What a busy couple of days sightseeing. The children have been troopers while we've walked many miles around the city. The Melbourne sea life centre was a big hit, a giant crocodile which could be viewed from a glass bottom boat being a favourite. The penguins were very cute too and quite sociable coming up to the glass to say hello.The old Melbourne Gaol was an entertaining stop. We were all arrested and charged before being thrown into a cell and locked up. Zoe's charge was driving without a licence and Oli for failing to stop after an accident. Aimee was charged with the cultivating an illegal substance. All very amusing and well done. We saw the cell where Australia's infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was held in before he was hanged. And eventually found the Vic market with no thanks to an incorrectly marked map, which is a mix between camden town and petticoat lane. The food stalls went on for miles offering every kind of food imaginable.

After a good days sightseeing and catching up with an old school friend Andy 20 years after we last saw him, we were back at our apt for for an aussie bbq on our rooftop. Murray supplied the roo steaks which were surprisingly good though possibly a bit gamey for me. We toasted the arrival of Ian and Sarina's new baby boy James Charles born 11/12/13.

At some point we caught a bit of the memorial service for Nelson Mandela feeling irrationaly sad that he has gone. Such a shame that the man signing was an incomepetent fool.

Melbourne weather is a bit like London, we've had a fair amount of rain and wind. So when the sun came out we packed a picnic and headed for the beach in St Kilda where we lazed the day away. We decided to walk to St Kilda through Albert park accross from our apt. This is where the grand prix is held and makes for a gorgeous walk before coming back for another rooftop BBQ. Think we're going to miss this appartment when we head up the coast.