In Melbourne

 The day did not start well, primarily because it started very early.  There is a pub which is open 24/7 behind the Ibis Hotel and the security guards were having a chat at 0330 and kept going until I gave up at 0430 and got up.  (On our first stay in Melbourne at the Milano apartments we were told that the same pub causes issues for residents in the Milano but it seems the pub is immune to noise complaints.)

Here are the loquacious ones.

We began with a visit to the Queen Victoria Markets to acquire (mainly) fruit for the next 5 days.  You know the market serves a non-Anglo clientele when (a) they specify the variety of Durian on offer ...
.. and (b) the cucurbits look very strange.
A view of the old and new buildings.  I am astonished that some bunch of vandalistic developers haven't suggested 'redeveloping' the QVM site to put 40 storeys of slum above a new and improved market experience.  Presumably they haven't found the right "incentives" to persuade the Council and State Government yet.



As one of the small people had been ill during the week it was suggested we met daughter and smalls at the Nature Playground in Royal Park rather than indoors.  While the others chatted I could go for a wander.  Looking at eBird a Tawny Frogmouth had been found recently at the Urban Camp (I think something to do with Outdoor Education) in the North of the Park so I decided to go there.  Here is my track.
I found it very hard to keep going in the right direction.  Whether this was tiredness or an effect of all the tracks being arcs rather than direct lines I don't know.  Lots of birds, but mainly Rainbow Lorikeets and Noisy Miners.  When I got to the Urban Camp I failed on the Frogmouth but did find two Grey Butcherbirds which became Bird of the Day.
We went back to the hotel, calling in at the QVM to acquire some gozleme for lunch.  The queue was about 50 people long - few wearing masks - so we passed.  Back to the hotel where I assumed the position in bed and slept for a couple of hours.  Frances explored the cultural centre.

For our evening meal we got takeaway from a newly opened Thai restaurant at the top of Swanston St.  Very nice food and will probably see us again.


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