We visited Waterfront City and Newquay this morning - both docklands areas that are going through a regeneration process.
Another sign of the area's re-emergence in terms of economic importance is the new Etihad Stadium as a multi-purpose sports and entertainment location.
There's a series of statues in a plaza there, including Dame Edna!
Melbourne men and temperatures
No, those topics are not related!
Melbourne men, of course, come in all shapes, sizes, ages and styles.
It struck me that I've not seen any men begging, or apparently homeless, in contrast to what you might see on London streets. What's been more obvious, though, is that men in general seem to be kind and thoughtful. When the first one stood up on a tram and asked me if I'd like his seat, I was rather taken aback, and felt that I must really look old, but actually, you see it happening all the time. Such politeness.
That was what I decided to write about this morning. Then blow me, coming home on the tram tonight, one guy was effing, blinding and threatening to kill a young guy (possibly immigrant?) in an extremely loud, abusive and aggressive way. He seems to be the exception though, and many other tram travellers, as well as me, were impressed by the way the young guy handled it and moved away. Dave eventually ushered him off the tram at a stop he probably didn't want!
Re temperatures, they have been rising throughout the time we've been here and are in the thirties now. My fingers swelled up so much yesterday that I had to take my rings off, for fear of hindering blood flow.
No, those topics are not related!
Melbourne men, of course, come in all shapes, sizes, ages and styles.
It struck me that I've not seen any men begging, or apparently homeless, in contrast to what you might see on London streets. What's been more obvious, though, is that men in general seem to be kind and thoughtful. When the first one stood up on a tram and asked me if I'd like his seat, I was rather taken aback, and felt that I must really look old, but actually, you see it happening all the time. Such politeness.
That was what I decided to write about this morning. Then blow me, coming home on the tram tonight, one guy was effing, blinding and threatening to kill a young guy (possibly immigrant?) in an extremely loud, abusive and aggressive way. He seems to be the exception though, and many other tram travellers, as well as me, were impressed by the way the young guy handled it and moved away. Dave eventually ushered him off the tram at a stop he probably didn't want!
Re temperatures, they have been rising throughout the time we've been here and are in the thirties now. My fingers swelled up so much yesterday that I had to take my rings off, for fear of hindering blood flow.
Braille
My former work colleagues may be interested that street names are in Braille as well as print - and in a convenient position. Look carefully and you'll see it!
Cottage sigh
Readers of our blog down here several years ago may recall Captain Cook and I share a similar nautical background.
He was born and lived some of his early years near Middlesbrough not far from the sea. Me too.
He went on three famed voyages of discovery, rather overshadowing me, but we seafarers stick together.
So a visit to the cottage where he lived for a while with his parents was a must.
Oddly, the building can be found Fitzroy Park near Melbourne city centre after being removed stone by stone in 1934 from Great Ayton in North Yorkshire.
It transpires the owner sold it for £800 with an agreement it could be re-assembled in Australia because of the celebrated links.
A loss to the home country though and I gather there was controversy at the time.
I'm sure today the National Trust or the like would have muscled in but I was surprised to learn that prior to 1934 half of the cottage had been demolished to make way for a new road !
Sad.
Readers of our blog down here several years ago may recall Captain Cook and I share a similar nautical background.
He was born and lived some of his early years near Middlesbrough not far from the sea. Me too.
He went on three famed voyages of discovery, rather overshadowing me, but we seafarers stick together.
So a visit to the cottage where he lived for a while with his parents was a must.
Oddly, the building can be found Fitzroy Park near Melbourne city centre after being removed stone by stone in 1934 from Great Ayton in North Yorkshire.
It transpires the owner sold it for £800 with an agreement it could be re-assembled in Australia because of the celebrated links.
A loss to the home country though and I gather there was controversy at the time.
I'm sure today the National Trust or the like would have muscled in but I was surprised to learn that prior to 1934 half of the cottage had been demolished to make way for a new road !
Sad.
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