Mirava

The districts of Mirava

Long Snow Road

The highest, farthest place: a mountain road that snows in winter, one small hut at the pass, most of a day away by train.

Orchard Terraces

Where the canal ends: terrace after terrace of orchards, stone walls, little water channels and long wooden ladders.

Slow Water Canal

A slow canal running inland from the Loop River, lock after hand-wound lock, reeds along both banks.

Drying Hill

The windiest hilltop north of the city, hung with kites, paper, cloth and noodles drying in the breeze.

Step Hill

A whole hillside of steps and stacked houses; the tram climbs all the way to the yard at the top.

Arch Rows

Brick-arch workshops one after another under the railway; dust drifts down whenever a train goes over.

Tidal Salt Pans

Salt pans as flat as a sheet of paper at low tide, one low sea wall and a few small huts.

Lamp Lanes

The old town inside the Loop River: narrow stone lanes and 112 street lamps lit by hand at dusk.

Awning Market

The big square at the heart of the city, busy under its cloth awnings from first light until the afternoon.

Hall Streets

Old ballrooms, theatres and grand parlours, turned into tall, cold workshops.

Fog Quays

The harbour edge, misty every morning, smelling of rope, sailcloth and boat paint.

Dye Yards

Courtyards full of drying cloth, steaming dye vats, and water that runs out blue.

Garden Lanes

Quiet back lanes of homes, each with a little garden by the door.