Boxing Day and a Christmas Wrap

Have I ever been to the city on Boxing Day? Well, not recently it seems as I can not remember crowds like there were today. At struck me as we drank our coffee in Swanston Street, if you took every person (later edit) who wasn't born here off the street, we would be back in a more peaceful and quieter Melbourne.

(said in the rich and lamenting tones of Barry Humphries) It was a city without bollards to protect us from those who commit murders with cars, a city with trams only 15 metres long and not 35 metres. A city where there would be a couple of greasy cafes or pubs to eat at. A city without too much colour and movement. If fact a city where you could fire a cannon down the main street on a public holiday and not hit anyone. I suppose I don't want to go back to the time, but I do miss the quiet, grey and staid Melbourne of old.

In Myer we gave up trying to get a lift to the sixth floor. They just constantly filled as they arrived, so we used the escalators instead. People were supervising both the lifts and the escalators and while it was crowded, it was all quite safe. We bought next year's boxed Christmas cards, at half price. I spotted this one and thought you might like it Maribeth.

We bought a new set of towels, bath mats and hand towel, also half price. Enough. We battled our way out of Myer and through the crowds in Lonsdale Street to QV. R bought a case for his new tablet at the big blue stationary shed. Pity it couldn't earlier supply the new tablet.

I forgot to post a photo of our Christmas tree. It gets smaller and less decorated each year. Step Mother was the only person to see it.

Christmas Eve we went into the city to see the lights. You have seen the tree earlier in the daylight. Handsome bearded man, your noggin is in my way of my shot.

Better to sit outside at Transport Bar and take photos from there.

There were crowd controllers at both Federation Square and Melbourne Town Hall.

Yes Copperwitch, I did buy that Klimt vase from Peters of Kensington. But look what our Friend in Japan sent us! And the wrapping was so beautiful. I expect I will be well over Klimt by the end of the year.

New bollards outside Flinders Street Station, protecting us here at least, but there are lots of weak spots and it is impossible to to erect protection everywhere. I liked the simple use of rocks not taller than half a metre in Barcelona.