Day 2 in Melbourne

Today was a work day so, I had to work.  I did get a chance to walk along the Yarra River and explore that section of town.  Very new section of the city. Lots of shopping, theatres and a casino. Two distinct sections of the city, one side of the river is new and polished.  The other side is older and has much more character.  The city is having their Winter Carnival right now so there is a lot going in the newer section.  Ice skating, polka music and vendors selling meats on a stick, funnel cakes and hot chocolate. Oh, and beer.

Speaking of beer, they sell it, wine and hard liquor on Sundays.  Yesterday, I spotted two guys walking down the street with cases of beer on their shoulders.  That struck me as odd when I saw that. 

I found my way to Fitzroy Gardens on Sunday while exploring the city. The park is absolutely gorgeous. The grass is so green and the trees are large and varied. I have no clue what types of trees these are but they range from some without leaves (It’s winter here) , some are tropical palms and some are Evergreens. There is one type of tree here that has a bunch of trunks growing up from the base. There are 6-10 trunks all growing up from a central base. You can climb up and just sit in there amongst the tree trunks.


They have one tree that has all sorts of fairies, and animals carved into the trunk. It was crafted by a local artist in 1931 and donated to the children of Melbourne. It is known as the Fairy Tree. There are all sorts of “fairy vignettes” carved into this tree. Lot’s of frolicking and dancing amongst toadstools and foxes. It also has a darker more sinister side. The tree has Fairies stuck in spider webs and being attacked by a spider. There is an Eagle carved into the tree, it is flying and in its claws is a fairy. I am sure that the artist had the best intentions but what scary images she portrayed. I guess kids growing up here just take it all in stride and that maybe why the Australians are so tough. Putting all these scary images on a tree and donating that to children,, she might as well have written a song for kids that has imagery of the great plague.

Also in the Fitzroy Gardens is a miniature Tudor village donated to the citizens of Melbourne from the English. After World War 2, the people of the UK were experiencing food shortages and the Melbournites donated food. In recognition of that gesture, people from the UK made this entire Tudor village and sent it over to Melbourne. The houses and buildings are less than knee high. Each house or building is very detailed. Sadly, it is all fenced in and you cannot walk around in the village. I really wanted to see what it felt like to be a giant.

Most of the trees in the Gardens had sheet metal wrapped around their trunks. I figured it was for keeping squirrels off the trees, or may be to keep kids from climbing up the trees. Nope,, not so. Turns out they have an over-population of, ready for this, Possums. Not just one type of possum, two types. Who would have thought that? If they had the Australian version of East Texas redneck, they would not have that problem. They may end up having to put the possum on the endangered species list. Maybe we can send over some recipes.

Tomorrow is another work day, so I am thinking that I may have to work , again.   I do have big plans to try me some Vegamite!   
 
Another thing that I love about this city, Pubs and coffee houses, there are lots of them, everywhere.