Wednesday 8th and Thursday 9th

I donot like overcrowded trams and buses ( who does) so went into the city early to a coffee shop that had been recommended. A very slick operation, lots of people but space for some stools ( i got one) and a few small tables. Lots of customers, many take aways, but little waiting. Good coffee too. Then I went to another place in a laneway for breakfast. I wandered around a bit, then went to the library. The State Library has a good feel about it.  A lovely open space  covered by a high dome. I spent a while in an exhibition about books (  how printing developed, how book binding developed, what books have influenced culture etc) 

I met, as arranged , 2 friends from early Canberra days. It was really good to talk to them again. That took the rest of the afternoon.

On Thursday I went to a cafe ,( 1 of a chain ( baker bleu) that gets very good reviews for their croissants.) in Cremorne, a suburb I had never heard of before, just to the west of Richmond, and just over the river from me in South Yarra, about 1.5 km away. As an aside, I discovered another set of steps up to the bridge over the river and down the other side. They are cement and each step is quite shallow but a huge improvement on the dreadful stairs I have used before and subsequently walked out of my way to avoid.. Anyway, the croissant was a delicious treat for me. I then went into the city to have a look at some of the buildings in Federation square. I spent most of my time in the Ian Potter building, an offshoot of the NGV which only has Australian art. I  wandered around enjoying myself for quite a while. It helped that  the regulr number of security guards outnumbered the viewers..  There is a new  nearby park with Aboriginal things in it that I next went to see, but there were security fences and construction works and muddles everywhere so I gave up and walked back to my little apartment on yet another different route.