We arrived back in Melbourne after our 10 day drive around Tasmania and, while the Grandparents took Thomas and Samuel back home to Yarrawonga, Kei and I were offered the opportunity to spend a couple of days in the big city. We caught up with friends (sadly not as many as we would have liked), did a little shopping, enjoyed some amazing food and got caught in an Aussie Summer thunderstorm.

There’s nothing quite like a Summer thunderstorm in Melbourne and I’d been hoping we’d experience one since we’d arrived. After checking into our hotel, Kei and I walked to buy some supplies (ahem, wine). The intense humidity and the heat reflecting off the footpath ensure we were drenched in perspiration before we reached the store. Then, just after we’d made our purchases, we walked outside to a few large raindrops which soon turned into a torrential downpour. By the time we made it the short distance back to the hotel, we were drenched. Thankfully, the view from our hotel room provided the opportunity to watch the full force of the storm over Albert Park lake.

For comparison, here is the same view the following morning.

Summer storms are one of things I miss most about living in Melbourne. It’s like the big payoff after days and days of heat and humidity.

Luckily, we were blessed with good weather for the remainder of our trip. Here are just a few photographic highlights.

I love this colorful Australia Post building. So pretty.

While we didn’t have a lot of time in the city, I was able to take a quick walk through the National Gallery of Victoria’s Australian Gallery. I can’t believe this was my first time to browse this part of the gallery (it was built after we moved to Portland), but I definitely plan to make time for a longer visit when we’re next in Melbourne.

This photograph was one of my favorites. The beauty of it for me is that it could not have been taken in any other country. It just epitomizes the Australian landscape. Stunning.

This installation with thoughts about racism was particularly moving.

The building was a work of art in its own right.

I wanted to bring this bookshelf home (and buy a house that would be big enough to house it).

Finally, after just a couple of days, we said goodbye to Melbourne and caught the train back to my parents house in northern Victoria. And, after a couple more days of country living, we packed everything in the car and drove the 3 hours back to Melbourne with kids in tow so we could begin the long journey home.

I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to enjoy an Australian Summer after so many years. As always, the visit felt way too short but I feel comforted by the fact that we’ll be back soon (soon being relative, of course) and that Melbourne will always be my other home.

Until next time…