The Melbourne supremacy
It’s night here again and I am looking down over the unassuming city which has become my favourite place on earth. My hotel is right between the famous cricket ground and the beautiful weird old station which dominates the very centre of the city. In between are many of Melbourne’s landmarks – the river (which flows right through the heart of town, so you can row between the tall buildings as the sun rises over the city, if you’re the sort of person who gets up early), Federation Square which is a ‘futuristic’ pedestrian area, and all sorts of parks and walkways. Not only can I see all this from my window, with the sky changing colour as the day goes on, but I’m right above a set of train tracks linking the centre of town with the suburbs. So as the day goes by I get to see people coming and going from work by road and rail; in fact even now there’s a train chugging away beneath me. I don’t know if you ever played Sim City (the precursor to The Sims) or read Richard Scarry’s ‘Busy Busy World’, but that feeling of seeing a city going about its daily business is one of my favourite things, and because of my elevated position I sort of feel like it’s my train-set, my toy town, and so on. I’m well aware this is the sort of thought crazed dictators probably have as they survey their lands. But my intentions are peaceful. It’s less a case of rounding up and killing, more a case of writing a novel. That’s the kind of tyrant I am.
You can quite easily go on Google Earth or do an image search or something and see what I’m seeing, so there’s not that much point in harping on about what everything looks like. The reason I love Melbourne so much (although I’m very fond of Sydney also, I should say at this point) is hard to pinpoint. I think partly it’s the unflashiness. It’s an extremely handsome city, everything’s sand-coloured or deep red and the river runs through and there’s green space everywhere, but it doesn’t seem too up itself. People are almost suspiciously friendly. The architecture is mostly 20s art deco and mock-classical and there are odd buildings everywhere, like the Forum where I’m playing this year, but it doesn’t scream at you LOOK AT THIS AMAZING THING, LOOK AT THAT AMAZING THING. There’s all sort of sport, culture, fantastic restaurants, but again, they’re all just sort of there for the taking rather than shoving themselves in your path.
In short it appeals, in the same way a person sometimes appeals, by seeming to just get on quietly with being great. Melburnians are pretty aware that their city’s lovely (it’s always up high in the Best Places To Live In The World polls) but they always seem slightly surprised – unlike, say, New Yorkers – that you love it too. If Melbourne were a person it would be a girl (or boy, depending on what kind of people you tend to fall in love with) who you grew up with and are therefore not wholly aware of their excellence because you’re kind of used to it, and assume everyone is like that. And then in later life you think ‘shit, actually she was the one’. I hope that makes some sort of sense.
I suppose my key message here is: Melbourne’s bloody nice.
OK. Job done.
Posted by spookmag » MARK WATSON IS GOING TO SURPRISE YOU on March 29, 2011
[...] In one of your recent blogs you said that Melbourne has become your favourite place on earth. You said it was for a number of [...]
Posted by Matt on March 19, 2011
Glad you’re enjoying it, Mark. I moved to Melbourne from London 2 years ago with my Aussie girlfriend and love it here. The locals might complain about the weather and the trains and whatever, but all things considered it’s a pretty nice place to live. Oh, and fantastic coffee too…
Posted by James G on March 19, 2011
Melbourne loves you too.
Posted by Lydia on March 18, 2011
That sounds lovely. I will try and go there sometime. Far in future. When I actually have money.
I am catching up because my monitor broke a couple of days ago. It is now mysteriously working again, which is very nice because by breaking it stole my coursework away from me, which was quite stressful since it’s due in very soon.
Posted by Ingrid on March 16, 2011
Wow! That sounds amazing. I’d love to go to Australia some day.
Posted by Rachael on March 16, 2011
Also, I love Richard Scarry books. I seem to recall carrying a massive one around for most of my childhood.
Posted by Rachael on March 16, 2011
I might add ‘go to Melbourne’ to my tysic’s.
Posted by Tracey on March 16, 2011
Hi Mark. Melbourne sounds like a lovely place. Watching the Australian Open tennis on tv unfortuneately doesn’t ensure that I get much of a look at it but during the coverage the commentators do point out areas of the city and it’s landmarks from time to time. Hope you continue to enjoy yourself out there. Take care, Tracey x
Posted by laurenb (LB) on March 16, 2011
That was lovely. I love Melbourne, it ranks with Vancouver & Sheffield as top 3 places in the world I would choose to live in. I also particularly liked this comment: “In short it appeals, in the same way a person sometimes appeals, by seeming to just get on quietly with being great.” I love this, I think more people should aspire to greatness in this way.
Posted by Britt on March 16, 2011
@Lauren – “‘Melbourne’s bloody nice’ should be our tourism campaign.” – I 100% agree.
