Ruth's 80th and Werribee House

We flew down to Geelong over the weekend to add our considerable capacity for celebrating with gusto to the occasion of Ruth's 80th birthday. The event was just a little subdued due to Ruth's recent surgery and short stay in respite care. A few family representatives and longtime friends got together for the occasion.






At a loose end on Sunday, waiting for the plane's departure we finally got around to visiting Werribee House, something we have been threatening to do for years. Built in the late 19th century by wealthy pastoralists (the Chirnside family) it is an amazing place, slowly being restored by the Victorian Government. The formal gardens stretches over a staggering 10 hectares and has its own lake and grotto. The lake was apparently filled (with water), by employees when empty and an important visitor was expected. There were between 3 and 5 fulltime washerwomen on staff.
It costs to inspect the interior of the mansion but one can wander the grounds for free.
This view from the first floor balcony shows the parterre garden being prepared for the 23,000 plants for next year's show. We have made a mental note to call in some spring to see the garden in bloom, we cannot allow 23,000 seedlings to go unappreciated.
Next door to the Mansion is Victoria's State Rose Garden, just a happy coincidence apparently; through which we also wandered. All are named and dated with their country of origin and for no good reason we decided that it seems the Germans may be obsessed with Rose breeding. Some are modern, many date from last century and some from the 19th century. The garden is shaped like a Tudor Rose and is huge and we spent more than an hour wandering and enjoying it. That the Equestrian Centre is next door and Sundays are one of their busy days with the attendant need for many a loud and incomprehnsible announcement was a happy bonus.