Welcome back.
I spent a great week in Melbourne from Jan 16th to the 20th.
Caught a ride into the big city with Marg. She picked me up at 5AM and dropped me off at Southern Cross Station. From there I took the 7AM train to Reservoir Station to meet up with Alison and Wally.
The train trip was a great way to see a part of the city I would normally not see. Some graffiti artists have incredible talent. And on the train trip I saw lots of "art".
Alison and Wally picked me up at the station and we walked back to her place. Had a rest and chat, then drove to Costco. What fun, lots of different things for sale than in Canada. Bought myself a 1.25 liter bottle of Bundaberg Rum, for a low price of $34.00. Very cheap. Then back to Al's to drop off our purchases. Had a bite to eat and took Wally with us for a drive to Hurstberg, outside the city. This area had some bush fires last year. We stopped at St Andrews pub and carried Wally thru to the outside area to have a drink and enjoy the nice breeze blowing thru. The picture above is of a King Parrot that watched us enjoy our drink.
Wally enjoyed our stop, he always gets lots of attention. Such a cute guy.
Tuesday morn saw us sleeping in, so nice. Alison and I took the tram to Sugardough to have brunch and catch the tram to Flinders St Station downtown. We walked over Princess Bridge to South Bank. There we went up Eureka Tower, to the Skydeck on the 88th floor. This is the highest public vantage point in the southern hemisphere. It was incredible windy and the top of the tower can flex up to 600mm.
We had a great time up there and the views were incredible.
Alison being blown around in the wired in viewing area.
After the tower we jumped back on the tram and went to Prahran Market. This market has the best olives, and I bought my faves, yum. We then had some award winning gelato and caught the tram to Glenferrie road to go to Sweetas, a great chocolate shop. We then took the tram back to Pony Fish Island for a glass of champers.
This is a photo of Pony Fish Island, it is a cool little bar under the pedestrian bridge from South Bank to downtown.
After our champers, we caught the tram home. Took Wally for a walk and went over to Al's friend Jenny's and went to Saleem Indian for supper. Was wonderful food, I have eaten there before and it was exactly the same.
Wed was a day of rest for me. Al left for work around 7AM, I took Wally for a walk around Edwardes Lake near Al's place. I then walked up to the shops and back to read and sleep the day away. Jen came over for supper.
Thurs I got up when Al did and took the tram to downtown and went to Queen Victoria Market.
I then shopped around downtown and took the train back to Al's. Took Wally for a walk and had a snooze and rest my feet. We had a nice quiet evening.
Fri I took Wally for a walk around the lake again and then took the train downtown. Went back to Queen Vic Market to pick up a few things. I then met Wendy at the old Post Office where we met up with Karen our friend from Hobart. Wendy, Karen and I met in Europe in 1978. And we have kept our friendships alive for all those years. Had a great time catching up with each other. Karen comes to Melbourne every Jan to watch tennis and see some plays.
W and I took the train back to Al's and Deb picked her up there. When Al got home from work we picked up Jen and went to Mai Thai for supper. Yum again.
Sat morn Wendy and Deb picked me up and we drove out to Geelong where we were going to a 50th birthday party That night. Geelong is a beautiful port city. It has changed a bit since I was last time.
The party was lots of fun and on Sun we headed back to Melbourne to have lunch with a friend of Wendy and Deb. Then home to the Island and to my bed, and walking Daisy on the beach.
We are now preparing the Avan for our big trip away. I will keep you all updated with photos of our trip to South Australia. Tomorrow is Australia Day, we are not sure what we are going to do. Guess we will lift a glass of champers, maybe even a few times! Take care and stay happy like me!! Bon
How was your New Years Eve?
We had a great time, ended up not going to the beach. Early fireworks freaked out Daisy, so we stayed at the house and enjoyed our NYE here. We, of course, had the required champers and enjoyed the fireworks displays from Melbourne and Sydney(on the telly).
On New Years Day, we went to visit friends who live in Ventnor(a 5 min drive from here and further down and around the corner from Red Rocks beach), and had a great walk on their beach. After the walk we all enjoyed appies and champers in their backyard. Of course this was after I had called my mom and talked to her, my bro Steven, sis-in-law Linda, nephew Kyle and his wife Chelsey. Was great to catch up and wish them all the best for 2012. They are having a unusually warm winter, but not as warm as me!!(But then, I am in summer here)
We did have a few days in the high 30s. Did not do much on those days except hide in the house and try to stay cool. Daisy and I took one early morn walk, but even at 7:30AM it was 27C. So we started our walks after supper, usually when a nice sea breeze had popped up. Of course the beach has been very crowded and it is amazing all the broken glass that is left behind. Wendy and I have been picking it up when we see it. Don't want any cut paws or feet.
Wendy and I took Daisy down to Cowes and took a lovely walk along the beach front and along the pier. Daisy had a great time sniffing and exploring. Not too many other dogs so she only got to bark a few times. We watched the kids jumping off the pier and the adults fishing before heading to the shops to do some food shopping before heading home.
Started the painting on the picket fence, slow going, especially when the weather changed and we were getting small showers thru the days. Had some wild wind storms and 1 day of pounding rain. We also had 2 days of 18 and 19C, I was so cold, I had to wear a fleece jacket as well as long jeans. Now we are back into the mid 20s and to hit the mid 30s next week.
I am off to Melbourne to stay with Alison for a week. Will be lots of fun as she has all sorts of adventures planned. Al gave me a bus/train/tram pass for Christmas, hope I don't get too lost in Melbourne. She has taken 2 days off work and I will have the other days to do my own exploring. I will also get to shmuzze with Al's dog Walley. I feel lots of walks and brushes with him coming on!
Deb, Wendy and I are planning our trip away. Will be taking the A-van taking off for 4 weeks of travel. So exciting, new and old places to visit. Yes, I will keep you updated as we go.
My beautiful gum tree out front is finally bursting with flowers. The Wattle birds absolutely love it and fight with each other to feed on the nectar. I can see lots and lots more blooms to come, can't wait to see it covered.
I am enjoying my down time and getting good books read, eating good food and having great laughs with my dear friends.
The photos are a bit willy-nilly, they are, from the top: me on Ventnor beach New Years Day
Cowes pier
sea bird
painting fence
Daisy at Red Rocks beach
Red Rocks at Red Rocks beach x 2
blooms on "my" gum tree
That's all for now. Hope all is well with you back at home. Take care and the best for 2012.
Cheers and love Bon
