Hello Melbourne…it’s been a long time between visits!
What with lockdowns, covid, illness, travel and general family happenings, it’s been over 4 years since I’ve been to Melbourne to visit my sister and brother-in-law.
I feel embarrassed saying that, as they’ve been up to our place a number of times over the past few years, but that’s probably because our mother and brother live nearby as well. So we have seen them, just not on their turf.
We’ve tried to get down to visit a few times but for one reason or another it just hasn’t happened. It’s usually a five-hour drive on the (boring) Hume Highway but with audiobooks, podcasts and music we make it a fun road trip.
As we’re leaving for the UK in a few weeks time we wanted to get to Melbourne beforehand and as it was a free weekend for both of us it worked out well. It was also my brother-in-law’s birthday weekend so a good time to visit.
We packed the bikes on the car and set off early on Friday morning arriving mid afternoon. We unpacked a few things then went for a bike ride across the city which was a perfect antidote to sitting in the car for hours.
Over the weekend we ate out, ate in, walked, rode our bikes, caught up on family happenings, celebrated birthdays, relaxed, laughed – it was all great fun and just what we all needed. We headed home on Monday morning feeling relaxed and rejuvenated – it’s amazing what a little break away can do isn’t it?
Earth Day
I saw a post somewhere of things to do for Earth Day and one of them was to ride a bike – and we did that all weekend!
You can’t be sad while riding a bicycle.
We managed to get out each day we were there and rode along various trails – the Merri Creek, Capital City, Main Yarra, Darebin Creek – with lots of beautiful scenery along the way. We did about 80km all up which is pretty good and the best part was getting my sister back out on the bike. She’s had a few issues with riding and had lost her confidence, we managed to overcome these with some help from her big sister (me) and she was back out there which made us all very happy!
So by riding our bikes, we did something for Earth Day which helped us and helped the Earth as well, so that’s a win/win in my book 🙂
I’ve shared some of the beautiful scenery we rode through over the weekend and although it doesn’t look like it in my photos, there were lots of people out walking, riding, running and dog walking. Everyone was making the most of the beautiful autumn weather.
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge
Terri, from Second Wind Leisure, hosts Sunday Stills photo challenge, with the prompt this week being Earth Day, you can read Terri’s post here: Sunday Stills: Adoration of the Earth
Feel free to join in, it’s a fun challenge open to everyone with a different prompt each week!
Have a great week!
Deb x
All my Sunday Stills posts can be found here – I’ve been doing these for a while and enjoy the challenge it gives me each week!
Coming up soon:
- What’s Been on Your Calendar #WBOYC – Friday 28 April 2023
Latest posts on Deb’s World:
- Exploring the other side of the world in May #WBOYC
- Down the Wookey Hole: Wordless Wednesday
- Looking back at special books #WOYBS
- Tell Us About…Gardens
- My Amazing Love Actually moment
You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.
Everyone has a story to tell! Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. She never imagined being Granny Debs would bring so much joy to her life! You can read more of Deb’s story here
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Deb's World 
Looks like a wonderful weekend Debbie, I love a few days in Melbourne, although not on a bike!
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It was so good Ali, and we had no desire to do shopping or visiting anything else so the time together and cycling was the best!
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Having a husband like mine, it’s pretty much all we do is shop
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I saw your title had the word bike in it — my favorite thing to do. Looks like you have some lovely areas to bike. I always forget the seasons are opposite where you are. Thank you for sharing.
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Great seeing you out and about and enjoying two of your favourite things – family and cycling…..and with the added bonus of being Earth friendly in the process.
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Congratulations – that’s a wonderful way to celebrate Earth Day – togetherness on adventures with bikes, YES!! The weather looked perfect too. I’m envious 😉
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Sounds like a great weekend and the photos are lovely.
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It was so much fun Cathy!
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So good seeing people enjoying the outdoors!! You’re so right …. you cannot be sad on a bike. Thank you for sharing ….. I really enjoyed this. xo
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Thanks for your lovely comment!
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Sounds like you had a wonderful visit!
