Day 15 - A trip to Brighton!

We've been in Melbourne, more specifically St Kilda, for several days now but had yet to venture eastwards along the seemingly endless beach and coastal path. Today was that day! We prepared well by sampling some more cake for breakfast before setting off. We stuck to the walkway that hugs the coast and wondered for a good couple of k around the 'point' towards Brighton. So many places are named after British towns and cities, it would been impossible to visit them all. We've taken in views of Hinchingbrooke Island, but are unlikely to get as far as Peterborough or St Ives. There is a Newmarket road in Melbourne leading to the racecourse, of course!

We had a chilled out day wandering up and back down the beach. The sun came out and so did the peeper, but there was a definite Christmas feel to the day, with many beach dwellers sporting Santa hats et al. There was also a festive atmosphere which seemed odd given the sun, sea and hundreds of people in little other then swim suits. I couldn't help wondering what I'd be doing back in the UK or more specifically how many layers I'd be wearing.

I've been in touch with Gilly Davy on email and she was heading to Melbourne on Christmas Eve for a few days. We arranged to meet up. Whilst Holly and I hadn't made it past 10.30pm yet Gilly plane wasn't due in until just before then so we mustered all our energy and went out drinking with Gilly and Glen when they arrived. We were lucky to get a table in Abbey Road, a quirky (and busy) bar. The staff were all in Christmas outfits and George Michael and Slade alternated out of the speakers. We made past midnight, officially Christmas Day, before we called it a night, not eating to miss out on any of the new experiences that Christmas Day down under was going to offer.