Sunset in Melbourne

Sunset over Keysborough
Originally uploaded by carollyn.thompson

This was one of the many magnificent sunsets I have seen in Melbourne. This photo was taken at the park near our house sit in Keysborough, while Colin and Richard flying a 2 metre kite surfer.

The Pink Rose

The Pink Rose
Originally uploaded by carollyn.thompson

This is one of the many beautiful paintings Colin and I saw during our visit to the Victorian National Art Gallery which was fantastic.We spent over three hours there and realized at closing time how little we had seen.
A great reason to come back again.

At Last...I get the riding seat!!!

P1050360
Originally uploaded by carollyn.thompson

Now my turn!!!!! Yahooo....I had my first solo ride (since I was 11 years old)on this cute Yamaha Virago.
It took me a couple of laps around the very quiet block to get used to the gear changes and then it was all so easy. It was a short lived gift that I enjoyed whilst I had it. ( on loan while Colin had Pegasus the Honda serviced)

The Lobster Cave

The Lobster Cave
Originally uploaded by carollyn.thompson

Ooolaa laa!!!! The Lobster Cave Restaurant has been another culinary delight for me. It is one of Melbournes top restaurants where a crayfish burger costs $99. I had the most succulent piece of wild Barramundi.Yummm it was exceptionally mouthwateringly tasty and very filling.It was great that we went on the bike because I didn't have to worry about getting dressed up. When you walk in with a helmet, it is accepted that you have to have you safety gear on and nobody cares, least of all me.

Nepalese Meal with Sam

Mongolian Meal with Sam
Originally uploaded by carollyn.thompson

Here we are sitting, enjoying the food with Sam and Steve at Gurka's Nepalese Restaurant. Sam and I spent the latter part of the day walking the streets of Melbourne, window shopping and buying some things for Sam..

Time out at Montsalvat

P1050310
Originally uploaded by carollyn.thompson

What an amazing place to visit. This is Montsalvat, an Art Centre with a difference. It has layers of Melbourne history and is a residential art workshop where artists come to create, from guitars to flutes, paintings and more.
Check out the web site. www.montsalvat.com.au.

I would recommend a days visit at least, for anyone even slightly interested in the arts.

Beautiful Mallacoota

Mallacoota! What can I say? It is so beautiful and is such a calm, friendly place. The people are friendly, and if you hang around with the fishermen, you will become friends with the pelicans.

Mallacoota at Sunrise

P1040921
Originally uploaded by carollyn.thompson

The sweeping, serene beaches of Mallacoota are so beautiful and as a contrast, are interrupted by the powerful, rugged rock formations. We watched the sun rising in one of the most beautiful places I have been to. Colin, standing on top of the rocks, created a beautiful silhouette.

Toorak-Mallacoota

Arriving in Toorak was a lovely surprise. The house was very upmarket and beautifully decorated. Colin's friend, Steve was a very down to earth, fun guy (a country boy)who was very  welcoming and easy to talk to. His partner was overseas so he seemed pleased to have some company.
We left Toorak and I drove Colin's car down towards Mallacoota stopping off at several places. One being the Bellbird Hotel where we stopped off to have a drink and to stretch our legs.

This pond was part of the grounds of the hotel which was on a 3 acre block surrounded by rainforest. Beeautiful!!!!