Monday 30 April 2012

Wandering around Ballarat

Today we spent the day in Ballarat.

We did a self guided walk to look at some of the old buildings.

This means that I walk along reading out of the guide book

while the locals give me funny looks.

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We then went to the gold museum to learn more about the gold rush.

 

We were planning to go to the Eureka exhibition but it is currently being reconstructed. 

 

Until next time, Red heartRed heartRed heart Kim

Sunday 29 April 2012

A Day Out Dallying in Daylesford

Today we drove up to the town of Daylesford which is about 20 minutes to the north.

It is Sunday and market day.

So we had a wander around the markets.

Graham Bought a pair of sheepskin slippers.

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Daylesford is full of cafes, art galleries and craft shops.

We also spent time browsing the antiques and vintage clothes.

Graham saying, “Hey I use own a shirt like that, and one like that” etc….

Until next time, Red heartRed heartRed heart Kim

Forest Resort – Creswick, Victoria

We drove up from Melbourne today to the Resort near Creswick which is just north of Ballarat.
Map picture
Nice apartment, there are two bedrooms that both have big spa baths.
And we can have a bathroom each!
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Not long after we arrived the neighbours came over to check us out….
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Until next time, Red heartRed heartRed heart Kim

Saturday 28 April 2012

Moments in Melbourne

We only have one full day in Melbourne so we set off to see the sights.
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We started in the morning  at the National Gallery of Victoria.
I haven’t been there since I was a kid.
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Then we walked up to the gallery housing the Australian art – the Ian Potter Gallery in Federation Square.
Maybe its because I have seen so many European paintings over the last year but
as soon as you walk into the Australian gallery its ,
like WOW, these paintings are a different colour – the blues and greens are much more yellow.
Maybe its to do with the Australian light.
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We saw iconic Australian works such as The Pioneer by Fredrick McCubbin
and the Tom Roberts painting Shearing the Rams.
It’s funny how I notice different things when I see a painting up close,
(and this is a painting that must have been copied into a million cheap prints).
Things such as the cheeky face of the boy with the tar brush and the shearers tally in chalk on the wall
(they want to be paid, per sheep of course).
Maybe its just my farming history but phew, I could nearly smell the scene.
Rams stink, similar but not as bad as billy goats.
Smelly rams and sweaty shearers, poo-ee.
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After lunch at Fed Square we caught the free bus down the MCG to take the tour.
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The big light things on the turf are to warm it up and help the grass to grow!
Underneath the stands are the big warm up and dressing rooms.
I think on a match day the players rooms may smell a lot like my imaginings on the above artwork.
Minus the rams.
With a tang of Dencorub….
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And after a touch of shopping at DJs (bought Graham a decent best shirt, 1/2 price),
we headed back to the hotel for a rest.
Last night we had a lovely dinner in an Italian Restaurant – Scugnizzo  in Little Bourke Street.
It was our Wedding anniversary (7th)  this week so that was our belated celebration.
We are hiring a car and are off to the country tomorrow.
Until next time, Red heartRed heartRed heart Kim

Thursday 26 April 2012

Heading South of the Border

Graham and I flew down to Melbourne today.
Arrived this evening.
We are staying at a Mecure Hotel in Little Bourke Street for two nights, which is in the centre of Melbourne.
We are right next door to David Jones and near Chinatown.
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above is our view from the window – not the most glamorous  Mecure we have stayed in but its location, location, location!
Looking forward to getting out tomorrow and doing some tourist stuff.
Until next time, Red heartRed heartRed heart Kim

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Tick it off the to do list

I’ve finally finished this thing! and it looks pretty good.

It has been hanging around for years in the UFO pile. (Unfinished objects).

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Its great fabric, The Beatles in the sea of holes.

Designing this quilt was a bit of a challenge as I bought the fabric

first then had to find a block that worked with it.

 

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Thank goodness for the website – Quilt Blocks Galore.

The block is called, not too fussy.

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Its only a small quilt, but some of the coloured pieces are tiny.

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And there's more Beatles on the reverse.

I also had planned to quilt it myself but it took so long

to finish the final couple of borders that I got Kay to quilt it for me

just to get it out of the way.

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Looks good now its finished at last and up on the wall…

now to finish the other quilts sitting in the UFO pile.

The problem is I move onto other stuff and then lose interest in the things I’ve already got started!

Until next time, Red heartRed heartRed heart Kim

Monday 23 April 2012

But wait - theres more- Photos from Vi's birthday

 Here are some more great photos of Vi's party taken by Gail!

I think these are much better than my photos! 

 
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Until next time.... Kim


Holiday Time, Yippee.

Yes, I know it seems like we’ve only just got back from our Grand Tour but we just about to go off on another holiday.

Europe was nearly six months ago and Graham is feeling restless.

This time we are off to Melbourne and the Victorian goldfields…..

(Yes, I know, not quite the same as Venice, but one has to come down to earth at some point)!

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Above: Flinders Street Station taken by me in December 2000

Last time I was in this area of Australia was 12 years ago.

My then teenage sons and I did a big holiday road trip.

We travelled down through central Victoria to the Great Ocean Road and then to Phillip Island to visit the penguins.

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above: Me and Sean at the entry to Sovereign Hill at Ballarat.

Look at how thin I was then….. Sad smile

I’ve always wanted to go back and have a better look at Ballarat and Bendigo

so that was the catalyst for this trip.

Graham and I have been to Melbourne for a Grand Prix but not into country Victoria together.

Anyway, humour me whilst I reminisce about a great trip

with Sean and Andrew and their single Mum.

I scanned the photos, hence the grainy quality.

Hey this was in the olden days when one used a thing called – 35mm film-.

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Here's Andrew panning for gold at Sovereign Hill

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Above: This was our picnic sitting on the edge of the Great Ocean Road.

Yes, the car was big enough to even take our folding table…

 

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And the boys discovered all the traditional Melbourne icons including the MCG and  Old Melbourne Gaol.

Hummm, I seem to remember a lot of Paul Kelly songs and Cold Chisel on this trip.

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and, here I am at the Zoo in Melbourne, in the Butterfly House.

It was the day of my 38th Birthday and it was over 40 degrees.

Anyway, we leave in a few days, and this time we are flying to Melbourne

and then hiring a car for the drive up to Ballarat.

I’ll blog during the trip – so watch this space…

Until next time, Red heartRed heartRed heart Kim