Edna's Territory

On Saturday we spent the morning strolling around the Victoria Market marvelling at the fresh fruit and vegetables.

Brother Paul picked us up from there around noon and took us back to Moonee Ponds where he and Helen now live in a lovely Penthouse apartment. We went for a stroll down Puckle Street and found a photo opportunity at Everage Steet named in honour of the Dame. We were discusssing a venue for lunch when I mentioned that I often dream of the fish and chips you only seem to find in Melbourne, so off we went to our host's favourite cafe and had a delicious meal. Steve ordered a dozen oysters and found them so good that he ordered more. It seems they were from Tassie. Paul kindly took us on the "Paul and Helen" tour down to Williamstown via the Westgate bridge and back around the Docklands area where we saw the Melbourne Eye ( giant wheel) which is out of order for a year due to cracks in the structure.

Sunday we walked down to Spencer Street station, now called Southern Cross Station, and amazingly changed. There is a huge DFO complex in which we spent a couple of hours shopping. Whilst having a coffee break, we marvelled at all the football fans making there way to the Telstra Dome Stadium. They seemed to be all St Kilda supporters judging by the scarves and beanies. The weather  has been kind to us, quite mild.

 

The Big Walk

Today (Friday) was a better day weatherwise after a maximum of 15c yesterday although still a foggy start. We walked to the Carlton gardens to visit the Exhibition Buildings and the Museum. The new Museum is very modern and a contrast to the Exhibition Building which it is adjacent to.

Seeing Phar Lap brought back childhood memories as we often visited him in the old building. He is still in fine form. I think he has had a bit of grooming recently. We spent a couple of  hours walking around the various exhibits.

After leaving the Museum we walked along Gertrude Street to Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.  We strolled along Brunswick St window shopping until it was time for a coffee break and after we crossed Johnston Street, it was a late lunch at a sidewalk cafe. Feeling refreshed, we next walked down Johnston Street to Smith St, Collingwood to see the old "hood" which is not much changed, still "spot the Aussie" or perhaps more so. The big walk was taking it's toll, so we bought a few things at Woolies before we hopped on a tram to return to the city.  Talk about embarrassing moments, a bottle of milk in a plastic bag was leaking which we didn't notice while we were trying to work out the ticket machine. A young woman pointed it out to us. I was trying to mop up the puddle and get the tickets while Steve let the milk drip onto the tram step. The plastic bag still had milk in it and there was nothing we could do. All the passengers acted as if we were invisible. That was one tram we were glad to get off and have a good hysterical laugh.

 

Thursday in Melbourne

A foggy morning saw us heading off to see the sights. Old Melbourne Gaol was our first stop, being an easy walk from our accommodation in Lt Bourke Street. The gaol has a forbidding cold atmosphere. We walked along the catwalks, in and out of cells which all have items of interest including death masks of hanged prisoners. A popular exhibit was the gallows where Ned Kelly breathed his last.

After leaving Old Melbourne Gaol we did a city walk along LaTrobe Street to Swanston Street calling in at the State Library. The photograph shows one of the reading galleries. This impressive building also previously housed the Melbourne Museum which is now in the Carlton Gardens beside the Exhibition Building.

Strolling along Swanston Street we reached Flinders Street and another "must see'' attraction, the Painting of Chloe at Young and Jacksons Pub. We enjoyed a drink in the pleasant surroundings.

Taking advantage of the City Circle tram we went to the Crown Casino for lunch and a small flutter.

Melbourne

Our Melbourne sojourn began this morning. Waking up to storms and torrential rain we were reluctant to leave our warm bed. The taxi arrived in good time to take us to Coolangatta airport. Boarding was not much fun, running through the rain to the plane, but we boarded only to find that the seats we booked on line yesterday did not exist due to a change of plane (smaller aircraft). We usually go for the last row, often not too crowded. We stood with the flight attendant for quite some time as they were juggling passengers from seat to seat. Somehow everyone was seated and we were ushered to a seat beside an Asian lady with twin babies and a toddler. Her mum had two of her offspring in the seat behind us.

Surprise, surprise, it was sunny in Melbourne, not too cold. Taking the Skybus, we were duly delivered to Somerset Gordon Heights in Little Bourke Street. Gordon Heights is across the road from it's other property, Gordon Place which in the old days was a doss house for homeless men. It is a fabulous old building, now all self contained apartments for holiday letting. It is quite a convenient spot so tomorrow we will be off to do some sightseeing now that we have been shopping for essential supplies, food and drink.

This afternoon on our  way to the supermarket we stopped at a Greek restaurant for a drink and enjoyed some Greek dips and bread with our wine. Passing the Greek cake shops was not easy. Perhaps we will return tomorrow.

 

Happy families

New mum, Nicola with, Jamaika, Nicole, William and Richard

Cousins

William's brother Connor, Jamaika, Richard and little Indie. (not happy!)

The newest Handel

Last Wednesday we flew to the Whitsunday Coast, Proserpine, to celebrate the arrival of William Stephen Leo Handel on the 14th of May.

He is a bonny baby weighing a healthy 6lb 15oz. 

Mothers Day

Due to a surprise visit by number one son, Mothers Day was a very happy day for this mother. We enjoyed  lunch at the excellent Thai restaurant, in Kingscliff.

I have heard a rumour that number one daughter may also visit the Tweed area in June, staying in delightful Coolangatta.

MORE NIMBIN PICS

 

NIMBIN MARDI GRASS

The Nimbin Mardi Grass was all that the advertising promised. A sunny Sunday saw us drive approx 55kms to Nimbin to see how the other half live.

We were entertained by the various attractions on offer as well as the alternative lifestyle folk. We rather stood out as straight oldies in the crowds.

The Bong Throwing event was hotly contested by both females and males. Likewise the Hemp Olympix. The "vegies" were well catered for.

We tried some Yemen wraps, quite tasty but rather rich, mostly boiled eggs sliced with a  yoghurt cream and tomatoes.

Interestingly the Street Parade commenced outside the Police Station. The Law was in attendance with a mobile command post and mounted police.

The event is organised by the Law Reform Group in an attempt to change the laws and legalise Marijuana.

One would assume it has happened as there was no mistaking the scent of pot  in the air.

Of course, we had to buy a hemp shirt for Steve, a lovely pale green, to add to his collection.