adventures in travel

The Shins

Posted on August 1, 2012July 29, 2012 by bekswhoknits

Well Monday was the Shinsday.
This is why we went to Melbourne, and what we were there for.
And it would have taken a lot to disappoint.

This review from faster louder says everything I want to say about the music.
It was everything that you expected, and I was happy with that.

Understandably they played a lot from their latest album. The Rifles Spiral is one of my favorite songs this year and it was great to see it live.
It was the venue that was most surprising. How does Melbourne put up with it? We had move forward to try and get a good view of the stage, but after 4 songs of jostling for position, getting beer spilt on us by passers by, and the chick in front of me rubbing her arse against me, we found the better position was right at the back.
It had a clear view, probably better than craning your neck to see, plus there was room to move.
We also saw 8 people that required medical attention. Guys and girls who had passed out, or we’re very near to. You’d expect heat stroke at a punk concert, but The Shins?

Soon enough, we had sung along, wooed our lungs out, and enjoyed James Mercer’s dulcet tones and it was over. We cheered for an encore, but it would have been better of without it. Instead of leaving on a high, we left confused.
But we finished Monday night where we started Friday night, at Youngs and Jackson.
The bar tender took a photo of us in our shins merch and we reminisced on the weekend.

It really was a wonderful time, and I can’t wait to go back.

Bring on AFL finals!

~~~
lets talk!
tweet tweet ~ ravelry ~ email me

Some of the places we shopped – Melbourne (3)

Posted on July 31, 2012July 29, 2012 by bekswhoknits

Well if Saturday was about football, Sunday and Monday were about shopping.

We headed out to Brunswick to meet up with some friends. On our way we had some crepes, before leaving the boys at the pub and going for a wander.

I was a bit uninspired by the shops, but we did stumble across a gorgeous nick-nack shop.
But after walking around for a while we ended up at the pub too.

We headed on to the St Kilda markets where we wandered around but apparently we got there too late as we had missed the yarn stall. Had a couple of jugs at The Espy until the sun went down and we went in search of some food.

We ended up at trunk as it was close to our hotel and we had been there for a drink on Friday. It was such a pretty location, and I was happy with my seafood risotto. I was the lucky one. The Mr’s pasta came out in a paper bag, and was bland and cold. His sister’s boyfriends pizza came out and was impossible to eat without a knife and fork and although the base was hot, the topping was all cold.
When we asked about it we were told, that was just the way it was. Needless to say we weren’t impressed and complained to the manager.
So that meal ended on a sour note.

We ended up at our hotel bar for a couple of quiet drinks where my Mr got his converse shined by the complimentary shoe shining machine.

It was a pretty disappointing ending to the day, which could have been avoided by some decent customer service. Maybe we’re uncultured Perth people but we expect a pizza to be hot unless stated otherwise.

But Monday was Shinsday!!!

Oh and we saw a police car that was stuck on the tramline. It two 8 burly gentleman to lift it off.
We were in a taxi taking photos.

~~~
lets talk!
tweet tweet ~ ravelry ~ email me

Some of the places we went – Melbourne (2)

Posted on July 30, 2012July 29, 2012 by bekswhoknits

This is the second post where I try and make you all jealous about my Melbourne holiday.
We flew in on the red eye getting into Melbourne at 6am on Friday morning.
After leaving out luggage at the hotel (we stayed at the Marriott Hotel where we had an excellent stay), we went out in search of breakfast, whilst awaiting a txt to say our room was ready.

In the end we upgraded to a king size room and we caught up on some sleep having not got any on the plane.

After we were rested we went wandering.

We caught up with some friends over some awesome dumplings, but bland honey chicken fromEmpress of China.

We had a drink at Coopers Inn, trunk,and watched the football at Young and Jackson .

Saturday was all about football.
We went to the MCG to watch Hawthorn play Collingwood. We wanted Hawthorn to win, and they put on a very impressive display. Our hangovers made walking up 36 stairs to get to our seats a little harrowing, I had visions of falling and plummeting to my death but I’m still here. After the football we walked around the MCG, taking photos with The great Shane Warne and Dennis Lillee and promising to be back for the finals.

While we were watching a game live, the Gentleman friend’s team was also putting on a commanding display, so the group had 2 wins under their belt. Unfortunately Port vs Melbourne was going to mean someone in the group was disappointed (but it wasn’t me!) By the end of the day me, my boy, and my bestie’s teams had all won!

We also won $360 at Crown Casino. After going there to watch the Port v Melbourne game, finding out that the sports bar was closed and watching the game in a cafe, we ended up at a jazz bar.
After the music stopped, we migrated to a tv so the Mr could watch the golf. As we were on our way out he put one bet on Roulette. Well 17 (Stewart Dew or Bernie Vince depending on who you talk to) came up and we walked away amazed at our good luck.

Once our taxi driver got us home safely (after nearly colliding with an ambulance, getting lost, having a hysterical phone conversation, and singing Beyonce’s All The Single Ladies), we ordered cheesecake, pizza, and beer.

~~~
lets talk!
tweet tweet ~ ravelry ~ email me

The first post where I brag about my holiday

Posted on July 27, 2012July 27, 2012 by bekswhoknits

Well I though I was going to be a good blogger and update with photos and anecdotes while I was in Melbourne.

Instead I spent all my time stepping away from social media. Except to check-in using yelp wherever I went.
Last time I was in Melbourne I got home and didn’t know where I went, and wasn’t going to let that happen this time.

Particularly as we went to a few places, but one in particular (Trunk I’m looking at you) where the service was so horrible and we all left absolutely disappointed and sharing some Buscopan tablets.

But all in all it was a good weekend, way too short, and we’re now planning the next one (if you’re listening AFL- we want to see Adelaide at the MCG).

My knitting went on the plane with me and met no hassles. Not that I had any knitting time actually in Melbourne, but between the two flights I managed to get some uninterrupted knitting done.

I will spend more time on Melbourne and post some photos when I transfer them, but I didn’t take half as many photos as I wanted.

But thanks Melbourne and see you again soon.

This was the view from our hotel room.

