Another day in Lima ... and another parade!!

 Today is a public holiday for Santa Rosa de Lima.  So another parade - thousands of people in the plaza, music, bands and lots of police presence.  Rosa is the patron saint of the police force in Peru. We followed one group along the mall to the plaza - included a small dance troupe. 



 








Also visited the San Francisco Museum and Catacombs - sooo many bones!!!  No photos from inside the museum or catacombs but the church is spectacular too.  Originally built in 1546.

Forgot how difficult it is to order food with totally Spanish menu - luckily we ended up with something we recognised ... and could eat!!

At Sydney airport

At the airport (early)... check.
Checked in - boarding passes right through to Lima .... check!
Luggage in ... check!!!  81kg No excess fees .... CHECK!!!!
Through immigration and security ... Check!!

Now after rushing to get to the airport early, we can sit down and wait.  I love airports!!  And this one has free wifi ... WOOHOO 

South America - here we come.

Still learning

Last morning in Melbourne and I've been getting a few tips from Sophie on posting to our blog from a mobile device. Sooo cool. Really impressed with how blogs look on mobile devices.

If this post appears in my blog WOOHOO I have been successful in sending an email to our blog!!!

Sent from my iPod

Graeme Base exhibition at the state library

Last days in Melbourne

We've packed a lot into the last few days in Melbourne. We try to make the most of every opportunity - just because we can. Home Show was on in Melbourne so we just had to go. It's one of those things we usually see advertised and wish we lived close enough to be able to go. So we just had to do it..... interesting, but don't think I need to do it again.

Similarly with the exhibition of Graeme Base artwork from book, The Waterhole - we just had to go. It is spectacular. (State Library, Melbourne) There's so much in all his illustrations - such a talent! Browsing the book shop in the State Library we came across the book Go the F* to Sleep - hilarious. If you haven't heard of it - check it out on Google (after the kids have gone to bed!!). Sadly there weren't any of the fabulous Peter Carnavas picture books in the bookshop. Probably upstairs in their children's collection... one would hope.

Saturday, we went for a drive into the Dandenongs - in search of a gallery where Sophie has one of here textile art pieces. We found it ... and it certainly looks stunning hanging on the wall with other art-works- makes us feel very proud of her. She's very talented!! Check it out if you are near Olinda - Redgum Gallery. While you're there, try a pie from Pie in the Sky pie shop!!! YUMMM Just happened to find a village market and several interesting gift shops - all in all, another great day out!

Yes ... a few MORE things to fit into our bags. Getting our gear to Sydney is looking more difficult every day. And that's just part of it. We also have 3 LARGE bags in Sydney. OMG!!! It's going to be a challenge. Just as well we have left ourselves a few days in Sydney to repack and reduce!!

Out and about in Melbourne

We have a few weeks before we take off for South America - chance to spend a little time in Melbourne with Sophie. Having flexibility with our time is becoming more appealing all the time. We get to do things we would like to do ... just because we can! Anyone with work commitments will appreciate that statement.

So we're here giving Sophie a bit of a helping hand following her knee reconstruction surgery - but in doing so we also have lots of fun going places, sight-seeing, enjoying getting out and about in Melbourne, dining out, and the odd bit of shopping thrown in.

A highlight had to be .... being in Melbourne for the celebration parade for Cadel Evans. Having followed all the stages of the TDF, this was an event not to miss.

Other highlights have included:

• an enjoyable evening with Milka and Zac's rellies in Geelong.
• shopping at Queen Vic Markets
• a drive out through the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. Scars of tragic bushfires are still evident. Fresh trout for tea that night. Thanks Jeff - great day out!!
• a show in the city - Eva - Stories and songs from Eva Cassidy. Great night out - really cold wait at the station for a delayed train due to "unruly passenger".
• visit to Australia Garden, part of Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne. Stage 2 is under development, but Stage 1 is fabulous. http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/australian-garden So many of the native plants in bloom, but loads more ready to burst into bloom in the next few weeks. Definitely worth a visit!!
• a Mystery Tram adventure - a day spent hopping on and off trams, going where ever they took us. Breakfast in Lygon Street, off to Toorak Rd (end of the line for that tram, apparently), down to St Kilda where we spotted a fairy penguin in the rock wall, back to the city via another interesting tram line ..... somewhere around Albert Park. Late lunch in the city - delicious. Back to Young & Jacksons in time to meet Sophie when she finished work. Some people have to work ... apparently. Lucky us!!!

Today is a home day, cold and rainy. But tomorrow will be another adventure day - off to the city with Sophie as she goes to work ..... then another adventure. Life is good!!!

Marking time in Melbourne

Our bags are packed and we're ready to go ... but we have a couple of weeks to wait. An opportunity to spend some time in Melbourne with Sophie and give her a bit of a helping hand following her knee reconstruction. What a great opportunity now that I'm not working. Having the flexibility in my life to go where I want, when I want is exactly what leave (or retirement) is all about. I get to enjoy record unseasonal warm weather in Melbourne for the start of August, as well as a sense of achievement in driving - even if it is only around the eastern suburbs of Melbourne (still much more traffic than what I'm used to in Clermont). I'm the chauffeur taking Sophie to her physio appointments. And have a bit of FUN along the way. No this is not a sign of being bored!!!

Tomorrow we are off to the city where Sophie has a meeting to attend... so I get to wander around the shops. Ohhhh I have already had a glimpse (and a taste) of the awesome sales on here at the moment. Should be fun!!!

And next week, I hear there's going to be a parade in the city for Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans. Oh there's another bonus in not working at the moment. More fun.

2011 - Here we go again!!

We're heading off to Peru again later this year - spending Xmas with family in South America will be a highlight.

It's all come around so quickly. So much to do at home before we left - getting some renovations finished so that we could leave the house in some sense of order in the capable hands of young friends.


Major projects over the past 2 years since Lex retired have been pulling up most carpets and sanding/polishing floorboards - what an amazing challenge this has been and what a super result. Place looks great!!! Polished timber floors, fresh paint and just a little de-cluttering.