DAY 30: Out and about in Melbourne

I have now lost count of the number of different beds I have slept in since we left London but this one was very comfy and I after a nutritious breakfast Carmel, Lesley and I left the house in two cars. Lesley and Carmel to drive to one metro station where Lesley would then take a train to Flinders to meet a school friend not seen in past 43 years, whilst Carmel and I drove to another station, parked her car, then we drove together to the Avis office in the city to drop off the hire car.

All was accomplished without too much fuss then Carmel and I spent time in the Victoria Market which made me drool! Such a range of produce, so fresh looking, the fish with gleaming eyes, sea cucumbers, huge prawns, amazing range of cheeses, stuffed figs and all manner of tasty looking morsels in the numerous delicatessens, it was awesome.

We walked through the city and a couple of beautiful Colonial style arcades, one with an amazing tea shop, Hopetouns, with beautiful cake and pastry creations in elegant surroundings. Melbourne appears to be a very cosmopolitan city, vibrant and alive. We met with Lesley 'under the clocks' at Flinders Station and went to the riverside to find somewhere for lunch and stumbled upon Feddish where we enjoyed a selection of sharing platters that were all very tasty with a bottle of local Chardonay that was very good.

Feeling full we visited the nearby gallery for Carmel to share some of her favourite art then we walked along the River Yarra to find the Federation Bells but sadly they were not playing. Walking back along the river we enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city, the rowers on the river, birds in the trees, people chatting in bars and made our way back to Flinders Station for the return journey home, picking up Carmel's car on the way then enjoying a relaxing cup of tea on the balcony whilst we planned our trip to Puffing Billy on Friday.

We took a pre dinner walk around the locality which is very green and full of trees and open spaces then returned for a pre dinner drink followed by a tasty spaghetti bolognese, a lovely Pinot Noir from Northern Melbourne, that we purchased in the market, and ice cream. And so ends another enjoyable day in Australia, where the sun shone upon us once more, it did not rain and we had good company and food.

 

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