Been to Melbourne and back!

On 13th March, I flew to Melbourne for a friends 50th birthday. It is going to be one of those years as this is the year my cohort turns 50. KISA elected not to go which is a shame, as it was a fabulous weekend. . He caught up on some work and watched highly unsuitable DVDs without his lady wife giving him "looks" over the tops of her glasses. I suspect he had a lovely weekend too. I also suspect there was pizza and beer involved. Hmmm..
I landed in Melbourne city central about 2.30pm and went to visit the workplace of an old mate P who works in a travel agency. We had a quick catch up and I hung out in a bookshop till he finished work, so I could catch the tram home with him. As PJ were mine hosts for the weekend. We got home about 6, just in time for drinks in the coutyard, which P's partner J had looking just beautiful. The light was perfect so I took a few shots. J said the recent hot weather had taken its toll, and the strict water restrictions don't help either. I thought it looked beautiful.

All tended with greywater and love.

Isn't the light lovely? This is looking back towards the kitchen

Good friends, good wine, Friday night, and a great weekend ahead. Doesn't get any better than this.

Another shot looking back to the house. The light was going now. Must be time to get ready to walk the two blocks to the little Italian restuarant they took me to. It is cheaper to eat in Melbourne than here! It was a BYO too, so we took a couple of bottles of the good stuff. Great night, late night too!

PJ's house is something special. It is an old terrace from a long time ago, 1800's at least, which for Australia is VERY old! This shot was taken in the dining room, which in its original time was the kitchen. The old wood stove is still there. All shined up and looks like all it needs is a match! If you open the oven though, you will find the phone books..

This is the lounge room.The fireplace has the most beautiful tiles in front of it. And chesterfield sofas. It all looks very museumy but is a very warm, cosy, homely, welcoming place. I love it.

PJ have just done up their kitchen. It looks really good especially that red glass splashback. Jess would have loved that.

The hallway towards the front of the house. It is kind of a long skinny house, very different to a tropical house. It is very close to the city which loosely translates to it is worth a lot of money! I think it is worthy of a magazine shoot. PJ are incredible housekeepers, I felt ashamed of my housekeeping while I was there.

This is the bedroom I stayed in. It was very pretty and the bed was comfy too.

This is the front of the house, it has lots of character. The front windows are stained glass.

And this is the best part of the house. When KISA saw this house for the first time, he loved it before he even went inside! P is a Yorkshire boy.

On Saturday morning, P took me to the South Melbourne markets. It was fabulous, the food for sale was wonderful, and much better quality and cheaper than at home. Living in regional Australia sucks sometimes. We had lunch at this paella place. It was SUPERB!

Of couse we had to have it with Sangria. It had started raining about an hour previously and gotten quite cool so it was nice and warming eating paella and sangria. It was the first decent rain in Melbourne for months, so everyone on the street was happy and laughing and getting wet with much joy. It was a happy atmosphere. The surrounding gardens just drank it in.

These steaks were two inches thick. Just look at them! This one is for son 17 if he is reading this. These made me think of you..

PJ's furkid, Jesse. He was all tuckered out after the outing J took him on while we went to the markets.

Saturday evening was The Magsters 50th Birthday Occasion Dinner. It was held in the mayors room at the Hawthorn Town Hall. The Magster has some serious connections. It was a great night, with a full three course meal and wine. Thank you dear friend and I hope you have a wonderful year. This was the only shot with the knife that was fit to print.

Three girls of 9A1E1. Who would have thought back then we would ever be going to each others 50ths! After a great night we all went home to crash lateish. We all met up again for brunch the next day in the botanical gardens. I forgot to take my camera. PJ and I hung out afterwards in the gardens, and went to the shrine of remembrance where we caught the monthly service, It was a very moving thing and a magnificent building if you are ever in Melbourne.

P was cooking up a storm for dinner. This apple pie was made with home grown apples. Someone kind of stuffed up the pastry (she who can't be named) so J went out for Pampas. The afternoon light in this kitchen is superb. If I ever write my cookbook, I will be doing the photos in PJs kitchen. Note the essential cooks tool on the right.

Salmon in lime and coriander marinade on cous cous with salad with lemon vinagrette, sourdough rolls followed by apple pie. Good food - good wine - great company. Thank you guys for a wonderful weekend.

P and I started our first job together at 17 in 1977. Our group of "bank Johnnys" had some wild times. I, of course, am too mature to divulge any dirt on P on this blog. That and the fact that P has more dirt on me than I have on him!

Yesterday was P's 50th birthday. Hope you had a great time at the greek restuarant. Love you guys!