Fed Square Adventure Day

I'm now back home after having a wonderful time with my three adorable 

grandsons O'Shea, Finn and Louis. It's always very sad leaving them.

Granny Dave with Finn, Louis and O'Shea - Love these boys. 

On the weekend seeing I was catching up with some girlfriends in the city for lunch, I thought I'd get an earlier train and check out NGV Australia (National Gallery of Victoria) at Federation Square. It is also known as the Ian Potter Centre. When I got there the square and surrounds were filled with thousands of people for the Japanese Summer Festival.

The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is an art gallery that houses the Australian part of the National Gallery of Victoria's collection. I've never visited this Australian site 

before and was very pleasantly surprised.

There are over 20,000 Australian artworks which include paintings, sculptures, prints, photography, fashion and textiles. This collection is one of the oldest and most famous in the country. Some well known works at the gallery include Frederick McCubbin's, The Pioneer (1904), Tom Robert's, Shearing of the Rams (1890) and many more.

The Pioneer - Frederick McCubbin 1904

 The three panels of  The Pioneer tell a story of a free settler, a farmer who has chosen some land to clear and farm, and his family. The story is ambiguous, like many of McCubbin's other works and McCubbin chose not to respond when controversy broke out over the "correct" meaning.

The left panel shows the settler and his wife settling on their selection of land; in the foreground the woman is deep in thought. In the centre panel, the baby in the woman's arms indicates that some time has elapsed. A cottage, the family home, can be seen in a clearing through the trees. The right panel shows a man crouching over a grave. A city is visible in the background, again indicating that time has passed. It is unclear whose grave it is, and if the man is the pioneer, the baby from the centre panel, or a stranger stumbling across the grave.

Lost - Frederick McCubbin - 1907

For some reason this painting really grabbed my attention.

I think you can feel the young boys sadness 

There is also some fantastic indigenous art which includes amazing works by 

William Barack, Emily Kngwarreye and many other talented artists.

No words needed

I loved this, it was so striking

This textile piece was amazing

A close up of the previous piece - amazing!!

It was not only the art that grabbed my attention. The smooth surfaces of the concrete walls with the various angles really gave the whole space a great feeling. This staircase also grabbed my attention.

Looking out the windows showed all the different angles.

I couldn't help but marvel at all the angles and the tactile feel of the concrete walls. 

I know it's just a staircase - but a pretty cool staircase!

Next time your looking for a little adventure and your anywhere near Melbourne CBD I'd really recommend paying NGV Australia a visit.

Then when I let the NGV, I came across something I've never seen before. It was Niska Robotic Ice-Cream Bar. Yes and ice-cream shop where you are served by a robot, your ice-cream is scooped by a robot and you pick up from a robot. Go figure! I was going to get one but the line was just to long. 

Niska Robotic Ice-Cream Bar

#my2020journey

Mini Mega Model Museum - Melbourne Museum

On this week’s Adventure Day my two eldest granddaughters joined me on my adventure. After our train trip into the city, first up was a short visit to the National Gallery of Victoria. 

We love the water wall at the entrance of the National Gallery

This was Mikayla’s first visit and she loved the water wall at the entrance. 

The Great Wall with it's amazing stained-glass ceiling

She was also very impressed with the Great Hall with its spectacular stained-glass ceiling. I agreed with Clare and Mikayla that this beautiful hall has a very calming feel. Next it was down to Southbank for our lunch then it was off to Walkers donuts, which is a regular place we visit seeing their surname is Walker. 

Clare and Mikayla are partial to a Walkers Donut

Next was onto a tram to Melbourne Museum to visit the “Mini Mega Model Museum”. This is a temporary exhibition that features a world of over 300 astounding models and miniatures from the museums own collection. The amazing pieces of work ranged from a giant mosquito, a Colosseum made out of cork, a very detailed miniature carousel and the most amazing dollhouse I could ever imagine seeing. 

It was unanimous that the dollhouse was all of our favourite. 

One very impressive doll house

Incredible detail

The carousel not only had incredible detail but was made with lots of recycled items. 

The dollhouse is named Pendle Hall, a Georgian Mansion: 1940’s - 1980’s. It was made by Felicity Clemens from Tasmania. 

“Felicity felt her daughters little dollhouse was to plain. 

So, she improved it. Hugely. For 40 years.”

Then it was time to head home on the train. Unfortunately, it was almost peak time and there were no seats available. But the girls loved that idea and spent the trip home giggling every time the train jerked and they wobbled around on their unstable feet. 

It was such a great Adventure Day. 

A Perfect January

My January has consisted of a lot of wonderful family ADVENTURES.

My first adventure was to spend some very special time with my granddaughters Clare and Mikayla. I wanted to have a special day which each girl, totally on their own. It was their choice what we did, what we ate and where we went. First up it was 6 year old Clare to have an adventure.

First up it was Clare and Gaga's adventure day

For dinner her request was for Mexican. Easy done seeing that my favourite food too.

Clare loves Mexican and loved decorating the table for dinner -
NO that's not her beer!!

The following morning we travelled into the city as she wanted to go to an art gallery. At the moment she wants to be an artist when she grows up.

Clare was pretty excited about seeing the water wall at the gallery's entrance.

I was pretty excited about seeing this amazing 14 metre long reclining Buddha.
Clare was a bit surprised about all the naked figures surrounding the Buddha,
 me too actually. 

Mmmmm a room full of skulls, 100 skulls actually- very interesting

After our inspirational time at the National Gallery of Victoria we headed into the city for lunch and and a stroll through the Graffiti filled Melbourne laneways. But first it was time to stop for a yummy donut.