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We really did Janet, it was good for all of us.
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Yay for a short(ish) road trip, Debbie! I hopped on google maps to check out the distance from Tumbarumba to Melbourne–5-6 hours of driving–not bad! So cool you took your bikes (you must have a rack). Since you went further south, I assume the weather was warmer? It looked amazingly sunny, although I see a mix of long sleeves and shorts. How nice to visit your family on their turf as you describe. Bike riding is a blast–those bike paths look well-developed.
Sidebar: After time and research, I landed on the Blix Vika, a folding e-bike! I needed a folding bike with larger tires where I can fold it and place it in my car so I can drive to the Centennial trail 9 miles away. I don’t dare ride on our rural Hwy–no room! It has 7 speeds at PAS (Peddle assist system with throttle). So cool–I’ll share some pics soon!
I’m glad you linked for the Earth Day theme. I know you are a wonderful volunteer in your community for events like these. See you next week for WBOYC!
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Thanks Terri, I smiled at you doing a google search on the trip. Yes we have a bike rack on the back of the car and it’s easy to get them on and off, even I can do it! The weather was perfect not too cold but just warm enough, considering it’s April it can be a bit hit and miss. Your bike selection sounds ideal for you! We have friends who have folding ebikes in their motorhome and love the freedom it gives them when travelling. I look forward to seeing some pics.
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Sounds like a wonderful getaway. And you can’t go wrong with a few bike rides. 😊
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Ingrid, it’s a great way to get out and about, even in the middle of a city! We all enjoyed the break from routine :). Thanks for reading and commenting!
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How cool that it was your transport for the whole weekend. I am glad you reminded your sister of the joy of riding. Well done. Love love that picture of the street with those gorgeous trees! Looks like a perfect weekend. Bernie
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It was such a great outcome Bernie, as she was ready to give up riding altogether! The streets were so lovely with their autumn colours.
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What an excellent way to celebrate the day and I love this, “You can’t be sad while riding a bicycle.”
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It’s so true that saying isn’t it?
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How lovely that you could catch up with your sister, Deb. Life gets too hectic sometimes and it is difficult when loved ones aren’t just around the corner. Love your two bike quotes too. xx
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Thanks Sue, we all really enjoyed the mini-break and being so active was a bonus.
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What a great thing to do. So glad your sister is back in the saddle. I used to bike with my grandsons but after falling off a few times, I decided to stick to walking! Also where we lived the roads were not too safe.
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It was so good to be able to help her solve her issues as otherwise she may not have got back on the bike.
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Haha…so true…you can’t be sad riding a bicycle. Great photos and post Deb.
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Thanks very much Kirstin!
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I’m hopeful this is the summer we finally buy some bikes! My husband has always had motorcycles and insisted that was his bike! I miss riding a bike!
So glad you were able to reconnect with your family. It’s tough when they live away. Mine are a little closer than yours, but I did manage to make it up there in November for my great-nephew’s wedding. The good thing is it’s like time hasn’t passed at all!
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You’re right Marsha, being with family is great fun and we all revert to our childish selves in some ways! I love my bike and it’s a great activity we do together.
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Glad you made it to Melbourne. Great idea to take your bikes and explore trails. I must think about that when we next go to Devon to see my mum, which usually takes about 5 hours driving.
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Thanks Gail, we always try to take our bikes away if we can, although one time my husband had his bike stolen off the car rack, it was locked on too! I’d love to ride around Devon.
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I love riding my bike! It’s one of those wonderful pleasure that I will never grow out of. Ever since my daughter was very little I’ve been striving to let her experience some wonderful bike rides, but she’s never caught the bike-riding-bug, unfortunately. What a great way to celebrate Earth Day!
As I am looking out my kitchen window this morning my world is covered in snow! Spring came for a week (last week) and this week winter is back again. I hope spring decides to come for good next week (or preferably this weekend.) I enjoyed your post! Have a great day!
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Snow in spring Maria, that’s not good! Thanks for your comment and I enjoy riding too. My daughters all ride but not like we do, but then they have kids and it’s hard to find the time.
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