Tuesday, August 12, 2014

A fun weekend in Melbourne


Flinders Street Railway Station

We've just returned from a wonderful little trip away, to catch up with our dear daughter.


In a short time we packed in a lot, seeing the sights, shopping, catching up with friends for lunch at an Italian restaurant and walking for miles. The little French cafe where we had le petit dejeuner on Sunday morning was hidden down one of the laneways - helped having our daughter show us some of the hidden gems in the City.
I love the old Terrace houses with their fancy ornate ironwork

The beautiful gardens, parks and elegant Victorian era buildings in leafy streets make this City, a desirable place to visit.  

The first morning we boarded the historic tram which rattled and grinded along the tracks - this is a great way to see around the City and the overall charm and atmosphere made it feel like we were back in the olden days.

Why you would shop at the supermarket?... when you see the wonderful fresh produce at this shopping mecca. Queen Victoria Markets has been the heart and soul of the City for more than a century. 
The produce markets, overflowed with the seasons bounty of brightly coloured fruit and vegetables.

 This Frenchman was a great salesperson - le fromage was so good and after having  a little taste test, we had to  buy the perfectly ripe brie, a blue and a gouda cheese, and  take back to the apartment. I wished we could of stayed another day as the time went oh so quickly.

Wishing you a happy new week
hugs
Carolyn


44 comments:

  1. My dearest Carolyn,
    I just have send an email, to ask, how your weekend in Melbourne has been .... Now I am here and see all those lovely pictures! It looks like a wonderful city! And this Market must have been great!
    Glad you had such a good time with your wonderful daughter!
    Have a wonderful week, my dear friend,sending much Love and hugs,
    Claudia

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  2. dear carolyn,
    this are nice fotos! melburn must be a wonderful town...
    hugs & greetings
    margit

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  3. Hi Carolyn, I love Melbourne. Especially the markets. I am sure the high light for you would have been to hug your daughter. I hope she is settling in to Melbourne life. I'm so glad you had a great weekend.
    Hugs kay

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  4. Nice trip going to your daughter is always fun ...!!!...enjoy the week Darling...love Ria...x!...

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  5. I so want to go to Melbourne someday! This looks like an amazing place.

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  6. How I enjoyed this posting so very much.
    I am so happy for you ........beautiful posting and photographs as always
    Love Jeanne

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  7. Hi Carolyn! I love Melbourne !! Es una preciosa ciudada!!Have a wonderful week,

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  8. Sounds like you had a lovely time and looks like quite a lovely city. Two of my son's friends are in Australia for college and they love it. Best wishes, Tammy

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  9. om my dear..it so beautiful..
    looks like a very sweet town..
    enjoy and have lots of fun..
    sweet hugs x

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  10. Hello Carolyn,
    It is just beautiful. I am glad you had a nice trip and I hope the weather was good. Thank you for sharing the great pictures!
    Big hug,
    Giac

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  11. What wonderful to spend time with your daughter and a beautiful Melbourne too!

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  12. I never thought it was that beautiful. WOW! thanks for the education, of Melbourne. Your Daughter is darling.
    That train station is beautiful. yvonne

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  13. Don't you just love those small but delicious purchases? The encounters with the sales people? Carolyn, your day had to be magical, seeing your sweet daughter and browsing about in the market place! HUGS MY SWEET FRIEND! Anita

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  14. What a lovely way to spend a week end. Family, good weather, good sights, good food.
    Thanks for all the great photos!

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  15. Dear Carolyn, what a wonderful day, you had with your daughter, that city looks beautiful, and so filled with fantastic houses, and shops -and that market looks something very special. I am sure you could have used many more dayes there !! Hugs from Dorthe.

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  16. Sounds like you had the most wonderful trip Carolyn! How wonderful it must have been to see the lovely sights of Melbourne and catch up with your lovely daughter. Hope your week is off to a splendid start!

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  17. Happy to hear you had a good week with your daughter Carolyn! She looks lovely on the photo!

    Madelief x

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  18. How wonderful dear friend that you were able to see your daughter....I love that shot of her! It sounded like a perfect time! And I am with you....why would you go to the supermarket with all of that goodness being sold in those markets! Wishing you a beautiful week! Nicole xo

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  19. Carolyn,
    This is such a sweet picture of your daughter. It sounds like you had a nice visit seeing the city and shopping and the having Italian food for lunch. Italian is my favorite. The old terrace houses are so charming, aren't they?

    I just love your posts, Carolyn - your words, your pictures, and YOU!

