One great thing about the Oz bus is that when you get on a list gets passed around saying if you need accomodation or not and they pretty much sort you out for your next stay... this didn't go quite to plan for Melbourne!! The Australian open was the event that left us homeless- everywhere was completely fully booked and with one online booking rejected and no room at any of the inns we found oursleves in a frightflul frenzy scaring our bus driver Justin half to death as he felt responsible- he even offered us to stay in his room! (no not like that you lot!) I guess it was completely lucky for us that Katie once again pulled an amazing contact out of the bag... a Saint if you will... Margot!!

Margot is a family friend and a dear one at that to her nana Joan, she was more than willing to help us out and came to pick us up from St Kilda where we stranded to give us a bed for the night! It was so nice to catch up as years had passed since Katie had seen her last and we felt very welcome in Margots wonderful home. We watched a bit of tennis and had a lovely cup of tea then retired to our double bed (graciously given up by Margot for the night) for the best nights sleep we'd had in ages!

The next morning we were spoilt to a drive around Williamstown, along the gorgeous sea road and we induldged in a very tasty pumkin and feta panini for lunch yum yum!! After some girly chats, we hit the road for the city as we were checking into a hostel that had a room available, phew! We first went for a very nice stroll around a really lovely part of town- think it was called Carlton?! Well, it was just off Lygon Street and it was filled of gorgeous Italian restaurant and cute shops, one very nice ice cream shop in particular hey girls!! We had such a great day and what a welcome into Melbourne- thank you Margot. Arrangements were made to meet up again mid week for some more fun!

Our first day in the city and after a little research on the net the night beofre we discovered we'd arrived just at the right time. With Australia Day the next day (26th Jan) there were events going on all over the shop.. and free at that! We made a list and were very excited about the next few days to come!!

Sunday: ARTY FARTY DAY!!! we woke up reasonably early and headed straight for the Arts and Crafts market at the Arts Centre (the place where it all happens- theatres and galleries galore!) the market was suprisingly not crappy at all and we were in our element with all the unique jewellery and bits and bobs on the stalls!! Very resistantly we dragged oursleves away before we opened our purses too wide and headed up to the grass verge where Chinese new Year celebrations were unveiling- red banners everywhere and some cultural performances that included thai Chi and cooking presentations, we lapped up the sun and atmosphere with a picnic on the grass. This was merely the beginning!!...

It got very hot so we needed a cool break and headed for the National gallery (I know... very cultured couple that we are!) and just as we were about to enquire about rates an eccentric and very loud drag queen appeared in front of us!!! She/ he was taking a tour around the gallery and we overheard it was free so what better way to jump on the band waggon than with a hilarious tour guide that would brighten up the visit! It was very comical, especially when she started talking about the homo-eroticness about the pieces... that's when I realised what we were partaking in, and as I looked around me it all started to make sense- It was on the net the previoous night, a tour called 'Inside the frame' an event part of the Midsumma festival- THE GAY PRIDE FESTIVAL!!!! haha we were walking around with queens and lesbians and had no idea- was so funny! I told jemma and her face was a picture... still we continued on and maybe with a few more inches between us than before- didn't want to give anyone the wrong idea!!

Sunday night and we were headed for a 'Sunset Concert' in the Fitzroy Gardens, a few wrong turns later and we enticed by the sounds of the afro funk dance group and their steel drums! There were so many people we were amazed and the atmosphere was electric with everybody laying about on the grass with vino and picnics, children running around and a huge mound of poeple danicing and bobbing about to the catchy beat! A few glasses of goon and we were soon joining them, dancing the sun down and into the night!! The tipsy journey home lead us to some street singers where we entertained passers by singing along and having a little dance- when a police car arrived we all anticipated him to move them on but he must have liked them as much as us as he threw some coins in their guitar case!!

Last but not least, we came across a horse and carriage down Swanston Street (main street) and we asked to pat the horses. The guy obliged and was soon asking us where we were from/ our plans etc and before we knew it we were whisked off our feet for our very own (and free) carriage ride around the city!!! We felt like princesses and wallowed in the experience taking loads of pictures laughing in the back seat... couldnt believe our luck! He was a true gentleman as he let us off and trotted along his way and into the night.. very surreal!!

Monday: AUSTRALIA DAY!!! Another packed and free day with events happening all over the city in celebration. in the morning we headed where most people did- for the Australia Day March, where all sorts where gathering with their groups behind the military parade to walk/ dance / sing their way through the packed crowds! It was strange though, for Australia day most the people parading where from all sorts of other communitys representing other countries.

