Himejii Gardens

Oh what might have been; back in March we were about to leave for Japan for a 2 week holiday when disaster struck the country. We ultimately chose not to go.

Here in Adelaide we have a small sampling of Japanese culture at the Himejii Gardens on South Terrace. Adelaide formed a sister city relationship with Himejii in 1982.

Miniature rose

As I have mentioned previously, Adelaide's climate is well suited to growing roses. 'Miniature' rose flowers are about 5cm across, and the bushes only grow to about 50cm in height. I photographed this rose this morning in our front garden; getting familiar with my macro lense.

City street garden

Adelaide's gardens are blooming with spring colour; private gardens and roadside plots alike. I photographed this on the eastern side of the the City on Sunday on my way home from a bike ride in the Eastern suburbs.

Rest spot

Located along a street alongside the railway line to the city is this privately maintained seat and garden area. I regularly ride past this and have notice its gradual development; interesting though - I have never seen anyone sitting here. Even in summer this grass is green, even with our water restrictions; can you guess why?

St Peter's College grounds

Not only does St Peter's have beautiful buildings, it has extensive grounds; a 32 hectare site which includes ovals, tennis courts and swimming pools.

Whispering Wall Mural

Click on the image to enlarge

In St Helen's Park on Prospect Road is the beautiful Whispering Wall mural created by Kaylie Weir. At a time when a lot of Adelaide's parks were parched and dry, this caught my eye; quite refreshing!

Kaylie was commissioned by the Prospect Council to paint a series of public murals in an effort to cut down graffiti tagging.

This public park has barbecue facilities, a drinking fountain, a rotunda, play equipment and seating areas.

Theme Day - best photo of 2007

I have only been posting for a little over a month, so I feel that my choices are a bit limited. However, I have chosen one photo that I consider is worth a second look.

I originally posted this shot on Dec 8th using the title "An Aussie Gardener". The kangaroo is part of a display on the banks of the River Torrens adjoining the West End Brewery. I think this fellow has been taking good care of the plants.

Other Theme Day participants are:

Paris, France - London, England - Hyde, UK - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Grenoble, France - Stockholm, Sweden - Riga, Latvia - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Manila, Philippines - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Weston (FL), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - New Orleans (LA), USA - Wichita (KS), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - San Francisco (CA), USA - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Greenville (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Mainz, Germany - Melbourne, Australia - Portland (OR), USA - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Toulouse, France - Naples (FL), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Brussels, Belgium - Stayton (OR), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Toruń, Poland - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Baziège, France - Nashville (TN), USA - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Prescott (AZ), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Nottingham, UK - Moscow, Russia - Philadelphia (PA), USAEvry, France - Trujillo, Peru - Arlington (VA), USA - Denpasar, Indonesia - American Fork (UT), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Coral Gables (FL), USA - Montpellier, France - Joplin (MO), USA - Pilisvörösvár, Hungary - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Boston (MA), USA - Torun, Poland - New York City (NY), USA - Dunedin (FL), USA - Quincy (MA), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Chateaubriant, France - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Jackson (MS), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Budapest, Hungary - Austin (TX), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Cypress (TX), USA - Bicheno, Australia - Wrocław, Poland - Brookville (OH), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Cheltenham, UK - Wellington, New Zealand - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Mumbai (Maharashtra), India - London, UK - Haninge, Sweden - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Arradon, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Orlando (FL), USA - Mumbai, India - Terrell (TX), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - Delta (CO), USA - Radonvilliers, France - Saigon, Vietnam - San Diego (CA), USA - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Belgrade, Serbia - Auckland, New Zealand - Seguin (TX), USA - Inverness (IL), USA - Oslo, Norway - Singapore, Singapore - Las Vegas (NV), USANew York City (NY), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Torino, Italy - Susanville (CA), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Memphis (Tennessee), USA
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An Aussie Gardener

This morning I went back to the West End Brewery's riverside display to take some daytime shots. I think this fellow has been taking good care of the plants.

Brewery Riverbank Display (2)

Another view of the riverbank display. The Christmas display remains until early January, but occasionally other displays are set up to celebrate special events in the city. The gardens on the river bank were first established in 1958 by workers at the Southwark Brewery, and have been progressively developed and maintained since then. The displays are sponsored by various private companies.