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Camberwell, Australia

Spending time with my fellow Eden Regional co-ordinator Sally Hopkins and her husband Al for a few days was like manna to the soul. After the hype and buzz of the conference I could sleep late, stay up late and just be. Well, that is in between being spoilt rotten with roast lamb dinners, beautiful red wine (too much of it) and great conversations. Sally has been a mentor to me on this Eden journey, and sharing thoughts and insights with her always give great clarity to my own musings.
On Saturday I was treated by Sally and two of her girlfriends to the most exquisite high tea at the Windsor Hotel. A whole morning of stuffing our faces with the finest of baked goods, delicious salmon and cucumber sandwiches, chocolate eclairs, custard slices, strawberry tarts, cheescake and lemon meringue and and and… I am still stuffed.
Yesterday we visited an exhibition of the Catherine the Great collection at the Melbourne Art gallery. A very well executed exhibition that makes of you feel as if you are walking through the splendour of the Hermitage.
The day started with another “Tea House” small little Parisian shop with beautiful displays of cakes and tarts – yet another Sally treat! The arcades in Melbourne are so well preserved with unique shops that are a great escape from the Malls and chain stores. Having said that – I totally lost myself in the Uniqlo shop…where the Chinese fall short of quality for mass production, the Japanese make up for quality, incredible value and the softest of soft fabrics. I could not get out of the shop – eventually did with a shocking green down jacket. I already feel attached to the jacket like a three year old to a teddy bear.
One of the most intersting observation thus far is listening to the Australian news – it sounds JUST like home! Sex scandals in posh schools, rascism, seriously retarded Prime Minister, huge issues with trade unions, crime etc. It really is just like listening to the news at home, just with a funny accent. Our issues are universal.
The plight of the Syrians – well Australia will “only take the Christians”. So when you get off the boat, hold up your religious flag or be sent back. Wherever back is – only christians are welcome here. I will not labour the point.
I love this city, and would love to explore more and more of it.

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