cool time in melbourne

I had business down in Melbourne, so Robyn took a few days off and joined me for an extended weekend. We had a wonderful time, despite the chilly weather. Thurs night we went to an Italian restaurant which held fond memories for us of an earlier visit. Friday night we went out to dinner with one of our clients, to a really cool pub and restaurant called The Prince, in St Kilda.

Saturday morning, despite feeling a tad seedy, we also went through to Chapel Street for shopping, Lygon Street for dinner (big Italian area, notorious for crime family connections), and on Sunday to Brunswick Street, which has a host of shabby, cool, eclectic shops and cafes. City shopping was also outstanding, as one has come to expect of Melbourne.

world youth day in surry hills

squillions of young pilgrims made their way through Surry Hills en route to the big rally with the Pope at the Randwick racecourse. Traffic was chaotic for a while. We sat and had a coffee and watched as they passed. Colourful and yet boring.

shot of the day

taken at home, reflection from louvre windows

Aimee's birthday

We celebrated Queen Aimz' birthday with brunch at the Wah Wah Lounge in Danks Street, near our apartment. The weather was gorgeous but crisp so we took a slow stroll up to Surry Hills village, checking out the art galleries and the architecture on the way. We rounded off Aimee's special day with a lovely pasta at Il Baretto, one of Sydney's most popular Italian restaurants which is fairly local to us. Having officially turned 18, we took Aimee down to the pub for her first 'official' drink (yeah right !). Next day, was an early morning flight back home to NZ for them :(

dad's birthday

we had a wonderful day - after going to the markets, we went through to Woolloomooloo for a seriously good fish and chips lunch at the Woolloomoolloo Bay Hotel pub. We then went through to Balmain and Leichardt, where we did some shopping at the factory outlets, and then had an awesome gelato in traditional Italian style in Leichardt. We rounded off a perfect day that night when we went back down to Woolloomooloo for pie and peas at Harry's Cafe De wheels pie cart. We then came back via King's Cross, taking a pic at the 'world famous' Coca Cola sign.

hitting the markets - again !

Dad's birthday, so we took the girls to the Sunday markets at Bondi (fairly impressive) and King's Cross (less so).

group therapy at Bondi Junction

Lisa relaxed before heading out with us to some serious - 'shop-till-you-drop' retail therapy. Last pic is the girls with the spoils !

luna park on a cold night

The girls desperately wanted to go Sydney's iconic, but tired, amusement park at night. Unfortunately it is right on the harbour so Dad opted to take some pics instead of rides, as it was a rather c-r-i-s-p night. They had a fabulous time - dare I say, just like little girls again for a few hours :) Dad has only just thawed out, but the pics, taken without a tripod and mostly no flash, were worthwhile, albeit obviously quite grainy (Canon Ixus, ISO 800).