Hanging Rock and Maceton hills

Kathy had taken a day off work so she could have some time with us (Sue, Keith, Colin and me) so in two cars with Bob driving one and me the other, we drove out to enjoy the sights around Gisborne. Firstly we stopped briefly in front of the house in which Bob and Kathy used to live and then drove through some beautiful mountainous lanes with huge trees and flowering agapanthus (blue and white) decorating the sides of the roads, until we reached a restaurant at the top of Mount Macedon. A walk from the restaurant led to a mighty cross that towered above the trees and overlooked the amazing view over the valley below.

The gardens leading up to the cross were planted with hydrangeas and these were the strongest blue that we had ever seen on this plant.

 The avenue leading to the Cross

Hydrangeas range from white through to pink, to purple and to blue, depending on the alkalinity or acidity of the soil.

 Keith capturing the blues of the Hydgrangea

On one side of the gigantic cross was embedded a huge bronze sword. Having taken a couple of photos from the approach to the cross I almost didn’t look up when I reached the other side so I almost missed seeing it.

After our walk we undid all the good we had done by eating two of the largest scones with jam and cream that we had ever had! Of course it was necessary to have a little more exercise to make things right again so we drove on to “Hanging Rock” – the same place that was the inspiration for the book and movie “Picnic at Hanging Rock”. Once there we really had some exercise! The sun had come out so it was a lot warmer – the morning was cool enough for jackets. The scenery was stunning. I enjoyed walking up the steep steps and taking photographs of the amazing rock formations.

 We all have different degrees of fitness so it was only Sue, Keith and me who reached the “Summit” and the “Eagle” – Colin and Kathy made it as far as the “Hanging Rock”

before returning to the café at the base of the outcrop to order iced coffees for everyone.

 This is the formation known as "Hanging Rock"

The views from the top were spectacular between the rocks. It was well worth the extra exertion! 

 Here is another view in a different direction.

The grass is rather brown at this time of year (summer) so these same view would look so different in three months time when all is green and lush.

AJ

rocks and gems

This afternoon I visited the local Lapidary Club because they were holding a Gem Show. I was really surprised by the number of cars in the carpark and even more amazed at the number of stalls out in the open. The ones that were in the shade of trees were at a real disadvantage because they were unable to show off the colour and shine of their wares - the opals looks like riverstone in the shadows! A couple of enterprising people were prepared with torches and when anyone came near they would direct the light onto the stones that were being looked upon.
Although this photo looks nice and bright - it was only one in the afternoon - the shade of the trees put everything into deep shadow and I have had to employ Photoshop to brighten the picture.

 There were dozens of stalls like the ones that are shown here but there were more people standing behind the stalls than there were people wandering along and looking at the wares. I just wish that I had buckets of money - I loved the fossils! There were some real beauties - but what would I do with them? So it is just as well I am not rich!
Instead I enjoyed taking a couple of photos. Most people did not want me to take any photos but a few people were only too happy for me to take some. I really loved this unusual amethyst. The person trying to sell it told me that often this type of amethyst was cut in a thin slither so that it looked rather like a flower.

As you can see, this stall was out in the sunlight which made taking a photograph of the amethyst so much better.
As well as rocks and gems for sale for jewellery making or as jewellery that has already been manufactured, there was a room set aside for competitions and displays of collections of work.

There are certainly some incredibly talented people around.
Another stone that took my eye and that I was given permission to move into the light to take a photograph was a large bumpy piece of malachite.

The top is gorgeous with its multiple rings however the underside is equally as interesting.

Now isn't that something? I wonder if it were a slab of soft material that was covered with bubbles that shrank down to create this dimpled surface. I guess a geologist would be able to give some explanation!
AJ

Coast green patches

The Gold Coast in South East Queensland is known as a holiday destination with great beaches and lots of nightclubs. However the Gold Coast has much more than entertainment for the transient visitor. On Saturday I dragged my very patient husband along for a walk in one of the four National Parks in the Gold Coast region. The park we visited has views of the beautiful bays and beaches of the 'Coast and is very popular both with walkers, like ourselves, and surf enthusiasts with board tucked under one arm as they make their way along the paths to access to the rocks below the headland. This park is known as Burleigh Heads National Park.

In spite of the constant flow of people on the one track around the edge of the headland the bush is quite unspoilt - except for patches of asparagus fern that must have been brought in as seed by visiting birds.

A spectacular feature of the park is the sight of so many huge rock columns tumbled about in the trees and undergrowth. The headland is formed of Basalt. For a long time I understood these shapes to be "Crystals" but basalt is not a mineral so these six sided shapes were formed not by mineral growth but by lava from a long extinct volcano, cooling and cracking.

My purpose in visiting this National Park was to take photos and being fascinated by rocks and minerals I could not resist taking a couple of shots. In heavy rains the rocks are inclined to change their position on the hill so I could not resist taking a shot of the warning sign. Last night there was an exceptionally heavy fall of rain so I would imagine that the park gates would have been locked today to prevent the public from walking past what must be a very unstable hillside.

Tomorrow I will share a couple of shots I took of the wildlife that I saw on this walk on Burleigh Heads National Park,

AJ