Hi Everyone,

Tuesday was a bit of a quiet day. Managed to sort out a car for our Great Ocean Road trip in the morning - yes they actually let us have one, lol!. We are going to be driving around in a Toyota Croalla (automatic no less!) for 5 days - just hope all the bags fit.

After a quick coffee and a banana bread at Red Nine we headed off to the cinema because it was cheap day! Went to see the new Johnny Deep film - Sweeny Todd, I thought it was rubbish! In the evening we headed down to 'Little Italy' and grabbed a bite to eat at a pizza place - cheep and cheerful!

Wednesday we got up early to talk to the parents - the Benham's entered into the world of Skype! Then after breakfast we headed to the zoo. The zoo was very impressive - saw all of Australia's favourite furry critters and more. The butterfly world was amazing - never seen so many butterflies in one place - they just landed on you as you walked around. It was a good day to go to the zoo because the kids went back to school after there summer holidays so it was nice and quiet. In the evening we attempted to cook prawn risotto we didn't realise till after we had cooked it the prawns still had the black tube in them - yuk!

Thursday we left the city and headed to St Kilda about 20 minutes from Central Melbourne. It rained well into the afternoon so we spent our time planning the next part of our journey - Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Uluru and Perth. Late afternoon we headed down to the beach to watch the kite surfing. Then it was sausages, beans and onions for dinner - comfort food!

Friday Lydia arrived! We booked a few trips in the morning. The first a week long expedition to Uluru and the second a neighbours tour on Tuesday afternoon - it had to be done! Then in the afternoon we headed down to the beach as the sun was shining. Spent the afternoon topping up the tan. In the evening we decided to treat ourselves and went out for dinner. We found this little Malaysian restaurant on Acland Street (the main road in St Kilda) and had a gorgeous meal and bottle of wine - eating out side of course.

The hostel we are staying in is really nice, the best yet. It was only built last year so everything is new and the rooms have air con. It has a really nice patio area and 2 plasma TVs - luxuary!

Today Rose and Lydia have gone to the hairdressers so I have been left writing the blog! Going down to the beach to meet them in a bit and then we might check out the St Kilda festival. Having a fairly chilled week in preparation for our long drive along the Great Ocean Road and to Adelaide which we start on Wednesday.

Missing you all at home.

Lots of Love Hayley and Rose. xxx