I live in the middle of suburbia, in the southeastern suburbs. It’s a nice enough area where I am, very pragmatically middle/working class, not a lot of pretensions. Much of the housing is post war 1950s weatherboard, lots of these are being replaced by vaguely horrid townhouses/units. I like it though there are a lot of prettier suburbs.
I go for a lot of walks around here through the streets, one of the better walks goes along the railway line between Clayton and Huntingdale. It is a nice walk but it is not the most attractive. I spend a lot of time posting pretty photos up, and people think Australia is just lovely based on the sorts of things people like me tend to publish – this however is more the thing that most people see every day.
This bit of the station above is slated to be developed to become a proper bus loop/interchange. It can only improve. This station recently had it’s cruddy underpass lighting removed and replaced with actual bright lights. It was a shock to see how clearly you can see the grimy walls now.
Below is the entry to the bit of path that I like to describe as “HALF LIFE TWO”. Those bushes are blackberries – a noxious weed here in oz.
They recently put fencing up between the trail and the rail tracks, which is punctuated by holes and spots for gates but no actual gates. I’m at a loss. Also this is a bit where people like to dump their rubbish. It provides a very post-apocalyptic atmosphere.
The bit that runs behind the factories is another dumping ground for rubbish, you get some really amazing piles of takeaway containers and beer and furniture in there. Also the graffiti – which I actually like. I’d rather graffiti than bare cement or brick walls! I am not fond of the taggers, I do like the colourful art though.
Mmm. Coke and beer.
Then there are the backs of the factories on the other side of the railway line. I’ve never seen nor heard a human in any of them – birds, yes, and the other day we had a shower of rain and we heard frogs, which was unexpected.
You come out of the path here. And it widens to something quite nice and pretty, planted out with various trees.
Though whoever designed the path here didn’t do a good job.
I love Australian trees. They fall over and they’re like, hey, I’m still good!
Just before Clayton station, for as long as I’ve lived around here, is this abandoned business. I’ve often wondered why it’s all still there. You can tell how old it is by the number, how many years ago did they stop using 7 digit phone numbers! sheesh. The block over the road is going to be something like 60 apartments. That’s a LOT.
I bet they will be looking forward to the sound of the level crossing outside their windows! Though they are supposed to be getting rid of that level crossing. Public transport is something I am quite interested in, btw.