Art in the Vines

One of many unusual sculptures scattered through the vineyards at Montalto, Red Hill.
I like the soft single shadow cast by the sculpture in contrast with the gridded line shadows cast by the Autumn vines in the background.


magic in the vines
art set in autumn colours
a feast for the soul 


Linking to:
Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Floating Sculpture

A floating feature at the Montalto vineyard at Red Hill.
This is part of the unusual sculpture exhibition at the vineyard.
It forms part of a series of sculptures called Red Sea by Carmel Wallace.
Lovely to see this drifting and turning with the winds.


strange kind of sculpture
like viewing something quite plain
as changing beauty




Linking to:
Weekend Reflections

Another Autumn Sunset

Scenic Autumn sunset over Port Phillip Bay as viewed from Dromana beach.


last glow of daylight
last touch of vibrant colour
relaxes the soul


Linking to:
SkyWatch Friday
Himmelsk
Scenic Weekends


 

Mirage Sign

A sign in Dromana.
I like the use of the yin and yang symbol.
But I wonder about the use of the word mirage? Mixed messages???


a sign of the times
equality in action
or is it really


Linking to:
Signs, Signs

Q is for Questions...

Q is for questions...
(Continuing my series on the Mornington Peninsula)

The Mornington Peninsula is a delightful world for summer holidaymakers.
So many attractions by the sea and so many hinterland points of interests.
But in the wintry months, the residents are still there and enjoying the secret beauties of the peninsula - not to mention the lack of bustling crowds.

However, there are many questions about how the peninsula should be effectively managed.
Residents are carefully watching developers plan resorts here.
The questions are:
1. Can the peninsula support a range of resorts?
2. Do the peninsula holidaymakers want resorts? (Many love camping by the sea!)
3. Do the residents agree with the burgeoning idea of resorts?

Already we have plenty of places like the one in the above photo in Dromana.
There's a newish hot springs resort at Rye on the southern end of the peninsula and there are plans to turn parts of historical Point Nepean (mentioned in last week's post) into a resort area.


And above is what is happening right now in Dromana main street.
The Nepean advertises apartments built above new shops - according to the above sign.
But the Stockdale and Leggo real estate website view is quite different.
No shops!
So far, the builders have just moved the post office that was here and turned over the dirt.
But that is not the ultimate.


Just a couple of doors down from the previous photo is what may be Pearl Beach Resort!
The photo was taken 26.2.12.
The sign advertises the 3rd real estate to handle the selling.
Notably, the old restaurant on the site is still there and the old home next door + 2 small shops have simply been vacated.


sometimes the questions
just generate more questions
with curly answers



And the above photo was taken 16.12.10
Are the developers and agents themselves asking questions?

Linking to:
ABC Wednesday Round 12 - Q is for questions

Shadowy Mornington

An early morning view of Mornington Main Street.
I love the touch of Autumn leaf colour.


a morning streetscape
where autumn shadows deepen
and crowds are filtered


Linking to:
Ruby Tuesday 2
Our World Tuesday

Montalto Wonder

At the end of April, even though it was a little chilly and a little windy, people still wandered the Montalto Autumn vineyards at Red Hill.
It was the last weekend for viewing many of the 2013 competition sculptures which were scattered through the vineyard.


enchanting weekend
sculptures in autumn vineyards
art for the spirit


Linking to:
Monday Mellow Yellows

Shadowy Fence

Shadows by a boat shed at Safety Beach.
I was intrigued how the Autumn  morning shadows were so much larger than the fence line - invisible on the right but part of the same one appearing in the upper portion of the photo.


shadows may be large
but the limp sun of autumn
means to keep shining


Linking to:
Shadow Shot Sunday 2

Muscovy Reflections

Muscovy duck swimming in the wetlands at Hillview Community Reserve, Dromana


muscovy beauty
revelling in still waters
a dream in motion


Linking to:
Weekend Reflections

Montalto in Autumn

Scenic Autumn view of Montalto vineyard at Red Hill.
Just visible on the left is one of the many beautiful sculptures scattered through the vineyard.


vineyards in Autumn
leaves blushing with reds and golds
a scenic landscape


Linking to:
SkyWatch Friday
Himmelsk
Scenic Weekends


 

Schnappers

This rather ordinary sign of a smiling fish is over a restaurant right on the waters of Port Phillip Bay at Mornington - or, more correctly, Schnapper Point.
(The restaurant opened here in the late 1950's and, recently, was upgraded to include a large outdoor dining area.)
The sign may be ordinary, but the view of boats and pier and bay stretching to the horizon is grand!


large rambling restaurant
views in ev'ry direction
great place to spend time


Linking to:
Signs, Signs

P is for Point Nepean

P is for Point Nepean 
(Continuing my series on the Mornington Peninsula)

Point Nepean is at the furthest, southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula.
It is the last stretch of land before Bass Strait.
The view above represents Port Phillip Bay on the left and Bass Strait on the right, the narrowest and final  part of the Point Nepean area.
The narrow road continues a little further right to the cliff top on which I am standing as I take the photo.
Slowly this last strip of land is crumbling and becoming narrower.
Possibly, within this century, it will not exist - at least, not for public entry.


The area is rich with history.
It had a role to play in early settlement, quarantine and even defence of Victoria.
The photo above is of the transporter which carried those who chose not to walk between points of interest.
It was a fun way to travel - though a bit bumpy.
But since 2012, this has been abandoned for a minibus.

Point Nepean Quarantine Station - established in 1852 - was a significant point of entry for many new immigrants to Australia.
Predictably, many tragic stories unfolded here at the hospital.


Even the cemetery itself has a tragic story.


Not only were passengers + luggage "fumigated" here, but so was mail.


Fort Nepean is a wonder of defence buildings.
Guns were in place here by 1886 and became known as Victoria's 'Gibralter' - protecting the entrance to Port Phillip Bay.
The value of these defences was demonstrated on the declaration of the First World War when the German steamer, Pfalz, attempted to depart Port Phillip Bay but was forced to turn back after being fired upon by the batteries at Fort Nepean. It was the first shot fired by Australian forces in the conflict.
- Extract from Australian Government website.


It is also a wondrous maze of dimly lit tunnels.


And on one side of Point Nepean - at Cheviot Beach - is a memorial to Harold Holt, Australia's Prime Minister who was never found after taking a swim.


These photos represent just a glimpse of scenic beauty and many relics of history to be found at Point Nepean.


laden with stories
a fascinating region
laden with secrets



And when the history becomes overwhelming, there are always the wonderful views.
This view is looking out to Bass Strait, with the tip of the Bellarine Peninsula just visible top right.
The rugged strip of water between the two peninsulas is known as The Rip.


Linking to:
ABC Wednesday Round 12 - P is for Point Nepean