Monty having fun with a Woolies paper bag while Pete and I pack our cases ....

On our last day in Melbourne I wanted to see the Marina Tower in Docklands ....I have been calling it the crooked buildings ....we have seen it from afar but not up close. We caught the train to North Melbourne and walked to Docklands...interesting inner city walk.

This photo was taken from the Melbourne City marina....

The Marina Tower...There is a 43 story inclined tower and a 36 story inclined tower that are conjoined to the 21st floor and then diverge at 5 degree angles. It is mostly comprised of apartments but it also includes a seven story four Points by Sheraton Hotel.

An interesting sculpture "Meeting" ...one of many in Docklands...

While looking for a nice coffee shop we stumbled across this absolutely fabulous second hand book shop...I could have stayed there all day ...we will return next trip.

On our way to Southern Cross Station ...a good view of the marina and the Marina Tower.

The NAB building..

Another interesting building...the Premier Tower... Pete and I really enjoyed the day, so much to see in Melbourne City ...we said  goodbye to Chris and Michelle and thanked them for a relaxing short holiday...had a nice quiet time in the Qantas Lounge before we flew home.

 

Today we spent the morning with our friend Margaret ....she picked us up from the Newtown train station and drove us to her new house in Melbourne ....

....in Middle Park ....we had a tour of the suburb, Pete and I had never seen Middle Park....such a beautiful suburb...had a coffee and cake in the small collection of shops ...Both Pete and I loved her new house and are glad that she has settled so well after leaving Perth.

After saying goodbye to Margaret , Pete and I caught the tram into the city ...I wanted to go to the South Wharf DFO. It was quite cloudy in the morning...

....we had blue sky in the afternoon, perfect for a walk along the river after a very unsuccessful visit to the DFO.

Chris and Michelle cooked a delicious dinner for us this evening...chose two salad recipes from a new cookbook that Chris received for his birthday....

Pete looked after the wine ....

Fabulous dinner...perfect for a warm summer night ... and to top it off there was home made ice cream ...(my favourite food...lucky me)

 

What are you reading Pete?

A beautiful table setting at Julie Restaurant at Abbotsford Convent ...Pete, Michelle, Chris and I had a wonderful lunch there today. Thanks to Jeremy and Paul for the recommendation. 

We took some photos after lunch ....

Beautiful Cherry Lake, Altona ...It was such a glorious day, Pete and I took Monty for a walk around the lake ..

...so many birds...

 

They are looking at a video of a house they are interested in buying....

Ready to go and celebrate Chris' birthday at Harley and Rose Restaurant with family and friends...

Mandy, Graeme and Paul.....

The service was wonderful and the food delicious....Pete and I enjoyed catching up with several of Chris and Michelle's friends....

....photo taken when we arrived home....

Good morning Monty....

While Chris and Michelle were working today, Pete and I spent the day in Melbourne city centre...first stop was the National Gallery of Victoria....above is the artwork of the famous Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama ....it was huge....

A pumpkin...apparently Kusama is mad about pumpkins...

....and polka dots...

We spent some time looking at  the art that is on permanent display...which we had never seen before. I took these photos of those that I spent the most time studying.

Mae West's Lip Lounge.....

This is only a quarter of the number of the trees that were wrapped in pink material outside the Gallery...

I can't walk past a Messina ice cream shop without having some...

Pete and I met Jeremy at the Grace Darling Hotel....

The hotel's stained glass windows are beautiful...

  

On our way home....Flinders Street train station .....

It was raining this morning so we were pleased when the sun came out...

 

Off to Melbourne today ...were lucky to travel on a 787 Dreamliner....it had some fabulous movies available to watch....I watched  "Emilia Perez" ...which I thoroughly enjoyed...Pete watched "Anora" and was very disappointed.

Waiting for our baggage....

It was raining when we landed but on the way to Chris' house we saw this stunning sunset....thankyou Melbourne.