A train ride to Birregurra

I started the trip to Birregurra from Southern Cross Station, by working out how to get to the city without having to find a car park. After realising that the trains from Nth Melbourne go through the Loop before getting to Southern Cross (usually one stop) I remembered Celia had used a bus over the west gate bridge last week. 

So I looked it up and found I could get one at 9:06 to get to Southern Cross by 9:25, to meet the others at 945.  

As I headed down to Altona Gate bus stop (5-6 min walk) I spotted a man at the stop Celia had seen on the On-ramp from Millers Rd ( 2 mins walk from home) He was there because his bike had a flat tire and he was waiting for his wife to come and get him!! But he assured me the bus would stop so I sat down and chatted about the new bridge for bikes opened last week to go to Yarraville. Bus arrived at 909am.

So a quick and direct service to the city, met Sue and Wendy on Platform 2 B 

Vintage train with dining car and compartments

We left on time and headed out west to Geelong and then on to Birregurra.
We had a comfy compartment and had booked High tea but this turned out to be morning AND afternoon tea, so felt very stylish!

the Dining Car

More than we could eat!

View of the sky as I lay under a tree after lunch

 It was a warm day so we had dressed appropriately

water Tank from 1891.

Lunch spot

Old Station features

Enthusiasts waiting to get a pic as the train returned after lunch

We arrived back at 515 in time for me to get the 523 bus back and I was home by 550!

The New place

Guests at the house warming in 1/4 of courtyard

Well we are moved in!

From our door to the park opposite

Celia is a sterling organiser and we have everything in place. Pictures on the walls books on the shelf and even a spot in the garage for my sail bag!

Dining area looks out to the courtyard

My chair near the door

The sideboard with some housewarming & birthday cards

Our scrabble set out

Kitchen

rearranged to set up the recharging area

living room, minus the scrabble

Broader view

window in the stairwell

Celia's room

My room

Bathroom and walk in shower

walk in robe!!

Jean Paul Gaultier

What and Experience!! Must go again.

Detail of the ribbon dress!

UK Punk

What symmetry! And All hand made

the Train

Yes it's Knitted!!

LOVE this! Also knitted.

Kate Blanchett's dress

Moving Day Nov 13th

The day dawned hot to max out at 34 degrees.

The new owners came for a last inspection on Wednesday night, and they were thrilled with things they had not noticed before. Air conditioning, Alarm, the ironing cupboard, the fruit trees in the garden, the water tank and how clean the place was.

So we were both happy with their happiness!

The removalist was coming at 1230 and our good friend Shirley arrived at 11am to collect Spencer for the day.

We then packed kitchen items in the car and some last minute things while Celia channeled her Gray Scrubber (Mervin Peake character) and cleaned as we emptied each area.

Celia doing a sterling job!

Looks like the day we had the floors done!

out the door!!

Danny arrived with his truck and assistant Ryan each armed with litre water bottles that the refilled more than 10 times!

They did a great job and we were on schedule less the 30+pot plants to move when we got the call that Settlement was through and we could collect the keys at Altona Meadows about 10 minutes past the new place which was about 10 minutes away.

All the plants gone

Then the thrill left the day!

As we drove out onto Geelong Road for the 20 minute trip at 250pm the traffic stopped just before Millers Road (our destination) when the 3pm News came on.

We had not heard the news of an accident that happened just before 9am Thursday when a truck rear-ended a man's car while it was stationary in the Forsyth Rd exit lanes of the Princes Freeway at Point Cook.

The car was shunted under the back of the truck in front before the first truck came over the top.

The Highway had been closed since and did not open till 4pm. They man survived but took hours to get him out.

We took from 250-5pm to get to Altona (where the agent eventually met us with the key) and then back to Heather Avenue .

Danny had started off loading while they waited, and lined all the plants outside the garage and line dup the boxes etc down the  drive so they just had to run them in 

We eventually were in (they set up the beds) at 630pm!! The removalists made some good money on a 6 hour job!!

The traffic eventually cleared about 8pm so Shirley kept Spencer for the night as she couldnt get here either.

Lynne came on Friday and we worked to set things up and put away, and Celia did the last of the boxes. Andrew and Nick & Kate came while I went sailing on Saturday, and hung pictures and some minor adjustments of doors etc.

So we are now in!!!