So this is my last blog for now. I'm sitting in my new house in murky Cardiff, with the rains splattering against the window and the temperature at least 25 degrees less than i was in about a week ago.

22/01/11 - So was spending first two days with family friends in a place called Callum Downs. I was taken for a bike ride today, along the coast on the east side of Melbourne, all the way out to the festival. Was a good ride, felt wierd doing a bit of excercise on the up hills and had the usual grown pain you get when you haven't cycled for a while, felt like someone had been kicking me in the groin afterwards. Some spectacular views and at the end was Port Napean. This is the place where they lost their president all those years ago, there was also a memorial there, i still couldn't find him. There was also an old fort at the end of the this place, called Port Napean, which had lots of buldings etc still there from World War 2. On the way back we were bombarded by lots of kids/young people....I dunno how to word it, either way its making me feel older!! There was a festival on in Port Napean today apparently, hence why the streets were a stream of gym jockey's in singlets and food dodgers in tiny hot pants. One of our teams bike broke on the way back, so we had to sit in the pub, whilst one of us got a bus back to get the car. I noticed that a standard serving of a drink here was like half a pint. Apparently its so it doesn't get warm by the time you get to it....i say just drink the dam pint quicker you wimps!! That night we got back and their daughter was back with her 4 children and neice's and other children (did they just bring them off the street....I dunno, but there were lots). Played, had a few drinks, played helicopter with most the children there, before i got too dizzy to stand, so helicopter had to land....i'm sure that kids arm will heal fine?!! Chilled out the rest of the night before have a nice early night...ahhh the life of luxery.

23/01/11 - Was moving up closer to the centre of Melbourne in a place called St.Kilda today, not before a bit of sea kayaking though. The kayaking out to see was an amazing experience, the feeling of independence when your that far out in a boat on your own, just you and the sea.............and about a million jellyfish!! Whilst paddling out you could see alot of jelly fish going about their business underneath us, maybe finding a mate, or looking to sting an unsuspecting human...i dunno, but they were everywhere, was like looking down on a busy street! After the Kayaking, i got dropped off to my hostel, which was pretty cool, very independent, not a chain, although it looked like it had been tango'd as it was very orange!! After wards went to an independent Sunday market, which was brilliant. St.Kilda had a brilliant vibe to it, felt relaxed and i felt at home here with all the funky bars and places to hang out. Afterwards met up with some friends from NZ, which was wicked to catch up, and eventually had a quiet night in, (that's a few in a row now, don't know what's happening?).

24/01/11 - Today we'd arranged to go to the Australian Open to watch Andy Murray. I got to the centre a bit early, to have a look around and generally hang out. I sat in Federation Square waiting for a friend, this place is a hive of information with loads of digital screens telling you lots of different things about the weather, what ballet is now on or what exhibit is now showing at the art museum. Also a big people watching place, reminded me of Castle Gardens in Swansea (just sunnier, cleaner, and generally better). So we got to the tennis, of which i've never been a massive fan, but once inside their 'centre court' i was transfixed, by the talent of these players but also the intense atmosphere of the court, mainly due to having to be silent all the time. Of course i had to shot 'c'mon Andy!!' in the silence just after a score or something, just to annoy the people in front of me really, as they kept turning around when i shouted!! After the matches, we run around the place playing all the games in kids zone "NO! 12 year old child...i'm playing on it!!". That night we hit the town at St.Kilda with some other old friends, also met a girl from Germany who could probably do with a few years counselling. Whilst we were sat in a circle in the hostel drinking and chatting, she proceeds to put Coldplay on and lies down in the middle of the circle with her hand on her head (in a woe is me sort of way) and just from nowhere started bawling her eyes out!! SHe was telling everyone how she had broken up with her travel boyfriend (who's name changed every time she told it to someone new, so i didn't have too much sympathy, trust me you wouldn't have either). So after swiftly loosing her, went out and turned out we were going to a drag night, which was absolutely hilariously good fun, although i don't remember much of it to be honest!! So this night proceeded into the next day and i'm pretty sure i saw the sun rise before i went to bed?

25/01/10 - Write off....Today was a hangover day/move to new location again. Literally woke up late, checked out late, got a telling off, put my 'pretend i give a s***' face on, left and met up with a friend for brunch. Literally just soaked up the atmosphere today, was at cafe for about 2 hours, before eventually have to move all my stuff via tram! This was fun considering these trams are busy and there's me with like a turtle shell on my back with bags in each hand, smashing into people as i get off and on...oh well has to be done. Literally got to my friends house where i'm staying for a few days before i leave and crashed out all afternoon!! Done!!

26/01/10 - Australia Day!!!

Was meeting up with a friend that i made 3 years ago today, who lives in a place called Ferntree Gully on the outskirts of Melbourne!! Got picked up around 10ish, was wicked to see her, was like i'd only seen her a week ago or something, my mate came with me today too. We drove up and bottle shopped it, on what was a disappointing weather day for Oz Day. Was a very Aussie day, with all the Aussies around, cricket, BBQ and beer...perfect. All the people at this thing we're so friendly just coming up and introducing themselves to me and my mate and chatting to us etc. We played a game of cricket ourselves in the afternoon, my batting was pretty atrocious lasting just 2 balls, then in fielding was spectacular diving into the advertising boards (head still hurts today). Afterwards we all migrated to a person's house to carry on. Was generally a really fun day, and didn't feel left out once, hope i can return the favour should any of them come to the UK.

27/01/10 - Last day in Oz/not in UK

Was a strange feeling to think that i will be leaving tomorrow. We got a train back from my friends in Ferntree. We both struggled to stay awake on the train, having for some reason turning down a shower and breakfast and just resorting to an Irish Shower (don't know what we were thinking must've still been drunk), so stinking up the train something wonderful!! Got to town and sweated profusly in Federation Square, whilst waiting for a friend to go for lunch, pretty sure people were coming near us then walking away, i like to think i smelt of roses and it was my mate who was scaring everyone away! Went for some very nice food before going to the ACMI (Australian centre for the Moving Image). Basically a exhibition about film/moving image in all ways and forms, with an emphasise on Australia also. This place was so much fun, they had a matrix machine there, where you can do those still movement videos etc. Finally got back to the house and showered properly, shed the layer of skin on me, ready for last night in Australia. Went to a bit of a mundane BBQ first before meeting up with friends and going to some really cool bars, where there was live music. End of night consisted of some emotional goodbyes from some friends...that was that.

28/01/10 - Simply put, bummed around, got to airport, got on plane got home.

Home - Was a strange feeling getting home, i will miss all the friends i've made and will hopefully see them again in the near future. Was awesome to see my family though, their friendly faces make me smile. Sitting here now in Cardiff, trying to get back into routine again is an odd business. I feel like i only left next week. Nothing big has changed, except i've got a tan and i now think that the UK is even more stuck up and anal than i thought it was before. I will miss the romance of Peru, the purity of Bolivia, the stylishness of Chile, the broadness of New Zealand and the friendliness of Australia. It has been a world wind ride that i have loved every minute of, I get quite emotional thinking about this time last week i was the other side of the world. However, time for adventure number 3 (1st one wass 26 years and 11months, 2nd 4 months, who knows how long 3 will be), i don't know what the future holds, but i like not knowing, surprises are good for the soul....So with new chapters come new things, and i look forward to it all...