Strings of ..

wonderful events!

Sat - Of Exploring:
Jia Yen, Mel and I toured St. Kilda Beach and Fitzroy Garden. Bought shades and has since discovered its usefulness in pictures (and of course as a sun-shield). All in all, a relaxing stroll along the beach and port. And a close call to Nature at the garden, where we caught a glimpse of Cook's Cottage and Sinclair's Cottage, and trotted along the Walks, lined with refreshing floral displays. At night, we were then joined by Pei Wen and Nat, for a Vietnamese dinner, yums!


Sun - Of Cleaning:

Went with brother for another working bee in Tree Top Close (the private community we lived in). It was a relief that we were acknowledged as siblings than spouses. Cleared the common areas such as the roundabout and pathways, swept the dried leaves and replanted some new native plants. Bro treated me lunch at Red Rooster and after that, we went to Bunnings to get a lawn mower. To dejungle our lawn. When? Soon. I think. Continue reading Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince, for the FIRST time. A bit late I know. Slept at 12.30 am.


Mon - A Step into the Past:

Woke up with a jolt at 6.30 am and washed up immediately. Skipped breakfast and woke a disgruntled brother up to fetch me to train station. Caught the 7.44 am train to Southern Cross to meet up with the others, for the much awaited trip to BALLARAT!! =)

Met up with Jia Yen, Mel, Nat, Karen and Andrea, and off we go to Ballarat by a 1.5 hour train, followed with a brief coach ride to Soverign Hill - the gold mining town of the 1850s!

An "open-air museum", Soverign Hill recreates aspects of the gold mining heyday back in the 19th century. Was in awe with the tents, mining creeks, replica of actual churches, blacksmith, goldfield stores, post office (still functioning), saddlery, confectionary factory, gold smelting works, bakeries etc that filled the town. (See pictures in Facebook, soon!)

We managed to "strike gold" - dug gold at creeks - as they would call it, and explored gold mine underground (fantastic), take pictures with people in historical wears (policemen, ladies, soldiers, miners) who strolled around the town.

We also caught a ride on one of those olden day carriages pulled by horses, where I got to sit with the horsemen on the top after winning the chance over Nat''s, Fair And Square, through scissors-paper-stone (hint: Nat's first move will always be scissors), and enjoyed a great view and chat with the handsome horsemen - to which annoyed Nat. =p Prior the ride, we were greeted and briefed by a costumed staff of the history of Soverign Hill, the then standard of living, and the origin and journey of foreign labourers to SH.

Andrea and I each dressed in Ladies's traditional wear and had a photo-shoot (costed a bomb). Though, it was fun putting on those corsets and umbrella-like frame (whaddaya call it?) under our full-length dress, and posed rather prim-and-proper as any lady would in the 1850's. haha. We had lunch at Hope Bakery (one of the bakeries there) and the pies were scrumptious! The others even da-paued some back!

Our last destination before heading back was a brief tour in the Gold Museum, where displays of Ballarat's golden history and real discovered gold (the infamous Welcome Nougat) were flaunted. The trip back was enlivened with some private chats -maybe not so as Jia Yen claimed to overhear some of them - with Andrea. At night, we were joined by Pei Wen and Ming Chin at MyCube, where we played Old Maid and Kurab (silent heart attack) over dinner. Missed Australian Idol's semifinal =(, but was updated with results over dinner by Jian and brother. Will catch up with it on its official website and am nonetheless glad that Wes's still in.

Along the way home, Rachel called and I realized that she's coming over to Melbourne tomorrow for a week, and would be staying over at my place. Didn't see that coming but nonetheless, will prepare for it. =D


Today - Of Charms and Enchantments:

Finished Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince. Read for the first time that Dumbledore died and am rather saddened now. =( Great book overall, less dark than the fifth. But will save the 7th and final, for another time (maybe tomorrow).

Okay for now. Hope you're not bored outta mind having put up with words and only words, pictures will be up in facebook! Gotta go on cleaning the house to prepare for Rach's arrival tonight (reminds me of The Burrow =p).




Till then, Bye!




PS: Have a safe trip back tomorrow, Jia Yen =)

PPS: Mind's still wandering in Hogwarts. Post-HP effect. Always the case.