Creek land

The street I'm living on is a cul-de-sac, and the end of it leads right into a lovely bit of creek land. These are found all over the city, places of natural beauty and home to many native animals and plants, and are thus protected quite fiercely by Australians. In one part of Melbourne, a tunnel was built underground for the freeway (motorway) to go through, in order to avoid otherwise inevitable destruction of creek land above.

Hearing the unfamiliar sounds of the kookaburras and parrots here and seeing the bark peeling off the trees and their very different details, reminds me that I'm not in the UK any more.

This is a glimpse of my walk home from the train station, taking the short cut which also happens to be the scenic route.

Settling

Since I arrived here, almost everyone I've met has understandably asked 'how are you finding it here?', or words to that effect. And of course my general reply is along the lines of 'it's great, I really like it so far!'
This is true, but of course I've had some more thoughts than just 'it's good', or 'it's nice'. And so I thought I'd share them here. 

If anyone who reads this has visited Melbourne or Australia I'd love to know your thoughts on it too...

One of the first things that struck me when I ventured into the city was just how friendly everyone was, in all the cafes, shops, no matter what. In places I've been in Europe people have commented on how polite the English are, but in fact I think we might appear slightly rude to Australians; the English way is definitely polite, but it can also be slightly brusque and abrupt and doesn't have the same warmth that I've felt here. Maybe I'm being naive in my newly-arrived state, but I genuinely think that when shop assistants ask how you are they really care about the answer, and they're so willing to give you a hand finding something. Of course this makes the customer happier and more inclined to purchase, but it does make parting with cash a little less painful!

Something I've noticed more out in the suburbs is just the vast distances between places. People take up more space here. Not literally, but in how they live; almost all suburban houses are detached with a big front and back garden, even quite close to the city, so there are perhaps four people living in the same space that could accommodate ten in separate houses in England, or more in high rise flats.

My previous experiences of foreign countries have all been European, where although a lot of people speak English, it isn't their native or first language. So here, to hear English all the time and hardly ever anything else (until I venture into the Italian/Greek quarters) is comforting, but adds to that internal conundrum in my brain; am I at home or abroad?

That question was particularly pertinent during the first few days. I was exhausted from jet lag, and not quite sure what to make of everything. It felt strange to be travelling for two days only to re-emerge somewhere that didn't look too alien, where I understood the language, where cars drive on the left and where the people surrounding me are my family, who definitely dear resemblance to those I know at home.

At the moment, I feel like I have the best of both worlds...I have comfort in those that I'm living with and the general feel of the place, but there is still at least one thing a day that's new to me. A good balance of homeliness and newness.



Photos clickable for sources

Fitzroy

Trendy, bohemian, vintage shops aplenty, Fitzroy is too cool for school.

I wish I hadn't eaten breakfast before I arrived on Brunswick Street mid-morning - there are too many good looking eateries to count. Next time I go back will be with an empty stomach so that I can take advantage of the delicacies on offer.

Wandering up and down Brunswick Street alone took me a good few hours, as I popped into a dozen or so clothes shops, jewellery shops and record stores.

The buildings are of the old style, with embellished rooftops and window frames adding to coloured walls ranging from neutral to bright to pastel tones. They remind me of the buildings that house the Portobello market in London. And even though there was cloud overhead and the rain poured down for most of the day, the chairs and tables left outside the cafes and bars was a pleasant reminder of the good weather to come and the outdoor lifestyle that will be possible for the next few months. 

Whilst looking down some of the side streets leading off Brunswick Street, I came across a cafe set up in a container, Grace, and just around the corner from that, Industry Beans. As well as these little treasures that I'll definitely be going back to, Rose Street is home to some of Melbourne's famous street art.

When the wind and rain got all too much I sat myself down in Newtown Social Club for a deliciously sweet and spicy chai tea and a leaf through the flyers and music magazine I'd picked up earlier. A seat in the window was the perfect spot for people watching and jotting some thoughts and notes down in a lovely, brand new book.

In other news, I think my efforts to find some musical activities here might be starting to pay off, so watch this space...

Weekend tripper

Australia is a sports mad nation, a fact commonly acknowledged. So much so that they have a public holiday (in the state of Victoria) for the Melbourne Cup, their answer to the Grand National. That falls today, a Tuesday, so many Victorians took yesterday as an annual leave day and made it into a lovely long weekend. Luckily for me, my family did just that, and we ventured out into the countryside and up to a little town called Bacchus Marsh to stay with a couple of their friends, followed by a day in Daylesford where we visited an art show and an old convent converted into an art gallery. A very cultured couple of days!

Both places seem quite friendly, and it was great to get into countryside surroundings, driving along roads surrounded by gum trees, bushland and vast expanses of farmland, dotted with tiny, ancient weatherboard and tin cottages. A little glimpse into times gone by, perhaps.

Vividly coloured sky over a beautiful back garden

The lake at Daylesford

Daylesford town centre, home to many yummy looking cafes and delis

Brilliant car

From the old convent balcony

Intricate iron railings, typical of the Victorian style of old houses

Pink petals in the old convent garden

From across the globe

So I've been in Australia just over a week now, and it's about ten days since I left home, although it seems like an age ago. Despite taking a good few days to get over the jet lag, I've squeezed quite a lot into these first days, including two visits to the schools that my Aunt and Uncle work at, half of a hen party, a few wanders round the suburb I'm staying in and a couple of trips into the city. 

It's felt a lot more familiar and it's been easier to settle in than I had expected, although maybe I'll get a delayed culture shock, who knows. Now, the job hunt begins in earnest; I desperately need something to do a few days a week at least, or I'll end up going crazy. And of course any travels require funds!

Here are some of my first glimpses of Melbourne city centre

The iconic Flinders Street Station entrance, Australia's oldest train station

Looking towards the CBD from Federation Square

Australians seem to take their coffee pretty seriously...this one made for a lovely break from city seeing

The CBD from St Kilda Road Bridge

Great idea for a bar

Gorgeous stained glass roof of the National Gallery reflecting in my sunnies

Inside the State Library

Street art on the lamp posts

Snippets of autumn

Little things I've been doing in the past few weeks...

Watching beautiful sunsets over the sea

Taking leisurely walks in woodland

Going to a friend's wedding 

Playing at a village folk club with Jack, and recording the material we'd put together in the 'home studio'

Autumnal walks to work

Great Outdoors

At the moment I'm having all those typical feelings you get when you're about to move away...wishing I'd done lots of things that I didn't get round to and explored more of the area around where I live. Partly due to working full time and partly due to me being moderately lazy sometimes, neither of which are good excuses! 

So I'm trying to take these thoughts on board and make sure that when I get to Australia I make the most of all the surroundings I come across and get outside a lot more...hoping that the huge amounts of sunshine over there will help! 

And whilst procrastinating from doing things like actually packing some clothes, I've discovered tons of beautiful scenes like the ones below, which are lovely to look at and inspiring for anyone who likes the great outdoors.

Photos: one, two, three, four, five

All these and more can be found on my pinterest