When we returned from North Africa, DH2 asked what I wanted us to do during the one month we’d be in Melbourne before returning to California. I had wanted to go to Werribee for our dateline last December or January but my toe was too fractured to do a trip like that but after physio and a long trip in Africa, Werribee was a go. My fantasy trip was to visit the rose garden, heritage house, and zoo but DH2 had a friend he wanted to visit there so we only went to the heritage house. Not be be completely derailed, four days later, I went to Werribee by myself to see the rose garden and zoo while he was in Adelaide.
The other activity I wanted to do during the month was to go to Cranbourne Gardens. I loved it two years ago and I wanted DH2 to see it while some plants were still flowering. We trained to Cranbourne and took an Uber to the gardens. Unfortunately the Uber map couldn’t actually find the garden and led us on a wild goose chase. I ended up tipping the driver more than the fare. The gardens were lovely.
Other cool things I did:
- Badass Women of Melbourne tour – the City of Melbourne in association with the Women’s Center sponsored a tour highlighting local women for International Women’s Day.
- Herring Island – went to the art show on the island with U3A friends. We had lunch at Como House afterwards.
- Sat in on some Courts hearings – toured the court houses and saw some proceedings on bankruptcy and stabbings.
- Went to the Westwood/Kawakubo exhibit at the NGV.
- Attended a three week Rope Skills Class through U3A. This was the only class that I could attend in its entirety. It was a refresher on skills I used to teach the scouts.
- Laura Romoso comedy performance at the Palais.
- Julian O’Shea comedy performance on Maps!
- One last day of Lune Croissant, in the rain.
Grace Jones
Grace Jones was one of the women highlighted at the Divas Exhibit that I went to in January so I added her music to my spotify playlist featuring all entertainers from the exhibit. The next week, I got an email for tickets to a Grace Jones show. Hmmm, someone shares my information to advertisers, but in this case I was the target market. As a teen, DH2 formed a crush on Grace Jones so I got him these concert tickets for his birthday.
The show was outside at the Palace Foreshore and I thought it was going to be inside at the Palais so I was not dressed warmly enough. We sat in the bar area since in was covered and it rained through most of the show. At 77, Grace Jones is still Grace Jones: outrageous. We had a good time regardless of the rain.
Townhall Side Quests
Brighton Town Hall – City of Bayside 3/5
There was an art gallery inside but it was closed for an exhibit change. I asked the curator what she thought I should take a photo of and the main emblem was her suggestion. She also suggested the view from the rose garden which was a good recommendation.
Camberwell Town Hall – City of Boroondara 3/17
There were no doors open on anything so I don’t know what is inside this town hall. The outside had no point of interest so I focused on the clock tower which was nice, I have to admit.
This was a long hour tram ride.
Clocktower Centre (formerly Essendon Town Hall) – City of Moonee Valley 3/23
This was a refurbished town hall used for performance and even had a cafe in it. I like that it’s a functional and active location.
Built by JJ Clark (he also designed the Treasury Building), this was originally the Essendon & Flemington Mechanics’ Institute and became the town hall in 1886. In 2000, it was transformed into this Clocktower Centre multipurpose building.
Parting Gift
Nature gifted us with two gorgeous, sequential sunrises. Thank you.
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