Something unexpected ...

On my walk this week I came upon a small shrine which remembered a little boy called Travis. It must help his family come to terms with something that remains terrible.

I paused, thinking I must not intrude on a private moment.

But I came to believe that Travis' family wanted to make a statement. To declare to all who passed that way their love for the little boy, and to share a grief.

And so I stood quiet and decided to pass on the message to you.



Many people who loved Travis apparently gathered together on what would have been his second birthday.

They came carrying teddy bears, toys, flowers and birthday cards. There were especially written poems and messages from those who cared.

They tied all to an Australian native tree, there on the bank of the waterway.



Even today, the teddies keep watch.

The shrine is on a lovely quiet spot not far from a newish housing estate.

Birds call each other and there are many ducks.



I did not know Travis or his family, and had never passed that way before.



His memory is in good hands ...






My walk took me along some of the kilometres of canals used to drain former wetlands where you could once glimpse Australia's only stork, the jabaroo.

A few years ago, just before the bulldozers moved in, I actually saw two of these magnificent creatures fly off, their great long legs dangling behind ...

Now, apart from some small areas of bushland, the area is residential houses.



There are some nice spots where animals scurry ...



I continued my walk and found 'civilisation'.



Here the new growth bush ceases and suburbia begins.



I live on the hill in the distance.



Some species have learned to live alongside us. But others have disappeared.



This guy didn't move a feather, even though I came very close. He/she had his/her eye on me though!



Human beings are certainly well catered for here. The bike/walking track is a blessing.



It's easy to chat with friends under a shady shelter.



Exotic plants have moved in, adding colour and drama.



Michelangelo would have been horrified to find his David left unadorned beside an Australian backyard swimming pool. A less than sensitive talking point.



And this fierce pooch made a show of being a great guard dog until he began wagging his tail!


Mine was a day marked by sharp contrasts ...