Greeting from Melbourne. Wow, it's taken us a while to write, lots to update you all on, so I'll start from the beginning...

We're now in Melbourne, been here just over two weeks now and it's been lovely. I may have already said, but we spent 4 days driving down from Sydney, saw a few lovely places along the way but we were pretty desperate to get here, so rushed a bit. Spent the last week we had with the camper van in a campsite just outside of town with some friends from home, Adam and Mandy - they left a few days ago, so we had a nice few weeks of Portsmouth company with them! The last few weeks have seen lots of house and job hunting - many, many hours sat in numerous internet cafes watching the sunshine outside! We saw a cricket 20/20 game (Australia/South Africa) at the MCG (massive), Melbourne Victory FC at the Telstra Dome and last week saw us at the Melbourne Open Tennis for the day (can you tell I'm travelling with a male!?). I hope to see Billy Elliott someday soon.....!!! Fair is fair...

So anyway, flat hunting proved to be very difficult - estate agents seem rubbish out here and landlords are very picky, so we struggled for a week or so, finally landing a lovely house which we came across ourselves. We live in an area called Thornbury (will give you the address if you would like it - but would rather not publish it online!) which is lovely, living with another couple. Big house, so it seems to work well. Not ideal to house share, but it was all we could get at the time, the right price and they do seem lovely - an Irish girl and an Ozzy lad. Very clean home, 3 bedrooms, with us living at the back of the house. We have 2 rooms and our own bathroom which is nice - went shopping the other day for cheap furnishings etc (much to Gary's dread!) which was fun...for me!!! So, that's the house sorted, now onto jobs.....wahoo we're employed! Spent about a week hunting for stuff and has all come together the last few days. I've managed to find work for a company called HSA, they sort out immigration assesments (medicals etc), seems interesting and I start tomorrow, basic office stuff and helping people to fill in forms etc. Money is pretty ok too which is a bonus. Gary is spending tomorrow training for a position he's been given working for 'Victoria Electricity' - basically reading meters and advising on engery efficiancy. All good indeed and we're really pleased we can now settle here for a while. Looking forward to our weekends off, exploring the city, which is something we're yet to do properly.

So there you go, our little story. All is well and we are very excited. Will keep you updated on how the work is actually going!! Hope you are all well and the weather isn't as bad as it sounds (41 degrees here at the mo, killer!). Let us know how you are, lots of love, Claire and Gary/Gary and Claire xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx