Tyabb Packing House Antiques

I went on a mystery bus trip (part of an activity called Social Adventures) with Casey U3A. U3A (it stands for University of the Third Age) is an Australia-wide organization providing activities for seniors. Seventeen of us in cheery mood on a rattly Casey Council bus. The trip turned out a great sketch opportunity for me and I was glad to have packed my full sketch kit (I never leave home without at least a sketchbook and pen).

Our destination 45 mins away was Tyabb Packing House Antiques. I had not been there before. 

Here's a sketch outside the camera section. 

This building, one hundred years old, is now a space for more than 20 antique dealers. This place is a HUGE rabbit warren, like an Ikea store but for antiques! Some of its charm is the exposed pipes in the ceiling which must have been where cold air was piped through when it was a cool store packing shed. 

In the grounds around this building are several smaller stand-alone antique shops. It was far too hot to be wandering around between stores so everyone roamed the main store (Tyabb Packing House Antiques) where every nook and cranny, twist and turn was packed with interesting items. We met up for lunch in the Packing House Antiques cafe where I added colour to my sketches and made some new friends over lunch. 

So much to take in and not enough time, I sketched just a few items which took my fancy. 

The cafe was pleasant and the food was good although the sandwich I wanted was sold out by the time I got to order. I settled for salmon quiche with salad, a cake and tea.  

By the time the bus got us back to the drop off point at 3pm, the temperature was a soaring 38 degrees Centigrade! Quite an experience on the skin to be out in the sun. 

Three cheers to the organizer who at short notice found us this interesting indoor venue instead of the original planned trip to a garden/farm. I'm looking forward to the next Social Adventures trip...with my sketchbook of course.  

#Sailorfude pen, watercolour, SeawhiteTravelJournal 5.5" x 5.5". 

#CaseyU3A #TyabbPackingHouseAntiques 

#UrbanSketchers