Moments in Melbourne

We only have one full day in Melbourne so we set off to see the sights.

We started in the morning  at the National Gallery of Victoria.

I haven’t been there since I was a kid.

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.

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.

After lunch at Fed Square we caught the free bus down the MCG to take the tour.

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….

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, Kim