since the last message we have been exploring what melbourne has to offer. On the 16th we took the tram into the city, the public transport system is excellent. You can use the tram all day for about £3. The idea was to try and get our bearings and we walked a fair bit- down to the MCG and then got on a tourist bus that went on a set trip around the city. Not as impressive as Singapore but still plenty of buzz. Margaret was decided on doing the "neighbours" trip and we booked for her to go on thursday. The 17th saw us driving down the Mornington Peninsula to Sorrento. This is a lovely area with great beaches and in the centre/ national park area some beautiful countryside filled with vineyards and farmland. We did one cellar door stop with tasting and bought a bottle of pinot noir and a very refreshing dessert wine. Could have done more but the driving got in the way. In the evening we went into St Kilda, which is a very trendy eating area and just a few hundred yards from our flat. Bob Estridge had recommended a Malaysian place that he had frequented often in his Melbourne days. we had a lovely meal, especially an assam fish dish made with tamarind juice--delish!

18th was the trip to the Neighbours set and M had good fun if a bit cheesy--please see photos. I went in to the city and had a pleasant stroll through china town and theatreland. I booked tickets for the One-dayer between Aus and Windies at the MCG on the next day. Next i spent a very enjoyable couple of hours at the Victoria Market--really an interesting place. I bought some large prawns and we had them that night with some equally nice lamb chops--total cost £9.

19th 2.30pm start at the cricket, 30 odd degree heat. Fortunately not a big crowd so we could keep moving seats out of the sun. The match was crap but still an experience.

20th-- tram into the city and we went back to the market. I bought an aussie leather hat--very smart! and M bought 2 very nice dress type things. Could have stayed there all day but we were on our way to the Zoo.

The Zoo was a bit dissappointing, not easy to see some of the animals, probably coz it was so hot and they were sheltering. It was pretty crowded as there had been a baby elephant born a few days earlier. We didn't stay long and headed for home after an hour or so.

We leave for Tasmania tomorrow and a visit to cousin Robert. It is forecast 31 degrees!