Left Adelaide at 1130am on our way to the airport. A couple of beers in the lounge and then a one and a half hour flight to Melbourne. Arrived at 5pm, picked up the hire car and got to the hotel around 6pm. Got given room 1306 which we duly checked into. Lesley then re read our reservations and we went back down to reception. We are now in room 408 which is a Queen Spa Suite. She is one clever lady my wife!!! As it was my birthday we went out for a Chinese in the Chinese Quarter close to the hotel. Very enjoyable. Tomorrow and Saturday plan to do some Family History stuff for Lesley in Ballarat, Sunday spend the day around Melbourne and then Monday meeting up with a friend of Lesley's from her schooldays, Val Ingram. Busy busy again.

Friday 19th Feb. Set out for Ballarat approx one hour drive from Melbourne. On arrival in Ballarat Lesley went to the Town Hall to try to establish any Kinnersly Family References. We were advised to go to the Ballarat Library where a Geneology Archive for Ballarat was held. Lesley spoke to a gentlemen here who showed her a clipping from 2010 where 200 Kinnersly's had gathered for a family party. He also showed her some Registers for those people living in the Ballarat area for 1865 and 1870. In one of those was an entry for David Kinnersly, Farmer from Learmonth. So we went to visit the Cemetry in Learmonth and found both Kinnersly and Bridgewater Grave Stones. There had been a number of marriages which coupled the Kinnersly's and the Bridgewaters. We then visited Learmonth itself and in the small 321 Cafe, previously Thomas Barnes General store, The proprietor told us that Spring Vale farm on the road by the Cemetry was previously the Kinnersly estate. Lesley was especially pleased that she has found a connection to her family here in the state of Victoria.

Saturday 20th Feb. Spent today exploring Melbourne. Started off at Treasury, the Parliament House, walked through Fitzroy Gardens and then onto Yarra Park to see the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Rod Laver Arena. After that walked to Flinders Station along the Yarra River with a great view of the Melbourne Skyline, Eureka Tower and then caught a tram up to Queen Victoria Market. Explored that area and the market, then back to the hotel. Lazy evening had a walk out into Chinatown but due to the white light festival the town was mad so bought a few beers, some wine, cheese & crackers and retired back to the hotel.

Sunday 21st Feb. lazy morning, some breakfast and clothes washing. Then decided we would drive back out to the Ballarat area and look for more Kinnersly's at Coghills Creek. Yet again success we visited the Cemetery there and found many Kinnersly Gravestones including one for Thomas Hall Kinnersly who was the original Kinnersly that emigrated with his family from Staffordshire to Australia in 1864.

Monday 22nd Feb. Up at 8am, quick breakfast then in the car for the drive to Belgrave and a meeting for Lesley with one of her childhood friends, Val Ingram. After around a 40 minute drive we started to climb up into the Dandenong Ranges which tower over Melbourne. After a few minutes we arrived at a small gravel road and then found Val's house. Lesley knocked on the door and Val appeared, think both of them were nervous about the meeting, however within 5 minutes they were chatting like they had seen each other yesterday rather than 40 odd years ago. After a couple of hours catching up on events in Gt Missenden, Prestwood, marriage and babies we went off for some lunch. We went to the top of Mt Dandenong (633Metres) with beautiful views over Melbourne and the bay. Then a ride to see the other side of Mount Dandenong and Puffing Billy. Val lives in a beautiful part of the ranges overlooking a creek with lots of birds and other animals to greet her each morning. Her son Adam lives just the other side of the valley. The two childhood friends spent a great morning and afternoon catching up and rediscovering long lost memories