The Last Supper

It was with much culinary delight,

 but sadness of heart we had a final meal with the boys at Penang Road. 

It has been wonderful to have some time with them.

Home again tomorrow to the wonderful Perth weather....

Last Day in Melbourne

In our last day in Melbourne

we did a trip into town.

JJ I thought this may tickle you funny bone.

At the top of Collins St. we headed to the Old Treasury Building.

There was an exhibition going on.

I thought that this was interesting considering where we were yesterday.

Part of the exhibition was "Sailing into Melbourne"

and I guess Out as well....

Now that is "true love"

The Alfred Deakin Office

Fantastic Bookcases

These old posters showing holiday spots in Victoria

Below is a Half Mile Long Petition,

they did it with style in those days....

Ned Kelly's Family Tree...

Read this then try and read one of the letters below it....

Double click to blow it up!

Then there was the Panorama of old & new...

Just great.

The replicas of the 2 biggest nuggets found

Alison gives them scale...

WOW

Then back out looking down Collins St. for lunch & some retail therapy....

Kristian & Mario

After returning from Williamstown we headed back to Mark & Robert's

 to watch Wimbeldon, but an sms had K & M out on their balcony. 

So a quick shot through the dirty window....

that's how close they are. 

Over there for a superb dinner & much Red Wine

A good time was had by the 6 of us..

A few more "City of Lights" shots this time from K & M's balcony.

Tomorrow Alison & I have our last day in Melbourne 

Boo Hoo !!!

Williamstown

Well I hope no one is offended 

but this tickled my fancy!!

Plastered on a window of a derelict building.

So it was a day with Kristian & Mario scheduled on Monday.

I suggested a trip to Williamstown.

After a slow drive past my Grandparent's old place in Yarraville,

then past where I spent my first 2 years in Seddon

off we went.

The old Time Ball Tower, which basically acted

 as a chronometer, for the passing ships

by dropping a ball at 1 o'clock.

Down to the old jetty where the HMAS Castlemaine 

a Corvette was tied up as a permanent display. 

Assume the pose you three!!!

The big grey thing is the new Navy Canberra Class

helicopter landing ship,

Steve Irwin ( Sea Sheppard )in the middle & "Kookaburra"

Kevin Parry's Americas Cup 12mt. in front!!!

Cannon on the front of...

And then this beautiful water fountain in the park,

this was put up in 1875..

Then we'll be off to Kristian & Mario's for dinner.

Back in the City

On our final night with A&A, 

we had a fantastic meal provided by Alan.

Most of the wine was supplied by Dago (aka David ) 3 superb reds!!!

Plus a Warrabilla Zinfandel....

Don't remember much after this photo.... 

Next day it was back into town to stay with the boys.

What can I stay, even the zebra enjoys a drink...

Robert had to do a quick repair on Mark's foot!

Next morning a few clouds & the odd ship from the balcony.

Next day of into town...where are we in Asia...

No Flinders Street !!!!

The trams were stopped by a MASSIVE protest march...

for god knows what, but the dog was nice.

From there down Flinders St. to the ACMI Gallery...

We had seen the Giraffe's ....

poking out of the window as we drove past....

on the way to the boys.

So off to the exhibition we went.

The inside of ......had the head!

The exhibition was fantastic....

Models..

Art work...

All sorts ...

Then into the cinema for a curved screen..

with a fantastic display..

Alison nearly fell over because of her vertigo on the screen.

There was great displays...

Back in side... this head!!!!!

Across the road was the magnificent Forum Cinema.

The beauty of the Gold Rush Money...

Across the River...

Kristian's office is below the Eureka Building...

the tallest in Melbourne 

looking down the Yarra.

To Melbourne

The morning after the ceremony Alison, Barbara & I went 

into town for a coffee & a nibble.

We went to Beechworth Bakery ( Echuca ).

Out front was a replica of Tom's Ford delivery van.

In the real one he has driven "The Block" i.e. around Australia !!!!

Also driven up to the "Tip" !!!!!

Beggars Belief really doesn't it.

From there a quick trip down to Bill & Pat's new abode in Shepparton.

Their beautiful new house is in Kensington Gardens.

What a fantastic complex!

Once again guys thanks for your fantastic hospitality,

 it was great to catch up.

Note the house number & then the name!

A bit further down the road to Nagambie.

Birthplace of Black Caviar.

Naturally the statue has pride of place.

Not a bad record eh!!

From there out to Tahbilk.

but we had to take this old bridge over the Goulburn.

A sample of their finest... purely for "research" you understand....

This time we got into the tunnels down below. 

They were closed off last time.

Fantastic atmosphere.

It's a wonderful place so check it out if your in the area.

Back in Melbourne we caught up with Jan & Mike,

they took us to Samson Hill Winery in Kangaroo Ground.

Spectacular views back to Melbourne & beyond.

A great lunch & a good yarn..

See you next time.