Melbourne

Another weekly blog missed, so this one covers two weeks again!

Monday (27 November) we drove out of Melbourne to Geelong on the south coast. We started by visiting the botanical Gardens, found a lovely spot for our coffee under a tree, unfortunately the recent rain had brought out the bugs and Nic got 5 bites in quick succession! We packed up an headed through the rest of the gardens, which were lovely, really well kept, and headed for the sea lido. It looked bug free ! So we found a place to sit and eat out butties. By now those bites were getting itchy, so on our walk through the town we found a pharmacy and bought antihistamines…. relief for Nic!

We then headed back to Melbourne to visit more friends, and their children, only one of whom we met before, aged 3 months! A great catch up and a super home cooked dinner.

Tuesday, we visited Williamstown, a suburb of Melbourne, had our coffee in another botanical garden before heading back to meet our friend for a gorgeous lunch at Old Man Drew’s Cafe. The Salmon Okonomiyaki was amazing, and huge!

Wednesday, a wet and windy day! We met our friend at her workplace, with our butties for lunch, and again for a quick drink after she finished for the day. It was our final catch up before she left for the UK, very kindly allowing us to use her flat until her return at the end of December.

However before moving to that flat, we are house and dog sitting in Sandringham, so we headed there for dinner, to get acquainted with our charge, and receive useful instructions.

Thursday, the dog owners left in the morning, so we were now responsible for a beautiful house and very cute dog!

Friday, three dog walks a day, we explored the local area, parks and coastal walk. The dog was no trouble, and thankfully left only small ‘presents’ that needed to be picked up, so that was are OK. The dog is used to being off the lead, but as she doesn’t know us well, and we did not want to risk her, we kept the lead on.

Saturday, is a terrible day for the weather, a downpour that lasted all morning, our doggie pal was not happy going out in the wet! Rog finally persuaded her to just go for it, and they had a trot round the block.

Sunday, we visited Rog cousin in Somerville, further down the Mornington peninsula, we can not remember the last time we met, but it must be at least 25 years. We had lovely homemade lime cheesecake. It was really nice to catch up after all that time.

Monday (4 December), the dog owners returned, and insisted on taking us out to a Thai restaurant for dinner, obviously we couldn’t refuse (thank you!) we then said our goodbyes to them, and the dog, and returned to our friend’s apartment in Melbourne.

Tuesday, Rog went for a run, more of a shuffle, the first time in ages, but ‘use it or lose it’ so tried to use it. As this was our last full day with the hire car, and our 20th Wedding Anniversary, we drove to Werribee to see the Victoria State Rose Garden. A lovely garden with over 5,000 roses. Amazing blooms and scents.

Wednesday, started with taking the hire car back to the airport for 9:30, and then headed to a cinema, which is near the tram terminus, back to the city. We watched Marvels, as it was 10am we were the only ones there, so a private screening. An enjoyable film.

We got the tram into central Melbourne, going to Movida for lunch, Spanish tapas to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The food and wine were delicious.

Thursday, we walked from the flat to Royal Park, a nice view of the Melbourne skyline, We were greeted by a very friendly puppy, who managed to knock Nic’s tea out of her hand! No harm done.

Friday, was a hot and very windy day, we attempted a walk but we didn’t get that far, it was not pleasant with all the dust being blown around.

Saturday, it rained over night, we got the tram to Victoria Street Market, a large busy market, well it is December! It had everything food related, fish, meal, deli, fruit & veggies. It also had clothes, homeware and the standard market stuff. All undercover, but as the rain continued we got the tram back to the flat.

Nic decided it must be Christmas, so put up our friend’s Christmas decorations, Christmas, dare we say in the heat (just not today) still feels a little wrong.

We considered going to a carol concert in the park, but the rain continued so we didn’t bother. We heard later that it had been cancelled anyway.

Sunday, walked up the Moonee Ponds Creek trail, to Queen’s Park for coffee. We sat and watched them take down the stage for the concert that was cancelled yesterday! Then walked back down Mt Alexander Road to the flat in Travancore. In the evening the local church of St George’s held a carol service, so in the spirit of getting even more Christmassy, we went along.