Weekend

We had the predicted cool change on Friday evening. It wasn't a big, dramatic one with thunder, rain and the temperature dropping 20d in 30 minutes. It was nice and gradual, with a bit of wind, a slow drop in the temperature, and no real thunder until nearly 5am on Saturday morning. This did wake me and the cats but I was due to get up at 5:30 anyway so it wasn't much of a disturbance.

Coming into work on a Saturday morning tram was blissful. It took 15 or 20 minutes less than usual. The tram wasn't full. It was all very calm. Although I certainly noticed the drop in temperature as I was walking to the tram stop. There was a tiny hint of rain in the air. And you could smell the smoke from the central Victorian fires.

It was very quiet at work. It often is during January. The phone hardly rang. Pathology was quiet. The doctor finished up 45 minutes early for lack of patient interest. Pathology ran out of victims 30 minutes before closing time. All was calm and peaceful. 

We should have more Saturdays like that!

It was a touch disconcerting on my way home when the tram suddenly turned right towards the tram depot. There is only one tram route that goes from Bundoora to Docklands and I didn't pay any attention to the route number when the tram turned up. I just got on and sat down. Had I paid attention I would have seen that it was an 86A, which means there is a diversion of some sort. The depot is almost the only place the tram can divert, until it reaches the city. I quite enjoyed my diverted journey but it did feel a little as though the tram had just gone rogue. (I checked Yarra Tram's social media later and found that we had been avoiding some sort of accident on Smith Street.)

Yesterday was a glorious day. Warm but not too hot, fluffy clouds, blue sky, light breeze. A perfect summer's day. I didn't go to the Alphington market because I didn't really need much. I don't have enough vegetables to last until next Sunday but I have enough to be going on with. I cleaned the flat instead.

I am aware that I should be careful what I wish for. Very careful! You may remember me complaining, whinging and whining about the carpet in Tani; dull purple colour, impossible to get the cat hair and dust out. Had I stayed, I would have replaced it with hard flooring. I have hard flooring in my flat. It is easy to sweep. It is not easy to get the cat fur up; it blows around all over the place and gets everywhere. The new rug captures it well. There is much less cat fur blowing around. And - bonus - it is really easy to sweep the cat fur up with my soft broom. Given the amount I swept up yesterday, less than a week since the rug arrived, I am astonished that Brandy has any fur left!!!

I might buy a hard brush and see how that works.

My bedroom, Sunday lunchtime.
I am considering buying another
blue and yellow rug for in here

New rug, doubling as a
snooker table for the cats

Yesterday afternoon continued glorious. I was watching the water sparkle in the harbour when it crossed my mind that I could go outside and watch it from the water's edge. I don't need an actual reason to go out and potter around. I can just, you know - Go Outside.

So,  I did.

Victoria Harbour, sparkling
in the sunshine

Looking from the ferry dock
to my place (circled)

Looking towards the library
and the new tower blocks
(Still being built)

My nearest tram stop
And a rather large stadium

The city council has started preparing to replace the wooden pylons on the promenade and has blocked off the boardwalk.  You can still walk along the paved area to the library and the new tower blocks

Irony alert: There are exactly NO trees between the fence and the water's edge. It reminds me of the exact same sign they put up on the fencing when they were chopping down the trees on the reserve in Eilish Court as they were preparing it to become a small housing estate. 

Monday morning view from my bedroom:

And now the morning is getting on and I have things to do. Amongst them, I must actually go to the library rather than looking in its direction. I have books to return.