Friday 6 April

Had breakfast in the apartment, which consisted of the worlds smallest Weetabix and yoghurt. The kids came over and Simon brought with him 11 months of washing !!! After the 3rd wash we walked down to the Beachcomber restaurant to meet up with cousin Amanda and her partner Shaneen. Really great to meet again after 25 years - lets hope it's not 25 years before we meet up again.

The weather was glorious and the restaurant packed with holidaymakers enjoying a Good Friday day out at the beach. Amanda and Shaneen had very kindly bought us a small bag full of Easter eggs - really thoughtful. Following lunch we walked back to the apartment for a rest (and to continue the washing). In the evening we had a walk along Acland street - a buzzing, edgy street full of live, parties, energetic restaurants and bars…very vibrant. June and I had decided to go out on a date and so we both dressed up - June looked lovely. First stop was the Prince of Wales bar - very hip and popular. We had a cocktail there (and sheltered from a sudden tropical storm). We ate at a restaurant recommended by Luke called the Elbow room - very nice. To finish the evening off we went to a bar in the Esplanade hotel - locally known as the Espy where they had a couple of live bands on. June and I were clearly the oldest in the bar (by some years) but we enjoyed the atmosphere and were surprised that Simon & Shelley didn't fancy it.

Saturday 7 April

June and I started to attack the pile of ironing which wasn't all that bad but in a strange sadistic manner it was a pleasure to do Simons washing and Ironing and once I had neatly folded all of his cloths into his bag I felt a degree of satisfaction and accomplishment that my boy had a full set of clean clothes once again. We caught the tram into town as June wanted to visit the Queen Victoria market. We hadn't realised just how extensive it was. Full of meat, veg, fruit stalls with some great bargains for meat. Sadly, we couldn't enjoy that but we did enjoy walking amongst the various stalls selling Australia goods. Shelley bought a scarf and a calligraphic scroll written in Chinese (we think - Could be Planet Zeus for all we know).

We then walked to the Skytower - the tallest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere. Lots of facts and figures I could write about but essentially the views were stunning… as you would expect. The lift threw you upwards, 88 floors in 30 seconds…wow!

Simon had told us he wanted to dress up in a shirt he had bought in Bangkok - made to measure for £15. He wanted to eat at a restaurant on Chapel street called Caffee Sienna. Snag is - He didn't know where it was and Chapel street was about 5 miles long. It took us an hour but eventually we found it. We could tell it was popular - very busy - I think we had the last table. Great food though - served by a girl from Leicester. Shelley was a bit grumpy about the walk and so her face lit up when I told her we would get a taxi home.

Sunday 8 April

We must have walked miles and miles since arriving in Melbourne and so June and I decided we needed a day of rest. Breakfast was steak and eggs and following that Simon & Shelley decided they wanted to go off and visit the Zoo. June and I chilled by walking along the esplanade visiting the hundreds of stalls set up for the St Kilda Sunday market. It was quite then walked along the pier and June was delighted to see a few Penguins sleeping amongst the rocks. She peered into just about every crevice, nook and cranny in an attempt to see them sleeping (and snoring). She was like an excited schoolgirl on her first outing…really nice to see.

We bum bled along Acland street again - that street really does draw us to it….something edgy about it, not sure what but we love it. Had a lovely coffee and a Guglekumpf cake - Yummy.

Junes turn to choose the restaurant and she chose a delightful Italian place called Rococco's on Acland street. Great restaurant (except the price of the wine which forced us to buy beer- Cheapest bottle of white was £35. Sadly I do not know enough about wine to realise whether it would have been worth it or not)

We then walked June back to the Apartment and rthen Shelley back to the backpackers place before Simon and I went to the pub - The Elephant and Wheelbarrow !!! to watch the big match. Man United v QPR. A dodgy penalty gave Rooney the opener followed by a Scholes classic drive from 22 yards. 2-0. Bed by 1am

Monday 9 April

Awake at 4.30 am to pack and catch a taxi. Delighted to see that Man City had lost to Arsenal 1-0 and that Ballotelli had been sent off - Brill.

Made it to the airport fine and checked in smoothly. We also saw our bags being packed onto the plane…so far, so good. However, it looks as though shelley has left her glasses at the gate?