    ~Sheri

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  20. So fun, darling!
    Your daughter looks so chic!

    xoxox,
    CC

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  21. Dear Carolyn,
    Your sweet daughter looks as if she belongs there..
    Looks as if you all had a wonderful time.. I would love to tour the city on that old beautiful tram..
    Thank you for sharing, and you most welcome visit.
    You are always so thoughtful to stop in and leave such kind words.
    Wishing you a wonderful week.
    fondly,
    Penny

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  22. Carolyn,
    The hidden gems are a treasure. What a treat to see.
    Blessings,
    d

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  23. Dearest Carolyn,
    What a joy to read this post; so happy you got to see your dear daughter and also for some fond memories of Melbourne.
    We used to stay at an apartment the first time we worked together as consultants in Australia on a mushroom plant. That meant we had to drive through the city into the rural area where the plant was. The first time I drove on the left side of the road, with all the tram tracks and one coming my way it was a bit scary but I learned how to.
    Oh, I loved shopping with my cousin/sis Elizabeth who at that time lived in Melbourne.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  24. Your daughter looks like a model ;-) How fun to have such a beautiful location to go to for a lovely visit with your daughter! Lucky girl!
    big hugs,
    Cheryl

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  25. Hi Carolyn...Melbourne looks gorgeous and your daughter is so pretty! I bet you enjoyed that lovely cheese:)
    ~Anne xx

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  26. Lovely trip and beautiful pics!!!!

    Ciao bellissima!!!
    Kisses to you and your daughter!
    http://expressyourselfbypaolalauretano.blogspot.it

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  27. I'm sure you were pleased to see your daughter. Lovely photos of your trip to Melbourne. xx

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  28. Those pictures make me want to visit Melbourne, too. It sounds lovely. I'm happy you got to spend such an amazing day with your daughter! :)

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  29. Good morning Carolyn,

    Thank you for coming to visit and that dance space I touched on....OH the beauty of the entire mansion! You would love it, for the detail of this mansion is striking, and built in the very late 1890s....

    Hoping you are having a terrific day! Anita

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  30. Oh, SO happy that you could have such fun time in Melbourne with your gorgeous daughter♡♡♡
    And beautiful pictures; you made me wish to visit Australia again p;)

    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  31. Dear Carolyn!
    So wonderful that you had the chance to see your beloved daughter!
    And see a beautiful town!!!
    I wish you a sunny rest of the week!
    With love,
    Geli

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  32. This sounds like a wonderful trip dear Carolyne! Is Melbourne far from where you live? It looks so beautiful! Hope you have a sweet midweek!

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  33. Thanks for sharing such lovely pics of Melbourne - my lifelong friend is emigrating there in a few weeks (had a tearful goodbye this week!) but .... I have an invite to Melbourne ! xCathy

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  34. Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend and how wonderful you were able to spend some time with your beautiful daughter. Wishing you a beautiful rest of the week my sweet friend.

    Hugs,
    ❤️Ana

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  35. Dear Carolyn, glad for you, you saw your daughter. She is so pretty.
    Mebourne looks like a fantastic city, great fort me, to see the pictures, thank you

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  36. Hi Carolyn,
    Melbourne looks a so pretty town!
    And seems you had great time there! :D
    xxx
    S
    http://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.it/

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  37. Sorry I'm late, Carolyn
    What a great trip and wonderful pictures - it makes me want to jump on a plane!
    Have a great week
    Simon

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  38. Those houses are just stunning aren't they!! It looks as though they are festooned with lace all along the fronts of them. I am glad that you had a great time away and got to catch up with your lovely daughter. xx

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  39. Melbourne has so much to offer and looks like my kind of place. Those houses are so pretty with the ornate ironwork. If only I lived closer, I would be hopping on the tram discovering this lovely city!

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  40. one of my best friends lives in melbourne and keeps telling me to visit her!!!...now i think i should!!!

    http://www.myunfinishedlife.com

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  41. Thanks for sharing your great shots. I have some friends form Australia.

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  42. °º。✿
    Suas fotos revelam uma cidade muito charmosa!

    Bom fim de semana!
    Beijinhos.
    ·..✿✿⊱

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  43. hey :) you should enter my giveaway! all you have to do is comment on the post xx

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  44. Hi Carolyn,

    What a beautiful city, so full of international flair, with its specialty foods, architecture and people! Sounds like you had a wonderful visit with your lovely daughter. Thanks for sharing it with us!

    Happy weekend!

    Hugs,
    Poppy

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Thank you so much for visiting Draffin Bears.
It always makes me happy to read your comments
and I look forward to visiting you.


Carolyn xx