Sunny Melbourne

It was nice to break the rubbish NZ weather for a few days in Melbourne - can't believe it's been 5 years! I think I've spent too much time in Sydney.

Sadly, a poor flight across courtesy of Air NZ code-sharing with VA (sigh, why) - for the first time I actually complained in writing to the airline.

Anyway, the weather was lovely in Melbourne with constant sunshine in the 20's and we had a lovely view from the hotel across the Yarra River. Basically walked the town until we got tired then jumped on the tram for more toddling around. It is a lovely city, more laid-back than Sydney, and an excellent break was had by all. Food highlights included La Camera, Left Bank and Queen Victoria Market. Also enjoyed popping up to the University of Melbourne where I will be spending quite of lot of time in the future!

Some highlights...

Along the Yarra River

And around Melbourne...

Carlton

Where the Batphone rings to

Chinatown entry

The Royal Exhibition Building

Parliament

Where the minger's come from (St Michael's)

Out at St Kilda Beach

The Rose

Around and About

Gosh, it has been a while. Perhaps the excuse of "we've been busy" wouldn't even be defensible here?

Regardless, amongst busy jobs, buying a new house, trotting over to Aussie and motorcycling, there has been some occasional photography. Here's some of the last few months...

Snow in June 2013 around the Rakaia Gorge. I sense that this year, snow may be as early as March! Particularly as some of the higher passes saw snow in January...







Sydney November 2013

A work trip to Sydney turned into a great weekend tripping around the beautiful Sydney Harbour and eating and drinking far too much than we should! Enjoyed a wee trip to Cockatoo Island too - although there are no cockatoos, just lizards.







West Coast February 2014
A long weekend escape...

Maruia Falls - formed by the 1929 Murchison earthquake

Murchison

From the rather vertical Skyline Walk! A great view of Murchison and the lovely Buller Gorge. If you're looking for a meal here, trying the Commercial Hotel. The food is pretty varied and really tasty for a small town in NZ!

Also highly recommended is Waimea Estate - fell over here for lunch after tripping round the back blocks of Motueka and the food and wine was fabulous. We *may* have bought a case.

Lake Brunner...they really need to do more with the waterfront here! An area we'd debated buying some land however can't face the idea of "late" meaning "8pm" as was clearly outlined by the locals when we tried to do dessert and a glass of wine in the evening!






And a lovely drive around Hokitika brings you to Dorothy Falls and Lake Kaniere - just beautiful. And fits the bill of "convenient nature" - no more than 5 minutes from the parking lot! (providing you're ok with gravel...)

The Rose