Bendigo. The Easter edition.

Wishing to avoid the tumbleweed vibe that took over the streets of Melbourne on Good Friday at the start of the Easter four day weekend, we opted for a two hour train ride northwest to the provincial outpost of Bendigo.  A rural metropolis with its roots firmly set in golden grandeur of the mid 1800's, when digging to get rich became all the rage.  The ensuing bonanza and the then townsfolk's civic pride have left the legacy of some wonderful Victorian architecture.

The goldfields also left another legacy that is still maintained today at the Bendigo Easter Fair.  A large Chinese population came to Bendigo Creek seeking riches, and have left their decedents and traditions behind.  Bendigo being home to the largest Imperial Dragon on earth, Sun Loong.

(No not the one above)

Dining became an Italian experience at the well recommended Borchelli on View Street.

 Enjoy Bendigo for a day.  

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Rone upscales.

Noted Melbourne artist of the outdoors, Rone, has risen to the challenge of art on a grand scale.  Spending seven long days in a cherry picker, with the stunning result being this monumental maiden.

You'll find her at 80 Collins Street in Melbourne.

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Le Louvre - A ghost on Collins St.

This fantastic 3 storey building at No. 74 Collins Street for many years housed one of the most glamorous salons of style and mode that Melbourne has known, the iconic and chic Le Louvre.  From 1934 until 2010 this address was the passport to international elegance.  With its guilt fittings and furniture, mirrored walls and liberal swathes of Ocelot print, it was beguiling and a touch risqué.

While the business still exists and thrives at a new location in South Yarra, No 74 was given over to a fashion chainstore for the past few years.  Now on the eve of a major redevelopment for the site, the spirit of its past has been re-imagined to serve as a sales and marketing suite.

The New may be coming, but the past glamour will linger here at

"the Paris end of Collins Street".

Thank you Lillian Wightman.

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Coco n' Stella X Rennie.

As snapped by the late, great Rennie Ellis.  

Coco & Stella at Mardi Gras 1994.

This image appears in the latest book from the estate of Rennie titled

"Decedant. 1980-2000"

A fantastic exhibition of his work has just opened at the Monash Gallery of Art.  

"The Rennie Ellis Show" will run until June 8th 2014 and then tour nationally at selected galleries.  

 Rennie chronicles life and society in Australia from the 1960's until his untimely death in 2003.  Truly worth the visit to see how we were.

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Dining @ Kamel.

Another of our favourite dining haunts in genteel Albert Park is Kamel.  A wonderful Middle Eastern/North African spice fare for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner has satisfied the local gentle folk and nomadic foodie fossickers alike for many a year.  Wether you choose to dine in the colourful kaleidoscopic interior or grab a perch at one of the kerbside tables to watch the #1 tram trundle by, its always a satisfying experience.

Pay a visit to Nigel & Mindy at Kamel,

19 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park.

Have a Kamel, don't have a cow.

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Happy St Kilda.

The Pharrell "Happy" phenomenon has hit beautiful bayside
St Kilda, home to Nic-nak Castle.  If you take a close look at around the 2.52 minute mark you'll spy Mr Brown rocking it out in his studio in fully Westwood attire.

Enjoy being Happy in St Kilda.

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