SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN THE GARDENS

ROYAL ARCADE, MELBOURNE – LOCKDOWN – PART 2

The day before Lockdown (112 days) ended in Melbourne.    This is the main northern end of the Royal Arcade where it opens on to the pedestrian-only shopping area and main department stores of Bourke Street.

Hairdressers and the 5km close-to-home limit had been lifted the week before, hence me being in the city for a haircut.   Only a minute to take the shot before the lone figure moved on and my appointment were due.

I was surprised at the number of people around on this day compared to the empty ghost-town like images on the TV news some weeks before, but I suppose there were people living in city apartments who had ventured outdoors for a walk.

Melbourne city pre-COVID below.

ROYAL ARCADE, MELBOURNE – LOCKDOWN – PART 1

The Royal Arcade, Melbourne, the day before Lockdown (112 days) ended 28th October 2020.

Hairdressers and the 5km from home restrictions ended the week before, hence me being in the city centre for a haircut.   I was surprised to see a few people around, but only had a couple of minutes to take a photo before they moved on…….. and I was due for my appointment.

STORM CLOUDS RISING

THE EIGHTH FLOWER – Peace Lily

BUSKER (Street Musician) & A COUPLE MORE – BURKE STREET, MELBOURNE

LAST LIGHT – #53

PATH TO NOWHERE

LAST LIGHT – #33

Obviously, no photography skill needed to capture this Last Light shot, but would you have actually seen it?

STILL LIFE – Gem Squash

 

LAST LIGHT – THE KITCHEN #23

END OF THE CORRIDOR

Facing the long corridor after being outdoors is always a depressing sight.

THE SHAPE OF WATER

SUMMER SLEEPER

STREET ARTISTS – Union Lane, Melbourne

WINTER – Queen Street, Melbourne

TAKE 2 – Flinders Lane, Melbourne

AUTUMN LIGHT

AUTUMN

PEELING PAPER

MELBOURNE’S OLD GPO CLOCK TOWER

Once upon a time, Melbourne’s General Post Office was the centre of the city’s postal service where thousands of letters were received and sorted. Located on the intersection between Bourke and Elizabeth Street, the GPO building was conveniently positioned in the city’s central business district and its location continues to be used as a point of reference to measure distance from the centre of Melbourne. From the mid-19^th Century right up until 1992, Melbournians visited the GPO to post letters, buy stationary, check their PO boxes and pay bills, but these days the building is home to retailers and restaurants.

(note: I didn’t have the right lens to capture the rest of the building when walking through the city earlier this week, but I liked the image all the same).

I THINK ITS A VESPA

MEAT SECTION – QUEEN VICTORIA MARKET, NORTH MELBOURNE

City Building Foyer

LUNCH TIME – Melbourne Laneway

CITY LIVING

I noticed a couple of previously unseen Buskers in the main shopping mall yesterday, which, like many other musicians busking, were a joy to hear. Most of the singers or musicians in this main street give a professional level of entertainment.

In general, I rarely go into the Melbourne City’s CBD (central business district) any more as it’s so crowded in the main Bourke Street pedestrian only shopping mall and I find my senses overwhelmed.

My MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity) is super-sensitive to perfumes, chemicals, loud sounds and bright lights.

Yesterday’s visit to my favourite hairdresser, who can tame my wayward hair into some resemblance of style, and my regular Dental appointment (next Wednesday) are about the only reasons for a visit.

Yesterday was hot and airless in the crowd, but one can never predict the weather in Melbourne (when you make appointments the previous week).

MY BEAR WEARS GLASSES

STRIPED DRESS & A PAIR OF THONGS

SOMETIMES A STUMBLE…………….

MELBOURNE TOWN HALL CLOCK TOWER

TAKE 2 – Elizabeth Street, Melbourne

WAITING – tram stop, Collins Street, Melbourne CBD

1 + 2 = 3 (Centre Place, Melbourne)

GIVING THE BIKE A REST

BUSKER (street artist) & AUDIENCE

 

 

FERRY ON THE YARRA RIVER – Late afternoon, Winter

LATE AFTERNOON LIGHT – THE WETLANDS

BUSKER (STREET MUSICIAN) – MELBOURNE CBD

WINTER

FEDERATION SQUARE, MELBOURNE

As I was hurrying to catch a tram to the south side of the city, I stopped for a moment to watch the above scene.   I’m not sure whether I captured this scene as well as I could have (had I more time), but street photography is often a quick un-composed shot anyway.

I couldn’t help but be highly amused at the sight of 2 women calmly sitting on the step eating their lunch(?) while the cameraman was recording a clip of (perhaps) a journalist or TV weatherman behind them?

Next minute, a man in a velour sort of dressing gown (?), complete with ankle socks and thongs, interrupted them, walked up to the person being filmed and put his arm around him (I missed that shot), so they stopped filming.  I couldn’t work out whether he was part of the crew. or a passerby in a rather strange outfit on a cold winter’s day wanting to be photographed with a celebrity of some sort?   I was too far away to really see much.

 

I rarely go in to the city centre to do street photography these days.  It’s usually a quick stop, or walk down a lane, on the way to somewhere else.

STROLL IN THE AUTUMN SUNSHINE – DEGRAVES STREET, MELBOURNE

SMALL CHANGE FOR A BUSKER (STREET MUSICIAN)

Two passersby looking for small change for a Busking Musician – Degraves Street, Melbourne.

ARCHITECTURE – THE OLD MELBOURNE SAFE DEPOSIT BUILDING

LAST OFF THE BUS – OUTSIDE FOOTSCRAY MARKET

END OF THE WORK DAY – FOOTSCRAY LANEWAY

ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS

ANCIENT RUINS – MODERN DAY

RAINY DAY

ARUM LILY ABSTRACT

LOW TIDE