This will be our last entry from Melbourne as we are off to Sydney shortly. Our Melbourne calendar has been very full, not only with tourist activities, but also with cultural and social events.From a tourist standpoint, we have travelled two hours southeast to see the dramatic Penguin Parade on Phillip Island where the penguins return from sea at sunset every day to feed their young in the dunes beside the beach on Phillip Island. We've travelled two hours north up to Bendigo to tour the Central Deborah Gold Mine which had its heyday in the 1800s during the Australian gold rush. However, they've since discovered a new vein of gold underneath this mine which goes under the town of Bendigo and is being mined by a new set of investors. We also really enjoyed our time on the Great Ocean Route which is one of the greatest drives of all time.
In Melbourne itself, we had learned about the Federation Field of Bells which we came across on a postcard. After a week of searching, we finally found this park near Federation Square beside the Yarra River in downtown Melbourne. There are 39 bells in total (the heaviest is one ton) and they play music guided by a computer. Disappointingly, we did not hear these bells as they did not play when scheduled when we went back to see them during the day. Ah well! we'll just have to come back again to hear them.
On the cultural scene, we really enjoyed seeing the award-winning musical, Billie Elliot, with Glenda and Geoff at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne which features music by Elton John. Socially, we enjoyed a gathering at Glenda and Geoff's . There, we met Tom, one of Geoff's sons and his wife Sarah and baby, Aston. We also met Geoff's mother , Nellie and saw some South African friends, Des and Patty Slater whom we met in Melbourne on our last visit. Later in the week, we met and had a lovely meal at the home of a long-time friend of Trevor's mother . Mom played hockey with Edwina in South Africa back in the 1960s. Edwina Fortuin (Cummings) and her husband, Henry live in the Northwest suburbs of Melbourne, near the International Airport.
We're now at the halfway point in our journey overseas. On Sunday morning, we catch a flight to Sydney so the next time you hear from us, we'll be in that area.
1. Trevor & Lorraine at lookout on Great Ocean Road2. The Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road Drive
3. Family & Friends Gathering @ Glenda & Geoff's Place: L-R: Tom (Geoff's son), baby Aston, Sarah (Tom's wife), Nellie (Geoff's mom), Geoff, Des Slater (South African friend), Lorraine, Patty Slater (Des's wife), Sarah (Des & Patty's son's girlfriend), Craig (Des & Patty's son), Glenda, Trevor
4. Group Photo with dogs at Glenda and Geoff's place
5. Geoff and Tom with the Groodles
6. Visit with Henry and Edwina Fortuin (Mom's former hockey team mate) at their home in the northern suburbs of Melbourne
7. The Federation Field Of Bells @ Birrarrung-Mar Park in Melbourne
8. Trevor at the Federation Field Of Bells
9. Lorraine in hardhat and mining lamp gear at Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo
10. Trevor with period miner at Central Deborah Goldmine in Bendigo
11. The Docklands in Melbourne
12. The Nobbies by Phillip Island. This is the home of the largest fur seal colony in the Southern Hemisphere.
13. Penguin warning sign at the Penguin Parade.
