It’s always exciting after returning from a trip, as you begin to realise the experiences one has had, and time to reflect on all those new learnings and connections, both great and small occurs.

I just love Melbourne and intend to return in March 2009 for the Melbourne Wine and Food Festival for 7 nights.

Details and costs will be posted once confirmed. If you are keen to join me on this trip, contact me now and I will put you on listing for this.

We never saw a day below 35o C on our Melbourne Winery and Shopping tour, clear skies and definitely no merinos needed.In fact, as we walked Southbank on Sunday morning, think we clocked 40o. Whew.

What a fantastic vibrant city Melbourne is, sculptures, art, global dining and a feeling of incredible spaciousness along the Yarra, despite hundreds of people dining and enjoying the social chat. There is always something new to catch the eye. No wonder it is considered the most liveable city in the world.
It has changed so much from my nursing days here in the ’80s and I relished re -exploring Melbourne and its surrounds with the girls.

Thank you girls for taking this Melbourne journey with me…

To Lois, for a great Italian evening meal and insightful chat along the Yarra. And memorably, our brush with fame and oscars, Jeffrey Rush ??,
 
To Jeanne, for the spontaneity of your decision and being the best ‘Mother Ned Kelly’, the Melbourne gaol had ever seen.

To Janelle, for your love of the shops and exploring new insights.

And of course to Mum, Lovi, for taking the brave step to join us all and enjoying the evenings with us. Mum’s will always be Mums no matter how much time passes x

Having a day to our individual choices saw Lois and Janelle sussing out the shopping downtown Melbourne style and Jeanne and I heading to the old Melbourne gaol.One says we never learn from history and maybe the gaol is just the place to learn that poverty,crime and power ever invades our society.

This was an incredible journey as we watched and became intimately involved in the re-enactment of Ned Kellys last few days.Nothing is ever as it seems and the Kelly family were not alone in their plight. They were one of many.About 75% of the Victorian Police were sacked after the Ned Kelly hanging.
Standing up for what is right is so important and I believe so very pertinent still today, as NZers face major rapid changes within and without our society.

I highly recommend that if you are heading to Melbourne take some time out to visit the Old Gaol.
The re enactment is the cake and the icing so make sure you enquire first so you can coincide your visit there with a piece of true Australian history.

How hot does Melbourne get?

Lois,Janelle,Jeanne,Lovi(alias Mum) and I have arrived in Melbourne during a heat wave.Stunning but hot and the Grand Prix thousands are all looking suntanned and very summery.

Janelle and Lois are just having a ‘Road less Travelled treat’,Dreamtime Spa at St Kilda beach.Very pampered and Jeanne looking forward to her spa and massage tomorrow.

Away early from the hotel the past two mornings, Graham, tiki toured us around, exploring the Great Ocean Rd, viewing up close and personal the 12 Apostles,Aireys Inlet and the Bendigo region.
 
We began to truly realise just how dry this country is. Drought has been years old and the land is extemely thirsty.

The Great Ocaen Rd was built by the soldiers returning from war as they searched for a way to maintain their close camaraderie shared in harrowing war experiences.They found civilian life a challenge as others seeked to find their post war identity. A beautiful bronze memorial welcomes you to the start of the Great Ocean Rd.
“Lest we forget”.

Bendigo has fab reds. They say they cannot compete with the NZ Sauvignons so they stick to their reds.
For me, a white wine drinker only, after visiting Black Jacks, I now have a penchant for a wee red and have a much better appreciation.

55 floors up the Rialto tower at night, us kiwi girls viewed Melbourne as light turned to night. A view spectacular!!

Bennetts Lane, Jazz club with its Jazz mood ,epitomised the soul of the musician.Today our senses were filled with geological beauty,expanse, drought, height and music.

After a very early start at ChCh airport yesterday to begin our Melbourne Experience, Lois,Janelle,Jeanne,Lovi and I are geared up ready to begin the day, waking to a beautiful clear sky amidst the new Docklands area.
 
Vic Market early morning is the best time to shop and buy fantastic fruit, veges, and other goodies, all of us going in different directions sourcing and exploring the aisles. I bought pegs!!! Hmmm maybe I could have bought those in NZ as NZ designed they were.
 
A stunning drive down the Mornington Peninsula followed and our keen Aussie driver Graham, showed us the Peninsulas wineries where we tasted,lunched and compared the Yarra Valleys wines from yesterdays excursion.

I guess what we all found was, that these small, family owned wineries,provide a light casual air and the knowledge of the winemaking process was fascinating.It makes one truly appreciate the passion of the wine and its making.