We talk of many things, news and detail, Christmas things, of course, and progress with work and play....then we get on to gardening.
My family have recently taken on a lovely new home for their increasing family and, what more besides, a lovely large garden, just longing to be trimmed and cleared, cultivated, possessed and given a whole new sense of direction...!
Lavenders and rosemary, culinary herbs, potatoes, plants and trees. Apple trees to be precise. Lemon and lime trees were gathered in first. A quince is to be added, a gooseberry too, if the right seedling bush can be found and added, next year.
There's a new garden shed. Leaf-mould's in the making, a composter is planned and the neighbours are helpful for historical notes.
Their part of Victoria was known for its orchards and still, one local of long standing, of Petty's remains, where the family have delighted to purchase their trees, discussing their needs with its new owner's staff, Parks Victoria, who purchased the orchard back when in 1981. Now the Heritage Fruits Society care for the 200 or so old and rare apples of Petty's Orchard, along the Yarra River in Templestowe. Its organic orchard a green oasis of lush hills, happily adjacent to farmers' markets and chic food stores, beloved of townsfolk.
The Petty family farm came in to existence in 1853, with the arrival of Mr. Thomas Petty from England, who acquired land in Doncaster and Templestowe. His grandson, Thomas Henry, purchased the site in Homestead Road, which became the home of the Homestead Road Orchard, Thomas Henry, being the first of three generations to work the land, until Parks Victoria, took over its control and running.
My family promise a visit to Petty's whenever I reach them next year. Visits to gardens, home-gardening delights, volunteering at Petty's and so much more....I can hardly wait!!!
Thank goodness for family, for Skyping, for gardens and gardening. I don't wish time to fly away with me, but goodness how much I'm longing to view this new garden and home of my young family, Down Under, in Victoria, visit once more that far away place, where my son celebrates Christmas in July, in the sunshine in amazing Australia.
Cheerio,
Daisy x
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