First Post

My Merri-Wetlands, is not the area commonly referred to by the locals as the Merri Wetlands but an area about 3k up stream.

The Merri runs through the west side of Warrnambool until it hits the back of the sand dune then heads east for about 4k to the sea.

In the early settlement times of Warrnambool a woollen mill was built up stream from the mouth of the Merri, the river was seen as a good source of water for their operation except the river only meandered to the sea, a solution to this was to dig a cutting and re direct the water at a more concentrated pace. The old water course which was also cut off from its original end by a golf course is what I call Merri-Wetlands.

Around 16 years ago we built a sandstone house on 5 acres of land. Our house is situated at the end of a dirt road two kilometres from town. Our boundaries are, east Warrnambool, south the golf course, to the north the Merri cutting and to the west grazing land and 'My Wetlands' which is an area extending over some 70 - 80 acres.

This land and water locked area has been grazed for many years, in the last 6 months it has had a subdivision overlay. This is a complex and hopefully not eventually sad story which I hope to address through this Blog

On our 5 acres we have horses, the number varies from 2 to 4, at the moment there are 4, my two hacks one spelling and one newly retired racehorse.

Over the years I have ridden and walked over these 70 acres many times. I have worked horses, tried to get fit and loose weight, exercised the dogs and most of all watched the prolific and ever changing bird life other residents are the occasional mammal, feral creatures and reptiles.

My other frequented area is a short walk through the golf course to a nearly secluded southern ocean beach. I tend to walk this early or late in the day to avoid the golfers. Mostly if I don't get out early I find it hard to motivate myself to walk at the end of the day, of course the other benefit of early is that 'the early bird catches the birds'.

Tying another interest into all this is my love of photography which I think has developed from my fathers love and my grandfathers love of this sport, this interest has taken one more step for me which I am sure both these gentlemen would have embraced, computers and Photoshop. Now with the help of my daughter and son I have taken the next step 'Bloging'. (I have a lot to learn)

Hopefully with my love of all these things I can record for myself, and for those who are interested take you on a journey of my love of this area of the world.