Saturday 24 March 2012

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens .... a few of my favourite things...

I don’t know if it still happens, but many years ago all across Australia there was a campaign called clean up Australia, where thousands of volunteers would come out on the weekend and clean the beaches, the rivers, lakes, public gardens, arriving back, it feels as though the campaign happened only last week, the cleanliness was the first thing I noticed…..  followed by… 
 
the wonderful service …. after many years you almost become immune to the poor service in the UK. It is noticeably better in Australia (something I had forgotten) … warm and genuine but without being over the top like the states…. everybody says enjoy the rest of your day … is there anything else I can do to help .. or something along those lines, without it feeling forced.
Melbourne has changed a lot in the years I have been away, all in a great way, hats off to those that have designed, developed and continue to build this extraordinary city, and hats off to the folks that live here especially those that have moved from abroad to make this such a wonderful multi-cultural place.....

Tuesday 6 March 2012

Melbourne – should I have been worried ? Crikey cobbers, from the look of things, not a bit …

In my lead up to returning to Australia, I gotta say I was a bit nervous ..  given the travel and the places I have lived ..  would I still love it? would it feel like home? was it going to be busy enough? was there enough to do?  ..  so plenty of research has been occurring …  and you know what ?…  by crikey cobbers …  I forgot that Melbourne for many many years has been ranked either 1 or 2 (it fights with Vancouver) as the world’s most liveable city ..

In March alone ..  here are just some of the events on …  and on top of the below, there is still all the normal attractions and things to do …. (I should work for tourism Melbourne) …
Grand Prix:  yep at Albert Park lake about a 20-30 min stroll from the CBD, go Webber, go Webber, vrroommmmm the track and grounds are spectacular, a lake in the middle, overlooking the beaches and bay, and the city behind you....