Blog 0053. A day in Melbourne.

Day 4 of 9

Although not particularly hungry last night, I was determined to find a small bite to eat before retiring for the evening, after a very long day. The only place offering snacks was in the Crowne Casino, similar to one I ended up in Perth, in 2019, but with no concert venue I could see on this first visit. It’s astonishing the amount of serious custom these establishments attract. It was the same in the casino on Queen Mary 2, especially as we cruised through Asia. I had two small decaff lattes and an unappetising wrap. I was also tempted by a strawberry flan, which I succumbed to. (I wished that I hadn’t!). I really was by now ready for bed and drifted off into another world that I would be glad to wake up from!

So here I am now, having had my breakfast, looking out onto a grey vista of modern city high rises through a dirty window which gave me the impression it was raining! Let’s see how today turns out.

River view from my bedroom. It’s a great pity the window was dusty. There is so much building work going on throughout the city.

I need not have worried too much. The sun broke through almost immediately I was outside, having had some sightseeing suggestions from the concierge. Melbourne’s answer to the hop-on hop-off bus is a now small fleet of vintage trams dating back to 1932. These cost nothing to use, and all public transport within the business centre of Melbourne is free….a nice change from the usual 35 or 50 dollars of a tourist bus. A recorded commentary on board the vintage tram is extremely helpful.

Just six of these vintage vehicles are in use today.

The first thing I did was to go to Flinders Street railway station to ascertain times of trains to Belgrave, starting point of the Puffing Billy Railway I have visited on two previous occasions.

Flinders Street railway station, Melbourne 15/3/23

Although the steam departure is 11.15, I am advised to be there an hour before. As in 2019, they are still repairing the line, and I will need to travel by bus from Camberwell to Box Hill, as in 2019! I was very impressed with the station staff lady who ascertained all the information I needed, including the advice of getting an early night! I think this is going to mean crawling out of bed at just after 6 am., and grabbing a light breakfast. For whatever reason, I tend to wake up earlier these days.

It has turned into a hot summer’s day, and having enjoyed a chicken and avocado salad, it’s time to explore.

The tiny café in a narrow street where I had a chicken and avocado salad.

Some of the world-famous graffiti…Really?

Before returning to my hotel to change into my shorts, I chose to visit St. Paul’s Cathedral. I got into conversation with the young lady in charge of welcoming visitors. From what I gather, she is training young people to be Christian leaders and is, herself, of robust faith. I would then learn that Choral Evensong would be taking place at 17.10 hrs, and is a daily occurrence from Tuesday to (I think) Saturday. That’s a lot of work for all involved. St. Paul’s, Melbourne, is a massive Victorian piece of architectural splendour, with materials and decorations from England, parts of Europe as well as locally, including New Zealand. I saw no boy sopranos as the choir processed towards the West Door at the end of a beautifully executed act of worship. I understand that Thursday Choral Evensongs are posted on YouTube. There were strict instructions not to video the service, and I got the feeling this would be strictly enforced. I would love to hear the choir again.

Floor tiles, which I am told were manufactured in Shropshire

I have achieved well over three quarters of a million steps in my challenge in support of Christian Aid. I am told that sponsorship forms have, or are about to be distributed among the six churches back home. I really am now on the Other Side of the World. But, for some reason, although it took 50 days to reach Darwin in the Northern Territory, and today is Day 64, I don’t really feel so far away, except I have to be careful when contacting people at home.

It never really occurred to me that to catch the 11.15 steam train from Belgrave to Lakeside, I need to catch a train no later than 08.24 from Flinders Street Station. That will enable me to be at Belgrave just ahead of the mandatory 60 minutes before departure.

Tonight, I enjoyed sweet and sour pork with boiled rice for dinner at the lovely riverside Lucky Chan restaurant. It’s time for a walk along the Yarra River prior to the early night I was advised to take this morning.