guide Sandra various buildings and laneways.
Most of Pentridge has been developed into a shopping complex and residential area. It was built in 1851 out of bluestone blocks cut out by prisoners taken from the quarry which is now Coburg Lake. Prisoners were admitted in 1858, Melbourne's population was half a million at the time of the gold rush.
Sandra explained some of the history. In 1924 'The Old Melbourne Gaol" was closed and the prisoners were located to Pentridge.
In1951 the last woman hanged was Jean Lee and the last man was in 1967, Ronald Ryan. Other prisoners she mentioned were Chopper Reed and Ned Kelly.
We went into H Division which housed the most notorious prisoners, where we were given earphones and tape recorders to wander through the cells hearing stories of some of the inmates.
We were all accounted for as we left the Pentridge buildings and no one was left behind.
It was a very interesting morning and we finished off with lunch in the shopping complex.
Chas
AMBLES REPORT:
On 6th September, we had 6 members and 1 visitor (Wendy, a past member who likes to catch up) for the amble around the Mullum Mullum Reserve in Donvale. It was a pleasant morning, although windy at times. Not all could stay, but the remaining five of us enjoyed a chat and nice cuppa after.
We did encounter Mum and Dad Duck with their family of 9 enjoying a peck in the grass. And as always, the creek is looking very pretty.
Our next Amble is Friday, 4th October meeting at RIngwood Lake. Sue will be missing in action on that day, but Ros will look after everyone.
A saying by Confucius: "It doesn't matter how slow you go as long as you don't stop." That's us on the Ambles, slow but sure!!
Sue
TEN PIN BOWLING:
September Bowling, only a small group today, but Jeff is back in the game after months with a shoulder problem. He even got 2 strikes in a row and that isn't the norm for him at all.
Ros
SUE'S WALK REPORT:
On 12th September, we had 9 members join in for the walk around Heatherdale Reserve and Simpson Park in Mitcham. We were not too sure as to how the weather was going to be, but apart from a bit of wind, it was a lovely morning for walking. This is a pretty area, also passing lots of gardens full of very colourful flowers on the way to the Cafe.
We arrived at Rise & Grind 3133 Cafe where a nice cuppa was enjoyed in the courtyard area with the wafting smell of Jasmine - the plant, not the girl. I happened to read this coffee saying just the other day, which turned out quite appropriate for our Cafe,
"Rise & grind - it's coffee time."
Making our way back to the cars, Ros did a quick wind down on some of the available equipment. The rest of us opted out, going home to enjoy a nice ice bath!
Our next walk is on 24th September at Banksia Park - remember, we are hoping to see the cherry blossoms. Going by the blossoms around the area, they may well be finished by then. As long as it doesn't rain, see you there.
Following from my last bit of nonsense, here's a bit more. "I wish for packaging that's easy to open". Studies show that people who eat lollies often have teeth problems. Sugar usually gets the blame, but it's more likely to be the lolly packet. Unable to open them with your hands, you resort to your teeth - wildly wrenching the packet this way or that until the plastic breaks or your teeth do."
Why not buy a pair of scissors to help? Good idea, but they are strapped to hard plastic using multiple cable ties. You need a utility knife to cut them. You could plan ahead and buy a utility knife while visiting the supermarket. Then, once home - I know you're ahead of me - you'll discover the new utility knife can only be freed with the assistance of a utility knife. If only you had a pair of scissors ....
BRIGADOON
On Saturday, September 21st, 14 members of Probus enjoyed the Nova production of the musical "Brigadoon".
'Brigadoon, features two American tourists who stumbled upon Brigadoon, a mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day every 100 years. Tommy, one of the tourists, falls in love with Fiona, a young woman from Brigadoon.'
The song "Almost Like Being in Love", has become a standard.
Wikipedia
SUE'S WALK REPORT:
BANKSIA PARK CHERRY BLOSSOM WALK!!!!! ON 24th September, we had 14 members, and 1 friend, Graeme, join in for our walk around the park. Sorry, I know I promised rain, but instead we had warmth and sunshine. Yeah!!! First time for a few years, and we finally got to see the blossoms. Not all the trees are blooming yet, so they will be on display for a few more weeks. It's a nice outing and cheaper than going to Japan at the moment; except for the Cafe. Nice, friendly, a bit of a wait, but not cheap. Iced coffee and iced chocolate a bit off the scale in price. Consider it a once in a lifetime experience.
This is a very pretty area with a lot of history. See photo of marker with the story for "Warringal Village". A plan of Warringal Village,(fronting the oppossite bank), was drawn up in 1839, however no land sales occurred before 1845 because of the Depression.
