Hey sorry about the delay,

The Great Ocean Road was the next big thing after Sorrento. We went to Geelong to stay with Alex's friend Stricko for a night. We went to the beach and tried a bit of surfing. I and Inga I may say both found it hard as the waves were big and it was difficult to catch them as you had to paddle lots ( and my arms got tired).

We went out to dinner at the local restaurant. i have to mention Stricko's awesome car, a huge 4 by 4, reminding me of Scottyland bar the surfboards on the roof. Anyway, getting distracted, we had a nice meal, Inga trying the national dish of chicken, bacon, tomato and cheese which was apparently good. i had a caesur salad (Inga had salad). We also played pool which was interesting. Then we went back home and slept...........................how boring do you think we are? of course we didn't do that! We were good children and chatted and drank wAter!

Then next day we went to the beach and had a chill and a bit of a swim. Stricko headed back to melbourne and we started the Great Ocean Road, stopping off at a bakery for lunch. The views were stunning, the water was clear, the beaches white. The road wound around cliffs and hills. We were looking for campsites however thery were all full. We had a campsite at the end of the G.O.R. but that was about 5 hrs drive and it was already 3. Eventually we came across a campsite with space in Apollo Bay.

We set up camp and then headed off for the 12 apostles, as we wanted to catch the sun going down-romantic! We drove through lots of temperate rainforest and stopped off at Gisbon Steps, which was a beautiful beach. Alex the clever man he is went for a swim with his keys around his neck. We also had a race down the beach with Inga and I winning (not...the boys were far ahead). Anyway we got back and guess what the car wouldn't start as the remote was wet. So we called the RAC who said they would send someone. We (Inga, Matt and I) were worrying about missing the sunset whilst Alex took apart the key. After 10mins Alex had dried off the key and the car stared, what good engineering! So we headed off to find food but none could be found as the shops were closed. We had supplies so all was well. We went to a blow hole, a high cave, on the way to the aposltes and made it in time. Taking food and chair to watch the sundown. It was really cool, a bit windy but stunning views, even though i was dissapointed to find that there was only 8 apostles as 4 had fallen down!

After a snack we got back on the road, me (Rose) and Matt sleeping in the back. The drive took about an hour and 20mins. Then we went to our blow up matts in our tent.

That morning we got up and headed back for Melbourne. We stopped off breakfast and then a morning swim at a nice beach. The worst bit about that beach was everyone throwing the sand about and it sticking to the suncream! So we got back in the car and when we got to Lorne Inga decided that she must jump off the pier (4/5 metres). Alex jumped first and Inga followed, Matt and I decided not too. Eventually we arrived back at 5ish.

We went to the Moonlight cinema at the botanical gardens in Melbourne to see Ferris Beaulars day off. Which was good, the experience was a good one. Having a picnic and watching the movie from under our sleeping bags.

Then next day we chilled out at Matt's cousin's pool. The following day we went out in St Kilda, having a excellent steak and a great icecream. We went into a pub and then to the beach. It was a good night out. We also went out to Bruswick street on Saturday night going to the nightcap, an awesome night club which was cool. With reggie music and a bit of old skl beats. We did some awesome dancing, Inga especially.

Jo-Ann and Andree took us on a day out, which was really kind of them, to Brigton. However first we went to Jo-Ann's studio which was really cool to see. the art was very good. Then we stopped off at the gallery Jo-Ann showed her art it, it was fascinating, a good location and nice gallery. Jo-Ann then took us out to lunch, which was very generous of her. the food was awesome, the lamb salad of special note. I (inga) would also like to note the salmon pizza Andree and I shared, yummi!!! Then we went to brigton beach and eventually managed to persuade ourselves that we should go for a swim( as the sky was clouding over and looked like it would rain). the water was actually really warm. We headed for home!

Now my turn... I will not forget the comment of me taking up most of the bed space Rose! haha, I was just trying to snuggle up to you! So this is my Huge highlight, even bigger than sherlock holmes! I went to Phillip Island with Alex, we got up early (very funny, says Rose, they meant too but left at 10, not too bad i guess) and headed off on a 2 hour trip south. it started off as a rainy day, so we zoomed across the island to get lunch then see some seals! it was a really stunning cliff walk as the weather cleared up. And if you looked Really closely you could see wee fairy penguins hiding out in there burrows on the hill side... no snow for them to slide on their bellies, how strange? =p! After that we went to the most exciting (for me anyway) wildlife park ever! We got to feed Kangaroos and Joey's... by hand, just you and them walking around this vast landscape! i will try get pictures up to show you more effectively. I also got to cuddle a wombat- hehe, after it bit Alex- but he was ok and the wombat was soooo cute!!! but the emu's... they were scary as!!!! like twice my height I recon! can't deny I was pretty freaked out! Then trying to be the tough guy, Alex thinks he can feed the Emu... he got some feed in his hand and held it out as the giant bird wandered over, it got about half a foot away from his hand before Alex threw the seed on the floor shouted NO and ran away!!! ah hahahaha! big birdie was scarier than alex thought hehe! It was really great though.

Then came the penguin parade... sound a bit un cool for you all? I think not! we had to stay up till sunset (sitting in a sort of grand stands on the beach being very quiet) and wait for the wee fairy penguins to take up the courage for a run across the beach! The first guy did the best- obviously determined to get back to his lady says Alex- he came surfing in on a wave when it was getting dark, looked quickly left and right.... full speed ahead! straight up the beach and into the burrows on the hill side! no looking back!

