Melbourne shops, statues, street art and a station

We drove down to Melbourne and had a day and a half before flying to Perth, so this is what we crammed in. Lygon Street in Carlton is otherwise known as Little Italy and features a plethora of Italian restaurants. We had dinner in one of them and it was delicious. This area claims to be where Melbourne's cafe culture was born. 

I took this photo for some of my ukulele fancying friends. And then I had a drink and a sit-down to recover.

Markov Place

 

 

Him Outdoors at Brother Burger and the Marvellous Brew

At Brunswick Street Cider House

Various churches and other imposing buildings line the streets. I'm not sure what any of them are, but I like the stonework.

This must be the Hyatt Church

There is a lot of public artwork in Melbourne too, which is a concept I like a lot. Chris Reynolds' History Apparatus - Vessel Craft & Beacon on Russell Street resembles some sort of brewing equipment, and as it opposite the James Squire Brewhouse, I'm going with that.

Matthew Flinders

Flinders Street Station

The gateway to Chinatown

Christmas decorations on Bourke Street

With mosaic tile flooring, a glass canopy and carved stone, the Block Arcade is a splendid example of a 19th-century shopping arcade. It also has a fine selection of shops and window displays.

The Royal Arcade is another Victorian era arcade with a high glass roof and a cornucopia of boutiques and gift shops. Pine statues of Gog and Magog flank Gaunt's clock and strike it every hour to produce chimes. They are modelled on two figures erected in Guildhall, London to symbolise the conflict between the ancient Britons and the Trojan invaders. 

One of the delights of Melbourne is the laneway culture. narrow passages between buildings have been covered in street art (much of which is permitted) and are full of vibrant bars and restaurants.

Even the trams seem to be getting in on the act.

This tree is patiently waiting outside a building for a taxi to arrive

I love this statue of Three business men who brought their own lunch: Batman, Swanston and Hoddle by Melbourne sculptors Alison Weaver and Paul Quinn. It seems I am not alone as the hands of the gentlemen are polished from people holding onto them and apparently they comprise Melbourne's most photographed sculpture.

The Queen Victoria Market is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemishpere and is quite the tourist attraction. It was heaving when we went so we admired the many stalls and then bought a couple of 'borek' - one with lamb; the other with potato and vegetables and sat outside munching them in one of the laneways. These Turkish treats made of thin flaky pastry are supposedly one of the cheapest, most popular and best lunches in Melbourne.

Him Outdoors enjoying a borek

Step back in time: Chiltern and Glenrowan

Driving between Canberra and Melbourne, we stopped off at Chiltern, Victoria, a small historic town built on its gold-mining history and distinguished by its carefully preserved buildings and streetscapes. 

I played with the nostalgic look of the town with these photos. I love the lines, shapes and shadows. And, yes, I have got a thing about doors.

I posted some of my Christmas letters from this post box, so I hope it still works!

And now for something completely different... Glenrowan. Once a quiet little hamlet and a stopover point, the town became (in)famous after bushranger Ned Kelly made his last stand here and was captured  in 1880 after a siege and shootout with police. 

The freedom fighter/ murdering thief (depending on your viewpoint) is celebrated with a range of tacky statues and gift-ware. If you want Ned Kelly keyrings, coasters and pens, Glenrowan is the the town for you.

While this sign is totally irrelevant, but I liked it, for obvious reasons...

Tidbinbilla with the Alvarez Family

A wonderful and welcome (although very brief) visit from one of my oldest friends (in terms of how long we've known each other - not a reflection on the age of either of us). We were unable to fully repay the hospitality of Our Gracious Host and Hostess, but we did have a lovely day at Tidbinbilla.

Our Gracious Hostess in borrowed headgear

 

Steel yourselves for cute fluffiness overload!

Mummy and baby koala

Momma

Baby

The long-necked turtles are not as cuddly, but still pretty cute.

 

 

The water dragons are fairly appealing...

And I also quite like pelicans. 

 

This little red kangaroo and chum were quite fetching too.

But I'm a bit dubious about this fellow...

Red-bellied black snake swimming through the pond

Working on the 'leave them alone and they won't bother you' principle, our little party continued on its merry little way.

Ignore it and it will go away!