Posted by Joelle on March 16, 2011
This makes me want to live in Melbourne even more, now. Mother shan’t be pleased with your efforts XD
It’s always looked like a lovely place with just enough business for me to hide but not enough that I’ll become overwhelmed and have to move back to Perth. Lots of people always undermine how lovely it is which makes me doubt my intentions, but this makes up for most of them.
I want 2013 to arrive quickly!
Posted by Lauren on March 16, 2011
That managed to make me feel homesick while I’m at home. ‘Melbourne’s bloody nice’ should be our new tourism campaign.
Posted by Madeleine on March 16, 2011
I love Melbourne, been there a few times but never for long enough. You’ve really made me miss it with that description. Every person under 25 in Brisbane has plans to movie there at some point and I am no exception. Lovely blog about a lovely place.
Posted by Britt on March 16, 2011
Ah, Melbourne. Thanks, Mark, for writing something so lovely about my home town. It’s a lovely day today, and as I sit on a tram on the way to the city, I’m imagining what you’ve described here. It’s interesting to consider Melbourne town from the perspective of an “outsider”; I’ve never really thought about why I like it here, it’s just home.
Posted by LollyPolly on March 16, 2011
What a lovely read!
Posted by Helen on March 15, 2011
That was a particularly lovely blog, now I have this illustration of what it looks like in my head and I really would like to see it for real some day.
Posted by Misha on March 15, 2011
Well done sir, you have filled me with a strange kind of longing to visit now. I quite often feel a weird sort of homesickness when I see photos of Australia, which makes very little sense considering i’ve never been. But yes, it sounds truly wonderful.
I have similar feelings towards London, which is grotty and grimey and ugly in so many ways any get it fills me with this heart bursting soaring feeling of joy.
Posted by JoC on March 15, 2011
Thanks Mark. A beautiful ode! You’ve made me smile with pride (and longing!) for my home town.
Posted by Georgie on March 15, 2011
I think it’s lovely, too. I’ve only been here just over a year and am so used to living here already! Going to miss it when I (presumabley) move after I finish uni. Almost as much as I miss Hobart now.
Posted by Corey on March 15, 2011
Totally agree. Melbourne and Sydney rock!. Going back to an old subject from early in the blogs history. During a ‘Can I help you?’ I told you and the group of a dilemma I had about a woman who I know to (for want of a better phrase) be putting it about alot, even though she was due to be getting married, and is/was it my place to let her intended about her habits!?………. My question is do you want an update?
Posted by Ally on March 15, 2011
Agreed a thousand times over. I’m still very disappointed that I’ve not been able to go there since last year and probably won’t be able to til next year:(
Posted by Anji on March 15, 2011
Anyone ever told you that you have a way with words?
now I want to be jetting off somewhere or at least be sat above everything watching the world go by. I think I could just about handle that.
Thanks for sharing in such a magical way Mark.
Posted by Cathy (traineeflorist) on March 15, 2011
You’re so clever with words Mark, I feel like I’m there looking down on it with you … glad you are enjoying Melbourne, you sound very at peace with yourself which is a lovely feeling to have x
Posted by Rick Procter on March 15, 2011
Beautiful piece of writing, my good man. Delighted you’re having such a pleasant time. Very much looking forward to the novel. You da man.
Posted by Someone on March 15, 2011
I’m listening to The Divine Comedy (who I only got into by reading comments of people on this blog. And now love.) – A Lady of a Certain Age, and reading that blog sort of made me drift away for a bit. Sounds lovely. Your description, that is. Would you ever up sticks and move there for good? Like Minchin moved to London? I don’t think you should; mainly because we’d get to see you live less. And we’d be jealous. Does England not feel like home to you? I’m not good with change, but you have made it sound quite appealing. Especially as I’m freezing right now. But I don’t think I could ever leave the UK.
Posted by MargaretL on March 15, 2011
Lovely description,Mark. We’ll all be wanting to emigrate or at least take a trip Down Under!
Comparing the scene from your window to the illustrations in Richard Scarry’s wonderful “Busy” books made me smile.They used to be my son’s absolute favourites for bedtime reading when he was small and I’d forgotten all about them! I’m sure you’ll be buying them for Kit in a few years time.
Posted by EmT on March 15, 2011
Melbourne is bloody nice, I spent a few weeks there way back in 2006 when the Commonwealth Games were on and as part of my round the world trip. Also a member of my extended family was competing in the games. It was very hot, the hottest I have experienced. Ever.
I am picturing your view now from my still very vivid five year old memories. It is very much up there on my favourite places ever. Hope you are having a great time!