DESKTOP 2545 - YARRA BEND PARK

Yarra Bend Park has been one of Melbourne’s largest expanses of inner suburban parkland for nearly 150 years. Yarra Bend Park and neighbouring Studley Park were reserved in 1877. Both park areas and several reserves were combined in 1929 to create one large park. The combined area became known as Yarra Bend National Park despite never being raised to formal national park status.

During the 1930’s additions included picnic and sporting grounds, toilet facilities and a public golf course. The Yarra Bend Golf Club House, officially opened in May 1936, is an original example of American ‘Country Club’ type architecture. The Park provides a great open space for walking, bike riding, riverside cafes, golf, boating, BBQs, picnicking and a host of other leisure activities.

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,

and also part of the Blue Monday meme,

and also part of the Seasons meme.

DESKTOP 2544 - FOGGY POND

Cold, showery, foggy, in Melbourne and under a lockdown again due to a second wave of COVID-19... At least we can walk in the Parklands for some exercise!

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

DESKTOP 2543 - CATNAP

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme.

DESKTOP 2542 - SILHOUETTES

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

DESKTOP 2541 - GERBERAS

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

DESKTOP 2540 - GATE

A gate leading to paddocks in country Victoria, close to Kangaroo Ground. A lot of the land there has now been converted to organic produce growing and alternative farming practices with new crops that are more in harmony with the environment.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

DESKTOP 2539 - GIBRALTAR

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. It has an area of 6.7 km2 and is bordered to the north by Spain. The landscape is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar at the foot of which is a densely populated city area, home to over 30,000 people, primarily Gibraltarians.

In 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces captured Gibraltar from Spain during the War of the Spanish Succession on behalf of the Habsburg claim to the Spanish throne. The territory was ceded to Great Britain in perpetuity under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. During World War II it was an important base for the Royal Navy as it controlled the entrance and exit to the Mediterranean Sea, which is only 13 km wide at this naval "choke point". It remains strategically important to this day, with half the world's seaborne trade passing through the strait.

Today Gibraltar's economy is based largely on tourism, online gambling, financial services and cargo ship refuelling. The sovereignty of Gibraltar is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations as Spain asserts a claim to the territory. Gibraltarians overwhelmingly rejected proposals for Spanish sovereignty in the 1967 referendum, and the idea of shared sovereignty in 2002. Under the Gibraltar constitution of 2006, Gibraltar governs its own affairs, though some powers, such as defence and foreign relations, remain the responsibility of the British government.

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

DESKTOP 2538 - VEGIES

Eating vegetables provides health benefits – people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body. They are rich in fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Eating lots of vegetables can increase your lifespan and reduce the effects of ageing in your body. Besides, they taste great!

 
This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also part of the RubyTuesday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme.

DESKTOP 2537 - EVENSONG

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

DESKTOP 2536 - POND

This post is part of the Weekend Reflections meme.