6:00 am Walk

When I was Growing Up,
"Down the Creek" was very much "Out of Bounds".
And although I had the occasional visit (Camera in hand, when the Creek was flooded) it has not been somewhere I ventured, until just recently.

Since retiring, DH and I have been enjoying exploring the Bike Paths and Informal Tracks along Edgars Creek.

We have passed others out Walking or Out with their Dogs or just using the Bike Paths as a means to get Safely to Work.

Parts of these tracks have been here for Years, but with the Housing development of the KODAK Factory site opening up the area, and a lot of work from the 'Friends of Edgars Creek' Group, this beautiful area is more easily accessible.

I have been delighted to find the Bush Walk that I have longed for was less than 10 minutes from my Home.

Today we came across the SES, Fire Brigade and Police ....

Who gets up at 6:00 am and decides it is a good idea to set fire to a Bridge?

Looks like it will be a while before we can go That way again...

With the route for our walk decided by someone else, we turned towards Home - with a small detour to the Cafe, a cold drink and perfect Coffee.

Flight of Dragons ?

I am used to Predawn noise in the street - Rubbish Collections, The Bus rumbling past, even the Neighbour leaving for an early morning call out.

But today it was different - A Roaring Noise from Above which HAD to be investigated!

While I was eagerly trying to snap photos on my Phone (and berating myself that my Canon with it's telephoto lens is packed away), another Balloon snuck up from behind.
Only alerting me to it's presence by the roar of the Gas heating the canopy.

That made at least FIVE in today's Drift!

I wondered if the neighbour across the road had any idea there was a Balloon hiding behind their Chimney?

It is not the first time we have had Balloons in the area - normally we see them in the distance.

But in September 2006, they were so close and so low, we jumped in the car to see where they were going...

We were delighted to find them landing on the local Football Oval.

We happily chatted to friends who were also woken by the noise overhead, taking plenty of photos to show the sleepy-heads that stayed behind.

It was a Good start to the day!

(Maybe one day I will join them.)

Playing Tourist - DOCKLANDS

After Christmas in Australia is a great time to get Out and About.  Families have taken their Children to far away places for the School Holidays, (Possibly down the Beach) so everywhere else is fairly quiet.

Apheresis Plasma collection

It was with that in mind I decided to join (newly Retired DH) on his regular Fortnightly trip to The Blood Bank.

So while he rolled up his sleeves and Gave his Donation - I curled up in a Corner with a Cuppa and a Good Book and read for an hour.

Once that was over we went for a long walk and explored the other side of Southern Cross Train Station.

We walked across the Bridge and past MARVEL Stadium with it's fully close-able roof for all Weather Sport and Entertainment use.

It has had other names...
Colonial Stadium (2000–2002) Telstra Dome (2002–2009) and Etihad Stadium (2009–2018)

Regardless of what Badge it wears - To the Locals - 

It will always be known as "Docklands".

When I was working in the City in the early 1970's this was definitely NOT the place for a Young Lady to be wandering around!

Today it is Quite different!

With a LOT of work and re-development it is now "THE" Place to be.

Office HQs, Restaurants  and Luxury apartments sit on the edge of the Yarra River where once Ships unloaded their Cargo for the Town of Melbourne.

This week there is a Special Visitor moored at the Harbour -

The Sea Shepherd's Flagship, the MY "Steve Irwin." She has had many adventures, but is now is in town prior to being retired.

It was a beautiful day for a Walk and Walk we did!

All the way to the Melbourne Star and Back into the City, where we jumped on a Tram to the end of the line and walked home....

It was A LOT of steps...and all 13,121 of them in Heels!