The 1850's gold rush meant a sudden interest in the market for food, stimulating development at Heidleberg. Between 1852 and 1854, the rich flats of the Warringal Village reserve were quickly subdivided and sold: many settled here and the population grew rapidly.
Our next walk is meeting at Melissa's Cafe in Templestowe and walking around Finns Reserve on Thursday, 10th October. (There is a good chance of rain that day as this is the day I usually do the Cherry Blossom walk !!!) But, as we are already parked at the Cafe, that can be plan B.
"The best coffee should be like an old friend: warm and comforting, with just enough bite to keep you on your toes."
Ringwood Lake
Sue was missing in action for our Amble at Ringwood Lake on Friday 4th October, but Ros & 5 other ladies joined in for a pleasant morning ambling at the lake. Weather was sounding a bit sus, but turned out to be a perfect morning. As usual, the ladies enjoyed a nce chat & cuppa in the sunshine afterwards.
We are very lucky to have these beautiful areas close to home to go Ambling and Walking.
"We live in a fast paced society, ambling slows us down."
SUE'S WALK REPORT:
We had 11 join in for the delightfully sunny morning walk around Finns Reserve area on 10th October. I know you must have all been disappointed because I DID promise you rain. It ALWAYS rains around this time of the year, that's why I changed our Cherry Blossom walk to September. Now I know what to do next year.
Along the way we had time for a rest and browse the history of the area in the shelter (it does need some work done to the signs telling the story of Templestowe. Time and damage have taken over some of the signs.) It's an area where the artists of Heidelberg School did a lot of their beautiful paintings. See photos of one of Louis Buvelot: "Summer Afternoon, Templestowe", 1866. He was much admired by the young artists, and Tom Roberts did the attached pen and ink drawing of Louis in 1886.
At the end of the walk we enjoyed our drinks and chat at "Melissa's Cafe."
Our next walk is Tuesday, 22nd October, starting at Mullum Mullum Stadium to Park Road and return, Having our cuppa at the Stadium Cafe at the end. I look forward to seeing you there.
I saw this sign the other day:
"The secrets to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age".
I don't think we have to lie - we all look pretty fantastic I think!!!
Movies:
On Tuesday the Probus group of 'Movie Buffs' attended the Forest Hill Theatre to watch the movie "The Critic", starring Ian McKellen.
'A powerful London theatre critic lures a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme that has deadly consequences' - Google
However, our Probus critics gave it mixed reviews - a little dark for some but all agreed the acting was brilliant.
Afterwards lunch at 'The Chase' was enjoyed by all.
SUE'S WALK REPORT:
We were low on numbers for the Mullum Mullum Creek walk in Donvale on 22nd October, but 7 cheery folk joined in for a very pleasant walk in a very pretty area. It was already quite warm at 9.30 am. when we started, so after about 5 kms, and arriving back at the Mullum Mullum stadium for our cuppa, it was iced coffees all around. We lingered longer while solving the problems of the world, before heading for home.
Our next walk is 14th November, starting at Schwerkolt Cottage off Deep Creek Rd, Mitcham, then a short drive to Ringwood Square for our cuppa at "Naughty or Nice Cafe". See, I give you a choice. Naughty or Nice!!! I'm sure we will all be nice.
Here's a bit more of Sue's nonsense just to finish off.
"I wish that my passwords remain secret. Like most people, I have written down all my passwords, but cleverly disquised them in an address book. Who would guess the true identity of Uncle Amazon, Betty Medicare or Timothy Telstra? Or indeed of Barry Westpac, who, according to my address book, lives at 5676 Credit Lane, a code so cunning - that should my wish be granted - it will resist all efforts to crack".
OCTOBER BARBECUE:
On a sunny October evening 16 Probus members gathered at Ruffey Lake for drinks, nibbles and a barbecue.
What a fun outing this is - Probians enjoying the fun, chatter and good food with their fellow members.
Come along and join in.
A STORY by 'AI CHAT'
As the grill sizzled with delicious food, the friends laughed and chatted, catching up on each other's lives. They reminisced about the good old days and shared stories of their families and travels.
The aroma of the barbecue attracted other park-goers, who stopped by to admire the mouth-watering feast. The Probus friends happily invited them to join in the fun, spreading good cheer and camaraderie to all.
As the sun started to set, the friends savored their grilled delights, enjoying the simple pleasures of good food and great company. They toasted to friendship and cherished moments like these that brought them closer together.
As the night fell, they cleaned up their barbecue and bid farewell to the park, feeling grateful for the wonderful day they had shared. The Probus friends knew that moments like these were what made life truly special, and they would always treasure the memories made on that sunny afternoon in the Park.
I Stock
Join your Probus Barbecue Group at Ruffey Lake Park in November.
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