Melbourne organs

Tuesday to the Zoo on a cooler day - most impressed by orangs, baby elephants, gorillas and well laid out. To Pancake parlour for Shrove Tuesday. Choc ice cream with mine! To St Kilda pier to see little penguins on the pier hiding in the rocks - saw them better at the zoo which had a lovely sea lion enclosure. But an amazing noise!

Wednesday Town Hall to meet Ariel who was charming and really enjoyed playing it. What a sound! To Mass at 1pm at St Patrick's cathedral for ashing and to shop where we met a campanologist. Tram circular ride and then botanical gardens which are lovely. To St Kilda Monroes for excelelnt meal and defeated by lemon meringue pie!

Thursday Scots church - Rick let us in. Douglas Lawrence did not arrive but Milly the organ scholar arrived early for her lesson so I played the Rieger organ and listened to her Bach. Lovely church. Met Sandra Winchester at State library Le Tulk - great to see her after 23 years. Liz went shopping and to Immigration museum and I visited State library displays (lovely books and dome) and NAtional Gallery of Victoria and Ian Potter centre. Lovely pictures but quite a walk! Met Mark and Mariana and lovely Chinese meal and chocolate waffles! Great to see them!

Friday St patrick's cathedral organ which is lovely. Graham Cox got the sacristan to open up - one sits in a glass cage at the console. Man came up whose son is scholar at King's Cambridge and another man said he used to learn the organ and he enjoyed the Andrew Moore pieces. Fitzroy Gardens Cokk's cottage and Tudor village and Fairies tree. Lovely cruise to the harbour on the Yarra river. Drove round the Grand Prix course and got picnic. To Royal Botanical gardens for Comedy of Errors under the stars whcih was hilarious! Late home as got 3 tram instead of 16!

Saturday a lovely sunny day again and double decker coach tour to Tarra valley wineries. Saw Puffing Billy train come in at Menzies Creek. Fergusons for lunch (roast beef) and tasting. Bought 3 bottles at Rochfords where we got a proper tasting. Tour at Chandon and glass of delicious champagne - lovely view.

Sunday to Mass at St Patrick's cathedral met Archbishop Denis Hart and Geoffrey Cox and assistant afterwards. Impressive mass with 43 in choir. Ordinands became readers and 3 to be deacons for Rome. Excellent homily. 2 kids very distracting and noisy. Liliana and Julian from our tour were there. Back to Jackson's to collect car and drove to Geelong - arrived in rain but it cleared so we saw waterfront and visited the charming art gallery with Sidney Nolan Gallipoli pictures. Next door in Geelon library getting up to date.