The roses are blooming, days are getting longer and the
grass is nearly impossible to keep up with. Yes, it seems that Summer is already
nearly here and of course, bringing with it the start of the party season - and
if there is one thing the Willow Glen Garden Club like it’s a good party!
The first Tuesday in November saw us putting on our best
hats and heading through the Windellama countryside to the home of Ron and
Thoreen for not only our usual monthly meeting but also our annual Melbourne
Cup BBQ-feast-extravaganza.
As soon as you head up the driveway you know you are
entering a garden that has been created with both love and a whole lot of hard
work. Over the 24 years Thoreen and Ron have lived here the property has
evolved to include a large series of flower gardens connected by pathways, a vegetable
garden, mixed fruit orchard as well as a small productive vineyard where I was
lucky enough to try a sample of Ron’s delicious organic, preservative free red.
Hand-picked rock walls border the main flower garden, which
along with colourful floral displays incorporates the artistic use of ceramic
and metal objects such as locally sourced mining relics to give the garden a unique
sense of history. Every piece has its own special story and there are hidden
treasures around every corner.
A series of ponds are a central feature of the garden,
surrounded by colourful mixed plantings and connected by delightful little
stone bridges they lead you through to some 50+ camellias, large bushes and
shade trees as well as masses of flowering succulents.
We held our meeting under the shade of the front veranda,
discussing the habits of curl grub and the pro’s and con’s of various
insecticides before gathering everyone up for the traditional “Best Hat”
competition.
After a delicious lunch Judy and Jackie (who were in charge
of the sweeps) took our final bets before we squished into the lounge room to
watch the big race. Quick congratulations to all our big winners and I headed
home full of good food and good memories after a great day, even if all I won
was the ‘last place $2 booby prize’!
