Melbourne Adventures

 On 22 December I decided to explore the new train tunnel from Anzac Station to Parkville.  This is partly to see what the Metro Tunnel is like, and to see if it is a viable route to get to Melba Hall.  Getting a little more value from the trip I would also check out the area around Grand-daughter 1's school, which is just off Royal Parade. So I hopped on a tram to Anzac Station.  Hear are the turnstiles, where a helper assured me my Myki tap on would transfer to the train. There is a glass wall between the platform and the tracks with lots of wide doors which open when and where trains arrive. A helpful sign above the platform. There were a few people around - from conversations overhead many were, like me testing the system out as an alternative to switching trams in the CBD.  I have obscured faces in the hope it annoys AI systems and their owners (looking at you Elon). In the train. An 'up' escalator at Parkville .  It is a 2 stage ascent from about 25m ...

 The previous post was getting a bit long so I have started a new one ! This begins on 9 December with a drive to Altona for birding and retail therapy.  The birds were quite good, the weather and insects rather less so.  There were a lot (~100) of Pied Stilts, but as far as we could see no Avocets nor Banded Stilts. A couple each of Common Greenshank and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.  Both Godwits were present (but not photographed). Regular waders missing included Red-necked Stint and Pied Oystercatcher.  A large flock of Whiskered Terns were loafing (and 178 counted on two images). Leaving the beach we attended North Altona mall and then hit the Westgate Freeway.  This was the first time we had done this since the Tunnel opened and I didn't realise quite where we were relative to the start of the tunnel.  Quite soon we were in the Tunnel.  I had intended to visit it sometime soon, just not right now.  Out the far end and with a little prayer and...