16th - 19th Feb We have arrived safely in Melbourne, been picked up by Dave and taken to his home for a few well deserved beers, We are staying with these guys whilst we source a car and hire bikes ready for Ocean Road. Big Thanks to Dave and Pauline for inviting us into their home and making us so welcome, also thanks to Matty for the bowling lesson. 20th - 24th Ocean Road. Our first WOW factor in Aus, We take off on 2 Yamaha Virago's 250cc out through the city in amongst all these crazy aussie drivers who undertake overtake and squeeze in any gap they think fit!!!! 2hrs later we are broken down on the freeways Marks bike now dead, Phoned for service "no probs we will bring another bike it will take at least 3 hrs" Its hot and we are reallly uncomfortable in all our motorbike gear. unbelievable how many people stopped to offer help or water or even food. Back on the road again Mark now has Honda VTR250cc and we head off to the Ocean. First view of the Ocean at Cape Otway lighthouse great to feel fresh air on your face again. Great long sweeping bends to enjoy. Mark is buzzing me I want to stop every 300yds for photo opportunities. Our first sighting of free roo's was at Angelsea Golf Club they are lying around all over the fairway more of a hazard to the golfer than the bunkers.!! We have 2 nights in Backpackers along our way then turn in land to Grampians, Now this is serious stuff Kangeroo's wallabies, wombats to name just a few of the sucicide team we are down to 30kph and they still come at your lights. We now reach an area where there was a bush fire just a month earlier what devastation yu could still smell the ashes see all the roads burnt, and no life in this area at all, This was very sad after having such a beutiful 2 days with wildlife and scenery you come back to reality very quickly. However we stayed at a backpackers in Halls Gap just on the outskirt of the devastation surrounded Kuckabaro (your guess) Cockatoo's, roo's and lots more which had the sense to move. Came back from the mountains to Melbourne on an uneventful freeway, thats fine cause we had to get the milage in. Back home late and tired to a lovely supper with Dave and Pauline, 24th-26th Returned bikes all safely and collected car straight out of city, then returned on the train to meet up with Eddie (Spencer) a dive colleague and good friend from home town, great to catch up with him. We were invited into his brothers home which was on the 16th floor of a 32 floors blvd apartments over looking Melbourne city (see photos) Eddies family were all over for one of his sisters wedding (hope it all went well) We enjoyed a BBQ with everyone on the roof garden on the 10th floor amazing experience. 27th Feb NOW OFF TO TASMANIA look in soon to see more!! "