Tuesday 30th July - Friday 25th October 2013

We arrived in Melbourne, it is FRICKING cold! So cold I brought myself a coat and a scarf! Thats how cold it is! We are in the only place in Australia that has a 'winter'!

We spent the first weekend, exploring Melbourne, it is HUGE, much bigger, busier than Perth! Its scary! We are currently staying with Mark and Chelsea, who have been very accommodating and letting us stay in the spare room! They live in the Kew area (posh area - so it's right down my street, as everyone would say back at home!). I googled map the area and saw that nearly everyone has a bloody tennis court in their back garden!! Unfortunately Mark and Chelsea apartment block does not have one!

We went to the Hollywood costumes at the ACMI which was awesome! Seeing all these costumes from Batman, Spiderman, Pirates of the Caribbean, big fancy ballroom dresses and western films! It was pretty awesome!

We spent many day wandering around the city, getting lost! Its more confusing than Perth! We have managed to get the grip on the trams and where things are now, which is always good!

Stu managed to get some work at a warehouse in Port Melbourne packing car parts etc to be shipped off. Its 12-8pm which sucks, but he does get paid more per hour than if he did the 11-7pm shift.

I finally found some work, at Melbourne University for 3/4 days a week, which is annoying but there doesn't seem to be much going at the moment, or no one wants to employ me. I think because I have a 'weeks holiday' in November no one wants me as they need someone 'permanent'. The agencies here haven't been much use if I am going to be honest!

Also the Australian Government must have a black line under my name, I have been one of the lucky one in seven that gets investigated about my 2nd working visa. I've had to provide a million and one things and fill in forms to give them permission to see my bank account etc. It just a general pain in the arse. Plus they haven't 'confirmed' that they have received my documents or even looked at the damn things. They certainly haven't updated their part of their website 'check on progress of visa' as it still says waiting for documents. Which I have already sent. Stupid idiots. Plus a week after that, I contacted the tax back office to see where my lovely $3K is, I also had to provide further information...! ARGHHHH that was 7 weeks, plus now I have to wait a further 4-6 weeks!! ARGHHHH!! I think Australia hates me and its a sign to move on.

On the plus side both mine and Stuarts parents are coming out to Australia next year! WOO! I am so excited! It would be a grand total of two years since we last saw our families! There have been numerous emails back and forth planning their stays!

I've have found a more long term job, who were hoping to sponsor but it looks to be impossible, damn you Australia! Never mind we have tried and now we know!

My job is good, it pays well and we are saving as much as we can seeing as we will have to move on from Australia.

We have seen a fair bit of Melbourne, its pretty big, bigger than Perth thats for sure! We went to Phillip Island for the day with Mark, Chelsea and Jeanie (Chelsea's mum) which was a great trip. Very cold and windy! We went the scenic route through the hills which was lovely and stopped off in a town en-route for possibly THE best apple turnover I have ever had!

Phillip Island is famous for its penguins, which come up onto shore for the night after spending the day fishing. Phillip Island is an island about 140 km south-southeast of Melbourne. Named after Arthur Phillips, the first Governor of New South Wales.

We drove to the Nobbies to see the sea lion colony along the boardwalk, but it was extremely windy to go down and see them sadly.

We drove over the penguin parade, we had to wait a little while for the sun to start setting, so we were enjoying the warmth. They had a few nest boxes we could peep in and see some penguins waiting for their 'partners' to return with food! When it was time, we headed out on the viewing area to watch the fairy penguins to come in. They come in groups, I assume it is more safe for them. It was really cute, if one was still in the water the other penguins would run back in to get it! So cute! After we watched a few groups move into shore, they start hobbling and climbing up the shore to their little burrows. They are so adorable, I wanted to take one home with me!

When we left, we had to double check there was no penguins under the car!

My love of coffee has increased as well, it doesn't help the fact that Melbourne has the best coffee shops! I am really spoilt here!

We have been out exploring the markets, the best is the Queen Victoria market, its been around for years. It sells just about everything, we buy our fruit, veg and our meat there! Its pretty good quality food and cheap too!

We have been on several walks around the city, including down the beach in St Kilda, the harbor and docklands area. Stu always complains afterwards that his legs hurt!

So for the past few months we have been working hard and trying to replenish our savings ready for our little holiday to Cairns and the Whitsundays for when Ant and Kate fly over! Too excited!