Blog Day 407 - Sunday 9 May 2021 - Mothers' Day

Not much happening on the virus front, in Australia at least, fifteen new cases reported Australia wide, all ROTs.  No new local infections reported in the last 24 hours and Victoria has now gone 70 something days without a local infection.

India reported 401,000 new infections in the last 24 hours and 4,200 deaths in the same period.  Absolutely no sign of any improvement there.

Brazil is still reporting 70,000 plus new infections per day and between 2 and 3 thousand deaths per day, likewise no sign of improvement.

Looking forward to getting my first inoculation needle on Tuesday.

Things were a bit quiet at the Shrine last Thursday so I went up to the balconies and took some pics of the Shrine and the city.  It was the first time I had been up to the balconies in some time and I am pretty sure that they have added steps and made them steeper.  When I first started there I used to bound up the stairs like a mountain goat now I go up them like a wombat, and I have to catch my breath at the top.  But when you have a look at the pictures below you will say, "Graeme, what marvellous photos and it was worth your while tackling the stairs".

Things are busier at the Shrine this coming week and I have an extra shift tomorrow (Monday) morning and possibly another on Wednesday afternoon.  The volunteer numbers are down due to some volunteers not returning after the pandemic closures and others hesitant about coming back at the moment.  So the volunteers who have returned have to carry the load for a bit.

Looking South from the Shrine balconies

Looking East towards Government house and the botanical gardens

Looking North across the WW2 forecourt and towards the city

Looking towards the city including the Eureka tower

Looking sort of West towards Albert Park lake and the bay in the background

Education Centre courtyard and giant poppy

Visitor Centre courtyard and government house, botanical gardens and city


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