The Next Episode.

After a great night out with a crowd from my work we got a lift from Maeve the next morning to the airport and said our goodbyes. Not too emotional as we'll be back in 5 weeks, but certainly the end of our prolonged time in Sydney.

We arrived in Melbourne and were met by Steven and Shanita who have been working there for the last 7 months. We crashed with them for the next 4 nights, becoming their roomies. Shanita was able to act as our private tour guide and helped us get a real flavour for Melbourne.

We went to the Immigration Museum (students get in free, even with a fake card from Koh San Rd, Thailand!!), learning about the previous "White Rule" and racial tensions before the 1950's, after which a true multi-cultural Melbourne was created. We took the free city circle tram around the city and checked out the War Memorial (getting a free tour, yes we were getting back into the swing or free travel!)

We met up with Richard on the Sunday and we all went to the Neighbours night in St Kilda on Moday. What a night. Meeting Dr Karl and Paul Robinson. There was a trivia quiz and Richard won a prize by taking part in a dare on stage.....priceless!! Great fun.

I'm sure if we had choosen Melbourne to stay for 6 months we would have been very happy. It is very different from Sydney but draws a lot of influences from Uk cities. It has a larger cafe culture and is very easy to get around.

On Thursday we picked up our Ford Focus hire car and headed down the Mornington Peninsula. We visited a sculpture garden and a glass blowing workshop before stopping in Sorrento for the night. The next morning we caught the ferry in the rain across to Queenscliff and the start of the Great Ocean Road. Finally the weather started to clear as all morning it was gray and misty. As with all these trips if the weather is poor the views are a bit rubbish!

We went to Bells Beach,home to the annual pro surf comp, the waves were awesome but only 1 surfer was in. We don't know why as the swell was great but maybe it was a bit cold for some of the fair weather surfers!

The next few days will be spent cruising along to Adelaide. With all the surf around I hope to get in the water. We might take in a winery ot 2 too. We're fortunately not in a rush, so currently every day feels like a Sunday!! Just without mums roast dinner.

Cheers guys, Brian and Kim xx