Melbourne is a beautiful city with both a lovely river and an ocean port. The city has a real euro feel complete with electric trams running all over, large central green parks and beautiful historic buildings. The city is buzzing with the Australian Open underway which has drawn crowds from all over the world. Melbourne has many outstanding restaurants that favour local produce, meats and fish. We spent some time today at the Victoria market where you can buy anything. The market covers several city blocks and has fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood and general merchandise. It is amazing how many vendors can sell UGGs........guaranteed to be the genuine article. It reminded me of the Palm Springs flea market, times two, with groceries. We have tried several of the recommended restaurants and have been very impressed. Of particular note is a restaurant called Cumulus (like the cloud), it is a relatively small restaurant, perhaps 20 tables. The menu is smallish but diverse. We tried the roast of lamb for two. The roast is a front shoulder and leg with the bone in, not a cut you see in North America. The roast is marinaded for several days and then is roasted for 45 minutes. Everything in Oz is a la carte so we ordered a tomato salad and a starter of pickled octopus. The roast had a lovely crust on the outside and fell off the bone when served, we were only able to finish half of the lamb and took the other half back to the apartment. We have been to several wine regions in Australia and have done some wine tasting. We find many of the whites to be quite full of fruit but sharp for our tastes. We have been impressed with the Pinots and find the Shiraz's a bit too big. When we were tasting wine in the Adelaide Hills we tried a sparkling Shiraz.........I don't think it will be a big seller back home. Australia has abundant fresh produce, meats and fish from which to create very interesting dishes. They are not afraid to pair "unconventional" ingredients to create very delicious , but different, dishes. We came to Melbourne to see the city as well as take in the Open. We spent three days at the event and are very impressed with the organizers and Melbourne Park. The organizers from Palm Springs could come down here and pick up a few pointers. What the hell is up with the women's game...........do you believe the crazy stuff that has happened in the quarters and semis? Serena has lost her mind, someone should throw a net over her and get her the professional help she has needed for years. My take on that mess with Sloane was Serena was going to give the young American kid a couple games, instead of a beat down......a couple of games turned into a set.......then Serena hurt herself, trashed a racket and lost the match......kissing a million bucks goodby in the process. If that wasn't weird enough the very next day Vika has a great first set no surprises 6-1. In the second set we get to 5-3 and a couple match points.......she chokes, calls a medical time out to clear her head........ errr I mean to get double medical break to get attention for a sore back. She comes back to finally close the match in straight sets but........who can stand all the drama? Sloane is going to think that once you break into the top 5 in the women's game your cheese skids off your cracker. That's just my opinion I could be wrong. Li Na, now there is a solid player, she has everything figured out in life and I quote " husband is husband, coach is coach" you can't argue with that!! Life has unfolded as it should in the men's game. Stan gives Novac a scare. Nico gives David a scare. Milos plays Roger. Roger has a 5 setter with Jo Wilfred, and Roger and Novak meet in the final. Life is good in the men's game. Tomorrow we are off to the cool in Hobart, day time highs are forecast to be in the high teens, brrrrrrr, it is 37 outside today. I'll report from Tas. Ciao