2023-03-03 -37 144

Location

In an retired couple's backyard in Aberfeldie.

Participants

Felix

Expedition

This has was part of the so far 14 strong 2023 Victorian Geohash Streak, so there was a lot of pressure to get this one right.

Unfortunately, the geohashes that were accessible were all pretty far and wide, and not easily accessible.

Except this one: Just under 5kms from my home, directly west of me, in Aberfeldie. One problem: Google Maps showed it to be directly inside a residence's back garden. And worse - right in the corner of the garden at the most inaccessible part of the block.

Everyone in our group all decided that we weren't going to go too far out of our ways for this hash. So it all came down to getting to the back garden of this house. Most of us were hoping that it was going to be some one of us to knock on the door, but when 5pm rolled around I realised it would have to be me. I'd basically finished all my work so I packed up and got on my bike to see what I could do. It was a nice, sunny afternoon, so I thought this was as good a time as I'd get.

I rode swiftly westwards, skimming the Maribyrnong River, to reach the street where the hash was. I put my bike next to a tree and trepidatiously pressed the doorbell.

An kindly lady answered and I carefully explained the whole concept of geohashing to her.

"What do I need to do?" She asked in a helpful way.

Amazed, I explained that since the exact location happened to be in her garden, if I could come into her home, through the back door, and stand at that spot and take a photo of myself and my phone.

Incredibly, she was curious and happy to help. She showed me through the house and out the back to where husband was doing some gardening. I explained it all to him and he seemed quite interested too. They asked me what I did for a living, and when I replied that I was a civil engineer, they asked if I knew their son (I did not).

They were very proud of their garden and invited me to take some photos of it, which I did, a little embarrassed. They showed me where the possums were eating their lemons.

I got into the corner near their washing and took a successful GPS screenshot and a selfie. They were keen to show me their garden beds and asked me my nationality (Australian, I told them - in retrospect missing the obvious cue for me to ask them what their nationality was - Polish perhaps?).

I thanked them profusely and told them I needed to get on my way, and that I should let them enjoy their afternoon. Before I left, the wife gave me some cake, including some to take home with me wrapped in paper serviettes. They were so hospitable I feel like I should have brought something with me to offer them.

I said goodbye, got on my bike and rode home. The cakes in my pocket surviving to be shared with my partner Ruth.

And, importantly, the streak was saved for another day.