So fabulous to finally be able to do a trip again, and especially to the gorgeous Cruden Farm in Langwarrin.
It was a very cool and wet moring as 24 of us set off, but luckily it cleared before too long and we were able to leave our umbrellas in the bus!
Arriving at Cruden Farm along a driveway lined with over 130 huge lemon-scented gum trees, designed by Edna Walling, you reach the very pretty white weatherboard house sitting happily in its garden surrounds. The round lawn at the front of the house boasts an enormous Macedon Oak tree that has National Trust listing. We spent a fabulous hour and a half wandering at leisure around this stunning garden.
Purchased in 1928 by Keith Murdoch as a wedding present for his bride, Elisabeth, the then small cottage was enlarged significantly in 1929.
The autumn colour was lovely as we walked around the lake taking in the reflections of the house and trees on the water. Arriving at the Picking Garden we were delighted to find a blaze of colour with the huge variety of dahlias and late autumn roses, including a row of 'Dame Elisabeth Murdoch' roses still displaying a flush of yellow flowers.
The Stables, built during the Great Depression out of stone from the Moorooduc quarry, are lovely. Alas no horses reside here any longer, however they do house Dame Elisabeth's little jeep, which she used to get about in the garden in her later years.
The Walled garden, also designed by Edna Walling and built during the Depression by the same men as built the stables, is a hidden gem! Passing through the stone gateway (topped by the 'Dancing Brolga' sculpture) you find a great display of camelias and dahlias and a little pond with the special koala birdbath purchased in the 1930's for Keith and Elisabeth's children. The garden also has a gate leading into into the pool area.
After leaving Cruden Farm we continued on to Mornington, to Kirks Hotel for a delicious lunch.
En route home we stopped for a visit at Diaco's Nursery in Heatherton for some garden purchases!
A great day out. A very big thank you to the organisers!
