Hi all!

Well I thought it was about time for an update as Gayle has been so good at updating the blog! I have had a very busy few weeks and can't quite believe that my time in Melbourne is almost over...I'm so sad!

I have been spending the weekdays in the city and the weekends out at my friend Kayla's house (she lives in the suburbs of Melbourne). I worked at summer camp in the States in 2004 with Kayla and haven't seen her since then...we have been planning this trip for 4 years so I can't believe I'm finally here! I'm just really sad I have to leave this Sunday.

The first week I spent at a great hostel in the city and spent my days getting to know the city. I walked around a lot and visited Chinatown, Victoria Art Gallery and the Botanical Gardens. I also spent quite a lot of time wondering around the shops looking at Christmas displays and listening to Christmas songs....felt so strange not being at home! One of the days I went climbing with a few guys I met at the hostel, jumped at the chance since one of them was a climbing instructor...free lessons! One of the nights I was there I met up with another friend from summer camp who lives in Melbourne too so had a great time catching up with them.

At the weekend I went out to Kayla's and had lots of fun and a couple of nights out with her friends. Her family and friends have all been so welcoming. We have spent a few nights at her surf lifesaving club where she volunteers at weekends...the bar overlooks the beach and is a beautiful place to have a few drinks on the balcony wacthing the sunset (it looks just like the picture!). Kayla's house is only a 5 minute walk from the beach too!

The following week I spent in St Kilda, a funky little area beside the sea (where Gayle and Andy stayed too) and was in another great hostel with lots of fun people. Met Gayle, Andy and Liz (Miss Balston!) for drinks on the Monday night, and then the following few nights I stayed in the hostel bar and had drinks...Liz joined me for a few drinks one of the nights too!

The week after, I decided to get a cheap flight up to Gold Coast in Queensland during the week to visit a friend I met in Fiji who lives there. Had a lot of fun and it was very, very hot up there! Went to the beach a couple of times and looked around shops and went to the Cinema to see 4 holidays.

I flew back in time last thursday for Ladies night in the hostel with Gayle...lots of fun! We enjoyed the free champagne very much! The next day we had breakfast and walked along the beach before visiting the Skydeck and enjoying some great views over the city...was a lovely day for it. I got the train back to Kayla's and went out with her friends dressed as Santa! We were at a Christmas party at her friends house and had lots of fun. We spent most of the time outside...wouldn't be doing that wearing a skirt in December in Scotland! On Saturday night I watched a Basketball game with my friend Shaun (two of the teams from Australia's national league)...really good fun and such a good standard...not as good as last year's 4th years of course!

Last Sunday Gayle and I went to the Neighbours tour...she has told you all about this, good fun! Afterwards Kayla and I sat at the Lifesaving Club and listened to the Christmas Carols on the beach, really strange but lots of fun! There were fireworks afterwards which were beautiful.

Got a busy few days ahead...really excited about Christmas now (I'm spending it at Kayla's aunties house and getting a full Christmas dinner, yum!) and all the surrounding parties! I will really miss spending Christmas at home but had a great talk on Skype today with my Mum and Dad so that was nice.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, thinking of you and missing you all

x x x x x x x x x x x