Time flies

Minutes into hours, hours into days, days into weeks and before we know it time has flown past so quickly we just don't know where it has gone, much like the few weeks just passed. Since last time we have had a busy time.

Work for both of us has been busy with Bill continuing to travel far & wide. For me winter means busy days refunding $$$ for those winter ills.

Our first weekend was a wonderful interlude with friends in the Yarra Valley. We had a great night with Travers & Stephanie at Dixons Creek after first meeting Hans & Astrid for dinner at the Grand Hotel in Yarra Glen. An excellent meal, if you are ever passing through. We woke up to a glorious morning (though very chilly) to find ourselves in a house on a hill looking down the valley at not one, but three wineries. Fergusons on one side of us, De bortoli's on the other side and Millers right in front. A wander round the property with the sheep, alpaca, dog and 2 cats in tow was a pretty cool way to start the day. We all met Bianca for lunch at Yering Station - another great winery with food to match the stunning surounds. After that we said farewell to Stephanie who was returning to Germany the following week after almost a year in Australia, and after a quick stop at Heallesville we were on our way to the Playhouse in Doncaster to see another friend, the Leading Lady in the play 'Busybody'. Verity was wonderful and by far the best actor on stage. Coffee after the play then it was a parting of the ways as we all headed home to our respective beds. A great way to end a great weekend.

After another busy week we decided that we might have a quiet weekend so after a walk into the city to find some lunch we came across a poster for the Archibald Prize Art Exhibition in the Mural Hall at Myer. So up we went and wandered around the Exhibition. There were some wonderful pieces and some rather interesting ones. I guess that Art really is in the eye of the beholder and some of it was way out there, but still we were glad we had the opportunity to see it. From one extreme to the other we finished the day at the movies seeing Superman Returns. Now how's that for culture. After a slow start to Sunday and the fact the weather required indoor activities we decided we would stick with the cultural theme of the weekend and we hopped on the tourist bus and went to the Musuem. The Commonwealth Games display was showing for the last weekend and it was good to see it all close up, as we had seen it all before us on the big screen on the night. We then had time to take in one other of the displays, Australia through time, focusing primarily on Early Melbourne and we found some really interesting bits & pieces about the city we live in. And of course Pharlap. As we have only seen such a little bit of what there is we shall be back another day to check out all the bits we missed.

Then a pleasant surprise this Saturday, a phone call from Bett, who with Jo joined us for lunch, a wander to the markets and a well earned rest on Sunday in readiness for next weeks big event, Karen's 50th.

So with time caught up once more I'll leave you with a final memory of the Games -

Until next time .......

Remember When....

Life was simple. TV's were boxes that stood in the corner of the Lounge room only. Punch & Judy shows kept kids amused and the circus came to town every year. What on earth is she on about you must be thinking right now. Well all of the above is how we spent last Saturday. After our indivdual pursuits of the weekend before, we decided that we would head off to Federation Square & Birrarung Marr to see what was happening for the weekend. We found a treasure trove of memories there waiting for us.

First we saw the Circus Oz big top standing on it's hill, just in front of the MCG, where it comes each year to entertain the masses. A very different circus to the ones we used to see as kids. No more animals but just as amazing. We didn't go this year as we had seen them last winter.

Next we ventured into Federation Square and discovered that there was an exhibition of 50 Years of Television at the ACMI. (Aust Centre for the Moving Image). What an amazing collection, including many old TV's, camera's from various studio's. the prototype puppet for Ossie Ostrich, Gus, the Snail from Mr Squiggle, Zig & Zag's hats, Gold & Silver Logies and the A - Z of Televsion, 26 displays of TV shows of all descriptions. These inclued Advertising, Beginiings, Cops, DIY, Economis, Logos, News, Kids, Sport and many more. Some wonderful memories on all the old screens.

A little further along we came across a fairground in the Atrium & a number of smaller 'big tops'. This time it was the home of the International Puppet Festival. Now they had been in town for 2 weeks entertaining the kids during the school holidays. For the first time they then came out at night featuring in Puppets After Dark for the adults. Same puppets - very different show. We went along on Saturday night and saw The Puppet Burlesque. We will never look at Koalas & Cows in the same way ever again. An excellent end to an interesting day. Dinner at the Blue Train Cafe in Southgate and a walk home saw a wonderful day come to a close.

After a great days entertainment provided at Fed Square what better picture to leave you with this time. It is an amazing space that caters to many people & varied functions all year round.

So until next time.......