Melbourne Trip to Meet Gina

 Last Friday night daughterS and I took an overnight trip to Melbourne to meet blog friend Gina and see her display of embroidered linens at an old homestead turned art centre at Bundoora. SonD works for State Rail and was able to get us large discounts on a first class sleeper cabin for the 12 hour trip. We travelled in comfort and slept most of the trip so didn't see much in the way of scenery. We had all daySaturday in Melbourne then had another 12 hour return journey.

No this isn't our luggage being loaded, we know how to travel light.

This is Bundoora Homestead. We had our directions and thought we knew what we were doing. We caught a tram from Melbourne, got out at stop 62 and all was well, then we got lost in the large grounds of the home and had to ring Gina to come and find us. We had hoped to make a better first impression but Gina is such a very nice person and so easy to get along with. We saw her very impressive linen display then had a lovely Devonshire tea together in the beautiful homestead which also had a photographic exhibition upstairs.

 Some of Gina's linens in a display case, there were also tablecloths and aprons and doileys. I am lucky enough to have met 3 blog friends starting with Gattina in Belgium, Ruth from Brit Samplers who came to my home and now Gina in Melbourne. I think I got along with all three but then we all have so much in common. If not cats then embroidery collections. Gina also has two cats.   Thank you for a lovely afternoon Gina.

 Gina gave me two very much appreciated items to add to my Royal collection. A George VI coronation cushion cover and a 1953 coronation tray cloth.

 Daughter S and I went in to a Department store in Melbourne just to use their Ladies room but then I spotted a bag I really had to have. While I was trying to resist the purchase daughterS took it and bought it for me. Both my children are so good to me I think I must have been a better mother than I thought. Thank you sonD for arranging the discount train trip and daughter S for coming with me, I couldn't have done it without you both. Remember S, what happened in Melbourne stays in Melbourne.

And how are Charlotte and Emily, today they are 17 and 7 months old and have made a slight detour. Normally they go straight from my bed to their beds in the sunroom each morning. Today they made a slight detour to have a nibble of grass.  Emily is on her way to her bed in the sun and Charlotte will be right behind her when she has had enough grass.