August 1, 2016
Looking back, it's been kind of a slow month. Winter here in Melbourne. Lots of rain and wind and short days. Dark by 5:30.
July 8, 2016
Meanwhile, down at Harbor Chase Assisted Living, someone is trying to wrangle my Dad at the happy hour dance party.
July 14, 2016
I went to a free art exhibit at the State Library Victoria. The artist's name was William Strutt, who did most of these paintings in the mid-1800's. I learned something new about paintings. I didn't know that artists made so many sketches of their work before they actually did the painting.
Afterwards, I explored the library. It is a huge place with a most impressive six story dome with a reading room below.
July 16, 2016
The sun was shining today! It was a good sight after so much dismal weather. I find a lot of our activities on a daily email I get for the Melbourne area called Weekend Notes. It was there that I found a coastal walk that I never knew about called the Coastal Art Trail. It stretches for 17km (10.5mi) along our bayside. Along the trail there are 50 artworks signs depicting paintings done in years gone by from various vantage points along the trail.
So we drove about 10 minutes to a starting point, with Sampson in tow. We were only going to do a couple of miles one way, cause wherever we walked to, we had to walk back from. So, needing a goal, I chose a great little fish & chips shop on Half Moon Bay (fish & chips are really big here). It was a beautiful day. We wanted to get Sampson in our selfie but he wouldn't smile.
Just had to throw another of my Melbourne skyline pictures here taken at Albert Park during a daily walk with Sampson. I really love this place.
And just for some fun, here is a picture of one of my favorite food items. Christmas in July is a huge thing here in Australia. I guess because it is more Christmas-like weather at this time of year instead of actual Christmas in the dead of summer. The women's group that I joined are expats, mostly from the UK, and we were having a Christmas in July potluck. I volunteered the green bean casserole, which meant finding the French's onions, which don't exist here in Oz. So, off to the USA Foods store we went, about half an hour away. While there, I found this. I don't know how many of you know of it since I think it is a Michigan thing. Yum!
July 24, 2016
We attended another "footy" game. I gotta tell you, I LOVE this game! It is so way better than NFL. Constant action, no time outs, and players in tank tops and short shorts. Unfortunately, our favorite team lost.
July 29, 2016
Another event that I discovered on Weekend Notes is the European Night Market, held for four Friday's in winter in the CBD (this is the Aussie word for "downtown") the Central Business District. My main focus was to get to the mulled wine and pierogis. Success. Although the pierogis were no where near my Grandma's quality. Torsten opted for some German sausage. And for dessert, I inhaled a crepe.....Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Caramel.
July 30, 2016
So Torsten took me to one of his favorite spots. Dutton's Garage. This is where they sell cars that are way out of our price range, but it's fun to dream. I've chosen my favorite. A nice Mercedes. Unfortunately, it was a little out of range at $570,000 AUD. Even if converted to USD, it's still out of range. Unless we sell the house and move into it.
Later, we took a pizza making class. This time found on Groupon, which is here is Australia too. There.... you have the dough recipe....which I really needed. These store bought doughs just weren't working out. We'll see how it goes at home!
Geez. Now that I look at it, I guess it wasn't such a slow month after all!
G'Day folks!
