Time for another walk...this time through the city.

Well the holiday is over...for my SiL that is. No she didn't leave by sea if you're looking at the picture below but I thought it was a great way for you to see the city skyline. 

I also thought I'd post a few photos of a tour through some of the streets of Melbourne. If you're a recent visitor to my blog then you won't have seen some of my old post photos...Melbourne has such a variety of things to see and do, its difficult to know what to include. If you want to see some more then type Melbourne into the search bar to the right for some of my previous posts.

Everytime I look at the skyline it seems to change...but I suppose that's usual with a vibrant ever changing city.

As well as the modern skyscrapers there are the old treasures.

The South Bank is a must for any foodies. There are so many fantastic Restaurants

to choose from....walk along the bank of the Yarra River and decide which to sample. You'll not be disappointed.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground or MCG as it's known has be featured when showing Melbourne. It's in the centre of this photo.

It plays (literally) such a large role in so many sporting events, not just cricket. The total capacity of the MCG is approximately 100,000. The MCG was first surveyed in 1861 by MCC committeeman Robert Bagot, who changed the ground’s configuration into what is today’s conventional oval. It previously was an irregular hexagon with a band rotunda in the northern corner.
 

And then of course like any major city there's the people...

With so much walking I'm sure a little afternoon tea would be a treat...so off we went to the Hopetoun Tea Rooms  for a little refreshment. (Psst...by the way it's a great place to take Mum for Mother's Day)

Who could resist?

 But then they have been established since 1892, so they know what they're doing.

After more shopping, eating, drinking and sightseeing, foot sore and shattered we headed home. At this stage I forgot to take more photos...there's only so much fiddling you can do with your arms full!

So I'll have to leave you here and get on with the day...Muffin hasn't been well for the last week or so, but she's gruffing and ready to go this morning...^..^...obviously the vet's tablets have done the trick!

Have a great week and I'll be back soon with some more of our trips.

It's a little chilly out there so wrap up cosy this morning ~  but the sun's still shining though...yay  :D

Sit back and chill.....

There's a lot to be said for just sitting back and taking stock....

I drove my sister-in-law to the airport last night and thought I'd be a whirlwind today. 

Hmm...well that didn't happen. But then there's always tomorrow...

 

Photo taken at Healesville Animal Sanctuary....(future post when I can get to it :$)

Have a great weekend everyone and remember to sit awhile ;D

What's on Your Workdesk ~ WOYWW

Hmm...well I'm a little ashamed to show my desk this week for numerous reasons. Mainly it’s a mess, plus the fact that after being away for the weekend everything has been dumped on it. There's been no art work done here for what seems like years, but I know I'm slightly exaggerating here (Just between you and me I tend to do that ~ a lot!)

I apologise for not visiting everyone last week, but I hope to be back to normal from next week (normal for me???...now there's a frightening thought) If you popped by my place ~ thanks....I'll repay the compliment as soon as I can.

You may now realise when you see this photo that the sun doesn't always shine in the land of Oz. We've had two days of wintery weather. The thunder rain this morning was torrential.But that's Melbourne for you...the weekend on the beach...today snuggled up inside.

The garden lounger cushions just landed on the table too. I think they'll hibernate now until spring but not on my desk! ;(

I've got lots of creative idea's fighting to be set free so hopefully next week you'll be amazed! Well I will be :O
Oops...forgot to display my WOYWW badge. Julie kindly sent one to me...12,000 miles! I was so excited when I saw the envelope in my post box. Once I find a suitable spot to honour it I'll let you see. Thanks Julie I really appreciate it. 
I've also started to fill the blank wall opposite my desk as an inspiration wall. Only three things stuck there so far but it's a work in progress...like my life!  

So maybe if you want to see more productive creative workdesks, then just click over to Julia and you'll be able to snoop at some amazing crafty people, their desks and what they're up to...they won't mind...honest! 

For all those Australian's and New Zealand readers...Enjoy your ANZAC day ;D

A Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY ~ Wednesday 25th April 2012 

Outside my window...Instead of the gentle cascade of autumnal leaves there's a torrential downpour of thunder rain. The windows are speckled with splashes and the beating sound resonate my ears. The odd car splashes past whilst the front gutter sends a shower onto the doorstep. A reminder that the gutters need clearing before we head into winter.

