One day this will be a pub again

This was once a pub.

It's on Rae St in Nth Fitzroy.

I think it was called the Cricket Club Hotel.

I noted that my old milk bar just up the street had also been converted into a residence.

Sigh...

Great pubs of Melbourne

Another favourite of mine is the Rainbow Hotel in Fitzroy.

Very homely atmosphere, with well priced beer and a nice beer garden for the warmer months.

Friends of mine- Georgia and Anna are not fans of this establishment.

However, I'm yet to meet a bloke who doesn't rate it a wonderful hotel.

Live music can be heard most nights of the week.

Meat pie

Is there anything better to eat than a Four 'n Twenty pie?
Me thinks not.
As the song goes "Football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars".
There is nothing more Melbourne than this Australian icon.
I lament their decline in popularity. And I seeth at the thought of when the Carlton Football Club replaced the humble Four 'n Twenty with Pattie's Pies in the 90's at Princes Park.
That decision foreshadowed their current plight...

There should be laws against this..

This was once a thriving hotel. I can't stand it when newcomers with no sense of history buy up an old pub and turn it into a house. I'd love to buy this place when it's next on the market and convert it back into a pub!! More lost Victorian heritage. Stay tuned for further examples which I will photograph in the coming weeks.

Great pubs of the world

Intoducing the Lord Nelson. A terrific place for a refreshing ale on a cold, wet night in Sydney. They brew their own beers and I can vouch for their terrific pale ale. It's difficult to get into their restaurant without a booking, but their counter meals downstairs were very good anyhow.

Best old thing that I found on my travels this month

I found this beauty at the laundromat. What I'd pay to have one of these in my laundry at home.. Gotta love the traditional OMO and Surf. No fancy enzyme options. The way washing powder was meant to be.

Street signs

Are you a fan of the "Johnny Come Lately" green version, or the traditional black and white?

Please leave a comment, I'd be interested in your thoughts. I'm a traditionalist. Perhaps all streets should have both versions to appease all.

Great pubs of the world

Here's the first instalment. A great place for a pint. Friendly staff and patrons. It can get a bit crazy on March 17. If only they did meals....The Dan O'Connell.

Weird and wonderful airlines

It's always been a dream of mine to fly TAM. Here is a photo of Harvey at the offices of TAM in Sth America. I wonder if you can smoke on board?

This makes me ill!

It's a tragedy when railway infrastructure is removed and demolished for little reason. There can be no justification for the removal of the old "inner circle" line. Here are a few photos of the former rail bridge in Fitzroy behind the Edinburgh Gardens. Below are the "kit homes" that have replaced it.

How sweet it is...

I love beating Richmond. Especially at the MCG, on a Friday night. It was a great night.

Red Hen

Trains are my favourite mode of transportation. Here is a photo taken at Victor Harbor in Sth Australia in March with a "Red Hen" diesel which travels from Goolwa to Victor Harbor on weekends. I'm looking forward to my next trip there and experiencing the journey. Of interest is a working turntable at Victor Harbor- I'd love to see that in action..

Pixies in Melbourne!!

Last night (Wed) I was fortunate enough to get a ticket to see the Pixies perform at the Palace in St Kilda.

They are probably the one surviving band that I always really wanted to see live.

A fan since I was introduced to Surfer Rosa and Come On Pilgrim (circa 1990), the night did not disappoint.

My travel plans to the Palace were a little unusual as my usual Palace gig-buddy in Harvey was not with me. He's in Sth America travelling in a bus that had its window blown out by gale force winds.

The support band was the Panics who were excellent. They must be the nerdiest looking band since the Proclaimers. They were an excellent prelude to the main act.

The Pixies blew the crowd away with their set. They did one encore. They confirmed why they are one of the most loved and revered indie bands of the last 20 yrs. Song highlights were Gouge Away, Hey and Vamos.

For the first time ever, I stood in prime position on level 1. I got there at 8.10pm in order to get that spot though. I wasn't going to suffer like I did at Kasabian- standing behind some 6 foot 2, 18 year old "Johnny Come Lately", not being able to see a thing.

A wonderful night- a great time was had by all.