The thing is, these fairy penguins (smallest species of peguin) go out everyday into the ocean between Aussie and Tassi to find food and bring it back to the partner and babies after sunset. They live in the grassy sand dunes up the back of the beach! After that first brave penguin, they all came out of the water in rafts of about 10-15 and it took them two or three attempted runs up the beach to mussle up the courage to cross it! Absolutely lovely to watch!!!

Unfortunately that day happened to collide with Matt's birthday, and as we were leaving two days later Rose decided to stay back in Melbourne and celebrate with him... but no worries we took plenty of pic's for her (and you guys) to imagine you were there!. then it was time to say good bye to 33 green street!!!

Alex's Italien Grandfather took us all out for dinner, the whole lot, Alex, his Mum, Dad, sister, Rose, Matt and I. it was a wonderful evening and the flame throwing statue attractions along the Yarra riverside were spectacular and a great finale! We said bye to Andree before she headed off to work and tears were brimming up from all sides as we waved bye to Jo- Ann to head to the airport! And Bella of course getting a big cuddle also!

We absolutelty Adored the Cittadini family and had a wonderful time living with them for a month. Great getting to know you all, and if you read this, thank you Jo-Ann, you were a wonderful mothering figure to Rose and I, making sure we got the most out of our trip, and all the caring things like suncream and drinking plenty of water! hehe, we appriciated it alot. And to Andree, GG all the way, haha, thanks for being great company for us and offering us to share your wardrobe, which as travellers, we really loved! Alex, thanks for everything, showing us around, putting up with us being girls =p and for making Melbourne the awsome experience it was!

I (Rose) feel this part of the story belongs to me... so Alex kindly drove us to the airport. We said our goodbyes and then after a bit of comforting from me who should turn up again but Alex!!! He had managed to get through security to say one last goodbye! i feel like it was the love actually scene when the little boy, Sam, dogdes all the guards to see the girl! Big thanks to Alex for taking us around Victoria, you were a great tour guide and we will miss you!

Honestly you three, and Bella, thanks for everything, we miss you already!!!

We are here in Perth, I (Rose) have now fulfilled a lifetime dream, I have been to both Perth's!!! We arrived at 5pm in very hot Perth on the 15th. We were very kindly picked up by Sandy Banye, (Inga's drum teacher). He drove us back to his house which was only about 15 mins away. The heat was ridiculous!

The house was nice and Inga and I were sharing a double matress, although she took up most of it...jokes! We had a quiet night in and had a good chat. The following day we got up started making plans to get to Diana's (Inga's Mum's friend) who lived about 3hrs south of Perth. We managed to find a train going to Bunbury, 30 mins from Donnybrook, where Diana lives. The train didn't lesve till 6pm so we decided to get a train into the centre of Perth and have a look around.

Perth is, as many people have told us, pretty much a big country town. We (Sandy, Inga and I) walked around the main area and had lunch, Inga opting for the chicken and avocado wrap (obvious choice as that is what she ALWAYS get, if it's there). I had a nice salad. We walked down to the Swan river and got icecream and smoothies.

We got the train to the main train station and found our train to Bunbury. The journey was interesting with good views of the countryside. It looks quite like Scotland with the hills and trees just not green in the summer. Diana met us off the train which was very kind of her. We got back to her house about 9pm. And after watching Diana's favourite programme, taggart, went to bed. The house is awesome, modern design, good layout and really homely!

Woohoo!!! Rose and I got to get up at 4:30am and put nets over the grapes in the vineyard at Di's friends Jaqui and Adriaan... no joke, this was actually really fun, hard work but all part of the experience... plus we left at 10am to go take a sailing trip on a yacht(62ft)! CJ and Ken are other friends of Di's and that was spectacular! it was a ferociously hot day so being out on the sea was perfect, even though there was no breaze (unbelievable and unusual apparently) -we have pictures to show the fun we had and the gorgeous sunset and views witnessed!!! We also saw a dolphin playing around the bow which was awesome!

ahhh, I got stung by a jelly fish!!!! and there was a shark scare at the bay when we were swimming in it! a great white apparently! i wish I could just leave you there and let your imaginations run wild as I did... but really it was not quite so traumatic... I did get stung by a jelly, it was a wee one though and non poisonus, so did Rose, mine just happened to be a bit worse cause it got caught round my arm! ewwww! haha, I was freaking out and Rose (yes, my lovely best friend) just started laughing, then me being me started laughing too! haha, but then it started to hurt and laughing/ swimming to the boat in pain started to become tricky... I was ok though, Rose was helping me along =) hehe, good times! We got to the boat (everyone was waving at us to hurry up...why?) and when we were safely on board it was announced that a great white had been spotted in the bay!!! yikes, this was getting exciting, but as Everyone suspected, it wasnt a great white, infact, dolphins had been spotted and somehow this became a great white through the grape vine hehe!

No worries though, we are safely back on land and we even got to spend an evening in Jaqui and Adriaans hot tub looking out across the vineyard... not too bad!!!

Early morning swim today! Diana doing double the length Rose and I got in.. and all three of us having a great time really! Orange tree outside which is handy for snacks! cider tasting yesterday.. very nice! And now for the first time in a long time I feel we've got you up to date! now to work on those photos!!!

Love to you all, and thanks for all the messages and notes, it's great to hear from you.

Rose and Inga xoxoxox