Random Winter Things

It's not very warm in Melbourne this winter. For a country that suffers from massive drought, there has been A LOT of rain here lately.  The one problem is, the catchment areas are poorly located. Let's hope we can move into an Australian spring and summer with full dams and rain tanks!

One of the shopping arcades in the city is featuring this colorful brolly display this winter. Very appropriate.

These are orchids growing outside the apartment next door. Totally surprising. I always thought that orchids required lots of TLC. These ones thrive on neglect as my neighbour does NOTHING to tend to his assortment of succulents and other potted plants.

There are many delicious micro-breweries in Victoria and around Melbourne. It is officially my mission to sample as many interesting looking brews this winter (with the best brew sampling companion ever...) so that I am full of excellent recommendations when my friends Jacquie and Glenn rock up in Melbourne in January of next year.  The vote on Wahoo? Great name, but give it a pass.  This brewery from Western Australia also makes Atomic Pale Ale. We'll see how good that one tastes...stay tuned.

The Green and Gold

I'm wondering if I've made it clear in previous posts that Australia is a sports mad country....

We saw these M&M's last week at the shops and bought them in a fit of cultural excitement. They came in a green tub, and are in the National Sporting colours to celebrate and support the Australian athletes in the upcoming Olympics. 

Here's a bit of history for you: In the 80's, green and gold were made this nation's official sporting colours. Hm. Interesting, no?

But why? The two colours are also found in the official national plant, the Golden Wattle ... and maybe because too many other countries already had red, white and blue on their flags and in their national sports uniforms (?!).

At the end of the day, it was un-Australian NOT to buy them ...and then consume them by the green and gold handfuls.

Lights

A couple weekends ago, I wandered through Federation Square in Melbourne's CBD. If there's a festival on in the city... it will usually be here. Winter in Melbourne means a Light Festival around the longest night of the year.  This year a friend of mine was involved as a performer in one of the light installations. It was pretty magical.

Performers had a physical movement score that they repeated over the course of a couple hours. They interacted with the books, and at one point, it looked as though they were praying or celebrating or summoning. It was quite beautiful.

Hot drinks were available, of course. 

Happy Canada Day!

Dear friends and family back in Canada today who have enjoyed warm summer temperatures, cold drinks... perhaps some of them alcoholic...bbqs, fireworks and ice cream ( maybe even a Dilly Bar) on Canada Day,
I miss you. ...but I do still love my "new" home. Allow me to describe my creature comforts of Winter Coziness this evening in Melbourne:

• Cycling home (in fresh 9 degree weather) from a meeting across the city when it is still light (5pm) and has not yet started raining. 
• Entering my apartment  (both oil heaters on!) and drawing a hot bath. 
• Pouring a glass of wine and defrosting Greek Lentil soup to have later for dinner with some crusty bread.
• Enjoying said bath and wine ...at the same time....as well as...
• Reading the third book in the Hunger Games Trilogy.  (I've got to know what the kids are into these days!)

Here's a decidedly un-Canadian but very Australian wine I shared with someone who appreciates a good red (and can rock on with the best of 'em) a couple nights ago.