So today, Mat, his sister Kristy, and her boyfriend Colin called round. Mat was down from Wangaratta to help Kristy and Colin move into their new apartment in Melbourne. Mat kindly invited us to Wang for Christmas. Apparently his parents are expecting us to accept and as Hannah spent Christmas there while on her travels, we look forward to experiencing some Saunders family hospitality. As we will be at the first day of the Melbourne test match on Boxing Day i...

Sarah and Tom had been invited to a friends' engagement party this afternoon and it was ok for David and I to go too. As Nicola and Jon ( the happy couple) live outside the centre it was a great opportunity to see Melbourne's suburbs. We were made very welcome and met some of Tom and Sarah's friends. There was Alex, originally from Uruguay but now resident in Oz also Henry from England and his Scottish girlfriend, Jen. Needless to say they are all lovely peop...

So, everything you hear about Melbourne weather is true. Today the temperature hovered around 16c and cloudy. David and I took the open-top bus tour around Melbourne which went past the highlights such as the Eureka tower, the MCG, the Etihad stadium and Melbourne Zoo. It was quite cold but we braved it out on the top deck, front seats. In fact we were the only ones on the top deck for most of the 2 hour trip!

Melbourne's hottest day this Spring - 32c. Spent the morning at the flat and in the pool before setting off early afternoon to city centre. David bought new phone for Oz use then we visited Melbourne Museum. David pleased that we got free entry as over 60. Will return there no doubt! Dined at home this evening, temp at 22:40 still 28c. Picture is of the Royal Exhibition Centre which was built to hold the Melbourne international exhibition of 1880-81. In May190...

David and I have spent a quiet couple of days, just getting to know the heart of Melbourne. As the free city tram stops outside Sarah and Tom's place it has proved very easy to access the centre. Except we missed the last one back yesterday so took a leisurely stroll home along the riverside. We went out for dinner later with Tom as Sarah was meeting up with some friends. Today we didn't wake up until 10 am so decided to use the pool and relax even more! Out th...