I suppose we could have investigated further shuttle services, but it was only two and a half blocks along Little Collins Street to Bank Place, so we hoofed it.
Checking in got us to Room 802 on the other side of the fire door, where the sole remaining agenda item involved arranging the rendezvous. With the other party out and about but inward bound it made sense to hook up at the Metro Apartments.
The incoming party, of course, hadn't stopped by Reception before heading up to the eighth floor, so the fire door threw them momentarily.
A quick conference suggested Sporty Bloke was thirsty, which is his default mode, and my arm didn't need twisting. We found our way into a convenient Irish bar, where we spent a comfortable hour or two before heading off to dinner.
There are, of course, no end of options, and Hughesy's eyes lit up when we turned into Block Place after passing a couple of places Sporty Bloke thought we might be interested in later in the stay. Block Place houses Basement Disks, where I'm planning on dropping a substantial number of dollars on Monday, so I suppose I could have made a preliminary investigation.
Block Place also houses an Italian eatery called Olio Cucina, which delivered a rather good ragu, an excellent risotto, and a pizza that looked good, but sporty Bloke wasn't inclined to share. Fair enough, neither was I. Madam just failed to finish her prawn and broad bean risotto, but only left enough to have Hughesy wishing she'd had something for lunch.
A glass of Montepulciano was good, another of Nero d'Avola was better, and we toddled off homewards replete.
At least, I was. Sporty Bloke was talking about a little top up when we parted company at the front door of the Metro Apartments…