Posted on by Cathy

Train Tram & Ferry

(Sitting in drafts unpublished from last year – took place Saturday 9 April 2022)

‘We can get off at Flinders Street and walk’ he said. ‘How far, how long?’ I asked

‘Not too far’ he said. ‘A couple of kms’. ‘You’re joking’ I replied

’OK, well we’ll get off at Spencer Street, and go over that way. It’s about a 15 min walk’

‘Not sure I can make that after sitting on a hard train seat for 45mins. It’s Saturday, so change at Ringwood then stopping all stations to the city’ I said.

‘Alright then, I’ll forgo my morning walk. We can get off at Flinders Street and take the tram right to the dock’ he said.

Oh the joys of living with a back condition that can impede walking – and a man able to walk an 18hole golf course with no problems at all.

And this was the place to be – at the Melbourne Ferry Terminal
Victoria Harbour
waiting for the ferry to Portarlington

We had the Lady Cutler on our left, the Bolte Bridge in front and the pineapple looking Banksia Apartments along with the leaning Marina Tower to the right

Bolte Bridge dead ahead

Be prepared- a welcome?? sight as you wait to board

On our way now sailing past some little wooden boats outside The Victorian Wooden Boat Centre. The Enterprize (replica) was docked alongside there as well.

https://enterprize.org.au

Now we’re all out to sea – well not quite. . .
just dodging the Saturday sailors as we begin our way across the bay
(Port Philip Bay)

Then it was all aboard for a special trip – a gift for a special anniversary.
Sail, Rail & Dine – delayed a whole year because of ‘you know what’.
https://www.theqtrain.com.au

*******

A stop at Suma Park allowed people to get off and stretch their legs. There was nothing ‘arranged’ there so it was just wander up and down admiring the carriages and the engine if you walked that far forward (plus a very nice bench which I couldn’t resist). We could see staff tidying up the dining rooms preparing to serve desserts when we got back on, so true to form for many of them, when the time came, smokers who’d been asked to stand away from the train all left it as late as possible – puffing away then stamping it out just before they scrambled onboard.

Our girls bought the gift thinking we were going to be pulled by the steam engine – sadly he was booked for a special weekend event .. but we did get a glimpse of him further up the track 😊

Then it was time to get the coach back to Portarlington to connect with the ferry back to Docklands. No sitting outside on the return trip, this is how it was all the way across the bay. Dark clouds and strong winds!

We’d planned to wander round the Docklands area but it was cool, wet and windy when we got off the ferry – the tram and train home to our far eastern suburb sounded like a far better idea.

April 8 1961 – April 9 2022

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Sharing with Wednesday Words &Whimsy hosted by Min HERE

28 Replies to “Train Tram & Ferry”

  1. Love the sign above the photos; love the photos, too. Yes, who knew, way back then when we were so young, that what to eat would continue to be a topic of conversation. Terry was thrilled, when we got married, that I could cook so all he had to do was clean up rather than having to do both!

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    1. I think that funny as well – there’s another similar one along the lines of . . . Shouting ‘what’ to each other
      The Golfer was a bit surprised when I told him I didn’t do cooked breakfasts – he was used to full English (bacon eggs sausage etc) Even now hot porridge is as much as I can take first thing.

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    1. Given at Christmas – I couldn’t wait for those months between then and April to pass. And then after a wet week the sun shone on the day.
      And yes, it’ll a few years for newly weds to understand the words on that little sign

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      1. lol I looked as well – it’s gone up by quite a lot! About $200 each now 🙁
        The girls ‘bought’ this in 2021, they actually found a deal online – we used it the next year so it would have been a lot cheaper then. But even so it would be nice to repeat…wonder if they do lay by😊

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    2. Yes, can’t remember what time we left home Andrew, the ferry was about 10am so it would have to be about 8.30 and it was about that by the time we got back in the evening.
      Nearly 2 yrs ago now- might be time for us also to think about another go (own expense unfortunately)

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  8. Sounds like an awesome day. Yes I totally get the not wanting to walk far. My favourite ways of travel are train and boat. To do both on the one day would be fantastic
    Love your wedding photo. So young and full of anticipation of the coming adventure your both going to have

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    1. You are definitely correct about receiving experiences rather than things Jennifer. This was one of the best we’ve been given.
      It happened nearly two years ago now and I can remember every detail. If you’re really keen their website goes into great detail about everything you need to know,
      Sadly these days price rises are a given and this has risen quite dramatically- but definitely something to think about for a special occasion.

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  11. Happy anniversary Cathy and what a lovely way to spend it. I hear you though having had a back condition for a time walking long distances was not fun. Fortunately, I’ve built my back strength and don’t have issues any longer but I do empathise with those that do. I don’t use public transport much here in Brisbane but when we were in Europe last month we enjoyed Trains, Trams and a River Cruise! Take care x

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    1. Definitely a very special way to celebrate a very special occasion. I find warm water exercises plus weight training helps my condition the best. Luckily the leisure centre has plenty of facilities to use

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  12. Happy Anniversary Cathy – love the two photos at the end of your post too – how lovely! What a gorgeous gift and a lovely day out (despite the dark clouds for the return trip). I can emphasise with you on your sore back and limitations for walking great distances and having to factor your plans around that. It was a broken foot that did that for me for a while! Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy – hope to see you again next week for the final one of 2023! xo

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    1. It was a fabulous gift Min, one to remember.
      Putting the two photos together had me pondering over all the years between the first and the second- a whole lot of living took place (good bad and yes, a little tiddly bit of ugly). We’re older and wiser now and there’s still a lot of living to do!
      Might not be back next week – hopefully next year. Thanks for being there

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  13. Such a lovely trip by train, tram and ferry! Congratulations to you both and that meme about marriage being a case of trying to decide what to eat for their rest of their lives is so true 🙂

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