That over, we followed the crowd to Alexandra Gardens where the procession finished and the true celebrations began- with food tents, and all kinds of presentaions happening including some whip cracking and skate board competitions!! But we had a bigger plan in tow... we were headed to see James Morrison in the Kings Domain and were very excited as we love his songs!! ... we got there to find a tiny stage with an average audience age of 60 something.... hm something wasn't quite right! Soon we found out why.. it wasn't THE James Morrison but a jazz musician with the same name!! haha! We were very disappointed we have to say but we managed to forget our expectationas and soaked in the Sun and atmosphere with what turned out to be some amazing music and singing!

We then met up with our friends Cassie and Claire form the Oz bus and sat down with some vino for the amazing spectacle that was the DUCK RACE! haha what a intense race it was, not!! Still 13, 000 odd people lined the banks to watch so we weren't going to complain. After this we headed for Federation Square and watched the sun go down in front of a small on stage festival with didgeri doos and dancers and very strange themed song about a cow?!!! A little peckish we decided to treat oursleves to a cheapo chinese, we needed the fix and for the value it was pretty good! We finished justin time to head out and watch the fireworks- unexpectedly they came out of nowhere and all around us- on top of a high rise building, form the Botanical gardens, and from somewhere else behind us I'm not sure where?! There were very impressive and sparked off the chants all around that must be an Aussie Day thing- " Aussie Aussie Aussie... Oi Oi Oi etc etc!" It was a great day and night and we were so pleased to have been in Melbourne to celebrate such a cool day!!

Tuesday: WINE WINE WINE!! We hopped on a train for our midweek fun day with margot and met her to start our ride towards the South and a whole host of winerys's. We stopped at three different places where we sampled a vast selection of dry, sweet and red wines! The views were simply amazing and with the sun shining it was a glorius day. Feeling a lttle tipsy we sat and had lunch outside overlooking the vines with a glass of our favourite wine from our tasting session....delicious!

Back into the car with a few stop offs for photo oppurtunities and to pick up some famous vanilla slices to take to margot's cousins house. We popped in there for a glass of cool lemonade and to to meet Margot's cousin and family which was really nice. Back on route and next we stopped off to meet Margot's sister and her family. They had a beautiful home with a garden over looking a lake and a swimming pool! They had been to New Zealand so had lots of tips to offer us for when we set off soon.

After a long day and lots of driving we made our way back to margot's house where she had an amazing roast dinner waiting for us! We dont think she quite realised how excited we were at the prospect of this and it didnt dissappoint! It was truly delicious and knocked back with a glass of red wine it was the perfect end to a fantastic day! Thanks again Margot!!

Wednesday: TENNIS DAY. With the sun still beaming in the hottest week listed for 100 years in melbourne we decided we would take the opportunity to see some more tennis whilst we had the oppurtunity. Along with Claire, Cassie and James from the Oz bus we once again bought ground passes and spent the whole day taking in the great atmosphere and watching some brilliant tennis! Inside the courts we watched several different doubles matches and in the afternoon enjoyed some live music in the gardens. As evening set in but no sign of the sun or heat dissappearing we made ourselves comfy on the lawn in front of the big screen with a glass of white wine spritzer ready for the big game of the day...Nadal v. Simon. A great match to watch we were pleased when Nadal finally won but didnt leave the ground until 10:30pm! To our complete surprise we had a phone call from Tim back in Coogee who told us that.... yep you guessed we had made it on to TV again!!! haha!! Apparently it was a close up on just us two! Brilliant! We will be getting recognised in the street soon!

Thursday: TIME FOR SOME CHILLING....We left our hostel in the city centre and checked into a new hostel in St Kilda right by the beach! With the heatwave now in full swing and temperatures hitting 43 degrees we headed straight for the beach for some serious tanning time and some much needed cooling off in the sea! In the evening we checked out the local night market which was really cool with a real hippy vibe and some funky stalls. We managed to save our pennies though and spent most of the evening chilling on the grass to the drummers music and watching the crazy dancers and performers that kept appearing from nowhere.

Friday: Again we hit the beach and soaked up the sun! You are going to think we are making this up now but as we were walking out of the sea a guy with a camera approached us and asked if we would mind answering some questions on camera... Not looking at our best we hesitated for all of a second before agreeing! Apparently it is on a website age.com which we havent looked up yet but will keep you posted on our latest starring role!hehe.

We had the evening all set aside to update the blog after dinner which sadly went a little wrong when Jem typed up the whole Sydney part and then lost it when the internet crashed! AHHHHHH! So here we are on Saturday re-doing it all just for you guys!!! Hope you have enjoyed! Our next installment will be coming from New Zealand which we fly to on Monday...eek!!