The Aussie Diaries - Melbourne Day 5

The Aussie Diaries - Melbourne Day 5

The weather forecast said sunny with temperatures reaching a maximum of 20°C, so here we are decked out in what we thought would be appropriate for the warmest weather we've had in Melbourne yet (leggings, cotton tunic, cardigan and a shawl for me; sweater, shawl and jeans for C and flip flops for both) for the seven-minute stroll to Queen Victoria Market.

We were up and out before the sun could fully rise and we foolishly thought that it wouldn't be long before its rays warmed up the current 5°C.

Unlike the hustle and bustle of the previous morning when we had popped by to grab brekkie, the market was almost empty with the exception of a few stray tourists.

So we grabbed a bratwurst brekkie (ala Tony Bourdain in his show), braved the chill and made ourselves comfortable at one of the many empty tables.

The market was gradually coming alive as general merchandise vendors displayed their wares, and people began to trickle in. We had resorted to standing in stray spots of sunshine to stay reasonably warm by this point and were dismayed to see locals bundled up in trenchcoats and woollen scarves. Did they know something about the weather we didn't?

Because we were too lazy to pop back to the apartment to layer up, we ended up with a pair of UGGs each. I got mine in black so you should be able to spot C's orange ones better. They were a tad steep and I had quite the dilemma choosing between the functional black and the camel-toned ones I'd always wanted. A sweet old lady whose mirror I was borrowing said to me: "Dear, they're nothing but furry slippers aren't they?" That's debatable, but the "slippers" sure served us well on our remaining days Down Under!

Lunch's served! Back in the warm comforts of our apartment with the morning's food buys. An awesome aged cheddar, cold cuts, a bottle of A$6 Moscato...

Cooked sweet prawns...

A canoli and a lamington. All for slightly under A$30. Yum.

Walking about the CBD - this is Flinders Station.

I'm guessing it's mandarin season in Melbourne.

A fearless fire juggler in Federation Square. Talk about busking for your life!

And this is Degraves Street, a grungy alleyway packed with tiny cafes. I had to have another taste of the exceedingly good latte I had on my first morning.

I either over-romanticised my first cuppa, or it was a different barista behind the counter pulling the shots. This was still good, but not enough for me to make another 20-minute journey for a third cup.

Love their alleys - spot the shoes!

Late dinner reservations at Cutler & Co in a quiet corner of Gertrude Street had us on our toes.

We had to have cocktails after two back-to-back wine tours, and the food was good, though not mind blowing as I'd kinda expected it to be.

Sent to us as an apology for mixing up C's order - so bizarre, so good. A hazelnut cake topped with goat's cheese that tastes just like cream, poached rhubarb and a sprinkle of what I reckon is olive powder? Much better than the actual desserts we ordered, this complimentary genius saved the day!