WEEK SIX

Here we go...

On Sunday I had planned to go to St. Kilda to see the sights, and I had left it because I wanted to go to the artist market which was only on Sundays, and as Will wasn't up to much either that day we both went.

It was a beautiful day, and as we arrived the sun was shining off the sea and it truly looked lovely - nothing quite like a good seaside town - although this is no Blackpool, it is a seaside town with style - and great cake shops (another reason for wanting to go!). So, we wandered about the market and inspected their wares - some of them were magnificently ugly - some of them really shouldn't have bothered! Amongst the better items were some lovely stuff made out of wood, the best one being a box made from a tree trunk chopped in half, hinged, and varnished...the only reason it wasn't bought was because it wouldn't have fitted in my bag, and weighed a ton! Not sure Emirates would like me if I tried to take it home. Next stop was Luna Park, to get to it though we had to walk past the Palais, where Rufus Wainwright was playing that night - why didn't I have a ticket? But, we continued - to look at some great old rides, including a great old carousel, and dodgems! Classic old fashioned fun! As you had to pay per ride you went on, we both decided that the 'Scenic Railway' was the best of the lot - being a proper old rickety roller-coaster, so old the brakes were operated by someone standing in between the two carriages - safety first! Sadly everyone else had the same thought, and the queue was considerably longer than for any other ride, so after about an hour (I chose not to time it, too depressing) we were at the front of the cart, hearing the 'No Cameras' announcement, and ready to go. We had already heard the message a few times, so, naturally, I had my camera stored up my sleeve and Will had his phone ready! It was 3 minutes of fantastic views across the sea, and some pretty impressive bumps and turns! Loved it! Next stop was down the main street, and past some of then est cake shops I think I will ever see in my life, with every kind imaginable...but we weren't going to them yet as we were on our way to 'Lentil As Anything' which is a great place run by volunteers and you pay what you want for the food - fantastic. We had a platter of different currys, which were all amazing, and then realised we only had $50 notes on us...they were good, but not that good, so we scraped our change together and decided that was enough! It is kind of like Forrest Cafe, but smaller, and the food is better! It was decided pudding would be a cake from somewhere, so after staring through the windows at them all Will went for a Vanilla Slice which was apparently  'The best in the State' - a big claim, and I had a Tiramisu slice. So, equipped with possibly the best cake I will ever eat, we headed to the pier to eat it, and after being blown about by the wind we sat and watched the kite-surfers and stuffed our face with cake. Mmmmmmm. There was one more place we had to go which was the 'Espy' - a pub, and no trip to St. Kilda is complete without a drink from there - or so Will says anyway! It is an amazing old building, a cross between Bannermans, and something much more grand...it used to be a hotel, and although it is all a bit shabby it is still great, and really busy too (and if I had all the money in the world I would buy it and live there!). So, after curry, cake and beer it was home time!

The next day had been organised for a while with Phil and Rowan, and we were off to Ballarat, to the wonders of 'Sovereign Hill' an olde worlde town depicting life in the times of the gold rush in the area. A cool $40 to get in, me and Rowan were trusting Phil that this would be a good use of money (he'd already told us it'd be tacky but amusing, so it had to live up to that - not hard!) The train was at some silly time in the morning, so I was terrified I would miss it, but dragged myself out of bed, and to the train station to meet the other two. Or, at least that was the plan. As the train pulled off Phil and Rowan weren't on it - I was off on my own. After panicking for a little bit that I was going to go on my own (not quite as funny if you don't have company) I found out they could get the next train and meet me there - Phew! As that was sorted I could sit back and enjoy the 2 hour train ride through some great countryside. It is just so flat and empty here! Some of the train stations we stopped at were in the middle of a bunch of field, with a little road leading up to them - I was tempted to get off at one of them, but decided that proceeding hour of waiting would not be as much fun as the initial novelty wore off! So, once I made it to the place (after somehow missing the connecting coach from the station and having to make my own way there) it was definitely   time for breakfast - something I had planned for the train journey, but hadn't had enough time to grab anything. The first thing I came to was a bakery - perfect! I had a moment of my eyes being bigger than my stomach, and chose a custard tart - it didn't look that big until I took it out the bag and it was about the size of my hand!! Very tasty though - I considered keeping some for later, but scoffed the lot! Once Phil and Rowan arrived, we spent the day learning about life during the Gold Rush, including a hilarious video, a tour of a mine, olde worlde bowling, drinking int he bar, and musket firing,a trip to the sweet shop, and gold smelting - I even got myself weighed in gold, something I had done years ago on a family holiday - funnily enough I am worth a lot more now! The day was finished with a horse and carriage ride, and I got to ride with the driver of them - so much fun! We bypassed the gold museum, thinking it'd just be more of the same, and headed back into Ballarat to find some dinner. After some wandering about, we eventually went back to the first place we had visited, and all ordered far too much food - surely they should let you know if the food you are ordering is actually enough for three people!! After stuffing our faces, and then eating a bit more, we headed to the train station to go home. 

A couple of days later me and Toni went to the Japanese Bath House  Somewhere Toni had suggested a week before, but not been to. It is, essentially, a huge, very hot bath that 8 people can fit in, and you go in, strip, and get in. Slightly odd to begin with, but as soon as the awkwardness had passed it was lovely. A great way to spend an afternoon - relaxing and slowly boiling myself. The afternoon of luxury was continued at San Churro on Brunswick St. a chocolate cafe which has an amazing menu of chocolate related goodies so we ordered hot chocolate, and I got a brownie too, which cam served in a glass with lashings of cream too. The hot chocolate was more like melted chocolate and cream mixed up, but it was beautiful - as was the brownie, however I'm not sure both were needed, and we went away feeling very full - and slightly sick. The day was only slightly marred by the fact  my beautiful red shoes fell to bits!! Couldn't believe it - they have been everywhere with me for the last 8 years, and then, all of a sudden the stitching on the back just came apart. Gutting! 

The next couple of days were spent pottering about at home (and not spending money!) however, on Friday the sun came out properly so I paced up a book, and a blanket and went to the park to read. I also went into town to get some lunch too, and have a picnic. What a way to spend an afternoon! No complaints here! The next day the rain came, and the skies well and truly opened, we did venture out to spend the morning trying to find shoes for both me and Will, to no avail, but we did get frozen yogurt! Once we came out the shop it was bucketing down so me Will and Toni decided to have an inside afternoon and watch Sex and the City 2 - it is as bad as everyone has said! But, with rubbish weather outside it felt like a nice way to spend the time. By the next morning it had rained itself out, and we took the dogs out for a walk - me and Toni had decided to go and see 'A Social Network', so after a while with the dogs we headed to the cinema, only to get there and find out it had sold out!! I didn't think there were that many people in Yarraville!! We bought a choc-top ice-cream anyway, and headed home, vowing to go and see it another day. 

So, that has been my week - done lots, spent lots, and eaten slightly too many sweet treats - nothing changes here then!! 

(Photos to follow - can't upload them for some reason)