An expedition

Mauz and I went for a bit of exploring around our new neighbourhood. We’ll soon live about two blocks from a local creek and bike path called (Merri Creek) which originates in the hills and farmland to the north draining south toward the city, eventually meeting up with the Yarra river which in turn, drains into Port Phillip Bay (in the city) and eventually into the Tasman Sea.



About a kilometre or two north on the trail we ran into a beautiful little tree-ringed lake near the old bluestone Coburg penitentiary. I refer to this lake as such because that’s what the park is called, Coburg Lake Park. Really, from where I come from, it seems to be more a stopped-up creek than a lake as such, but lake does sound so much better. And there’s a shit load of feral geese and ducks around the place.



Whatever, it’s a beautiful little spot and with autumn upon us, the leaves were dropping just at their peak colours - a rare sight in a country with perpetually green native (gum and wattle) trees. I tend to forget what fall really means. This place is a nice reminder.



I’ve ridden past this park many times before but never stopped except to read the historical trail marker, which is notable in its own right. It seems that the “lake” is the flooded by-product of the local justice system. Yes, this is what 10-20 years of hard labour produces. As it happens, the nearby penitentiary was built by stones hammered and hauled and stacked by inmates, from the quarry, which is now full of…you guessed it, Lake Coburg! Petty crime? More like pretty crime. (Yes, corny. I know.)

However, it’s a nice place for a picnic.

It’s also quite popular for Italian wedding photo opps.