2010 – December “THE Trip to Melbourne” Day One

 

Leaving Town:

Leaving Mount Isa mid morning, Wednesday 8th December -  we flew to BrisVegas (Brisbane), then onto Melbourne arriving around 7pm ( Melbourne Time)

 

Leaving Mount Isa

Getting on board and rolling out!

 

A “birds eye” view – courtesy of Qantas!!  I love the last image – the shadow of the cloud looks like a big puffy man!

 

Jessi is very bored – we haven’t even reached BrisVegas yet!

 

This town is in Queensland – not that far from Brisbane – mid December 2010 and it is flooded!  I think it was Injune – but those of you who know flight patterns may have a better idea?

 

Flying into Brisbane.

 

Descent into Melbourne!

This is when I told Jess we were hit by lightning and the plane was on fire!  I also told her not to worry as we were about to land!  She was certain I was joking but was still concerned!?

Welcome to Melbourne!!  It did not faze me at all!

Home for a few nights - The Cube Serviced Apartments!

Located just minutes from Her Majesty’s Theatre and Chinatown , is the Cube Serviced Apartments in Exploration Lane ( http://www.cubeservicedapartments.com.au/)  I had managed to find this place via some “spam” emails that just so happened to pay off!  Of all the accommodation that we paid for this was by far the BEST!  Best Price, Best View, Best Room and Best Location – If I ever need to go back to Melbourne I would gladly stay here again.

Jess checking out the view. 

Our view straight ahead.  The dome shaped building is the State Library of Victoria and directly behind that is Melbourne Central Tower – “46 floors of Commercial Office Space” on Elizabeth St  ( http://www.melbournecentraltower.com.au/Core/Content/Public-Home-Page/Content3173.aspx)

View to the right.

View to the left…………

………. and a little a further to the left!

View – straight down from 10 floors up!

Inside – looking towards ‘the view’

Inside – looking towards the bathroom and the door to the lift

 

Out and About on our first night!

Her Majesty’s Theatre – Mary Poppins is on!

The magnificent Chinatown!

Croft Lane– Graffiti Art, in Chinatown.  I wish I had made it back there again – but really grateful I got to see it – even only fleetingly.

 

International Diethnes Cakes – Lonsdale Street.  It was about 10pm at night – and they were still open!  A huge range of Greek Style cakes and pastries, as well as some other favourites like vanilla slices, éclairs and cannoli!!

The best part of this shop was standing back and watching all the drunk women try and convince their drunk boyfriends to go in a buy them something!!

2010–December “A month of Contrast”

December was a month of travels!!  Mostly for me and Jess!!  I guess Graham, Emi and Cooper – mainly experienced a ‘journey’ rather then travels!
I will put the Melbourne trip in separate posts.
So, here’s what happened before and after “Melbourne”!!

Last Day of School!

Cooper’s Last Day at Day Care and Emi’s Last Day at Kindy!!

For the end of “school” party – I made Ice Cream Cone Cakes!!  Almost always a hit – except the word got around very quickly that there was not actually ice cream in them – only cake!!!

Cuddles for Emi after she gave Miss Narelle and Miss Sue their little Christmas presents

Waiting to perform the Christmas Concert of various songs!!

Ho Ho Ho!!  Here comes Santa!  Security Please!!

Emi is not entirely sure just what to make of Santa!!

Each child was given the same present!  It was a frame picture that the kids had painted themselves.  All the children were helped by one of the mother’s who is a Kalkadoon (local aboriginal tribe) descendant.

Christmas Advent Calendar

Its that time again – where I drag out the faithful Advent Calender that I made in 2003!  This year each pocket held a card with a Christmas picture and the kids had to find a little gift with the same image on it!  It kept them well entertained while Jess and I were in Melbourne and assured Graham of being woken very early each morning!  Woops!!

On the first day of Christmas – the kids got snorkels & Masks!

Going for a drive – outback Queensland Style!!

After returning from Melbourne and Surrounding districts – Graham needed to get OUT!!  So off we went in a Southerly direction – and we came across a ‘bike tree’!!

Its not pretty – but it was amusing!

Graham – trying to put a fallen bike back where it belongs!

After the bike tree – we went exploring along one of the dry river beds.  There wasn’t alot to see, but it was still fun.

I love the colour and pattern in this piece of bark

Oh – isn't she cute!!  (NB:  Cooper had chucked a wobbly and ran off at this stage, closely followed by Graham!)

Cicada – completely different to ones from our house! (shown on right)

Along the river bank.

These shots were taken from a high point on the way home!  Mt Isa is theoretically getting rained on!  Wasn't raining when we got home!!

Ripping open Christmas Pressy’s!!

A trip to the Northern Territory!!

On Boxing Day – to get out of the heat at home – we got in the car and drove 2hours west – to the NT border!!  Then turned around and came home again!!  The drive itself was as boring as bat shit – but at least I can  say I have been back to the NT!!

We are now in the Northern Territory!!

About 15km on the Qld side of the border is Camooweal – here you will find this strange “”Bullaroo” or is it a “Kangabull” either way – it was novel!

We Went Fishing at Lake Moondarra!!

…………….. and what did we catch – NO – Not barramundi – but little baby Cane Toads!!  Quick step on them!!!

Another drive to cool off!!

Again, heading east, not far from the airport is Spring Creek.  At one stage the road crossed through this creek – but councils in their wiseness built a bridge over it (in the background) – in the mean time it is a lovely little spot to go to when it has a little water in it – it was however much like having a bath – the water was not that cool!

Graham cooling (?) off!!

Bit hard to tell the difference!!

New Years Eve – Mount Isa Style!!

There really is not much to say – these fireworks went for less then 10mins – but at least we had some I suppose!  I was hot and humid and rather then losing the kids down at the “party” being held at the rodeo ground – we made our way up to the lookout at just the right time to see the show!!