Final week in Melbourne

After our camping/backpacking trip (and a day of recovery and a catch-up from work), we celebrated at an Italian restaurant.  Pizzas for everyone! 

 

On Tony's wish list of things to do once he turned 50 (aka his "bucket list") was to see one of the Grand Slams (or majors) of tennis.  And lo and behold, Melbourne hosts one of these 4 grandslams--The Australian Open. Here is the big stadium where most of the biggest matches are held, the Rod Laver Arena.  



Tony is really excited to be in Rod Laver arena, and Mac and Ollie are excited for him.  (They thought it was cool too!)

 

One of the best of all time (and one of the cutest), Rafa Nadal was playing, and we were treated to a 4 hour, 5 set match! 

A few days later, we went to the practise courts, and Ollie watches intently as Nadal practises.



Carolyn poses for a shot downtown on the Yarra River.  (Only locals know how to say "Yarra").



More sites on the Yarra. Here is a pub at the bottom of a bridge over the Yarra.



In January, Carolyn spent some time preparing for a colloquium, and then delivered one at Swinburne University in Melbourne.  A colloquium is an hour-long talk given to faculty and students at another university, and is often accompanied by lab tours, meetings with students and faculty, etc.  Here Carolyn's colleague, Diane and her husband (Ashley; also a Melbourne professor) host us for a traditional Sri Lankan feast cooked by Ashley.  What a meal!    

 

More views of the Yarra and the skyline of Melbourne.

 

A picnic with Mary and the kids in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens after one of the tennis matches.  On the menu: Sushi and lots of other fine goodies.

On our last few days in Melbourne, we re-visited our old stomping grounds where we lived 12 years ago: St. Kilda, a funky beach community close to Elwood, where Mary and family live.  One of the sites of St. Kilda is an old fashioned amusement park (started in 1912), called Luna Park.  Here at the entrance Tony does his John Travolta routine from the movie Saturday Night Fever. Those who have seen the movie will likely conclude that Tony and John's character have very little in common, including their choice of dance attire.   

Sipping coffee in a café near the beach in St. Kilda.

 

 

Sweets shops seem to line the streets of St. Kilda.  Carolyn is tempted.

 

We are off to Tasmania!  Sad to see Melbourne with all its charms behind us, but new adventures await...

 

Love to all,  C & T 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 2-3 around Melbourne

Yes, you guessed it--Australia is all about buxom cowgirls and kangaroos.  Actually, this sign is on a side road near the cottage in which we spent a couple of days on Philip Island (about two hours outside of Melbourne). The cottage belongs to Liz's family (John's stepmother).  

 

A number of members of Liz's family we spent some time with at the cottage.  We played lots of games, including a few perfected by Liz's family over the years.  We did not stand a chance, but it was fun anyway.

 

Mac (nephew) and John at the spanking new ping pong table.  John went easy on us.

 

Some caves on a beach on Philip Island you can only get to at low tide.  Mac and James (John's brother) and Benny the dog check out a cave.  

 

 

Ollie (niece) sees the light.

 

Ollie surveys the rocks at the same beach with caves.

 

A bull ant.  We did not have to use a telephoto lens, it was so big. You get close to these creatures at your peril!

We ventured onto a trail at Woolamai beach on Philip Island, a lovely place for a hike 

 

Speaking of hikes, who's up for a three and half hour bush walk to get to a campsite at the beautiful Wilson's Promontory?  Carolyn, Tony (taking the picture), Mac, Mary, and Ollie are--that's who!  Yes, after Philip Island, we did a backpacking trip to our campsite at this national park about 3 hours outside of Melbourne.  

 

Wait--there are hazards!  Along with a 3.5 hour hike to get to our campsite at Sealer's Cove, you have to cross a stream with your backpack to get the camp, which can be negotiated (with elegance) at low tide only.  

 

Mac is ready for our hike the next day.  Surgite! (Onward!)

 

Our lunch spot on the way to Refuge Cove.  A lovely spot to consume some vittles and ale, to be sure.

After lunch, it is siesta time!

 

Back at Sealer's Cove, we discover the baby jelly fish have moved in with the tide.  Despite the rumour, these are not Tony's painted toes.

Our fern-enclosed camp at Sealers Cove.

 

Tide is out at the beach at Sealer's Cove.

 

Ta da! On the third day we finished and rested.

 

Now back to work!

 

 

Settling into Melbourne

We arrived in Melbourne from Victoria via skateboard.   A long journey to be sure, but fun.  Actually, this is Mac, our nephew who is showing us a few tricks in one of the local skateparks.    

 

This is Benny, Mary (Tony's sister) and family's dog.  He is charming and energetic. Here we think he is pondering an ant.  

 

On an evening excursion downtown via the tram we took in the Eureka Tower (Melbourne's CN tower) with stunning views of the city.  

Our apartment is great.  It is in a quiet neighbourhood, yet we are close to the beach, close to a great park (Albert park), close to Downtown, close to shopping and cafes, and close to the Elwood neighbourhood, where Mary and family live.



Most days are spent working in our apartment or at the library, punctuated by swims and coffee houses. 

 

One day we took a day trip with Mary and the kids (Grace, Ollie, and Mac) to the famous Hanging Rock area. A book and movie used the setting to tell an eerie and suspenseful story about missing schoolgirls (Picnic at Hanging Rock).   

And, yes, we had a picnic at Hanging Rock.

 A friendly kangaroo saunters into the parking lot at Hanging Rock.  Mac watches, wondering what it would be like not to have to go to school.

After Hanging Rock, we made our way to the family farm outside a town called Creswick (which should be spelled with a K but isn't). It is about 2 hours outside of Melbourne.  Mary, Mac, Carolyn and John (Mary's husband) on a walk on the grounds on the farm (called Kanata)

 

While Grace looks on, Ollie takes a turn on the three wheel all-terrain vehicle around Kanata.  Vroom! 

An evening stroll by the beach near our apartment. 

The first week has been a very nice re-introduction to Melbourne, one of the world's most livable cities, even if you are still fighting a bit of jet lag.... Love to all!