Melbourne's Merry lanes

On a recent trip to Melbourne I decided to explore its tiny lanes and arcades and it was the perfect time to do this as there was a festive spirit everywhere with the lanes beautifully decorated for Christmas and with happy patrons finding the ideal gifts or taking time off from the shopping to have a great coffee or snack. I started from Federation square and I made my way up Flinders Street to the first laneway which is called Degraves St, once William Desgrave's flour mill, now buzzing, almost bursting with little restaurants, the cafes doing a roaring trade and the shops welcoming you in to browse.

From there onto the beautifully preserved Block Arcade, where Melbournians were known to take a walk or do the block around the fashionable streets of Collins and Elizabeth. This is not far from the Royal Arcade the Oldest arcade in Australia dating back to the 1869.

 The iconic trams on Flinders street with the horse drawn carriages taking tourists.

The Block arcade with its mosaic tiled floors  

The Royal Arcade  

 Baubles and wooden dolls

 A fashionable number in one of the shops

 One of the many hip little bars and eateries

 The wonderful intricate paving in the Block Arcade

 I loved the Cut throat shaves on Degraves !

The lovely Christmas wreath and a message to say Merry Merry Xmas everyone !