Hanging Rock

Since our flight to King Island disappeared, Michael took us for a drive outside Melbourne.  We went to Hanging Rock, hoping that nothing else would disappear.

We had known about HR from the movie.  The rocks are the result of volcanic lava that has formed a plug.  Over the years the soil has been eroded and the plug rises above the landscape.  The altitude is about 800m.  We could feel our eats pop, and my waterbottle had compressed as we drove home.


WARNING - LOTS OF ROCKS AHEAD; SCROLL DOWN FOR SELFIE etc

Walking up to the top of the pinnacles

Michael

and this is what he was looking up at.

At the top.

St Patricks Cathederal

St Patrick's Cathedral has been in the news lately so we went to have a look at it.  There was a wedding on, so we had to wait for it to finish before we could go inside.  We did hear the bells, and so we waited to talk to the ringers afterwards.  With the usual bell-ringing camaraderie, we were invited to Sunday's service ring, but unfortunately we are busy.  This is the church where the bells are arranged anti-clockwise but the ringers assured us that they rang with the usual arrangements, so surely we could ring theirs!

It is a grand church and with a good aspect over the city..  

Some pics outside.  The ribbons on the fence are in support of those who suffered abuse at the hands of the priests - or an archbishop.

And the bride....

Melbourne

We were looking forward to this trip to Melbourne, mainly for a nostalgic joyride to King Island on a vintage DC3 plane.  We were not counting on a very eventful trip. First there was a two hour delay leaving Sydney because of a threatening electrical storm. Then, DISAPPOINTMENT, the company that operates the flight went into receivership. Of course we could still enjoy Melbourne, and meet up with Kay's nephew Michael.

Michael brought us to the interesting Danish Hereford Beefstouw for a lovely meal of steak and ribs.

Outside Danish Herefor Beefstous

A walked a lot around Melbourne, the narrow laneways of cafes and shops and wide streets that reminded us of Vienna.

Cafes and shops

The Block Arcade

Kay admiring a pastry shop

Melbourne has metro and trams

Across the street from Spencer Street Station

Many parts of Melbourne are very European, with its Italian and Greek restaurants and cafes, and yet few streets away there would be a concentration of Asians, a totally different feel.

Pho for lunch

Chinatown

Association for people originating from KM's grandfather's village county

DC3 can wait until the next time. Meanwhile we are enjoying Melbourne.