Melbourne and Grease was just one of the words

Melbourne and Grease was just one of the words

This last weekend was spent in Melbourne. Yes, I had a book due out. Yes, I was as busy as an ant before it rains, but this was one girl’s trip not to be missed. Ranging in age from early fifties down to early twenties, this bunch of girls (who usually get-together up on the high plains around Christmas) were on their annual pilgrimage to the city. Shopping, dinner and a show were on the agenda for Pam, Megan, Gail, Kristy, Wendy, Sam and myself.

 

Victoria Hotel
Victoria Hotel

We were staying at ‘The Victoria’, a hotel which dances through my childhood memories, as it was where we always stayed with my grandmother and also my parents when we went ‘to town’. In those days it was known as ‘the country hotel in the city’ and after staying there again after all these years, I think it still might hold this lovely title.

And so after travelling up to five hours with lots of supplies on tap in the back seat of the Landcruiser … 
And so after travelling up to five hours with lots of supplies on tap in the back seat of the Landcruiser … 
… the bar at ‘The Victoria’ was the first stop.
… the bar at ‘The Victoria’ was the first stop.
Followed by some pool where games ranged from Orbost vs Glenmaggie to Lakes Entrance vs Bete Bolong. 
Followed by some pool where games ranged from Orbost vs Glenmaggie to Lakes Entrance vs Bete Bolong. 
A giggle or two in the lift as two blokes attending this conference … 
A giggle or two in the lift as two blokes attending this conference … 

… tried out their chat up lines. Unfortunately for them, I think they really needed to attend and take notes at this conference. Lots and lots of notes {wink}

Saturday morning saw us coerced into helping some ‘O’ week uni students do an impromptu singing show on the steps of the Post office in Bourke Street. Unfortunately I was so busy singing and doing my hand actions (I think it was their ‘House song’ or something)  I didn’t get a photo! Silly me {blush}

After all that excitement we went on the hunt for a bookshop where in a rather large store some strategic re-positioning of my new book, MOUNTAIN ASH took place. (Goodness knows what they’ll make of that on the security cameras.)

 

Mountain Ash in the wild
Mountain Ash in the wild

Then it was off to the show!

Grease
Grease is the Word

I tried to fit in with the ‘Pink Ladies’ but unfortunately I forgot to wear my cardi. 

The Pink Ladies
The Pink Ladies

Megan, on the other hand, took prime position with the ‘T-Birds’.

T-Birds
T-Birds

The musical ‘Grease’ is out of this world. If you have the chance, all I can say is ‘You’re the one that I want … OOO …OOO …OOO’

Evening arrived and flushed with the excitement from all that singing and jiggling around in our seats, we headed out to dinner in China Town. Can I just say, if you are looking for a delicious meal, the Shark Fin restaurant is superb. The waiter also amazed us with his juggling abilities. He managed to fit ALL these dishes (that’s every used plate, bowl, fork, spoon and chop stick from seven people) in his arms first go. My eyes were popping out of their sockets! 

 

Dinner at the Shark Fin Restaurant
Dinner at the Shark Fin Restaurant

Dessert was these decadent looking delicacies from a little patisserie on the walk back to the hotel.

 

Dessert
Dessert

I had managed to find my cardi by this stage so I just had to have the same delicious looking cocktail as Megan. It matched the cardi, you see? Seeing I missed out on being one of the ‘Pink Ladies’? (Damn it, can’t you just see how nice it looked? I couldn’t say no!)

 

Pink Ladies Drinks

After another evening playing pool, it was off to bed. I woke up the next morning to see this …

Melbourne Skyline

A tad different to what I normally see, which is this  … 

Gippsland Skyline

One of my best mates, Pam, managed to lock herself out of her room. A very nice hotel man had to come to our rescue and be cat-called and congratulated with great gusto when he managed to save the day (I think we managed to make him blush) … 

 

Hotel rescue

It was then off for a spot of shopping at Chadstone, where I found RM Williams … 

 

RM Williams

And the ladies possibly overdid it a tad …

 

Shopping Bags!
Lots of shopping bags

SO we had demolish a box of malteasers to get over the whole experience. 

 

Malteasers

When I finally arrived home, collected en route by my gorgeous hubbie on a motorbike (seriously, life is never boring around here), my lovely visiting brother-in-law presented me with a very pretty looking and delicious bottle of Moscarto. 

Rumours Moscato

This morning, after straightening up the house, it was back outside to work. My job? The blonde end of the dumpy level, for sighting up the new machinery shed. Sigh. {cool}

 

Back to earth with a thud

(with thanks to the ‘Nunniong girls’ for a side-splittingly funny and fabulous weekend!)

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