Exploring the Silvan Forest

These pix were taken on December 27, 2011, in the Silvan Forest, 40 km east of central Melbourne, on a 3 km circuit hike.

See all of the Photos of this trip!

Boating at Tulum Beach (Balnarring)

 

YouTube Video above!

These pix were taken on December 28, 2011, at the Tulum Beach, Westernport Bay, 80 km south of Melbourne, on a 4 km (return) coastal hike starting at Balnarring Beach.

Watch the YouTube video (above) and see all of the Photos of my visit!

Lake Tyers Beach on Christmas Day

 

These pix were taken on Christmas Day, 2011, at Lake Tyers Beach, 270 km east of Melbourne.

The Beach is located on the Stony Creek, and and has a population of around 520, one of the smaller towns in Australia. It is one of the easternmost villages in Victoria.

Lake Tyers was named after C.J Tyers who was a Lands Comissioner in Gippsland in the 1840s and later became the Surveyor-General.

Nearby is Fisherman's Landing, where the all electric EMS Rubeena provides comfortable and serene tours on the lakes' water ways, venturing across the main part of the lower lake and into the Nowa Nowa Arm.

Access to the main beach, part of the 90 Mile Beach, is via a walking track from the main car park, abut 1 km return, across the sand bar.

See all of the Photos of our visit, and the YouTube video (above)!

Shoreham Beach coastal hike, early Summer

 

These pix  were taken, on December 22, 2011.

They show the coastline, at low tide, on a 4 km return hike from Shoreham Beach, 80 km south of Melbourne, towards the town of Flinders.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

Olinda Creek Hike, Management Road 18, Olinda Forest

These pix were taken on December 19, 2011, in the Olinda Forest, 30 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the scenery, flora and environment along Management Roads 18 and 13, adjacent to the Olinda Creek.

My 3 km return hike started at the junction of gated Management Rd 18 and the Olinda Creek Rd.

See all of the Photos of my visit!

The Blue Tongue Bend and Stane Brae Tracks, Warrandyte SP

These pix were taken on December 18, 2011, in the Warrandyte State Park, 20 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the scenery, Yarra River views, and fauna on a 4 km hike along the Blue Tongue and Stane Brae Tracks, starting at the Jumping Creek Picnic Ground.

Some colorful wildflowers were in early summer bloom on the summit!

See all of the Photos of this hike!

Yarra River Walk, Warrandyte, early summer

These pix were taken on Saturday December 17, 2011, at Warrandyte, an outer suburb, 15 km  east of central Melbourne.

They show the actions, events, and activities along the Yarra River Walk, a 3 km return hike starting at the Taroona Picnic Ground and ending at the Bridge.Many candid camera shots on a hot day!
 

See all of the Pictures of this visit!

Hamer Forest Aboretum in early summer, Olinda

One of my favourite places is the R.J. Hamer Arboretum, Olinda, about 30 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

It is surrounded by the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with plantations dating back to the 1975.

Many walking tracks pass through the Arboretum, some of them named after the plantation species.

I visited the Arboretum on Friday December 16, 2011.

My 3 km circuit hike started at the small car park at the junction of Silvan Rd and gated Mathias Track. My route followed the Manna Gum Track, then along Poplar Track, on to Mathias Track, to Red Dog Hut, then back on a 4WD track through Birch plantations, back to Mathias Track and then to the car.

There were displays of early summer wildflowers!

There were good views north to the Yarra Ranges and Mt St Leonard, from Mathias Track and the Chalet Lookout.

Se all of the Photos of my visit!

Early Summer WIldflowers, Mt Lofty, Warrandyte SP

These pix were taken on December 13, 2011, on Mt Lofty,  Warrandyte State Park, 30 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the beautiful panoramas across the Yarra Valley to the Yarra Ranges and Dandenong Ranges, and views over the Park, on a 3 km return hike to the summit.

The sprawling Heritage Golf and Country Club is at the foot of Mt Lofty, just outside the eastern boundary of the Park.

Some colorful early summer wildflowers were in full bloom!

See all of the Photos of my visit

"LOOKING BACK – 1939-2011 - THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT V. J. PADULA, OAM"

I am pleased to advise that my Autobiography has now been published, as an
internet-based work, titled:

"LOOKING BACK – 1939-2011 - THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT V. J. PADULA, OAM"

I am inviting you to view this work, at this Web address:

http://bpadula.tripod.com/autobiography

My Autobiography is a Journey, spanning seven decades, in words, pictures
and sound, looking at the most important events and experiences of the
greater part of my life, surrounding my interests and activities, much of it
linked to my involvement in electronics, radio technology, the cinema,
photography, bushwalking, travelling, Australian Rules Football, swimming,
and astronomy.

A significant component of this concerns my continuing involvement in the
monitoring of international shortwave broadcasting and research into high
frequency long distance radio propagation, and antenna design.

My Journey begins in the days of crystal sets and spark radios, and I will
lead you through the succeeding years with articles, stories, images, and
anecdotes about my hobby experiences in electronics and radio
communications, which ultimately paved the way for my full-time employment
as a Technician, and later a Professional Engineer, in the Postmaster's
General Department (now Telstra).

After 41 years with the Company, I left Telstra in 1997, having reached the
ranks of senior engineering management, and since then I have provided
expert professional advice and consultancy in the field of international
broadcast engineering.

I am a Chartered Professional Engineer, and a Life Member of the Institution
of Engineers Australia.

There are 67 Chapters in this work, arranged in chronological order of the
year in which the interest or activity commenced, some of which span many
decades. There are several SPECIAL FEATURES included, and over 1000 images.
Links to sound files are also included.

This work is intended principally for my family, friends, past and present
business associates, colleagues in the broadcasting engineering industry,
college alumni members, and the many people with whom I am in frequent
contact across the Internet.

Most of the activities and events described took place in Greater Melbourne!

I look forward to your comments and reactions, which should be posted in the
"Feedback" box on the Home Page of the Website. Alternatively, you may reach
me via Email - there's a link at the bottom of each Chapter of the work.

Good luck with your exploration of my work - I am sure that you will find
many things of interest in it!

Best wishes for the Festive Season from Melbourne, one of the great cities
of the modern world.

Robert V. J. Padula, OAM (Bob)

December 13, 2011

Eartly Summer WIldflowsrs in the Olinda Forest

These pix were taken on Sunday December 11, 2011, in the Olinda Forest, 30 km east of central Melbourne.

They show the scenery, environment, and fauna on a 3 km circuit hike along George's Track, Barge's Track, Bartlett Track, and the Olinda Creek Rd, starting at the junction of gated George's Track and the Olinda Creek Rd.

Some colored summer wildflowers were in bloom, and many ant nests straddled the tracks!

See all of the Photos of my visit!