Day 336 - Borrowed photos

On Saturday I cursed silently as I walked through the Old Post Office in the city. The interior was the best example of contemporary Christmas decoration I'd seen in a long time. That's why I've borrowed these two photos from Guest Photographer who went there today - with camera.

Just wanted to share these. What do you think?

Guest Photographer is phillipsandwich on Flickr.

Day 283 - It's not Christmas yet!

Hey, it's not Christmas yet! I don't want to see Christmas decorations in early October. Call me a purist, but there's nothing more likely to ruin Christmas spirit than seeing baubles and reindeer for so long that by the time Christmas comes it makes you nauseous. Saw this display through the window of a Bed, Bath & Table shop in the city this morning.

My usual routine was thwarted when I realised Little Collins Street was blocked because of a crane, and I couldn't get into my usual flat rate carpark.

Still, the sun restored my cheerful mood, and I took a few more shots as I walked to my breakfast destination.

A man walked around dressed in his flag.

Peeking into the alley ways is sometimes surprising.

I like the old stuff.

Some trees are yet to grow their leaves.

The florist was just setting up his wares.

I always come back to the Manchester Unity Building. Finally gave up trying to find white plastic jewellery on account of needing to wear something white to an engagement party. Don't make a habit of wearing white.

Day 227 - Trompe d'oeil

From afar you might be tricked into believing this is a paved area leading to St Paul's Cathedral when it's actually a painted wall.

Day 213 - Old post office

Sometimes I discover surprising nooks and crannies - this one is a small side entrance to the former General Post Office building in the centre of Melbourne. I still remember this as an actual post office - too large with gloomy, wasted spaces; now it's transformed into a light retail space. Love my Saturday morning wanderings, sometimes aimless, sometimes on a specific quest to find the right gift or the eyeliner that won't end up like a black rainbow just below your eyebrow.

Day 211 - Melbourne City

Centre Place is one of the laneways that characterises Melbourne. In the Winter it is dark and lit up by artifical light, alive with clusters of people drinking coffee and holding intruiging conversations. Guest photographer - you probably guessed.

Day 205 - From Southbank

I've borrowed Guest Photographer's black and white photo of Melbourne taken from Southbank. It has an ominous feel to it, and one of the Flickr comments said it looked like Gotham City (http://bit.ly/MvX9x). Today's photo will be posted tomorrow. Tonight I'm going to dinner at Southbank with my PLP cohorts and the founders of Powerful Learning Practice, Will Richardson and Sheryl Nussbaum Beach. If I don't forget my camera, there will be a photo in tomorrow's post, although don't expect a good one because my camera doesn't do good night shots. I'm looking forward to meeting people who have been brilliant and supportive online.

Day 194 - Skyline

Guest photographer, in his travels with Mysterious Person and the absconded camera, has taken a beautiful shot of the sunset at the Docklands, Melbourne.

Day 178 - Federation Square

Federation Square in Melbourne is always a bustle of activity - what a change from the olden days when this corner was the Gas and Fuel building. Currently there's some kind of sound and light exhibition. I didn't actually go and stand in it, I just observed from a nearby cafe.

Day 109 - Orthodox Easter

Our 'midnight' Easter service starts at 11 pm and finishes at around 3 am. Many people come to this service, even people who come at no other time. There's a joke about this: a man says, 'How come every time I come to church they're singing 'Christ is risen'? I think it loses in translation.

Day 55 - Arcade in Melbourne city

A bad photo of an interesting arcade. Not sure of the name but you can come in from Flinders Lane or Swanston St. It's small, dark, a little dirty, but the leadlight is great. I'm cheating with this photo because I took it on the weekend, but my camera has been taken for the day.

Day 45 - Outdoor market at Botanical Gardens

The best days are the unexpected good ones. My husband and I decided to go to the Botanical Gardens cafe for breakfast and stumbled across the markets. After a smoky start, the day became clear and sunny. We relaxed and browsed stalls, picking up fresh strawberries and raspberries, succulents and drought-free bushes, whilst eating poffertjes and drinking iced coffee. Bliss.

Day 23 - The flying trapeze artists

I was passing the City Square in Melbourne this afternoon, and stopped to watch the trapeze artists who set up there. What a glorious day today, especially compared to yesterday's hot, windy and dusty weather.

Day 17 - Victoria Market

Saturday mornings we usually go to Vic Market. Today it was sunny, fresh and colourful.