Z is for zany...

Z is for zany...
(Closing my series on the Mornington Peninsula)

You don't have to go far to find examples of zany characters on my Mornington Peninsula.
Above are busking jazz players at the 2013 Rosebud Kite Festival.
And their sound was brilliant!


A stilt walker and "elephant" friend at the same festival.


Characters at the Hastings 2013 Westernport Festival.


Dancing in the street at the 2013 Hastings Westernport Festival.


And not all zany characters are of the human variety.
Here is one of many zany pelicans adorning the foreshore of Westernport Bay at Hastings.

zany to some
but living your soul
brings joy


Finally, there are the zany characters that appear annually for the hinterland Scarecrow Festival each October.


Linking to:
ABC Wednesday Round 12 - Z is for zany

Y is for yellow...

Y is for yellow...
(Continuing my series on the Mornington Peninsula)

There are many unusual features around the Mornington Peninsula that are dressed in yellow.

Above is a sculpture for sale at the Tyabb Art and Craft Village.


The old Dromana Hotel is bathed in yellow.


Yellow umbrellas in a Mornington street


Signs for wine and vineyards may be proudly yellow.
The one above is at Merricks General Store.


Even rusting yellow has its charm.
This old boat has been sitting in the front yard of a Hastings property for some time.


Many many peninsula boat sheds feature in yellow.
This is a view of Dromana beach and just one yellow boat shed and another touched with yellow.

yellow shines
even on grey days
yellow smiles


The street sign in Dromana often welcomes summer visitors with a touch of yellow.

Linking to:
ABC Wednesday Round 12 - Y is for yellow

W is for weird...

W is for weird...
(Continuing my series on the Mornington Peninsula)

To me, the above photo, taken at the Enchanted Maze Garden, Arthurs Seat represents my idea of weird.

There is a classical like figure in the foreground.
Behind that is a hedge, with some creative topiary, which has been transformed into an intriguing mural.
And in the background is a frame of eucalypts.
That MUST be weird, but fascinating.


enigmatic scene
a mix of environments
and mixed emotions


Linking to: ABC Wednesday Round 12 - W is for weird

V is for village...

V is for village...
(Continuing my series on the Mornington Peninsula)

 The village is Shoreham - by the sea on the eastern side of the peninsula on Westernport Bay.
It is a village area very easy to bypass.
There is no shopping precinct.
The general Store has gone.
And the homes are few.
Quite surprising to find this world on the vibrant Mornington Peninsula.


The sign above has been there since January 2012.
There is just the sign.


Nearby is the old post office - weathered but not worn.


Across the road from the post office is the Shoreham hall - once the Shoreham school.

But this is the hinterland area.


Not far away are the waters of Westernport Bay.
And a walking trail offering wonderful views of the coastline.


old worlds still linger
tightly holding quiet times
like precious treasures


Linking to:
ABC Wednesday Round 12 - V is for village

U is for unusual...

U is for unusual...
(Continuing my series on the Mornington Peninsula)

There are many unusual, unexpected, unique sights to be seen round the Mornington Peninsula.
But perhaps the most unusual sight I have seen recently must be the sculptures on display round Montalto Vineyard at Red Hill.
Many seem to totally overhaul the whole concept of sculpture as a solid mass.
The one above utilises the landscape as part of its substance,.



Above are huge sculptures of pukeko, right near where the real pukekos (much much smaller) wander by the water.


A discarded tractor gets a new identity.

eccentric art work
sparks the imagination
and the perception



And this is one of 3 shapes willingly collecting Autumn leaves...evolving art?

Linking to:
ABC Wednesday Round 12 - U is for unusual

T is for Tyabb...

T is for Tyabb...
(Continuing my series on the Mornington Peninsula)

Tyabb, in the hinterland of the peninsula, is probably best known for its quaint little antique, art and craft village.
It is like wandering through a wonderland of treasures all swirling round an unusual dining experience - an old red carriage of a train.
(Such old carriages were fondly called "red rattlers".)









where old dreams whisper
and new dreams may long to fly
a village with soul


Apart from being the hub of antiques and crafts, Tyabb is also home to the small Mornington Peninsula airport.
Each March, this airport hosts an airshow.


Linking to:
ABC Wednesday Round 12 - T is for Tyabb

S is for Sorrento...

S is for Sorrento... 
(Continuing my series on the Mornington Peninsula)

Sorrento is another popular seaside town on Port Phillip Bay.
First British settlement of Port Phillip Bay began here in 1803 before Melbourne was settled in 1835.

Sorrento is popular for:
* scenic beach on Port Phillip Bay
* scenic and rugged ocean beach on Westernport Bay (just like last week's Rye Back Beach)
* dolphin watching tours
* wonderful seaside views from accommodation
* scenic streets
* boutique main street shopping
* scenic cliff top parkland overlooking Port Phillip Bay
* Queenscliff-Sorrento ferry crossing Port Phillip Bay to the opposite Bellarine Peninsula

The photo above is a view shows part of the coastline at Sorrento and a portion of the pier leading to the Queenscliff-Sorrento ferry.


Interesting sign near the bay beach area not far from the pier.


A view from the cliff top parkland of the Sorrento area.


A landmark at the beginning of the main shopping area in Sorrento.


One of many interesting old buildings in Sorrento built from local limestone.

precious Sorrento
foundation stone of our life
like a sweet mother


The ferry docked at Sorrento.
The back end opens for cars to board.

Linking to:
ABC Wednesday Round 12 - S is for Sorrento

R is for Rye...

R is for Rye... 
(continuing my series on the Mornington Peninsula)

Rye is another coastal town on Port Phillip Bay.
Of course there are the necessary shops,


and the necessary boat sheds.

But I am going to focus on other features.
At first, the northern view from the beach (in the first photo) looks much like my Dromana world.


But look south, and you see this chunky headland - sloping to the sea like Anthony's Nose ridge near my Dromana beach.
(But no roadway round the water's edge here!)


And at the base of the headland, tucked into the cliff, is this replica lime kiln, remembering early days on the peninsula when lime burning for building construction in Melbourne was a prime industry here.


This is the walkway round the cliff.


This is a portion of the cliff face.


And then there are the wonders of Rye Back Beach on the opposite side of the peninsula on Westernport Bay.


Like a secret coastal world of tiny streams and mountains and valleys.

peninsula worlds
a world in a beach of sands
a world of wonder


Like a beach wonderland!

Linking to:
ABC Wednesday Round 12 - R is for Rye