Tuesday and Wednesday

Yesterday, Tuesday, was a day of changed plans. Over my morning coffee and breakfast  I planned an outing which involved going into the city and out again ( public transport limitations, a car would have been possible to avoid the city). However when I walked past the very crowded tram stop on my way back to the hotel, I changed my plan. So I caught a tram southwards, away from the city, to St kilda, walked along the beach for a while. There was a 0 chance of rain predicted, so i did not carry my rain jacket on a longish walk away from shops and coverings like I usually do.  Dark clouds, spots of rain came  so  another change of plan.  I should not have been surprised. I have lived here for 3 years.  I walked east to Elsterwick where there is a gluten free bakery. Elsternwick is much more likely to have bagels than croissants,  but I thought it worth a try. Trouble is, the shop was closed , despite what it said on its website. Oh well, there was a cafe over the road.  And , a change of luck, there was an Officeworks a few shops away which I needed a new lead from.  Then back to hotel.

Today for coffee  I went to a cafe not far from me which is tucked away and would get very little passing traffic. It is frequented by locals. The proprietor knew every person who came in while I was there,  asked about their sick dog or new car or whatever, and most of them knew the other  locals. A nice environment.  In the morning I went into the the city, wandered around some different streets and went to the wool shop again. Then I went a circuitous route to St Paul's , the Anglican cathedral. I wandered around for a bit inside then went to find some food, then went back to the Cathedral for a service, then stayed for their Wednesday lunchtime concert. This time it was a very accomplished pianist and violin player. A new violin  piece by a local composer  who was there, and a Brahms violin sonata. A very pleasant way to spend some time. Then to Southbank to look at an exhibition that the Sri Lankan lady on the hotel desk had said was very good. Luckily the walls of  the room it was in were glass, so I could see in, not really my thing, and luckily there was a sign to say the person in charge was out to lunch, so I didnot have to go in. Then I  sat for a while watching the river while  drinking a green smoothie. I am enjoying my holiday.

,