Stones or Beatles? No.1

Although I could (and still do) play the riff for ‘this could be the last time’, melody always won in the end and so I was a Beatle.  I can’t remember why it was important to make a choice at the time, but we did.

And now, people ask ‘Melbourne or Sydney?’  

Based on my own preconceptions, which are in turn based on what I’ve read in the guide books and what people say, I’m expecting Melbourne to win.  But preconceptions can be wrong.

Last night we got to Melbourne after a long, long train journey.  TGV it was not.  The hotel turned out to be an apartment and so did not have a bar or restaurant.  We were directed to Hardware Street to get something to eat.  

We turned a corner to be met by a wall of sound.  Tables spilled across both sides of the street, blocking the way and we ducked and dived through diners and drinkers, running the gauntlet of restauranteurs who assailed us with their menus.  The sound - from music, people talking, orders being shouted - was deafening; a mosh pit of diners.  Where is the melody?

Eventually we found a small place where we could hear ourselves think and like Lady and the Tramp, settled down to a simple Italian supper.

Today, after breakfast in Our Italian Restaurant (Billy Joel), we made our first real foray into the city.   This shot of the Railway Station sums up my first impression of the place - people everywhere.

The fact that I have included a number in today’s title implies that this is a topic I intend to return to.   Possibly.