The 5th of September - Melbourne to Echuca

We meant to leave Melbourne at 7.30 am but after drying our clothes and a last visit to the Queen Victoria markets we didn't end up leaving until 10am. It was a very slow process leaving via Carlton as had set the Navman to avoid the tolls. Eric didn't feel happy sharing the road with trams. However it was a side of Carlton and Brunswick we wouldn't have seen without a car, 

Once we got onto the highway it was easy going and extremely picturesque . The fields of gold along the way were glorious we guessed they were canola , I will have to research this later. After nearly four hours we finally reached Echuca. Eric consented to stop so that I could photograph Shetland ponies but would Not stop for sheep. We drove past our lodgings which looked very uninspiring straight to the historic port of Echuca . 

Due to our slow progress on the road we missed out on our paddle steamer that day as I was determined to go on the Emmylou ( turns out she was a reconstruction) the steam engine was from 1906 though) we should have gone on the Adelaide - never mind ! We sat beside the Murray fir an hour watching the spectacle. I was very happy that I had watched a mismatch of All The Rivers Run to get into the vibe.

We stopped in at a cellar door which was filled with handmade wine barrels - great Father's Day gifts but far too difficult to transport . We bought a bottle of red instead as we were trying to support local produce. The woodwork shop was fascinating , a strapping lass called Donna was hard at work on the lathe - I mentioned to EJ that I had lathe lessons from Graham Gallop in my youth and now need to unearth my Timber go let when we get home ( I hope the girls haven't thrown it away!) . I purchased two tricky wine bottle stands one for EJ Nd one for Lin and Rob, i also bought myself a Redgum pen stand and a pen which was handturned by the local men's shed. I felt sorry for the blue healer who was caged below the counter though.

We picnicked by The Murray River and visited a penny arcade where our pennies were quickly swallowed up - poor kids in those days were severely ripped off . We also watched reel movies about the silent screen day , memories of pap when I saw Charlie Chaplin gracing the screen .  We were so immersed in examining the penny games that we lost track of time. When we went Tom it some fudge the attendant was all packed up and ready to go home. At least I found out on the relationship barometer that I was cold and EJ was selfish . 

Feeling quite peckish we stopped at the local bakery to have a pie ( Eric's choice - as I am  inot a pie devotee ) it was fine for a mince pie. He also bought some rolls and after I had peeked into the local candle store and walked out after I realised it was just overpriced Dusk products- we ducked into the Echuca chocolate shop which I had read about the evening before( straight after watching Hestons chocolate special) the shop was a delight and after sampling the chocolate ports we settled on the white chocolate port which is to be served chilled over berries, since we had come in for chocolate they kindly threw in a product of our choice - we chose coffee bean - yum! 

We arrived at Room For U  ( trades and truce special) at 5pm , we were allocated room 7 , which although straight out of a Sullivans set was huge!! That night The Star Hotel with live music was on the cards but closer to the time my bronchitis had really started playing up and EJ was tucked up in bed with the heater on, so we decided on a night in which I must say was sorely needed. After fiddling with the hot water I finally had a steady spray happening so I was able to have a much needed shower.  Dinner ended up being pesto, cheese and hokum minus on our rolls which was just what the doctor ordered!

Melbourne take two with EJ

Before we even left our hometown of Cairns I was already in holiday mode , on the way to the airport I asked EJ to stop at Macaroons for a fresh almond croissant , even though this delectable goodie had nearly caused me to miss a plane once before . After saying a sad goodbye to my littlest baby we were on our way!

The photo is of the shot tower

Upon reaching Melbourne we were exhausted and hungry, as soon as we had stopped in at City Tempo to drop off our luggage  we trotted off towards Chinatown where I sourced EJ's dream schnitzel at Hot Star , the 30cm by 10cm chicken was hot juicy crunchy - an unhealthy delight . I also stopped in next door at Mr Kitchen and had to toss up between the chicken foot hot pot or my old fav  Bahn Mi. I chose the latter but it wasn't as good as the one from pho Vietnam in Cairns. 

Eric was also on a quest to go to San Churro to have the Aztec Hotchicolate since he had gulped mine down when last here. After hot chocolate and churros I had to take frozen EJ back to our studio this was after doing a circle on the city tram, which is such a great introduction to the city. Unfortunately he had no spirit of adventure today and wanted to settle In at City Tempo

Once there he nestled under the blankets and could not be enticed to venture forth again . So it's an early night for us ! 

Our first splendid day!

