Forum Fest 2015 Melbourne

[cookie1]

Marina that looks right to me. Thursday evening I THINK we are heading out to Chookie, Ral and Gert for some sort of meal, I believe. If not there is Jones the Grocer and others at The Emporium
 for those of us that are around.

Friday I think we had planned the markets, if you wish I can take anyone who wishes for a walk round the chocolate places. No free samples but it will save you the $49 for the tour, so you can buy.
I know of a Dianne Ferrari outlet in Swan St with a Wittner outlet over the road. It's a short tram ride out of the city.

My visit to the DFO was disappointing a few weeks ago. Bridge road has a good Bendon outlet that is cheaper than the DFO but Bridge Road is getting very sad.

We can probably decide what people wish to do Friday at breakfast. It is pretty easy to find your way. There are also people who are dressed in red on street corners who will help you. There is a great information kiosk in Bourke st, close to the hotel. A Myki checker out the front of the hotel and a taxi rank in Little Bourke St. A kitchen shop in Little Bourke St.
The concierge at the hotel is helpful too.

If the weather is pleasant people may select to walk along the 'river' to the Casino.

My feeling is that with such a lovely place to explore it is best that we have so e choice.

[cookie1]

I'm with Marina over the drink at a roof top bar. As long as we don't have to queue to be permitted onto the roof top, the music isn't too loud and the drink toooooooooexpensive.

I just remembered Hardware  Lane is close to the hotel and used to have some nice, casual eating places. As do some of the other lane ways.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=hardware+lane+melbourne+restaurants&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari

[Wonder]

I'm not into queuing or loud music so will look for a few options for bars. I've tried a few with DH and they do seem to get busy so hard with a bigger group but we might be able to book a table at one. I'll do some investigating over the course of this week.

for those who might be taking a walk along the river "The Arbory" is a great new café/bar which runs along between the train line and the river on the city side of the river just near flinders St. DH and I have spent a few nice hours with a cold drink overlooking the goings on of the river. It does get very busy though.

[cookie1]

That sounds wonderful Wonder. Perfect for a FF for all or a msall group. Chatting is by far the moist popular pastime as we haven't seen each other for 12 months. It isn't far from the hotel either. A pleasant walk.


I have been in touch with the hotel re our dinner on Saturday night. When I hear from them I will pass on the information. As long as they make a booking in the dining room for us.

[judydawn]

Extended forecast for Melbourne 22/10 - 27/10, not bad.  I hope they're right.

High
25°c
24°c
21°c
22°c
25°c
26°c

Low
11°c
13°c
13°c
12°c
12°c
16°c

[Cuilidh]

I wouldn't rely on those figures, Judy, after all this is Melbourne!!!

Cookie, count me in on your chocolate tour!

[judydawn]

I'll check in there a bit closer to the FF Marina, I know how inaccurate forecasters can be.

[cookie1]

The more the merrier Marina. I will base it on the places I've been and CP may have some ideas to add. Don't tell anyone but I will also base it on a tour that I looked into earlier. They won't know. 
I will get DD to help me devise it so that we don't back track. It will include the Lindt cafe and Koko Black.

[achookwoman]

Ral and I will go with the flow as much as we are able.  Put our names down, if we can't attend, we will still pay.
Thursday dinner, we can eat out or in it is up to members to decide. Cheap eat out at a pizza place or bring food to our apartment which is 2 steps from Lygon Street.
Took the car back to Bendigo today for them to fix the small things that were not right.  They had the cheek to tell us that they needed the car for a few more days as they couldn't fix the parking alert thingy.  Yes I really spat the dummy. I think Ral was even shocked!  The result is that we have a loan car ( nice Merc) for as long as we need it.  ( this was all arranged by a man who has a TMX)
We need to go to Ballarat for a few days,

[cookie1]

Enjoy the Merc Chookie and Ral. My chocolate tour is free to anyone who wishes to come so that will be fine.
Good on you spitting the dummy. Sometimes it needs to be done. Our DH's don't see it very often but the sure sit up when we do.

Take care and enjoy driving the Merc.

[judydawn]

When it's necessary, it usually works Chookie.  Good on you for sorting them out.

[Kimmyh]

Just catching up. Mich I'm so sorry about don. You must be beside yourself. Sending big hugs and hoping everything turns out well.
Thanks Marina I will see how things go. 
Chocolate tour sounds great cookie. Is that for Saturday arvo?

[cookie1]

Friday afternoon Kimmy. It isn't a proper one. It's a Cookie devised one with stops to purchase chocolates and have coffee/hot chocolate and cake along the way. I decided I could walk those interested around to the places listed on the tours. You won't get free tastes and the chat but you can use the $49 saved to have afternoon tea and buy a few chocolates.
I don't expect everyone to tag along, only those that want to. Others may like to walk along the river and have coffee on Southbank or at the place Wonder suggested.

[kmw]

I've been away from the computer for a few days & a lot to catch up on.

Michelle sorry to hear about Don & I hope he doing ok now?

Count us in for dinner Friday night, I love asian.  Not sure about Friday yet, there is an Alice in Wonderland exhibit on at the museum I want to take Alayna to and will do that either Friday or Monday but I think I will see how we are all going after our early flight that morning first.

[CreamPuff63]

Sorry to hear about DH Mich - lucky he has a loving nurse to take care of him and I hope he makes a speedy recovery  I think there are a few more states that the FF hasn't been that you will be able to meet up again, but I'm sad to not catch up this year with you