autumn in Melbourne

I love Autumn in Melbourne, with warmish sunny days, autumn leaves, cold nights so you can light a fire or snuggle under a warm doona, but sitll occasionally warm enough to entice one to go for a quick plunge in the clear seawater.

This autumn I've been enjoying having the grandchildren at the beach, loving watching the new plants germinate in the garden -we have garlic growing everywhere and walking the dog in the morning is an absolute joy with the lorikeets enjoying the flowering gums.  The Easter bonus was accompanying Bec and the kids to an easter egg hunt at Cranbourne then going to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne.  The beautiful red centre of the gardens, the children's garden with a dinosaur made from old logs, the water feature where the children could paddle and play stepping stones and the amazing variety of Australian plants was a delight to the eyes and warming of the soul.  Spying a number of bandicoots in the surrounding bush topped it all off beautifully.

Happy hour for dog walkers

Now I know most people associate happy hour with a drink after work or at the local pub (or wine bar if you are a bit sophisticated!).   However me and the bloke I live with (the doona stealing weasel title has been stolen by Jack the dog) are part of an informal local dog walking group - well walking is actually a bit of a misnomer because the two legged animals tend to stand around and talk while the four legged ones run, wrestle, pee on any bags left on the ground, look for food, roll on smelly bits of ground and generally have a good time.  The group is at times referred to as the ALP - the Australian Labradoodle Party, although in true inclusive style, recognising the multicultural nature of our community, four legged animals from culturally and linguistically diverse (and occasionally unknown) backgrounds are allowed to be members. 



Members of cabinet seeking a briefing from a staffer

A debate in progress

The self appointed PM of the party is Benji, who this week declared that as the staffers (the two legged animals)  of Cabinet Ministers (the motley assortment of four legged animals) were seen to be suffering from stress due to heavy workloads they deserved a Friday Happy Hour.



A pre cabinet caucus meeting

 So the staffers were allowed to bring beverages such as wine or beer.  Which we did and a very civilised way it was to spend a balmy autumn afternoon in Melbourne as the sun was lowering, the dogs played and peed and the staffers quaffed.  The favourite tipple was white wine, we had a delightful Beelgara Estate Range Pinot Grigio, very soft, slight pear overtones and quite pleasant.  There was almost a disaster when a cabinet minister thought the wine glass could be water, however decisive action on the part of an observant staffer averted a problem.



Taking a break form the rough and tumble of cabinet

Should we call a point of order?



na na na na na - I've got the ball