November 08, 2004
Rainy Day in the Dandenongs
Yesterday we took our Canuck friends Kevin and Donna (the latter being a mad photographer, bless her) out to William Ricketts Sanctuary in the Dandenongs.
William was this crazy old sculptor, a pure genius, albeit a rather narcissistic one, who had a distracting tendency to incorporate his own image into his sculptures casting him as a god or saviour to the aboriginal people. Ahem.
That said, the Sanctuary is one of the most peaceful places within an hour's drive of the CBD. The sculptures look like their carved out of the trees in the rainforest, but they're all made of clay.
Afterwards, we took the guys for Devonshire Tea at Churinga Cafe, watched the rosellas, kookaburras, magpies and cockatoos being fed (they must have known the Canadians were in town) and stuffed ourselves full of scones, jam and double cream. Oh, to have a bit of self-control (alas, not forthcoming).
Matt had wanted it to rain that day to give the Dandenongs an extra "ethereal" edge, so it came down in buckets, just for him. It was absolutely beautiful but a bastard to drive back to Melbourne in. Husband, please be careful what you wish for.
William Ricketts Sanctuary Gallery
blue tree pic reminds me of opening credits for The Village.
end of intelligent comment.
gorgeous photos! and i had never seen a kookaburra before :) thanks.
Did you see my primary school? It's just before you get to WR Sanctuary if you were coming from the Montrose end of the hills. I can remember going to WRS and meeting old Bill. And he was old...somewhere approaching 100 at the time (or maybe he was 49 and it just seemed old. can't remember).