A day at the Museum

This is Thang’s last week and I thought we should infuse a little culture into his stay even at this late date. He had not made it to the gallery or the Museum, so we headed off there this morning. The weather is freezing again 9 degrees as we set off. Called in to Kensington en route to see if Jude was at her shop & she was just arriving in her hat with ears?? Couldn’t quite make out what it was. So we had a chat and Thang had a brief browse.

The museum was fairly busy even at 10am and the fee for both was only $8 so not sure what deal was going on. We didn't look at everything but explored the Melbourne History area after the Lin Onus display. We saw his painting of Archie Roach and then heard Archie’s song “Bring the Children home” in the Koorie Exhibit. We especially loved the magpie truck!
There has been change since I was there last and there was a clever visual display of the growth and population growth of Melbourne suburbs over the century; Black Rock appeared in the 1930’s, so it would have been the back blocks to well established Abbottsford. We also listened to the story of Phar Lap, and his death at US hands!
There was a new exhibition about Little Lon, the dangerous area of Melbourne in the early 1900.s There had been an archaeological survey dig done there taking up what had been a big car park before a huge redevelopment (not sure where exactly) It was a fascinating display of poverty and struggle to survive. There were a lot of exhibits of relics found as well as a diary of a nun who worked in what is still Mission for Streets & Lanes.
We also explored the children’s area, which especially impressed Thang.
We then went down to Federation Square to the Ian Potter Gallery of Australian Art.
I did a tour (my version!) of the development of Australian art and pointed out the main artists of the impressionist movement, and took some photos. My favourite McCubbin, LOST, and Margaret Peston's flowers.
As we were leaving there was a poster about the Dali exhibition at the main gallery, and Thang asked who was Dali? One forgets what exposure to Art etc differs culture to culture.

Winter retreat

Queen's birthday weekend is the last public holiday till November so always welcomed. I am down to Aireys with Spencer and also Sponty, minding him while Wendy is in northern Australia for 2 months . He was looking a bit shaggy so I had Lisa cut him this afternoon. I met Lisa as I walked back with the papers and Spencer (who was off the lead) raced over to say hello, and when I asked her if she was working this weekend she said "Sponty, right?" Impressive memory! Currently we are warming ourselves around the fire as it is only 12 degrees and chilly but a weak sun. My plan for the weekend is to get into the changes to my thesis (again) and work on the proposal about a feeding admission program at Tweddle that has been approved by RCH as a partnership project.

The grounds are green with young grass (read weeds!) and the plants I put in in April are still surviving. Needs a bit of spring warmth to take off I think.
Had a major haircut last week. I have always had some grey hairs since I hit 50, but hardly worth searching for, then since late last year I have had a rush of grey! so I have been growing out the colour and letting my brunette show through, I have had some light colour foils done to help gradually let the colours come without the 'roots' look. I must admit it still does not look grey, but it really is there!

While I was away Thang finished painting the front fence. We had done the post last week and now it is all done Even has the French navy blue and white house number on (not in pic)

The mild weather has taken a down turn and we have a top tomorrow of 11 overnight 1. Now that is cold in Melbourne. The snow bunnies are ecstatic!