USS BONHOMME RICHARD at Station Pier, Port Melbourne 2017

USS Bonhomme Richard. Photo: Julie Clarke (c) 2017

This morning I went down to Station Pier, Port Melbourne specifically to see the gigantic amphibious USS Bonhomme Richard. Tbe temperature outside was about 9C degrees, but walking along the small pier adjacent to the ship it felt like about 4C degrees. The looks on the faces of about a dozen or so Melbournians who had also come down to see and photograph this historic event showed that they too were feeling the sharp bite of early morning freeze. Still it was worth it to see this lumbering, ugly, rusty ship that houses approximately 2,500 marines and staff that had been involved in the war games around Brisbane for the past few weeks. I met some of the guys from the ship who were most polite and answered my questions with either a 'yes maam' or 'no maam'. I was able to give them directions to the Museum. My sciatica and back pain were worsened by the fact that I'd been out in the cold for way too long so I treated myself to chocolate cake and coffee inside a warm, large cafe near the pier. On the tram ride back into the city I spoke with a group of people from Stawell who had come to Melbourne to see the theatrical version of The Bodyguard at the Regent Theatre, but had taken the opportunity to see the naval ship. They were lovely folk who spoke fondly of their little house in a small country town 3.5 hours away by train and the fact that their property was over-run by kangaroos. I was thinking as I spoke with them that one of the advantages of getting around on public transport is that you meet all kinds of people and I enjoy that.

USS Bonhomme Richard. Photo: Julie Clarke (c) 2017

USS Bonhomme Richard. Photo: Julie Clarke (c) 2017

I took about a dozen photographs but think these are the best. Oh, by the way I think that the man with white hair, moustache and beard that I photographed at the Equal Love rally was indeed Bruce Pascoe, indigenous Australian writer. Ha! (As always if you discover spelling or typographical errors please forgive me, I'll attempt to correct them)...

Port Melbourne Beach, another artwork, Tracey Lamb and Baby Driver

Maiden, Mother, Crone. Oil pastel & acrylic paint on A3 Daler Rowney 200 gsm paper.
Julie Clarke (c) 2017

I began the week by seeing Baby Driver at the Kino Cinema and really enjoyed the concept, music and acting until the last ten minutes when there was a flood of loud music and frenetic action that I just couldn't tolerate. Generally though I'd have to say I enjoyed the film.

During the week I went to the home of Melbourne artist Tracey Lamb and enjoyed lunch and some much needed general repartee and stimulating intellectual discussion, which focused primarily on female artists and the writings of Elizabeth Grosz. Best of all was seeing Tracey's recent sculptures, one of which is wearable and her beautiful photographs. It's so much more rewarding seeing artworks in the flesh so to speak.

And on the front, yesterday morning I did another oil pastel and acrylic paint drawing, which I've posted above. In late morning I headed off to Port Melbourne beach. The welcome mid-winter sun was smiling and the sea was calm. The Spirit of Tasmania was docked.

Photo: Julie Clarke (c) 2017

After lunch - my usual portion of fish and lemon at D'Lish Fish, I took a short walk along the beach and collected a few shells and then decided to walk to the right of Station Pier along the foreshore pedestrian walk, adjacent to the apartments that line the route . Much to my surprise I discovered the new Princess Bridge and at the end a graveyard of pylons from the original Princess Bridge built in 1912. It was a wonderful sea of worn wood and rusty nails. Almost eerie. It stood silent, like an army of sentinels in a watery grave. I loved it.

Photo: Julie Clarke (c) 2017

Port Melbourne Beach 16 December 2016

I'd hardly arrived in Melbourne this morning before seeing one homeless person asleep on the steps of St. Paul's Cathedral and another sleeping at the side of it.

I decided, rather than walk through the city I 'd go to Port Melbourne beach, which was filled with exicited people ready to board a Cruise Liner for a Noumea and Island adventure. I asked if I could go on board, but was told by a security guard that no visitors were allowed on the ship because, and I quote 'I might be a terrorist'. This certainly wasn't the case when I was a child because I distinctly remember accompanying my grandmother on a ship to see some relatives off on a grand voyage. The staircase was a partiicular fascination for us children and I remember running up and down it. Not being able to go inside I walked along the pier and took a photo of it from the small pier.

In the water to the right of the pier was a man who appeared to be walking on water, or at least hovvering above it.

I took a long walk along the beach and took this photograph of a flock of seagulls aside a small inlet of water. The sea appeared to be higher than the land and even looks so in this photograph which shows the horizon line.

I had my lunch at de'lish fish and then since I had been at the beach for nearly two hours I caught the tram back to the city. I got off at the top of Collins Street and walked through Treasury Gardens. I noticed this bird - is it a duck? It didn't look like all the other ducks in the pond. It looked quite young and didn't flinch even though I was standing barely a meter from it. It appeared mesmerised by the noise of the large crowd of people in the park obviously celebrating some work Christmas party.

Overall, I had a lovely time. The weather was just right. Not too hot, a little overcast and way too may flies annoying me as I walked. (As usual please forgive any spelling or typographical mistakes).

Visit to Port Melbourne beach 6 October 2016

I usually go to Port Melbourne beach by myself and hadn't been there since January this year (I've been to St. Kilda beach a couple of times during Winter), so I met up with Leonie at 10.30 am, had a cup of coffee at my favorite coffee shop, Ganache Chocolate in Collins Street and then we caught the 109 tram to the beach. What a glorious day weatherwise. I'm so glad I took a tshirt with me to change into as the sun was almost hot. We strolled along Station Pier had a quick look at the new Spirit of Tasmania which was docked and walked on the promenade before having lunch at Delish Fish. Lunch there never disappoints. After lunch we walked along the beach before having a cup of tea, a big rest and some good conversation. One of the most delightful parts of the day was seeing a sailing ship with its sails unfurled as it moved across the distant horizon and the large, wide sandbar that was visible from shore. The sea was as blue as blue today and very calm.

Photo: Julie Clarke (c) 2016

 I just had to photograph the lighthouse reflected in the beautifully calm waters.

Photo: Julie Clarke (c) 2016

And hope that you can see the sailing ship in the middle of the horizon. If you enlarge the photo you may just be able to see it.

Photo: Julie Clarke (c) 2016

Fingers crossed that we get more weather like we had today.