Ups & downs in Melbourne Town

This replica of an old photo set from Luna Park is part of the Marvellous Melbourne exhibit at the wonderful Melbourne Museum. We have just come back from a family holiday in the city & we all loved the museum, it is chock a block full of fantastic things to see, touch & experience.

Well it rained & rained while we were away but that didn't stop us having fun. Some highlights were the Little Creatures Dining Hall where Rosie entertained the public with lengthy displays of ballet, much to the embarrassment of some of her siblings. The museum of course was amazing, here is Mark with Pharlap,

Other highlights were the Melbourne Aquarium, Brunswick St, playgrounds, movies and just hanging out together. Lucy & Sunday would probably add the Diva shop at Melbourne Central where we were all blown away by the vast array of colourful bangles, rings, necklaces & sparkling treasures. Wow.

I would be lying if I said it was all fun because IT WASN'T!!! There was tension, grumpiness, tears & stress. Is this part of a normal family holiday?? Who knows. Probably. Seven people in a confined space = potential nightmare. Anyway we soldiered on.

We had a memorable dinner at the Ikea restaurant where we experienced carrot throwing, water tossing & floor hugging (whilst screaming). And no, it wasn't me. As the whole restaurant of people helpfully turned to witness & stare in amazement, I waved bravely.

Of course a major highlight was catching up with my mum who was just back from Santa Fe. Here she is sporting her newest creation, a beautiful blue cardigan. Isn't it fantastic?

On Friday, after a lovely cuppa with Sarah, I visited one of my favourite opshops where I have been going for over twenty years, in Napier St, Fitzroy. There I discovered a huge, delicious mound of colourful knitted blankets and I think for a moment there I was truly in heaven. Apparantly they were made for the bushfire victims and there were just too many of them to give out. I was so happy to give these four a home. I really appreciate the skill, love & care that went into the making of these gorgeous blankets.

It was funny being in the area where I grew up. At first I found it unsettling & it made me a bit sad. Alot has changed and I kind of missed the Fitzroy of old. Empty shops, green trams, fruit & vegie shops, people I knew. But change happens doesn't it? And the past is the past.

I liked seeing my favourite old building, the Fitzroy Townhall from our apartment. As kids we lived one block from the townhall and I would often sit looking at it out my window, dreaming of faraway places. On a summer night the air was filled with the smell of jasmine, of sirens & people coming out of the local pub. It was, and still is, a colourful place to live.

It was good to get back home today. It's cold and wet outside but it's good to be back. How are your holidays going? Hope you are having fun xoxo

ps. do you like the little lavender bag I picked up in the city? It smells wonderful and gives me little blasts of happiness!