Last March was a memorable month - particularly for my husband. It was our first time at a Formula 1 Grand Prix! Paul is more the fan than I am - but I know a little bit about it because of his passion. Basically our lives are organised around the F1 schedule.
We were lucky enough to score corporate box passes for the entire weekend. And I am never opposed to visiting Melbourne - reputed as the food capital of Australia.
The weather was typical Melbourne. Hot enough for sunburn on day 1. Overcast day 2. Day 3 a mixture of sunny then overcast then raining for a few minutes ONLY when we happened to be out walking of course. Race day was cold, gusty and drizzling, followed by warm sunshine just as the race finished - with Nico Rosberg of Mercedes AMG the victor.
So here are a few photo highlights of our long March weekend in Melbourne... It will be clear which photos are from my phone and which are from my camera!
DAY 1:
After arriving in Melbourne we spent all day in Albert Park. There were races with different cars e.g. V8's, time comparison of different cars, and lots of car display things happening around.
 |
| Trying out the seats and the view! |
 |
| Paul was my packhorse and carried everything :) |
 |
| Absolutely amazing dining experience at Neil Perry's Rockpool Bar & Grill at Crown, Melbourne |
Day 2:
The boring day for me. A whole excruciating day of dental lectures at the Como Hotel in South Yarra. Paul meanwhile had fun gallivanting around Albert Park. At least we finished off with a yummy dinner at Adrian Richardson's La Luna bistro (he's the "bad chef" from Good Chef, Bad Chef)
 |
Quickie Cappuccino at the Como Centre before my full day of lectures
Even shopping centre coffee in Melbourne is good! |
 |
| On a beautiful day like this, I had to get out for a walk during a break from lectures |
 |
| La Luna Bistro |
Day 3:
Qualifying day! First got a coffee at The Final Step in South Yarra, followed by more lectures then off to Albert Park for corporate dining and viewing! Nothing beats the view from Torque bar though; the bar is situated right by the pit lane!
 |
| The Final Step cafe, South Yarra, Melbourne |
 |
| View from the Brabham corporate stands |
 |
| At Torque Bar near the pits |
 |
| The clean-up in preparation for quali |
 |
| My favourite moment! When Fernando Alonso looked at me taking his picture :) |
 |
Dinner with Paul's work clients
Comfort food at the Sherlock Holmes Inn was exactly what this rainy Melbourne night called for |
Day 4:
RACE DAY!!!! I guess the highlight of this day for me was the never-ending supply of catering and drinks in the corporate box. Oh, and Daniel Ricciardo getting a podium for the start of the season. Which was unfortunately to be later disqualified.
 |
| When Kamui Kobayashi of Caterham crashed at the start. Poor guy. |
 |
| See what I mean about the weather changing just as the race finished? |
 |
| Another delicious experience at Bistro Guillaume in Crown |
 |
| Beautifully garlicky, buttery snails. Soooooo delicious. |
 |
| Confit duck leg |
 |
| A yuuuuummy chocolate tart with salted caramel ice cream. They had me at salted caramel. |
Day 5:
Our final day :( Took it easy this day. A bit of a sleep in (8AM is a sleep in for us) then a long lazy breakfast at Workshop Brothers in Glenhuntly. Apparently the best coffee in Melbourne. I agree.
 |
Workshop Brothers Cafe, Glenhuntly
Goooooooooooood coffee :) |
 |
| I love how grand and modern the railway stations look in Melbourne! |
 |
| Japanese lunch at Kenzan on Collins Street |