Seeing Clares surname is Walker we just had to get a donut from Walkers Donuts!

The next day it was 4 year old Mikayla's turn to have an adventure day with me. Her choice for dinner was Spaghetti Bolognese, with is also up with my favourites.

Time for Mikayla and Gaga to have their adventure

At first she couldn't decide how she wanted to spend her day but finally it was the beach she wanted to visit.Our first stop for the day was Luna Park, we both had fun checking everything out, we especially got a lot of laughs out of the mirrors that made us look funny.

She was pretty excited

The crazy mirrors certainly had us laughing

After lunch it was time for the beach and a playground. Mikayla was pretty happy to finally be at the beach.

One excited little girl

The playground we went to was right on the beach so we didn't have far to go.

The playground was a great place to have fun and stay out of the sun a bit

We finished our adventure off with an ice cream and it was time to head home.

Mmmm Ice-cream time

Next up was my week long adventure with my son Shane, his wife Stacey and my three gorgeous grandsons (O'Shea, Finn and Louis) visiting for a week.
First up we had a day at Brickvention, a Lego fan convention. We travelled into the city by train which was a bit of excitement for the O'Shea and Finn.

It's great experiencing a train journey through kids eyes

Louis didn't mind having a train trip either

The Lego Convention was held at the beautiful Old Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne.

The stunning Old Exhibition Buildings

This shot was taken as we walked in the door.
Within seconds of turning around the boys were overwhelmed by the amazingness 

 Some of the exhibits that had been made were huge and absolutely amazing.

Just one of the amazing Lego structures, totally amazing

Oh and a day's adventure just has to be topped off with popcorn and fairy floss!!

We had our second Christmas Day with both my children (Shane and Rachel) their spouses (Luke and Stacey) and my six adorable grandchildren.

Oh what a cherished moment this was.
I am the luckiest person alive.

Stacey and Rachel were kept busy most of the day.

Next was Papa's turn. The tiny people are starting to get restless. 

The week was full of mini adventures, among them was a day at the beach.

A fun family day at the beach

Clare, O'Shea, Finn and Mikayla also participated in a basketball clinic, although it seemed more like a relay of who could have a bit of a sook. But by the end of the session they all said they had fun.

At last they were all having fun - it took a while!

Little Louis and Lily didn't participate in much, they just layer around and looked adorable.

Oooh aren't our two new family members adorable

Then to finish of the week Clare and O'Shea lost their first baby tooth on the same day. They certainly were pretty excited about having the tooth fairy visit.

First one out Clare.....

......closely followed by O'Shea

I finished my month of with a couple of hours with beautiful Lily and I have also started a Detox in preparation for my trip of a lifetime to South America in May this year.

What a cutie Lily is.

Louis and his Lulla doll sleeping peacefully

Oh and what do you eat the night before you start your Detox? That would be Mexican of course!!

Yumm Nachos and a good old Cascade

Yes a very tasty meal indeed

Detox here I come !!

What an exhausting but totally satisfying and FUN month of ADVENTURES I have had. Thank January you were just perfect. I wonder what February will bring me.

Buddha's Smile at the National Gallery Victoria

After a bit of a delay I am finally getting back into having an Adventure Day every week, to explore what my city, Melbourne has to offer.

I always like visiting the NGV with it's impressive waterfall entrance and it's amazing Grand Hall with it's spectacular stained glass ceiling.

National Gallery Victoria - St Kilda Rd, Melbourne

The magnificent waterfall entry to the NGV.  
The first time I ever visited this gallery I thought the water ran down between two sheets of glass. It wasn't until I put my face and hands on it and I got drenched I realised it didn't. 

The Grand Hall was opened on August 20, 1968.

This magnificent ceiling is the world's largest stained-glass ceiling
and was designed by Australian artist Leonard French.
The ceiling is high 13.72 metres and a  vast 60.9 x 15.24 metres.

The 224 triangles of diamond-cut primary colours weigh 300 kilograms each.

This latest venture was to the National Gallery of Victoria to see the Buddha's Smile Exhibition. Anyone who knows me and my obsession with Buddha's would instantly know this is one exhibition I would have to visit.

11 Headed Bodhisattva

A delicate but powerful piece

It was hard to get a great photo of this statue as it was behind glass.
But for some reason it mesmerised me. 

 The explanation in the NGV information brochure is "Explore the story of Buddha in his multitude of incarnations, from Buddhist-inspired works of art and Zen philosophy to Buddhist costume, religious symbolism, painting conventions and historical narratives. Buddha's Smile reveals the unique style and mediums of art throughout Asia with a focus on the tranquility and silent transmission of Buddhist philosophy through simple gestures of a smile."

Liu Xiaoxian
Our God, Laughing Buddha
Digital print on aluminium

The Our God, Laughing Buddha work is actually made up of
thousands of photos of Jesus, as shown in detail above.
The artist also made a corresponding piece of work of Jesus made
up up thousands of photos of the Laughing Buddha. 

I did have a little feedback from a friend that they thought the exhibition was just OK. From my perspective I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it very informative with some amazing pieces of art.

KHMER
Ceremonial hanging and covering... 19th Century
Depicting the life of King Ashoka -Buddha

"The Buddha smiled and varicoloured rays of light extended from the smile, up to the gods in heaven and down to the various hells, where warmth brought relief to those suffering in the cold hells and it's coolness brought relief to those in the hot hells'..........
......Adaptation from The Legend of King Ashoka