We are staying in The Victoria Hotel, funnily enough it was recommended by both Erica and Kathy . After a 230am check in I thought my body would let me sleep in but I was awake at 530am anyway . I purveyed the  tourist  brochures for a leisurely hour then decided that Eric wouldn't notice me gone so I went for a walk around the 'Block' . Imagine my delight when I discovered that we were on the same block as the historic Town Hall and a mere hop, skip and jump away from the famed Saint Paul's Cathedral ! 

After a few hours of sawing logs , Eric woke up and wanted to go to Lygon Street for breakfast . Off we went on search for either a bus or tram bearing the numerals 35 ( how fantastic - a free service) the tram was spotted first and we boarded it at Flinders Street station . I felt we were on The Polar Express , the driver looked like Tom Hanks in the animation and had the same mannerisms. We were lucky enough to nab a seat at the front with another family from Cairns and listened with rapt attention to his commentary. 

We disembarked at Russell Street which turns into Lygon after walking two blocks of the latter it was nearly midday we were both famished . ( I was actually cranky from hunger and wished I'd had a coffee hours ago whilst waiting for snoring beauty)

We deliberated for a ridiculously long time so had to change our agenda and choose lunch instead of breakfast . We finally agreed on an Italian cafe and in superb Italian I ordered bruschetta prosciutto and a cappuccino, Eric ordered a coffee as the plan was now to indulge in a progressive lunch. I foolishly envisaged stopping at the next cafe but how wrong I was. My dear husband decided that the next spot would be the Queen Victoria Markets , so after hurriedly galloping  past the old jail which I had earmarked for a tour in the guide book we found a tourist info map on the street and off we went. 

Unfortunately after scooting past the Museum where I desperately wanted to see the 007  exhibition we arrived in - wait for it- YARRA- yes you guessed it , we had walked for almost an hour in the wrong direction . A friendly local from 'England' pointed us back towards Lygon Street ( apparently we had been 10 mins away when we left that area) . We finally reached the markets where we ordered a bratwurst with the trimmings for us to share, a borek for moi and an unappealing ( in my opinion) burger for Eric. I rounded up some chairs and we ate our lunch (2pm) listening to a busker singing, songs from the 60's . After lunch we purchased a pide, cheeses, dips, cold meats including lashings of prosciutto for snackerels at the hotel . We then enjoyed Eric's predictable activity of choice and looked at cuts of meat for an hour! 

We were both exhausted and this time rather than looking solely at street info boards which we clearly didn't understand we actually did the sensible thing and navigated by using the map given to us by the hotel!!!  After several hours of diversion ( looking at  Christmas displays ( my choice) and looking at small electrical appliances which were too heavy to fit in our luggage ( Eric's Choice) in David Jones , peering over the crowd's shoulders at the Myer - Christmas windows and shopping (no luck) for a thermos we made it safely back to our hotel. 

We had a teeny rest, me on the bed Eric on a bar stool having Carlton on tap, then we set off again for another walk this time we ended up at a Moroccan rooftop bar called Sahara where we had a house red and two delicious pizzas in the spirit of happy hour. It was really ambient and a perfect way to pass the time! We set off back to our hotel where we relaxed in the hot sauna on our floor . The gym area overlooks the city and the view was glorious . After a hot shower back at the room we ventured forth to seek out dinner. 

Once again we were off task. After joining the throng staring at Town Hall waiting for the light show to commence ( It didn't ) for half an hour we went south down Swanson past the Christmas village to Federation Square , back up the block to look at the - now happening for real - light show and then finally  China town !!! 

We were so hungry now that I bought an obscenely large piece of Taiwanese  fried chicken which we shared whilst strolling through the district. All we wanted then was a coffee and a vanilla slice to share . It was bitterly cold and we sought refuge in a churros bar where I was revived by an Aztec Hot chocolate ( with chilli in it) and a side order of churros. Perfecto ! We were absolutely knackered and briskly walked back to the hotel where we collapsed ! First day - over and out !

 

Jack Johnson Concert 2013

 I'm waiting in anticipation for my eldest daughter to pick us up to take us the airport. I always feel slightly nervous until I have actually checked in. I did a web check in at work to speed up the process so I am sure everything will go smoothly.
We will actually arrive tomorrow at 1.30am so will get in to our hotel in the early morning hours, luckily it has a 24 hour check in.

I am so excited about going to Melbourne as I have heard it is the European hub of epicurean delights in Australia.We had originally planned to go to the Yarra Valley for a day but have now decided that we will devote 4 days to the CBD and 4 days to drive the Great Ocean Road.

The only reason EJ agreed to go on this jaunt was because he wanted to see Jack Johnson the Hawaiian philanthropic musician . He thought a long weekend was in order , I thought no way! Time was added on to explore some historic and foodie delights , and while in Victoria we just had to drive the Great Ocean Road !