 

I am thinking...about today. It is ANZAC day here in Australia and New Zealand. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. ANZAC day is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. Today is an occasion of national remembrance with dawn services taking place. It is a public holiday.

I am thankful...For all the incredible brave soldiers from past and present whom have experienced incredible unimaginable things to make my life what it is today.

 

In the kitchen...A leg of lamb is marinating ready for today's meal.

I am wearing...My pink dressing gown ~ well it is a public holiday so we're slow to start this morning.

 

I am creating...unfortunatley only ideas at the moment but my SiL leaves to return to the UK soon, so once the house is back ship shape (its been neglected for other duties) then I plan to get busy.

I am going...to spend today with family and friends. Hopefully with a lovely meal once I get started. I think another cuppa is needed to help with that process.

I am wondering...how my daughter is getting on. I didn't speak to her yesterday (which is unusual) she is about to sit her last exam (EVER...in her words) This is the final of five elements and has necessitated her in staying in London to complete. Her fiancé is about to travel down for Edinburgh to join her for a long weekend treat which is greatly needed after suffering the last week or so. 

My son had his birthday this week. We've always measured him on his birthday and on this momentus 20th Birthday, he's reached the staggering height of 6 foot! It has been his ambition to be taller than his father and he's managed it. My father was 6 foot 2 inches so he may have a little further still in the tank.

 

I am reading...again unfortunately due to my other duties whilst having my visitor I haven't really had the time for books. I suppose travel, and tourist information leaflets have been my main reading material. 

But I have quite a few books lined up on my bedside ready ;D

I am hoping...That the rain eases and my OH and his sister can have a great day spending special time together.

I am looking forward to...getting back into my studio. After visiting lots of galleries and craft locations I'm fired up and raring to go!

Around the house...I'm ashamed to say...lots of mess. It’s totally out of character for me but I'm proud I've managed to shed my obsession for everything to be in its place.

 

A favourite quote for today...Happiness quite unshared can scarcely be called happiness; it has no taste.
~ Charlotte Brontë

One of my favourite things...A walk along a quiet beach with the sun on my back...the colours, sounds, smells and sight touching all of my senses.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week: Work, rest and play but not necessarily in that order : D

 

A peek into my day...

 

So that's it for this week; I hope you enjoyed your visit. Don't forget to pop over to The Simple Womans Daybook and check out the other day book entries

Have fun : D

Life's a Beach....

Good Monday Morning to you all....so how was your weekend? All too short I imagine if it was anything like mine. I'm still running short on blog time...or in fact any time for my usual activities right now. My SiL's visit is coming to a close, but I wanted to just check in with you. See how you're doing? What you've been up to?

We nipped away for the weekend, so they'll be a post about that later, but for now here's a few snippets for your Monday morning coffee break....ahh...smell that sea air...that's gotta be good for you!

The colour was amazing ~ not bad for an autumn day. We even had a dip!

Amazing surf...

Well I must get on with the day...hope you enjoyed blowing the cobwebs off and I'll chat again soon.

Remember smile even though it's Monday :D

A walk through Fitzroy Gardens in the centre of Melbourne...

When you see the picture below you would be forgiven for thinking that I had taken this photo whilst in the UK.
This quaint little cottage just shouts Britain to me and the fact that the sun isn't shining just reiterates that fact. But this little cottage is in fact Captain Cook's original cottage but it's here in Melbourne.
It was originally built in 1755 in Great Ayton, Yorkshire, England and purchased in 1933 by Sir Russell Grimwade as a centenary gift to the people and State of Victoria.
When Melbourne celebrated its centenary in 1934 the cottage was moved, brick by brick from Great Ayrton. It was shipped in 253 crates complete with a ivy cutting which had grown on the original building. Today the house is covered by the ivy and situated in the picturesque Fitzroy Gardens, in the centre of Melbourne to commemorate the voyages of Captain James Cook, discoverer of Australia.

