Today is Craig forty something birthday. Waking up in Belgrave a kookaburra came down to give us a stare asking for food. Sandi bravely fed him pieces of meat which he devoured asking for more. We were really surpirsed as how big and beautiful kookaburras are with a distinctive call. A couple of rosellas came down for seed after he had gone. We packed a couple of bags and took a train into the city. The scumbag landlord of the property we were renting messed us...

We set off into the Dandenongs today with Sarina and Ashlea for a steam train ride. The views of the mountain range were enjoyed by all and the waves from the train volunteers made the experience seem authentic. Puffing Billy took us from Belgrave to Emerald Lake where we stopped for picninc of sushi rolls in the rain. In true cricket mad aussie style updates of the Ashes were announced on the platforms to applause from the Australians leaving us poms to hang ou...

After a couple of days travelling we've arrived in a cold and windy Melbourne excited and exhausted. It was brilliant to see Fred ,Sandi & Meg at arrvials. A few hours sleep later, feeling refreshed we set off to Sherbourne forest in the Dandenongs accompanied by the Alder/Birchwood clan for a BBQ. What a fabulous first Australian day, the weather held and on our walk to some waterfalls we stopped to watch an echidna looking for supper. Coming back to our pi...