On a cloudy Autumn morning 40 members gathered for our trip to Shoreham. We arrived at the Ashcombe Maze, Shoreham at 10.30am for morning tea under the large Cyprus trees. It was cooler than Camberwell but luckily no rain! Ashcombe Maze was formerly part of a much larger beef cattle and sheep property. Many of the Cyprus trees were planted over 100 years ago and in the 1950's the impressive Lombardy Poplars were planted, and the gardens established when the property was further subdivided and sold. The hedge maze was planted in the late 1970's.
Members were challenged in the various mazes - two Cyprus mazes, a Rose maze (with many wonderful old roses - beautiful in Spring!) and a Lavender Labyrinth and display gardens (lavender varieties have been selected to provide a year round display). There was also a wedding gazebo surrounded by beautiful deciduous trees which were in their autumnal glory, woodland gardens, ponds, a lake and other productive gardens and an orchard. The mud brick (made with clay from the local lake) Maze Cafe was a good resting place.
We continued our trip via Arthur's Seat and the peninsula coast to the Morninton Hotel for a lovely two course lunch with the sun beaming in through the windows.
Our day concluded with an enjoyable visit to Pinewood Nursery, Glen Waverley where many members were unable to resist buying more plants for their garden.
A great day was had by all - a big thank you to Sandra and Roseanne for organising it.