In 1933, the last owner of the cottage, Mrs. Dixon put the cottage up for sale and it was suggested that it would make an ideal focus piece for Victoria's centenary in 1934. The prominent Melburnian Russell Grimwade agreed to buy the cottage and present it as a gift to the Victorian people. However, a difficulty arose in that the patriotic Mrs. Dixon had stipulated that cottage should remain in Britain. She had rejected offers from wealthy Americans for this reason, but she was persuaded to accede to Victoria's claim on the cottage as Australia was, after all, still "in the Empire".

The cottage was purchased by Russell Grimwade in 1933, dismantled, and shipped to Melbourne in 253 packing cases, arriving April, 1934. As the cottage structure had been altered considerably by a succession of owners following the Cook family's occupation, its Australian assemblers had the task of restoring the cottage as accurately as research and guess work would permit to its mid 18th century appearance.

A site in the Fitzroy Gardens was selected to complement the cottage with its large shady European trees and the construction work was completed in six months. The cottage was handed over to the Lord Mayor, H. Gengoult Smith by Russell Grimwade on the 15th October, 1934 during a centenary ceremony.

The cottage has undergone two restorations. The first was undertaken in the late 1950's and the most recent in 1978, when a thorough effort was made to investigate and restore the building, furnish it with material appropriate to the period, and surround it with a garden of eighteenth century character.

Cook's Cottage celebrated its 75th Anniversary in Melbourne on Saturday 17 October, 2009 in the Fitzroy Gardens. 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After taking our trip back in time we then wandered into another of Melbourne's favourite tourist attractions, the Conseratory. It was opened in March 1930, providing over 70 years of spectacular floral displays. The Building copies the Spanish mission architectural style and originally costing 4,000 pounds.

Unfortunately I now realise that I didn't take a photo of the outside....ho hum... but inside there's a feast for the eyes!

Everything looked so healthy and alive!

A little bridge leading nowhere in particular...I can't resist them....

I always feel so much better when looking at beautiful plants...it makes my heart sing

How wonderful to be able to come into this place to visit during your lunch break or to sit outside in the gardens, or just rest awhile...music quietly played smoothing the ears whilst the plants soothed the eyes.

Because you could quite easily forget that you where in the centre of the busy CBD....

I'm afraid that that is all I have time for today...I must get on because we are off to explore again.

I hope you enjoyed your quick visit to Fitzroy Gardens but if you want to see or know more just click on the link.  

Have fun everyone ~ don't forget to keep smiling :D

What's On Your Workdesk ~ WOYWW

My entry for what's on your workdesk may well be my briefest on record....the reason being I'm still trying to be the hostess with the mostess. My sister-in-law hopefully is having an experience of a lifetime visiting Melbourne and I'm trying to maximise her stay with us. I may need to lie down for a month after she leaves to recover or book myself into a spa but as long as she enjoys her stay then it'll be worth it.

Whoops...danger of whaffling here.....

So moving on swiftly now I've given you my excuses...here's my desk from an elevated view. Nothing much happening I'm afraid, which is killing me. I have so many things I want to do in here, but they'll have to wait.

At least I know my mojo is firing on all cylinders and chomping on the bit to get going : D

So maybe if you want to see more productive creative workdesks then just click over to Julia and you'll be able to snoop at some amazing crafty people, their desks and what they're up to...they won't mind...honest!

I must dash...my tourbus is almost due to leave! 'All aboard'!!!

Happy WOYWW everyone...have fun ;D

A kiss to a Rose...

I'm aware I'm neglecting you all and hope you'll forgive me. I'm a little like a headless chicken just now and that doesn't really lend itself to being creative even if I manage to squeeze some free time.

I just thought I'd do a quick post tonight just to let you know that I'm still here...

Are you having wafts of fragrance emanating from the page? If only this post came with a scratch and sniff button because the rose below knocks your socks off with its perfume.

After visiting a garden centre a few days ago, both my SIL and I just couldn't pass this rose without stopping to admire...and guess what it.....just jumped into my boot! Amazing eh? ; D

I've potted it into a large tub and it seems to be very happy in its new home... 

Here is all the details for anyone who would like to know more....I must dash to dish up dinner....sorry :-/
 

 

Have a good week everyone...keep smiling (I am) : D