Day in Melbourne

When we were here last year we visited what we thought was the Victoria State Library. We were underwhelmed to say the least. Turns out we weren't in the right library! 

This is where we should have been. 

We did a tour with a very knowledgeable guide but Tom woke up half way through so we had to leave before the end.

After we'd visited the library Vic went off to feed Tom and we mooched about looking in the shops. There was a crowd outside one of the big department stores all looking at this bint

Her name is Heidi Clum and she is,apparently, a super model. She has "designed" a range of underwear.

Models wearing said underwear.

  Before I came out here I looked for a "guess how much I love toy" I didn't have much luck and the one I did find was quite big and not very soft. Lucky I managed to find this tiny one. I think he liked it. 

    

               

Bless him xx

Australia Day.

Australia Day is a public holiday in Australia. There were lots of things going on, one of them being an open day at the Governers House. We had planned to go in but the queue was horrendous so we spent the afternoon in the grounds.

The house.

Just chillin

They had a display by what I assume is the equivalent of the Red Arrows. No where near as good though.

 There's no way I would have managed to photo the Red Arrows.

They had a simulated air ambulance there as well. They are really tiny planes but equipped with so much stuff

Not a very good photo but you get the idea

There was also a lot of vintage cars. Only took a few photos 

All super shiny.

We spotted these folks in the queue. We think they may have been in the parade which finished about 3 hours earlier, so they must have been sweltering 

Australian Open.

We bought day passes for the tennis. I don't know if it's the same at Wimbledon but here a day pass gives you access to all the "show courts" The big games are played in either the Rod Laver arena or the Margaret Court arena. They are huge and the tickets cost a fair bit. It was a lovely atmosphere with families enjoying the sun and having picnics while watching the big screen

We had a little wander around and went into a fairly empty court. 

Look who was playing

A bit blurry because you weren't supposed to use tele photo lenses but you can see who it is.

Not much of an audience! 

All around the grounds the are bronze busts of every famous tennis player. This is Rod Laver

It looks a bit scary but they were all quite impressive.

It wasn't particularly hot on the day we went but just in case you were feeling the heat the had machines blowing out icy cold air

Look at those chubby little legs.

Wine tasting in the Yarra Valley.

When we were here last time we did some wine tasting on the Mornigton Peninsular. We really enjoyed it so this year Vic and Jon took us to the Yarra Valley

Our first stop was Oakridge

Little Tom was an absolute star and just sat while we tasted! 

The big wineries can get very busy and it's all a bit mechanical, a slosh of wine, a bit of shpiel and on to the next punter. However, the small places have all the time in the world and make sure you get a good experience

This place was lovely and we tasted all this lot. You think the amount they give you is small but after about 7 " tastes" you realise you've probably had a large glass full.

All to much for a little boy.

    

The scenery is beautiful

The last place we called at was the mighty Chandon winery. 

Unfortunately it was just closing so we couldn't look round or do any tasting

South Bank.

It was very wet on Saturday so our plans to go to bare-foot bowls was scuppered. The sun came out in the afternoon so we went to the part of Melbourne called South bank. It really reminds me of the South Bank in London but a lot nicer

Very ornate bridges

This bridge has ornate metal figures along it. You can only just see them in this photo which is a shame as they look lovely.

Reminded me of the Cutty Sark.

The convention centre.

 Street artists galore 

This bloke managed to scare the life out of a lot of people but was very keen to pose for us.

Pavement artists

   

    And an acrobat 

Last year we went to a bar called Pony Fish

It is actually underneath the bridge.

              

   It's not very big but it is a lovely place to have a drink.

The view downriver

Tom was very happy.

Just tooooo gorgeous.

What d'you mean you've got no money, it's your round!