~~~
lets talk!
tweet tweet ~ ravelry ~ email me

Stuck in my head – birds of Tokyo

Posted on July 19, 2012July 19, 2012 by bekswhoknits

It’s probably strange that a Perth band reminds me so much of Melbourne.
But the night before the last time I went to Melbourne, I saw Birds of Tokyo’s album launch of which this is the title track.
It still gives me shivers.
I listened to that album, fresh from seeing them live, all that Melbourne weekend.

And since I’m going to Melbourne again this week, it’s been stuck in my head.

~~~
lets talk!
tweet tweet ~ ravelry ~ email me

Sport, movies, rain

Posted on June 11, 2012June 11, 2012 by bekswhoknits

It was definitely a weekend to stay inside and keep cozy.

Apart from going to my local to watch my boys lose and wait for a non-existent roast, which only in hindsight wasn’t worth leaving the house for.

So inside I stayed and knitted. I finished off my Riff socks (but more on those on Friday) and immediately cast on anothe pair with the same needles and yarn and basic pattern (without the riff part).

I then wore said socks for the rest of the weekend.

I finished watching firefly. Cried at the appropriate points during Serenity. And wished that there was more.

Then needing more Joss Whedon (I finally got around to seeing The Avengers last Tuesday so I’m in a Joss mood) I started watching Angel.

It might take me a while to get into it.

So my weekend wasn’t spent with my nose in a book as I originally intended, but I did keep my (warm and cozy) feet up.

Bridgetown adventures with Hipstamatic (and food)

Posted on May 3, 2012May 3, 2012 by bekswhoknits

This is a picture heavy post.

Can you tell I’m missing being on holidays??

These are adventures at Ford House (which i thought was a little overrated, but everyone else oohed and aahed over everything. I thought the grounds were really pretty and went to town with hipstamatic).

There’s also the caravan covered in newspaper print that was camped next to us.

And the fish pie from the Cidery. We had a pretty awesome taste of some ciders (they make them all on site), and some handcrafted beers (which were yummy) before a tasting plate and a main meal. Their salmon pate was divine. By the end we were liking it with our fingers.

Really missing camping now.

Continue reading Bridgetown adventures with Hipstamatic (and food)

Bridgetown Adventures (pt 2) Nannup

Posted on May 1, 2012May 1, 2012 by bekswhoknits

I love going through photos after a holiday. I can reminisce and think about the good times. But also so close to the event I can remember all the things we said we’d do better next time.

Next camping trip we are not taking as much food.
This will be great as its one less thing for me to plan, but it’s also means spending money on local produce and wasting less food.

I don’t know why we hadn’t thought like this sooner.

And we have another place on the ‘to stay’ list. We did a day trip to Nannup and it was lovely. Full of little churches, interesting craft stores, and a good pub.
In fact the beef and gravy roll was a highlight. It came the day after I had burnt my mouth quite severely on a very hot honey carrot (to the point where it peeled most of the skin off and is now blistering 6 days later), but it just hit the spot I could eat it without too much pain.
Nannup was very pretty and I’d like to spend a little more time there in future.

Bridgetown adventures

Posted on April 30, 2012April 30, 2012 by bekswhoknits

Some photos from our 5 day holiday.
We stayed at the caravan park which is beautifully situated on the Blackwood River.
These are photos of our home for the last 5 days.

Oh it was really good to get away. I really want to get away again soon.

Going camping

Posted on April 24, 2012April 24, 2012 by bekswhoknits

About this time two years ago, the better half and I were on a four week camping holiday where we drove from Perth to Adelaide and back.

So most of the last month I’ve been reminiscing about where we would have been this time last year, and it’s given me the camping bug big time.
We were always planning to go away this weekend, but we were both able to get the time off between Anzac Day and the weekend as well.
I’m pretty excited. It will be our first longer-than-two-day holiday for quite a while. Especially since we’ve both started new jobs within the last year and neither of us took a break in between.

So unexpectedly being able to have a 5 day holiday is all kinds of awesome.
Except we have to go into planning mode pretty quickly. Fortunately we’ve got most of it down pat.

So I placed a food order last night, and more importantly quickly cast on a pair of two at a time toe up socks. I would like to have some socks on the go, but the cast on requires a bit of concentration. So hopefully I can get the toe increases done tonight and then i’ll take that, my green cowl, my blanket of doom, and possibly even cast on another sock-head hat just for good measure. Or maybe that’s a bit too much. I’m not sure! I mean it is only 5 days. And we are taking our bikes, and fishing rods, and possibly hiring kayaks.
Maybe I’m overthinking this. Actually I know I’m overthinking this.

So I have the food sorted, and the knitting sorted. Now all I need to do is actually pack and get down there and start enjoying the impromptu holiday.

On second thoughts – I have sock yarn for my blanket, I might just take my sock-head hat needles, just in case.

I will return to my regular scheduled posts next week. Depending on mobile coverage I may be able to post some photos.
Everyone have a safe Anzac Day – Lest We Forget.

And some nostalgia from our Adelaide trip.
This is what camping is to me.