Thought I would catch up and see how everyone is doing with a little bit of an update on our adventures. I am not sure what I wrote last so if I repeat myself, appologies. I have been told that it is still cold and snowy back in England, it's March, what is going on?! No wonder the queen is over here! Well she's gone back now and good old Tony has arrived today, yet more helicopters and police patrols, shame he didn't get caught in the cyclone. Have you seen that on the news, a huge cyclone hit Queensland and ruined all the bannana and sugar plantations, prices have gone up already. Another one is expected tonight, what is going on with this weather! Well as you know the common wealth games are on here at the moment and the city is packed full of people, many tourists and family of the athelites. Auz is kicking everybodys arses almost double the English medals. It's not the winning that matters but the taking part I say. I have worked a couple of times at the games after two days of trying to sort out my pass so I could get in, I am on thier backs to pay me as it wasted so much of time and I missed out on 2 nights of good pay! When i eventually did get in I spent 1 night looking after the BBC press, well passing them a sandwhich every 20 mins, spent most of it reading my book and chatting to the guy on the till. The other shift was just as exciting but I had to stand up. Who cares it is good cash! We have been living on the other side of the city, 'Carlton', a great area full of bars, restaurants and big cafe culture. Our street is just above the park with the exhibition centre and Imax in it. Must say still haven't been, but have run round it a few times! The people are so fit here I have to do something! We are living with a cockney lad, a bit of the 'Artful Dodger' about him, who is a friend of our other mates and runs our regular club, and his lovely house mate Em, who is a lawyer from Perth and has become a great mate. It is so nice to have someone to go swimming with and watch girly films with. Tonight though we are moving back to Nick May's house, the guy who wrote the last postcard, thanks Nick! as the girl whose room we are staying in comes back from India. We won't be sleeping on the floor this time though as the other Nick is in London. How good is our timing! Our weeks are filled with working which is good for me 9-3 mon to fri, can't complain at that! Although the money isn't great it keeps me out of trouble. Dave is working a few more hours poor guy has to be up at 6am everyday, don't know how he does it. Although last week he was sick for a few days, he must have been exhausted. Our weekend have been hectic fun crazyness with my birthday and his and any other excuse for a party. We went down the great ocean road the other week which was stunning even if the "surf highway" was completely flat! The weekend before last we went East to Sorrento bay and played in the sea and cricket on the beach. It is just perfect being able to round up 3 cars worth of mates and head off 1 hour to the beautiful seaside. I know the seaside is right here in Melbourne but I wouldn't say it was the cleanest sea, and there are far too many beautiful people. Last weekend Dave and Cam went out taking photos of the city on Saturday night they didn't come out quiet as good as Cam's who was using his tripod etc but I think they have a great effect. This weekend is our last and we are planning a big one. Hopefully watch the sunset over the sea at St Kilda and head out in that area as we are still left to experience that side after dark. We are treating Emma and Jamie to a meal out next week to say a huge thanks for letting us stay. I supposse we will have to do something for the boys too. Steak barby and a few beers! My work want to have a few drinks, I know that Dave won't be seeing his boss again as he is a big pain in the bum by the sounds of things and maybe a little bit insane. For our last night we are going to see Auzi hip hop group the Hill Top Hoods, great music we recommend down loading it. Then off the sunny Sydney. Fingers crossed we find a car, the one we really want has a deposit on it by some young kid we are just praying he can't come up with the cash. Well we will be really sad to leave Melbourne next week, Dave still has to tell work, and mine are okay about it. Our friends here are great, but we will see them again when we can treat them to the same hospitality back home. So much for saving money, not half as much as wanted but better than nothing. But.. we are really looking forward to getting on the road again for the next part of the adventure, seeing everyone in Sydney, Zoe, Kenny, Sarah, and family, and of course my parents who we will be spending a couple of weeks with. We have found Kenny after ages trying to contact him and we are trying to get him to come up the coast with us which should be great fun. Missing everybody loads, we are now over half way on the trip and if it has gone as fast as it already has we will be back before we know it. So scary! Lots and lots of love Ellen and Dave