There it was - the most wonderful sight in the world - the Parks Victoria punt service rounding the bend in the river to take us to Herring Island.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEllfPF5OELtLsQ4k6WILTXRMh5DiN3E9r0N7YR-WSojlq-W5U5owqILequYgZFzakBu4JaBm3LrCBD1UBu6MJTuo7xWLXVBGAc80eIjw51IT6G2IUB1ubtiHqsJLnRyjRqEekpqJdNtg8/s1600/2014-01-11+11.11punt.jpg) |
First run of the Parks Victoria punt to Como Landing this summer - hooray! |
And we had amazing weather for our opening: mild and overcast in the morning breaking to a sunny afternoon. A few people got lost - the pathways amongst the earthworks are a bit confusing but the aim is to reinstate the vegetation on the river bank so it will all be worth it.
We had a small crowd for the opening - ably performed by Councillor John Chandler representing Stonnington Council - but after that and through the day visitors kept coming, many not realizing that this was the first day this summer that the island has been open.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS17X0sbW3Hcg1ePdtR2KaJVMCn52MpFKOYS58sTIYFtEtDHULIr-gBFJoM8Tz3xDSBccqaodbpVEx9BbK_Pn2o9AIolM8tgTge2m67JZzNjydg-ASuUC40FZwaz1OAhaJS3dkxcK5ZPbU/s1600/2014-01-11+12.32talk.jpg)
The sculpture was admired, the festival launched and a good time was had by all... now to make the rest of the festival as much fun - come and join us on the island - there's a lot to see.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwjxW_QFqramKnXuvzHxQSwtnDJ8I5WDqs2mff3y6lTzsIrSv5Uhq2OKKSjwDwzEod6sBVHv5ptE_EjatIBkih2YuJdKIZFG-So_spYolk8nZ7yCCzSUNGqYPqcWD2HyBIoLDLTXlTOhx/s1600/2014-01-11+16.22to.mainland.jpg) |
The view to the "mainland" from bush-clad Herring Island |