Item 20: See more of Melbourne part 1: trip to the State Library of Victoria

I can't "tick" this item off completely yet, one day trip does not maketh a "seeing" of Melbourne.

I started off by heading to the hospital for my appointment, and took in a latte and toasted sandwich at Federation Square for breakfast beforehand...

This is relevant, as you can clearly see me "getting stuck into coffee" as per item 9

I jumped off the tram along Swanston Street, fresh from my upbeat doctor's appointment, and walked up the steps and inside...

 Front entrance of the library

The iconic statue out front

Free entry, and lockers available for only $1 for 4 hours! I stashed my overnight bag and heavier belongings, and went inside.

I went in and had a look at the library's art galleries, and looked at paintings of old Melbourne, when it looked like a small town and not a city.

Charles Sturt, the namesake of Lachie's new University. He looks grumpy.

 

I then went and had a look at the famous reading room...

 Dome ceiling

Me in the reading room

It was a very pretty room, with the ceiling several floors up. Lots of chances for my attempts at artistic photos!! (Item 3. I did well with the items!!)

I then went and had a look at some exhibitions, and actually discovered Ned Kelly's armour was kept here! I wasn't expecting that!

 Cool looking stairs

 View of the reading room from a higher floor

 Ol' Neddy

 I was blown away when I saw this old photo - a friend on Facebook had suggested Thy Thy's in Victoria St, Richmond as a place to go for "the best Vietnamese in Melbourne" as part of my quest to try at least 3 new cuisines!! I feel now that when I'm in remission, this place is an absolute must!!

 Excerpts from a girl's diary from... oh, I can't remember... well over 100 years ago anyway. Apparently "mash" means to flirt with a boy. So this girl got a free tram trip from flirting. I found that somewhat funny. She was a real skank, she mashed often!!

 Poster from the old Ned Kelly movie, with Mick Jagger

 Photo of Shepparton in the old days, I can't place where it is though!! All my Googling can tell me is that it's the old Post Office, it's on Wyndham Street, and none of these buildings still stand.

 

 Old Furphy wagons from Shepparton

 nanananananana... BATMAN!!!!! I really love that Melbourne was partly founded by a man named Batman. Is that not the most awesome thing ever??

So then it was off to pick up my bag from the locker, and head to Melbourne Central for lunch before getting on the train back to Shepparton. Overall I spent about 2 hours at the library, but could have spent longer if I ended up reading a book or something in there. 

It's worth a visit, just for a look around more than anything. It wasn't overly... thrilling, but I saw some interesting things, took some photos that were worthy of applying filters and Instagram effects to, and "saw more" of Melbourne. So a successful day in all.

Looking out over Swanston Street from the front steps.

 Sushi!!! Don't worry, I was very conservative with my soy sauce :)

Heading to Spencer Street station on the Metro train

And, in other news...

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I started back at work today!! Something that should have been on my list... ok, it's now number 30!! I really enjoy my job, and I work with some really lovely people, and it was great to see them all again and get back into my "normal life".

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Speaking of these "lovely people", I went out for breakfast! (item 11), and made plans to go out for another breakfast sometime soon, both with some of the lovely people from my work.

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I'm going along to a double blood donation on Monday!! Along with my sister Steph, and friend Emily. Looking forward to it (I bet they're not though, so I plan to shout them lunch for being so awesome)

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I think that's about it for now. Nothing "ticked off" on my list yet, but I'm making lots of inroads and half-ticks... but above all, I'm enjoying it. And that's what I set out to do, is it not??

- Kait