St Kilda

I walked through Fawkner Park near here to a place that opens early for coffee, then, after finishing most of the crossword I walked on  around part of Albert Park lake to a little cafe in St Kilda West for an omelette for breakfast. Then I walked along the waterfront and out to the end of the pier at St Kilda.  I wanted to confirm the times of the ferry to Williamstown. I walked further along the waterfront  but then decided to come back here. To get to the tram stop, I walked past about 10 cake and coffee shops in Acland St . They were all well patronised. When in Rome... I chose  a cafe and ate a delicious piece of cake and good coffee. The cafe had not changed much in more than 50 years. I got onto a tram that I thought was the right one to connect with my regular tram but no, it wasn't, so I had further to walk than I was expecting. But enjoyed seeing more of Albert Park Lake.  My phone died just as heavy rain drops started ( I had been carrying my rain jacket all day because of the forecast) and I had to rummage in my daypack for my portable charger. I was not impressed , but the rain drops soon stopped.

In the supermarket near me I bought some soup for lunch. There is  a microwave here, but no container to put food , like soup, into.  There is a 2 hob gas stove and a saucepan. But I could not work out how to use the stove. It lit but then stopped. I will ask tomorrow  for a microwave container. Though cold pumpkin soup is OK. 

Monday and Tuesday

Both quite quiet days. It has taken me longer than I expected to go through the info I have collected and work out a rough priority of things to see and do.

Yesterday I pottered around many of the back streets around here, stopping for coffee , then breakfast , then late lunch ( with left overs for dinner).  Today  I walked  to the Toorak Village ( as far as I can gather just a fancy name for the shops on either side of the main street. There was a scupture exhibition  - about 60 sculptures,  smallish, 1 or more in each shop window. Then I walked back here then tram into the CBD. I went to the wharf where the boat that does trips up and down stream goes from. just as well I did. The website is misleading. Then to the NGV to look at an exhibition on kimonos. It was very interesting. Lots of old ones and info on the making, how and when they were used etc etc.

Then I walked through lots of backstreets to the bus back here

Grand final day and Sunday

 Many years ago, in the early 1980's we moved to Melbourne for a few years. I knew next to nothing about Aussie rules football.  I knew absolutely nothing about any of the teams. I went to a pharmacy for something soon after we arrived and was asked, after I made the purchase, "what glass did I want?"   " Er, what.?" ?Turned out they had a promotion on and I could choose a glass  with a club's logo on it.  I told him I wanted the glass on the end,  the one with more than 2 colours, quite colourful.  The guy serving me already had a dim view of my intelligence. My choice confirmed this to him.. I took the glass home and discovered it was the Fitzroy lions. They were on the bottom of the ladder and stayed there for a few years.  I have not followed them since,  ( but did know they had moved to Brisbane) till yesterday, when I discovered they were one of the teams playing. 

Yesterday I walked into the city. I walked mainly along Toorak road - great big well kept old houses in a variety of styles ( do real people live in them?), big old apartment blocks, lots of big old trees. My progress was often slowed by groups of  many joggers  , over 30 in 1 group. The Melbourne marathon  is on in a few weeks. 

I caught the  old tram that goes around the rectangle that contains the main CBD.  It has a commentary but there was too much traffic noise and passenger noise for me to hear it properly .  I gave up half way round and wandered around the new Dockland area then walked back stopping at a nice place on the waterfront for lunch. 

Arrived in Melbourne

 Firstly a brief explanation.  Many of my friends knew that from February I had been planning on 5 weeks in France ( Marseille, Rouen and Paris)  in October.  In mid August , I decided that France was not a good idea because of my ongoing thyroid issues and possible difficulties with insurance.  In late August I booked to go to Melbourne for 5 weeks but still had to wait for a cardiologist appointment a bit less than 2 weeks ago before I could definitely say I was going.  I am here now, but far less prepared than usual when I go away for a month or so. I have yet to finish compiling my list of where i would like to go.  Maybe tomorrow.

I am staying in an aparthotel ( apartment hotel - only small apartments, no room onlys) in South Yarra ( close to river, not far from bay, walking distance to the cbd ) I have a small balcony and overlook the South Yarra train station.  There are a huge variety of buildings that I see - very old, middleaged and new- all around . I donot feel hemmed in by a building over the road.

Yesterday I went to the South Melbourne Markets, a large covered space taking up most of the block with about 6 rows and 4 columns( those are  the wrong words, but I cannot remember the right words) of little shops selling all sorts of things as well as fruit and veg stalls. I have decided to relax  a little my preference for non gluten products this trip. I bought and ate a most delicious croissant that was made with French butter, but local flour. I savoured every last flake. 

 I  enjoyed my walk back, through back streets of South Melbourne -  old Terrace houses next to a new gym, next to a supermarket  next to an office block etc, very mixed, then around the edge of the shrine of remembrance, then through the edge of the botanic Gardens and some back streets of South Yarra. The fruit in my day pack was getting a bit heavy by then. I got to a nice looking cafe at about 11.30.  Near enough lunch time. It was packed, but there was a spare table for me.  I took my time eating, but realised at about 12.45 the place was almost empty.  Everyone had cleared off to go to the game. Not me.

Bed time. To be continued tomorrow.

2025 trip. Not France but Melbourne

Just a trial to see that this blog space still works.