Mart 130 - for brunch

When I got back to Melbourne the first place I wanted to go for Sunday brunch was Mart 130. It is located on the 96 tram line to St Kilda at the Middle Park stop - it's inside an old station master's building (yes clever people, Mart is tram - backwards! and 130 is the number of the tram stop).  I go to Mart for the eggs - #2 Eggs to be exact, but I appreciate all variations. The French toast is also super, and I hear there is a mean corn fritter thingie. So the setting is great, the food is tasty, it's simple to get to AND it's right next door to an awesome playground to go swinging on once your eggs have settled.  Oh, I've even seen a few celebs there, but I was more interested in my eggs. The only downside is that the nice people at Mart don't take bookings, and it is extremely busy there on the weekends - be prepared to wait half an hour, maybe more. This problem is easily solved (unless you are a responsible adult with a 9-5 job) by going during the week when it's far quieter and you have your pick of tables.

 So many different styles of eggs!

Playground. After breakfast maturity denial.

Said what you had to say, happy you got your way, there's nothing to discuss.

I know I'm being greedy, but can't there be Spring without hayfever?


...tissues in hand....adventures ahoy!

Photo: Bernd Westphal

Foreword

A sunny day marks the beginning of my new blog.

A year ago, when I was living in Spain, if you'd told me I would be back in Melbourne now I would have laughed in your face, fool. Yet, here I am, and happy about it. The decision to return was tough; one of those 'I feel like I'm screwed either way' moments, when no choice is the obvious one. I half expected to be back for a week before I would be planning to return to Europe, my parents rolling their eyes. It's funny (in a 'life is laughing at me' way) that before I left I had enough money to put a deposit on a house, but the idea of that terrified and disgusted me - all I wanted was travel and freedom. Now that my money has been spent on that travel and freedom, all I want is something solid - a home deposit would be nice. I guess I had to go away, to understand what I really want. So. 18 months away from Melbourne and I'm here again. I really love this city like no other. It can't compare to many European cities in terms of beauty or culture, but it has feeling.

Before I flew back to Australia, I decided that I would have to make an effort not to be bored upon my return. Not to fall into a routine of work. facebook. shop in the CBD. sleep. Melbourne has so much to offer, so many hidden treasures (that sounds totally cheese, but I couldn't think of any other way to put it).  I planned to explore Melbourne and document my findings.

Time for some Melbourne adventures.