Melbourne, Australia

The students had their first match, the only one with a noon start, so we were heading back in the late afternoon. A lot of energy, a lot of learning today. That left time for an evening walkabout.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

The winds started the day off briskly, the afternoon had us at the Melbourne Rectangulr Stadium for MD-1, the news conferences and familiarizations on the day before the match. Christin Sinclair and coach Bev Priestman spoke befor eleading the team out onto the field.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Not all days start with a delicious meal, but the evenings have some very nice light.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

An evening walk out to Parliament Gardens after a day of mostly sitting inside. Lovely colors and a calming oasis just on the edge of the central business district.

Melbourne, Australia

We had our first chance to check in on one of our teams as Canada held an open practice with some media availability. Spent most of my time observing the kids, but made a few frames on my own. Also got to talk to a couple of local photojournalists, so that was a nice connection.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

We headed to the stadium to get our bearings, then the team headed in one direction and I took a long walk back to the apartment. Stopped along the Yarra River, outside of the Flinders Street Station and in a very funky mall.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Junee, Australia

I departed Sydney for Melbourne, choosing the all-day train ride so we could see some of the countryside. Shortly after I took my seat (aisle, not window, alas), a gentleman sat next to me.

Six or seven hours later, after a nearly non-stop conversation, Chris departed at Junee, to be picked up by his sister-in-law and then to continue on to see his father.

The train was slow and delayed, but wonderfully relaxed.