Both Nic and I have spent a fair amount of time in Melbourne
on various holidays but it’s safe to say this was by far the best one to date!
And after spending some time in London a few years back, I reckon it is our
equivalent.
There is always something happening – festivals, gigs,
sports, etc. and then there’s the weather! I probably should say that we really
only had 2 days in 8 that were typical of the two places, and one we were
travelling for most of the day and the second we flew out – so Melbourne really
turned it on for us!
Melbourne for me previously has been all about the footy and
the casino. In fact all we used to do was roll from the G to the Crown and back
again. Not saying that isn’t a great way to spend a weekend in Melbourne, but
this trip was more than that. I was introduced to some areas of Melbourne I
didn’t know existed! And to be generously put up by Powder and Elspeth gave us
some places to see, eat and drink at, that only locals can help with! Pity we
didn’t get to fit in a game of croquette (or ‘kicky on the roof’) but we did
get to squeeze in a few froths or two.
One would say we were lucky enough and unfortunate enough to
get to spend some time with a lot of family. We had a funeral in Wangaratta
where we farewelled Maus’ mum, and although funerals are always a sad affair, I
really feel this one did Nelly and the family proud. It was more a day of
celebrating the life she lived, the lives she gave and the lives she touched.
To have so many friends and family present meant the day was a lot easier to
bear for all involved.
Our time in country Vic was squeezed around a few trips to
the G, catching up with friends and the other side of the family, and of course,
one of the greatest day of the year – ANZAC Day at the G. The Monday before we
had been treated by Powder and Pops to the Easter Monday clash between the
Hawks and the Cats, and through their lofty connections we watched the majority
of the game from the best seats in the house (the parts we missed we viewed
from the best bar in Melbourne!) That game was intense, with an even game and
an even split of the 80,000 supporting the two best teams of the last 5 or so years
– shame about the result.
But ANZAC Day was at a whole other level. The build up to
the game I would say would surpass any other sporting event in regards to
tradition and meaning, because it is about more than just the game! The Ode of
Remembrance, the Last Post, the minutes silence and the Reveille/Rouse are
something that all Aussies and sports fans should try and experience one day.
To have 90,000 plus people all deathly quiet, soaking in
each and every moment of the occasion is something I will never forget. It brought
some of us to the brink of tears whilst for others the occasion was all too
much, causing one lady to go weak at the knees and pass out on us, literally.
The Ode forces you to think of how lucky we are while the Last Post sends
shivers up your spine – be it the first time or the hundredth time you have
heard it. To hear nothing but the flag fluttering against the mast while 92,000
people stand silently and proudly gives an eerie feeling to the place and the Reveille/Rouse
provides you with a notion of commemoration and remembrance. The whole
experience reminds us that we do live in the best place on earth!
And then the game begins!
No comments:
Post a Comment