It's Showtime

As most of us know the AFL Grand Final is probably the biggest show in town during September, but there is another show that appeals to the masses as well.

Yes the Royal Melbourne Show is in town for 2 weeks. On Sunday we joined the thousands of people who head off to the show to see what it was all about. Of course these shows are on in every State and all draw huge crowds but I must say that our couple of visits to the Royal Perth Show over the years did nothing to prepare me for the people trying to get around Show Bag Hall in Melbourne. Like a giant, many headed, centipede we shuffled forward, very slowly as we made our way to the counter that sold the 'Bertie Beetle' showbags. Well, we couldn't leave without one, could we. Another interesting feature of the show was the Giant Pie, no idea why, though it is a favoured meeting place apparently. Who says all the 'big' things are boring?

The exhibits were not so crowded and we saw Cats & Dogs, Sheep & Pigs, Baby animals. The most amazing decorated cakes, paintings & Photographs. And of course, hundreds of mad people riding the most death defying rides imaginable. How they do it, I'm still asking, or why for that matter. Anyway we had a fun day and an extra surprise because as we were getting ready to leave I answered the phone to hear a voice from the past asking what we were doing. It was our good friend Pat, previously from Perth but now from Gunnedah. She was here for a few days and staying just around the corner. It was great to see her and she joined us for all the fun at the show and dinner in Lygon St that night.

The night before 8 of us had hit another 'Show' in town. We went to see Wicked which really was 'wicked'. It is the story of Oz before Dorothy dropped in or the untold story of the witches of Oz. We loved it. Funny, sad, stunning scenery & costumes, all worth the price of the ticket to see it. We all met for a pre show dinner at Cafe LA in Collins St and finished off with drinks at the Yak Bar.

Also in 'show' mode the previous weekend we visited the NGV to see the Art Deco exhibition. It was just like visiting Nana's place with lot's of the items on display looking remarkably like some we all remember from our childhood - well some of us older people anyway. Not that we're old of course!

And the night before that we had re-visited the 60's joining Verity, Astrid & Hans at the Ferntree Gully Hotel for a show starring Russell Morris, Darryl Cotton and Jim Oates. Yes, the old Rock Stars can still belt out a tune, though we would walk past them in the street now and not have a clue who they were. Still a great time was had by all.

So now, no matter how hard we have tried to turn our heads to other pursuits and play down the footy fever, we have found that it doesn't work so we are off to watch the Grand Final with friends at their place on Saturday. May the best team win!

Until next time.........