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Adjustable
.
I have sailed far away
Higher than the calm of Corio Bay
And here I shall stay
In my welcoming chalet
Ably adjusted in every way
Come what may
Until my journey’s closing essay
Unfolds through a Canadian mandala
.
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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025
Bison on the Prairie at Wainwright
Canadian Army Base, Wainwright
Wainwright Pump Jack
The iconic “Trestle”, straddles the “Battle River”
Barbecue dinner, overlooking “Lake Clear”
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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025
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Fallen Ancestors
.
Above
I saw time drift across the sky
Below
I heard a grey waterlogged tree cry
“Is this the graveyard where my
fallen ancestors have been left to die”
There
“Against the sea wall’s merciless granite crown
surrounded by cold water crashing around
Please
“Take my hand, guide me down
so I can cover them with my green nightgown
.
.
Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2025
Featured Image: Ivor in front of the iconic Hatley Castle (1908)
Cousin Penny and her husband Dave
Pea Hen and a duck on the pond
Above and below images are from the rose garden
The fernery garden
The Japanese garden and pond
Above; The Italian garden area
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Ivor Steven (c) Sept 2nd 2025
Hope, today, and the new plant in 2017.
Hope, Philodendron selloum (Balinese Dream), has been a member of my courtyard’s fernery area for 8 years, and as you can see, the plant has large, wavy-edged, elephant ear leaves. Today, the fern stands at five feet tall and is covering a large portion of the fernery, and it’s time for “Hope” to have a trim.
Ivor Steven (c) July 2025
Wattlebirds
Fantails.
Yellow-crested White Cockatoo, and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
Magpies.
Crows.
Crows and Magpies at play
Ivor Steven (c) July 2025
Today (Friday) was the sixth day of our visits to the Geelong Botanical Gardens Conservatory to view the “Corpse Plant’s Flower” bloom, then quickly deteriorate.
The images below represent the “Flowers” phenomenal six-day journey.
After leaving the conservatory, we had a picnic lunch in the shade of an American Sweet Gum and photographed some interesting and colourful plants.
We hope you have enjoyed being introduced to the incredible “Corpse Plant” and our walks around the magnificent “Geelong Botanical Gardens”
Ivor Steven (c) November 2024
Today (Thursday), I observed that the “Flower’s” central spike (the Spadix) had begun to bend and lean over, and the “Corpse Plant’s Flower” was noticeably deteriorating.
After viewing the “Plant,” we went to the Botanical Gardens Cafe for Coffee and Cake, located, in a delightful open verandah area.
In the bottom right photo, Frankie is looking at a mosquito that has landed on his nose
Then we visited the Gardens’ renowned “Tree Fern” precinct …
Below Photos have their name tags inserted … click on the individual images to read the plants’ name …
Ivor Steven (c) November 2024
Today (Wednesday), the “Corpse Plant’s” Flower had begun wilting and closing up. I think the next stage of the flower’s demise will be the collapse/folding over of the central spike (the Spadix). Yes! … I’m coming back tomorrow.
Because there were no queues today! we had time to explore and discovered some interesting displays in the Botanical Gardens.
Frankie in the dog house at the old Customs House
Wow … it’s nearly midnight … these pictorial articles/posts are taking me a long time to prepare and put together! … now, to find a suitable song …
Ivor Steven (c) November 2024
The Corpse Plant flower will start deteriorating soon, so we enthusiastically (maybe Frankie was not so keen!) went to the “Gardens” for another close-up view today, and we’ll probably come back tomorrow. The phenomenal event has captured my imagination and I will not miss the next stage of the ‘flower’s short existence …
Yes Frankie! we’re in the queue again …
Yes Frankie! we’re nearly there
Yes Frankie! we’re inside and I can see the ‘flower’
Yes Frankie! we’re here, and the “Corpes Flower” is ours for few moments
Yes Frankie! the ‘Flower’ was big news in the newspaper today
Ivor Steven (c) October 2024
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 