Tag: Melbourne

Blogging From A-Z: M is MCG

inspiringmax

We took a tour of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) last December. It was something that I was looking forward to as every year it hosts the AFL (Australian Football League) grand final. My team the GWS Giants had played in their first grand final 2 months before.

The MCG was built at it’s current location in 1853 after it was forced to move from its prior home as Australia’s first steam train was to go through its oval.

Touring the MCG the history is palpable. Many of the guides have been members of the MCG for decades and are very knowledgeable.

As well as the home of the AFL grand final, the MCG is the birthplace of Test and One Day Cricket, It was also the main stadium for the 1956 Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Up until recently the MCG was the world’s largest cricket stadium with seating capacity of 100,024. It now takes second place to Motera Stadium in India.

Australia’s National Sports Museum housed in the MCG is full of history and memorabilia for many sports. It also includes the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

The artwork throughout the MCG captures many amazing moments in our sporting history.

During our tour we were taken to the spot just outside the MCG where the first game of AFL was played. The game was between Scott’s College and Melbourne Grammar School in 1858. Apparently initially the cricketers didn’t think much of the new game being played outside, however as the crowds gathered weekly the MCG saw a need. So they found away to reverse their grandstands to support cricket in summer and AFL in winter. Overtime, as AFL grew in popularity they moved into the MCG.

Walking around the MCG is just as fascinating as the inside tour. It is lined with a ring of statues dedicated to famous athletes important to the MCG’s history.

Blogging from A-Z: G is Gingerbread Village 2019

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Last Christmas while holidaying in Melbourne, my husband and I got a very pleasant surprise. We were asked by the lady at the tourist information centre, if we had seen the gingerbread village yet?

“No,” I replied.

“Oh you must, it’s just around the corner” she said.

So off we went in search of the gingerbread village, not having any idea what to expect, but we had no real plans so we were happy to take a risk.

Wow! The Gingerbread Village by EPICURE, is an amazing fundraiser for Royal Melbourne’s Children’s Hospital. It is a village made of gingerbread, marzipan and royal icing designed to replicate the famous landmarks Melbourne has to offer. It was spectacular. We spent the next 1 1/2 hours absorbing the creativity and the intricate detail of the displays.

The Gingerbread Village 2019 was the biggest one yet and used 600 kilos of gingerbread, 460 kilos of royal icing and 200 kilos of marzipan.

Some of the landmarks in last years display were:

  • Grand Prix at Albert Park
  • Flemington Racecourse
  • Melbourne Zoo
  • Luna park
  • MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground which we had toured that morning
  • Royal Children’s Hospital – completed with a meerkat enclosure and a giant aquarium both of which I am told in in the hospital for sick children to enjoy.
  • Osaka Castle – this one had special significance to us as we had visited it the evening Alex and Mizuki got married in Japan. Apparently Osaka and Melbourne as sister cities.

Here’s hoping that there is a Gingerbread Village 2020. If there is and you get the opportunity I agree with the lady at the tourist information centre.

“You must go!”

MCG under lights
Lunar Park
Grand Prix at Albert Park
Osaka Castle
Fun things Japan is known for
Meerkats at Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital
Giant Aquarium at RMCH

Share Your World – 2016 Week 29

inspiringmax

What is the perfect pizza?

I like a spicy pizza but not your ordinary Mexicana. When I make a pizza at home it has a pesto, chilli sauce and tomato paste base topped with the following ingredients:

  • roast pumpkin
  • roast sweet potato
  • roast capsicum
  • olives
  • cherry tomatoes
  • feta cheese
  • jalapenos
  • dried chilli flakes
  • fresh capsicum
  • bacon/chicken/hot salami/pepperoni  (which mix of these meats I use depends on my mood)

Once my pizza is cooked, I top it with rocket, sour cream and avocado (if I have any.)

What is your favorite time of day?

My favourite time of day varies depending on what I have on but it is always based on the one thing – ME TIME. I love the quiet time each day when I can do whatever I choose. It keeps me sane in this crazy world.

Show us two of your favorites photographs?  The photos can be from anytime in your life span.  Explain why they are your favorite.

I love this photo of me taken on one of the bridges crossing the Ottawa River, Canada. As we walked from the Quebec side of the river back into Ontario I am not sure which state I am standing in at the time but as we loved them both, it doesn’t matter. It also reminds me of the fun we had walking in the first serious snow we had during our 6 week trip to Canada. We kept believing it would come and eventually it did. I think it was also the last time I wore those jeans as they finally wore themselves out in Canada after over 10 years of faithful service. The colouful hat scarf I am wearing I made close to 30 years ago and is very unique. It remains in good condition however, as Australia doesn’t have enough days cold for me to wear it in.

2011-07-30 17.13.54

This photo the original of Inspiring Max’s profile picture was taken 5 years ago from Melbourne’s Aquatic Centre. My daughter and I were there for her last School Sports Australia Diving competition which marked the end of an era for us. At the time there was a lot of difficult things happening in our lives that got worse as the year progressed. However, never being one to focus on the negative, if I needed an extra boost of positivity that everything would be alright in the end, I would get out my double rainbow, feel inspired and keep going.

Another thing I love about this photo is that it was one of the first photos I have taken that I was really proud of as you can see the individual rainbow colours on both sides.

Complete this sentence:  I’m looking forward to…. 

moving back to Newcastle and commencing nursing in a new hospital. I have been working towards this for over 12 months and now it is getting very close.

Bonus question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

My husband starting his new job and getting together with my family without having to rush back to Sydney to work. In the next eek I am looking forward to my future employment being confirmed and maybe even a start date given.

Share Your World – 2016 Week 29