HIT THE MARKETS

Aussies love the outdoors and a fun and relaxed way to enjoy the sunny weather in Australia is to get out there and browse the markets. We have markets for everything! Some are specific in what they sell and others offer a range of just about anything.

One of our favourites is the St. Kilda Esplanade Market held every Sunday. It sells only arts and crafts that are made in Australia by the locals. It is located along the Esplanade in close proximity to the beach and the renowned St Kilda pier. This area is only 5kms out of the city and the pier and surrounding areas offer panoramic views of the Melbourne city skyline and also spectacular water views out to Port Phillip Bay. There are barbecue facilities nearby and the area is popular for fishing, cycling, strolling along the foreshore or a picnic in the park. There are also fabulous local cafes where you can stop and sit awhile and enjoy a drink and cake!

The Federation Square Book Market sells new and preloved books in the Atrium on Saturdays and is a must see for all the bibliophiles. If nothing else the innovative design of Fed Square with its expanse of concrete and glass is well worth a look.

The Queen Victoria Market was originally opened in 1878 and still operates today. It is a hive of activity and hustle and bustle and has a cosmopolitan feel. The historic building gives it an old world charm.

There are just so many markets in and around Melbourne to mention but I will leave you with our local market. The Carribean Market has over 1500 stalls. It is set in approximately 100 acres of lush gardens, lake and bushland. There is something here for everyone. Rides for the kids, a kiosk for lunch, so many stalls and lots of people. There are even helicopter rides to give you an aerial look of the area.

The market scene might not be entirely what JJ is looking for so here is a picture just for him!

Cheers,

Lynda

HORSE LOVING BEACH GOERS

This is for you. Would you like to ride a horse along the shore with the warm Australian sun shining high above and the cooling sea breeze blowing gently as you canter along the clear white sand at the water's edge. The fresh smell of sea and salt air exciting all your senses.

Marnie & Phil

The ride begins in a bush setting and follows sandy trails and meanders through bushland before reaching the ocean beach. The pounding of the horses' hooves and the crashing waves is extremely exhilarating. The horses may even enter the shallow waters. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful and at the right time of year you may be lucky enough to see a whale or two. This is truly a ride to remember for a long, long time.

Are you here yet?

Cheers,

Lynda

AUSTRALIAN CUISINE

I'm not really sure if we have a national dish (the Pavlova comes close) but there are certainly many iconic foods that we call our own. Australian cuisine is adopted from many countries and is commonly referred to as our modern Australian food. It represents our multicultural society and shows that we are willing to accept change and invent and develop on new food ideas and recipes. We share similar iconic foods with New Zealand, I guess because of our British heritage. We love our food and we know what we like!

We have been quick to accept both western and eastern take away food outlets with McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway and Hungry Jacks and Sushi Bars, Chinese Takeaways, Nandos and Oporto etc never too far away.

Some of the well know iconic Australian foods I guess would be Vegemite, Pavlova, Roast Lamb, Meat Pies and Sausage Rolls, Anzac Biscuits, Lamingtons and Macadamia Nuts. We also love our chocolate bars and some of the favourites would be Violet Crumble Bars, Cherry Ripe, Mars Bars, Aero Bars and Flakes. Most of us love Tim Tams, Boston Bun, Vanilla Slice and Fairy Bread. We love lasagne, risotto, stirfries, brushetta, spaghetti, pasta, weetbix, mash and all types of breads.

Fish and Chips is a favourite and a day at the beach would hardly be complete without sitting on the sand eating fish and chips straight from the wrapper and a few of the chips being thrown to the waiting seagulls.

Australians love the barbecue and the catch cry "throw a shrimp on the barbie" fits with our relaxed lifestyle and our fun loving nature. We call it a prawn though!

So, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach". What does the man think?

Cheers,

Lynda

ZOOS VICTORIA

Now I am not thinking just any old zoo. We have a choice of several zoo experiences from open range to the more traditional Melbourne Zoo but you can see those all over the world and enjoy the animals from all the different countries. You don't need to leave home to see those. No, I have a particular experience in mind where you can see only unique, iconic Australian wildlife in the natural habitat. Australia has some very different looking animals that you may not have seen in the real before like the platypus, kangaroos, wombats, emus and even the koala. This experience is uniquely Australian!

You can follow the dingo fence into the rocky high country, see the Birds of Prey Presentation that includes the free flying displays of raptors, kites, falcons, owls and the Wedge-tailed Eagle and also see our more colourful parrot species including the corellas and cockatoos in full flight. Visit the Platypusary and see the odd looking and mysterious platypus in its nocturnal creek habitat among the mosses, lichens, ferns and tangled tree roots. Get up close with the kangaroos and wallabies and just enjoy the serene, peaceful bush setting.

Can you resist cute, fluffy animals? The kids will love them!

Cheers,

Lynda

ANYONE GOT THE TRAVEL BUG?

I have a mission this week. Hopefully I can encourage JJ to part with his hard earned money and come to the beautiful land down under with the family for a well deserved taste of rest and relaxation. I have a little idea of what might grab his attention but I am open for suggestions and I am sure I will find something to fit the bill!

1000 Steps

For the fit and energetic the 1000 Steps in the Ferntree Gully National Park is a fabulous walk/run for those who love hiking in the bush. It is a memorial to the Australians who died along the Kakoda Trail in Papua New Guinea during World War II. It begins in Ferntree Gully and follows winding tracks and steep inclines to end at the One Tree Hill Picnic Ground where you can sit and rest and marvel at your achievement of finally reaching the top. The total track covers approximately 5 kms and takes around 2 hours to complete the hike. The 1000 Steps is just one of many trails. It is not an easy task by any means, many fail but imagine your elation when you finish this trek. There are many other walking tracks to follow varying in the time needed and fitness levels required and all of them provide a beautiful setting of rainforest, native flora and fauna to keep you interested. I can smell the eucalyptus trees.

1000 Steps Ferntree Gully National Park

Paddy's Track in Sherbrooke Forest

How did I do today? Interested yet!

Cheers ,

Lynda

OOH FLOWERS FOR ME

Thanks Ash.

Cheers,
Lynda

A COMEDIAN IN THE FAMILY

Son to Mother
"My girlfriend is coming over soon so be on your best behaviour mum."
Once wasn't enough; he had to tell me three times. Ha!
Wonder what he thought I was going to do.

Cheers,
Lynda

CROCHET SLIPPERS

Not much has been happening in the knitting and projects department since finishing the Citron and Krtek. I needed a project that I could finish quickly to keep the motivation going and these slippers fit the bill perfectly. They are not finished yet but I do have one slipper completed to show you. The pattern is from the Holiday Knitting & Crochet Book and the yarn is Sports Support 8 ply in plum. The yarn is 50% wool and 50% acrylic which I think will be a good mix for wear and tear and washing purposes.

The construction is 4 granny squares that are crocheted together so there is no needle and thread seaming involved with these little beauties. Hopefully the pair will be done by tonight.

Cheers,

Lynda