And it didn’t cost me a cent!
Over the years I’ve mentioned a certain bench in the local park
It’s about half way up a slight rise in the land – about the time you start to think ‘this path is definitely not flat’
The first photo I took of it was way back in 2009. Victoria was still in drought and everything had a dry crisp look to it. The council were just beginning to develop the reserve but because of the lack of rain it took a while. It was also about that time my back condition worsened and I stayed closer to home – so even though I might have wandered round the duck pond I didn’t venture ‘up the hill’ and snap what I jokingly called my bench for quite a while.
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The drought broke, plantings were made, everything greened up – and flourished.
It’s taken aawhile for the changes to be realised (a great deal of the work is done by volunteers) there have been additions and removals, Australian native plants grown, left to their own devices, most have survived, growing strong and sturdy (sometimes a little too rampantly so have been cut back, some died
And for some reason it has become almost a tradition that I take a photo when I walk up that way…..which means you are able to see how much the little bare area next to a couple of established gums has changed.
Some photos are better than others – (time of day, various cameras, iPads & phones, where I was standing, zooming in or not, plus some cropping) but if you click or use the finger slide method to enlarge you’ll get a fair idea of how it has ‘grown’
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Rain and more rain (thanks to La Niña) Covid restrictions as well as a temperamental back that had me doing other exercises rather than walking stopped me going up there for another couple of years and look what I discovered the other day – a very swish looking new bench. Much more upmarket than the simple wooden ones.
It’s Monday morning again….I’ve been sitting here for a little while with my usual early cuppa in hand thinking about the many changes that are going to be made to the area…..
….catering for changing population wants/needs/attitudes/expectations rather than those happy with more natural surroundings…..…..
Hopefully as long as the green space is still here in our suburb (and it doesn’t get swallowed up by ‘new improvements’) all will be well.
Anyway I must get on – can’t sit here for much longer – changes at my usual pool (urgent repairs/closure) meant the users have had to go elsewhere – I’ll talk about the ‘new’ one some other time. Let’s just say it is different 🙁
And talking of Mondays, it’s the start of the 2nd week of the month, how did that happen? Is anyone else concerned about the speed with which the weeks and months are passing by this year?
Have there been any changes (big, little, horrendous) to your way of life recently?
Sharing with Denyse’s weekly link up Wednesday’s Words & Pics .
Still Waters 
I love your documentary of how it has grown. Hooray for volunteers. Change happens but my stick in the mud self doesn’t welcome it very often.
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It’s definitely the volunteers in life that make a difference
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Love your photographic record of a park bench and surrounds.
I suppose if I thought about it, many changes here. But not always for the best. Especially “out there”.
But whilst in personal covid isolation mode, I discovered a new way to cook my breakfast cereal which turned out to be tastier! On my last full day of isolation…not sure how I feel but as a retiree it wasn’t as onerous as I thought. It gave me permission to do “nothing”
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I agree with some changes not being for the better- some of the plants didn’t fit so we’re cut back or removed so others could thrive.
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How nice the bench was upgraded, with the area. Beautiful. Looks as if some new drainage was added, against excess future rain.
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The brick ‘wall’ helping and guiding water flow has been there from the beginning- it tends to disappear into the landscape when the grass grows.
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I didn’t mind the original bench in it’s original surroundings but wow, the improvement is fantastic! what a nice oasis of green
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They worked their wonders didn’t they!
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A great series of photos. I love your park bench now. And it is placed in exactly the right spot. Well done to those that had the idea and made the changes over the years. Hope the next lot of changes is for the best
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I knew that little spot had changed but it really didn’t sink in until I displayed the photos all together. Lots of work going on elsewhere in the park- I’m just not interested in recording it.
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Love the procession of photos. Well done to those who put the bench there and to those that improved the area over the years.
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Preserving green spaces is so important. Little by little they’re chipped away and building planning allows more and more into smaller spaces, without much thought given to infrastructure. Thus, not enough schools, doctors, dentists, road space – and certainly, eventually, not enough green.
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The reserve is about 22acres in size, originally part of a local property that was sold (very cheaply) to the council on condition it be made into bush parkland for locals to enjoy. Trouble is more and more additions are covering green space – part of the plan is for a half basketball court. Many are having their say so it may not happen.
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I am soon to transfer ownership of the lake farm to my daughter and she and her husband have been very busy planting gardens and making a chicken coop and preparing fencing. Good changes and I love seeing the estate come alive again.
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That’s a great thing for you to do Annie….Ron will be thinking about the peace of mind it’ll be giving you. And wow, chickens running around the place again. No David to go with them though 😀
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Hi Cathy I think I prefer the original bench to the new one because I feel it has more character. Although it’s great that there is a bench there for those of us who like to stop and take in our surroundings. Enjoy your week and yes where is the year going? #WWandP
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I rather liked the original chunky wooden one as well Sue, but you know how councils are….this is what we’ve got and this is what you’re going to get.
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What a great series of photos that show the growth of the trees and development of the area Cathy! It’s looking like a forest these days. I like taking photos that show change has happened as sometimes it just creeps up on us and we hardly realise it’s happening! I’m off to England this weekend so lots of changes ahead – especially in my granddaughter Dottie who has grown up a lot since we were there last year!
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Heres to having a great time while you’re away Debbie. Seeing your faraway family will be good for you and the Mathematician- don’t forget to take your big coat though….I think you’ll be needing it.
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What a neat history to have of this special place! An interesting walk down memory lane. Visiting from Words & Pics
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Hello Kym. That’s a good way to look at it – tripping down memory lane. Now if I could only remember what life was like at the times I took each of those photos, sadly that’s eluding me at the moment
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Your series of photos as the bench aged would have made a good case for the spiffy replacement. I love seeing the area(and the bench)change over time.
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There have been mixed reactions to the change. Some walkers like it – others feel it wasn’t necessary, the old one was adequate. But like in many things, the powers that be say, ‘we’ve planned for this and this is what you’re getting!’
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Here they have decided to clear a lovely meadow(great for kite flying, frisbee throwing, kids chasing) and install pickleball courts. I know what you mean about the powers that be.
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I LOVE this photographic record so much. LOVE it….and thanks to you I can see so much of nature and change. Yes to seats being upgraded…we now live in an area with lots of walking areas, spaces to run, (not me!) and seats for oldies…(still not me, ha!) and we are very grateful for its planning. It is always a pleasure to see you share a post from your blog on Wednesday’s Words and Pics Link Up. I hope you continue to do so! Take care, Denyse.
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The green space has definitely changed. There’s a park nearby and I do click a photo most days I go and I love that change season has brought in. How important are these green spaces not just for our physical but mental wellbeing as well.
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Hurrah for all that greening and a new bench. The old metal benches have gone from the Ridge near my home..the trees had grown so the views vanished plus the yuff had graffitied them. One solitary wooden one has appeared but No Back to it, just plank! DREADFUL .
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