I found a new barber and the shop looked quite smart. It would be $5 more for a haircut, but I am an adventurous soul...in some areas. Alas, it is popular and was booked out.
I returned to the one I had been going to for a year or more, which wasn't bad when I first visited but it has deteriorated. I never see the same barber twice, and the last two different guys have been quite rough with their buzz cutting machines.
As I was looking into the mirror in front of me, watching the reflection of the passing parade of pedestrians outside the salon, I spied something unusual about a passing tram. Was it our sole new operational G Class tram?
With the reflection confusing me about direction, I did eventually work out it was travelling one more stop to the Flinders Street terminus.
My unsatisfactory haircut finished and as I left the salon, the tram was starting off from the terminus. I can still walk briskly if a situation requires it, and so I did and caught the tram. I rode the tram to Victoria Market, and caught another tram back.
There isn't a figure available for how much a new tram costs, in this case 100 new trams bundled in with a new depot, maintenance facilities, etc. The figure for 100 new trams and the aforesaid costs is AU$1.85 billion.
So, what did I think? Just wonderful. It was smooth, quiet and felt quite luxurious. It is better insulated from the tracks, the aircon noise wasn't noticeable, the internal passenger information displays were very well thought out. The only fault I noticed was some internal panel rattle as the tram crossed other tram tracks at right angles.
Some trivia for you, in spite of spinner Adam Chandler (I'm disappointed in you Adam) fronting a video suggesting Melbourne has had a great mix of tram lettering numbering, not really. In order from the early 20th century, we had V Class, W, X, Y, Z, A, B, C, D, E, and we skip F Class, to G Class. OK, there was an L Class thrown in too, but really, it does not need super intelligence to guess why F Class was omitted. The thing is, had Yarra Trams or Department of Transport just admitted it wanted to avoid F Class for the obvious reasons, it would have been refreshing honesty, we'd have a chuckle and move on.
Externally it is a bit weird looking, but we'll get used to it. I took these photos after I left the tram.
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It seems to be a handsome looking beast. Hopefully the ride made up for the disappointing barbering?
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I hope you find a good barber. How far out can you book an appointment, I wonder. Be well!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing, Andrew! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteForget the blinking trams Andrew, we want to know about the haircut and whether or not you are going to take legal action against the butchers who did it.
ReplyDeleteGet a barber ON the tram and kill two birds with one stone.
ReplyDelete"smooth, quiet and felt quite luxurious" etc. which doesn't mean a lot to me, as long as a tram gets me where I want to go and then back again, I'm happy.
ReplyDeleteNew technology I expect for the trams, and doesn't that tram look good. Makes me want a ride on it now.
ReplyDeleteShame about the haircut, it's not easy getting a good one. B cut mine the other week, 2.1/2 inches off so that will do till next time. He always cuts it when it's longer than the bob.
Trams have always symbolised Melbourne's public transport even though buses and trains were readily available. Trams don't spew petrol in the air, they glide along the tracks silently and the seats were always spacious. Even the external colours fit into the tree lined avenues.
ReplyDeleteYou could let your hair grow, and braid it, or pull it back in a ponytail. I tried that during COVID, fortunately there are few photos.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had taken selfies during Covid lock down TP. There aren't any at all of me with long hair. I did once have long hair, tied in a ponytail, and a mohawk at one point too.
DeleteI was delighted to recently discover that both my podiatrist and my hairstylist can be booked online, which is so efficient. I usually book them on the same day, which works well for me. I love your trams; it's been forever since I rode one, along with the trains, which were my passion. Frustrating.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Hi Andrew, I just stopped by to see if you have a new post and to visit you.
ReplyDeleteThe Blogger news reader is totally dead. It has been pretty slow in the past, but this time it is really dead! No new blog posts have appeared in the reader for two days! (including mine, which posted on my blog last night!)
I hope you are doing well, and I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead!
Linda, I use a website called Old Reader for my blog feeds, among other feeds. It seems reliable. I think for not too many feeds, it might be free, but I have many and I pay US$2 a month.
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