christmas down under

Sorry to keep you all in suspense but we just haven't had time to write a blog or find an internet café- no wifi access here! So forget all the usual potd etc crap heres a quick update on whats kept us so busy since we last met...

we get there!

Saturday, we drove to Melbourne in the cold wet rain- we could see the skyscrapers from 30 miles away! Got a cabin for 1 night at Ashley gardens, n.w.Melbourne. went into city on bus, looks just like London here - the good and bad places!went straight up the eureka tower - 88 floors high! Stunning views despite the rain. Next, the free city tram tour -  it broke down! Driver hit something with a big stick and off we went again - doesn't work for jim like that. Got drenched crossing federation square- worst rainfall for decades and the locals reckon they want more - weird! Found our first Indian restaurant for dinner - jim had goat curry- worth a mention! What a fantastic day!

straight to the top

Sunday, crossed the city in maz ,heading for tony and wendys about 2 hours away. Easily found the right way but without a reservation we turn up at dandenong big 4 -just a few miles away from tonys house - had to use puppydog eyes and after a bit of jiggling bookings around the very kind receptionist gets us a cabin just like the one we left this morning! We wont be homeless this Christmas. The rain has stopped at last so we go in search of the rellos... that was weird seeing some familiar faces again! Tony and wendy have a beautiful new place on a very exclusive golf complex (they don't play yet but bill Clinton woz here at it a few weeks ago!) so we really feel like the clampitts turning up here - hope the neighbours are still on speaking terms when we are gone! Harry and Julia have taken up residence  but are still a bit under the weather after an unenjoyable flight but we all catch up on our news. We are really grateful to receive an invite to xmas day lunch - but not cossies and thongs on the beach as some of you may be thinking - it'll be a full roast like you get back home - cant wait!

its a long way down

Monday xmas eve, we catch the bus then the train into Melbourne- an hour journey -costs us a total of about a tenner for all 3 of us - for all day travel ,trams buses etc and yes they are running all day as usual! We spend the whole day shopping but cant find what nattie really really wants so she has to make do with a whole new outfit instead...does anyone know where we can get a pair of d.c. trainers?! Saw some fantastic street entertainers and shop windows. We know we said forget about the usual potd stuff for now but we have to tell you who we bumped into today - the current no 1 aussie hero ricky ponting- he was at a book signing in city central shopping mall - the queue wasn't very big to get him to sign his new book and we kicked ourselves afterwards for not getting one cos we could have flogged it on ebay! Didn't have our camera either though so would anyone have believed us?! We had the lad in the sports shop next door going for a while though- we told him we didn't know who rp was- his face was worth a picture too! Not a lot of xmas lights tho cos it doesn't get dark until 9pm. We get home late knackered and broke but it was a good day

city skyline

Xmas day, wasn't so different after all!...met lots of wendys family today - ate too much as usual - played on the wii machine and then drove an hour away to meet more of wendys family at her brothers house in somer. We were made to feel so welcome - many thanks guys - we had a great day! Tried to phone you all  back home - missing you all very much tonight- our Christmas day is over now but yours is just beginning - make it a good un.!

Boxing day, had a quiet day in our chalet but went to tony and wendys again tonight with fish and chips!they took nattie to the pictures to see the golden compass while we chatted the evening away with harry and Julia. Tony has sorted out our laptop and we should be able to put some photos on soon so watch this space! We are all leaving for Adelaide together tomorrow, along with wendys dad peter who used to live there when he first emigrated - he came from Birmingham and you can tell by his accent- still broad brummie today! It will take us  3 days to reach auntie shirls - we are going via the great ocean road - one of the worlds best drives apparently...think maz will enjoy it too....

eureka tower from ground level

flinders station

federation square