More than a hint of Spring.................

August has arrived & bought with it welcome hints of spring & summer! I found this winter really bleak with its many cold, wet & windy days, so the recent burst of glorious sunny days have been very welcome. Plants springing into flower have added to the feeling of summer just around the corner. Pansies are such happy little plants.............

 Today was another glorious sun drenched day, so I continued to explore the local area with a visit to Maitland Park, one of the oldest parks in Australia having been in use from the 1840's. Prior to its formation as a public park in the 1880's it was the site of a privately funded racecourse. A very interesting historical feature of the park is its 4 picnic copper boilers which were constructed in the early 1900's to cater for hundreds of picnickers who visited the park . On weekends and special occasions, the park caretaker fuelled the fires in the early morning ensuring there was a continuous supply of boiling water for making tea throughout the day.




Every park needs a rotunda!!





The Picnic Copper Boilers 




The Richard Alexander Young Memorial Drinking Fountain, circa early 1900's

The park is also home to number of memorials to soldiers and others, from the Maitland area, who contributed to wars, other conflicts and peace keeping activities from the Boer War to recent times. A great uncle of mine is remembered for his contributed to the Boer War. Family folk-lore has it that while Great Uncle Charlie contributed to the Boer War & World War 1 he was somewhat of a scoundrel and research indicates that he was discharged from both war services for a range of misdemeanors!! Every family needs a member with a "history" - if nothing else, its adds mystery & intrigue to family story telling......

The Boer War Memorial

Today the park has beautiful trees and gardens, thanks to the work of the local council and remains well used by local people & visitors. Its facilities include picnic areas, a well utilised children's play area and playing fields for sports such as netball, hockey and tennis.

Lets hope the early spring weather continues! Until the next patch, K.........