OUR MOST EXCELLENT ADVENTURE
by Chris Fox

On Monday 14th January 2008 six of our members, Margaret, Linda, Chris, Sue, Norma and Judy  took up the challenge and headed off to Melbourne on the train for some patchwork shopping using  Nola Bicknells “Fabric Shopping in Melbourne using Public Transport” as a guide.

What a fabulous day  we had and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

We had a slight hiccup at the start after disembarking at North Melbourne by boarding the wrong train and being on the wrong line. This was easily rectified by getting off at the next station (Macauley – who’s ever heard of it?) and catching the next train back to North Melbourne and starting again.  Next time we will listen to Norma who tried to tell us we were on the wrong train!

We arrived at Moonee Ponds and following directions, easily found Tranquillity Craft and Supplies in Holmes Road - only to discover that it doesn’t open on Mondays.  Disappointed bit not deterred – it was  onto to the next shop!

We walked back to the station and caught the next train to Glenroy and then the bus onto Patchworks Unlimited – Success at last!  The proprietor Gayle was absolutely lovely and most welcoming.  On went the kettle for a much needed cuppa.  She was very interested in our adventure and gave us 10% discount when we told her where we were from and what we were doing.  She has said she will extend this discount to any one who does the same and produces a copy of the article. I think she would extend this discount to any one who mentions “Bellarine Quilters” as she remembered us from our bus trip two years ago.

After that it was smooth sailing.  Back on the bus to Glenroy Station, to visit Patchwork of Essendon.  The owner was pleasant  and gave us two free quilt labels each,  which was lovely.

Then following the instructions, it was a quick walk back to the bus stop near the station and on the bus to Lygon Street and GJ’s.  This was the shop we had been saving up for. There were some great bargains to be found like the $8.00 per meter specials and the $2.00 fat quarters.  Most of the fabric ranged between $15.00 and $25.00 per metre and there was a good selection. Margaret and Chris snapped up some fabric at $2.00 per metre  – 5 metres each and great for backing quilts.

Piled up with our purchases we then caught a tram to take us back to the city. Because of some problem on the line, we had to disembark the tram and board a bus, which took us into the city.  This in itself was a bit of a novelty as the bus drove along on the tram track for part of the way.  What fun!

We  caught the loop at Melbourne Central to the North Melbourne station  in plenty of  time to catch the last off peak train back to South Geelong  (the 3.28 pm). We had time to have a  drink and something to eat before the train pulled into the station (running a little late!)  Our tired but happy little group was back at South Geelong by about 5:00 pm

We  had such a terrific day.  Most of us were Public Transport novices and would never have thought of doing our patchwork shopping in this way. We had no trouble in catching connecting trains and buses.

Every one was very friendly and helpful on the trains and buses and  were very willing to direct us when needed.  

A couple of hints if you choose to do the trip:-

Some of us took a packed lunch, which in hindsight was a good idea – as we seemed to be on the move all day.  Maybe that was because there were six of us, which meant  more time was spent in each shop. We ate our lunch at Patchwork Unlimited with our cuppa.  Gayle even gave us plates to eat our lunch off  and supplied biscuits – such a nice lady!

I was the only one who paid full “off peak fare” (it only cost $12.30).  The others either used their Senior Citizens cards  or pensioner concession cards ( $6.50) Judy and Linda used their free train travel passes . A very inexpensive way to travel.

I copied pages from the Melways showing the various stations and  streets  on the route.  I found this to be helpful in working out where we were from time to time.  Using theses pages and the  notes  from the articles we never felt “lost”. 

Chris