Hello Melbourne

We arrived in the dark on Monday evening so we didn't get to see much of the city. So we got up early this morning with the intent to check out what's to do here. But first I must show you what is in the foyer of our hotel.

Yes a .......Chocolate shop... heavenly.

Another glorious blue sky and we had prepared for cold windy weather in Melbourne.

Today we are going to explore Melbourne on Shanke's pony (by foot for those of you not familiar with the term). Melbourne is a much older city and has a lot of history centred around the gold rush. 

Grab a cuppa lots of photos today.

First we had to pay our respects to the local lad. Captain Cook.

This is Captain Cook's family home from Great Ayton. Carefully dismantled and transported to the Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne in the 1930s. They have reconstructed the home and we felt quite proud as we wandered round. 

Our only criticism was the commentary was done in a Geordie accent!

It is in the top ten visitors  attractions in Australia.

The gardens were beautiful.

Next stop sports arenas, they are sports mad here but fortunately most of the arenas are close together. We walked around the MCG (cricket).

 Rod Laver Centre (tennis)

Unfortunately we couldn't get to see the courts so I've put that on my wish list!

As we walked around the city we saw lots of street graffiti some good, some bad and some AMAZING.

How do they do that on such a large scale? Fantastic.

Next stop the State Library. An amazing building with a glass dome. We took the lift to level6 and were greeted with this fabulous sight.

As we looked over the balcony we saw this beautiful library set out.

It was so so quiet and yes I was tempted to shout BOO!

We wandered around the Ned Kelly exhibition

I don't know why they only had one boot? Maybe a souvenir hunter got the other.

Time for a spot of lunch in the pub next door. You may have noticed a lack of cake on this tour but believe you me I've tried to find them. So my fingers are crossed for Sydney when we meet up with Charlie & Robyn. For goodness sake they must know where the cake is!

They city has many beautiful buildings and arcades so here's a few.

The railway station.

T

The Royal Arcades.

The sky scrapers.

The AAMI stadium lit up for the evening game against the local team the Melbourne Rebels. 

A close game Rebels 0 Lions 35.

The perfect end to a great day in Melbourne and this how many steps we did.

A whopping 22389 steps .....world record for us.
Which now means we can stay in bed tomorrow and we will still have done our daily 10 thousand!!!!!