Morning walk with Pete and Monty to Altona Beach...so still....

Pete and I caught the train into the city....such a beautiful day.

View from the Royal Botanic Gardens....

Stunning gardens, I particularly loved the oak trees...

A wonderful exhibition of photos of New York during the Covid pandemic by Australian Ashley Gilbertson at the Ian Potter Gallery. Not a large exhibition but so moving.

We had a quick peak at the early Australian artist's paintings...I have probably posted this painting before but it is my favourite...I love all McCubbin's work.

Caught the train home from Flinders Street station...

Drinks in Footscray...Pete has been enjoying tasting all the many beers that Melbourne has to offer.

My handsome son...

After a delicious Vietnamese meal we headed off to Augustus Gelatery ....yummmmmmy!

Today Pete, Chris, Michelle and I visited Bunjil Place in Narre Warren to see the paintings that competed  for the 2022 Archibald Prize.

The building was amazing....

The winning painting byBlak Douglas...it is of a Lismore woman during the flood.

Some of my favourites were...Anh Do's , Peter, Up Close.

Helen Garner Speaks French...painted by Katherine Hattam. I am a big fan of Helen Garners writing and the artist had stuck many small pages from Helen's books onto the painting. I enjoyed trying to remember which novel they came from.

Mostafa Azimitabar's self portrait. Mustafa was a Kurdish refugee who arrived in Australia in 2013. He was detained on Manus Island and then in a Melbourne Hotel until he was released in 2021.

Laura Tingle painted by James Powditch

Off to Deeds Brewing for lunch...

Pretty good day I'd say.

 

So happy to see Chris and Michelle again....waffles for breakfast...such good hosts.

While Chris and Michelle went to two baby showers in the afternoon, Pete and I caught the train into town. I needed new black boots as mine unfortunately were ruined when the heel was caught in the metal steps coming off the plane. After buying boots and a pho for lunch we walked up to Exhibition Street and saw "Come From Away" at the Comedy Theatre.

What a fabulous musical! We were so surprised at how much we enjoyed it. The story, the music and the performers were first class.

We had a pleasant walk back to the train station....I love some of the old buildings. Not long after we arrived home we were off to "Fresh Chilli" for dinner with Chris, Michelle, Brad and Halina. More good food and wine...oh dear.

 

On our way to Melbourne...we had no entertainment! But we did have a couple of good books to read...and delicious red wine to drink.

 

Pete and I took the boys to the new lego shop in Garden City. It was awesome, they loved it.

I think they were almost more interested in the free catalogue than the lego that we bought. Pete and  I enjoyed a quiet coffee while they thought about what they would ask Santa for this year.

 

Our first warm Saturday...Pauline, Margot, Jenny and me.

 

Cheerful little flowers...