Sunday, June 10, 2012

On the trails of Lady Melba

Nellie Melba (Helen Mitchell) was the first Australian known to me. All thanks to Melba ice cream cream, which I tasted many, many years ago in Poland. No wonder I was keen to see some memories of her in her native city - Melbourne.
Some things are obvious - Melba Highway so noticeable if someone drives to Healesville, Melba Hall at the Melbourne University, statue of the singer at waterfront. Then I tried to find places related to her life and death. The first was Coombe Farm, which unfortunately is not accessible to visitors, but it was at least partially compensated by visit to the winery belonging to it. There we found the plate, on which Melba dessert was served for the first time..


There was also a portrait of the singer...


.. and a selection of good wines. The other place was Lilydale Cemetery. It was not so easy to find grave of  the famous Melbournian, but finally we found it..


In the evening, over a glass of freshly purchased wine, we listened to some opera arias, which Nellie Melba sang long ago and for this while, the time ceased to exist.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

MS Walk - mission accomplished

Sunday morning promised a nice day, but few minutes before the Walk started it changed mind, there was some drizzle. But nobody bothered, people walked cheerfully..

A short slideshow is HERE.

The main purpose of the walk - raising money for MS Society - was a great success, I collected $728!
Great THANK YOU to all sponsors. See you nest year!