WARNING if you don't like Neighbours then only read the first part!!!

Well I thoroughly enjoyed my first Australia Day! Thought I should blend in so wore a green and yellow Australia T Shirt and bought flags to wave. We listened to the Mayor of Melbourne in the city centre and watched him raise the flag. This was followed by the most bizarre but entertaining street parade with various countries represented, some had put a lot of effort in with costumes and routines and others were walking along carrying handbags and their shopping! There was also a man with a mullet on a bmx who we were not sure whether he was actually in the parade but he wasn't arrested so I guess he must have been! We then had a wander round the city and watched street performers by the river. In the afternoon was The Great Duck Race!!!! I entered a duck as you could win a car which was worth 23,000 dollars (I had already spent the money in my head!) and was convinced that my duck would win as well why wouldn't it! And guess what....I did!!!! Just kidding! Anyway, the race was very silly but funny with the commentators treating the ducks as real competitors talking about drug testing and who to watch out for. The starting point was against the current so it took a while for the ducks to get going but 6 hours later (it felt like it) they crossed the finish line and I didn't bloody win! We then went back to the hostel for a free Australia Day BBQ.

Ok so then we went to the Neighbours Trivia Night and it was awesome!!!! I met Connor, Janelle, Carmella and of course Dr Karl!!! They were all really friendly, Connor has got really fat! Didn't realise that Carmella was going out with Oliver in real life. The night was very entertaining and the trivia quiz was fun (we came 4th!) athough there was only 1 question about Neighbours, the rest was general knowledge (thanks to Paula and Dad for your answers, but they were 2 hours too late - thats what you get for cheating!). After various games and prizes Dr Karl and his band The Waiting Room played! They were actually pretty good and played lots of covers but 2 of their own. We were at the front (I felt like such a groupie!) but the girl next to me was wearing one of their T Shirts and Dr Karl said she was their biggest fan - loser! If any of you have watched Flight of the Conchords she reminded me of Mel!! Went back to the hostel for some drinks and was actually sociable with some lads from Newcastle who were complete idiots but I had a laugh with one of them or at one of them!

Today I am off to Phillip Island to see the penguins and I can't wait!!!!! xxx