Marvellous Melbourne

Had a great day in Melbourne with my U3A "On the Train" group. After the 3 hour trip by train we headed to the National Gallery of Victoria for the Van Gogh "Seasons" exhibition.  It was such an incredible experience and photography was allowed (no flash)!  I was really surprised and it did hold things up a bit.  This exhibition, part of the Melbourne Winter Masterpieces program, has been running for over a month and still the crowds are unbelievable.  We escaped from there and had a beautiful lunch on Southbank, by the river Yarra, in superb winter sunshine. After a long lunch we meandered up Collins Street to Southern Cross station for the train home - yes, another three hours.  My Blip is of The Rialto, now a towering monolith above this beautiful heritage Venetian Gothic architecture, built in the goldrush days of the 1880s. I peered up from under an awning and found this facade quite beautiful. My extras are of the "Fish Shop" window entrance to our art gallery and, of course, the beautiful "Poppies and Peonies" by the master.