An update from sunny Melbourne, where I have been for almost a week, having successfully completed the Great Ocean Road cycle trip last Saturday.

The final 2 days of cycling were quite different to the beginning of the journey. The fourth day, where I completed the ocean road proper, was probably the most varied day of the trip. Starting out along the coast, the slowly undulating coast road became steeper when crossing a number of creeks running into the ocean. The road then cut inland for a period of gradual inclines and declines, touching back to the coast occasionally but without the winding bends and sheer cliff faces. Following lunch at Torquay, I covered 20km on the highway with a strong tail wind, the only concern being the glass on the road. Turning off the highway I faced a long slog over open farmland in soaring temperatures with the strongest headwind of the trip, which reduced me to 5km stints between water stops. Finally, a sprint down to the harbour at Queenscliff to catch the ferry across Phillip's Bay, to finish the day ahead of schedule. A good feeling, until realising accommodation was lacking in Sorrento on the other side of the bay, I eventually arranged to spend the night on the couch in a hostel reception. That sounds familiar...

The final day was the most straightforward of the journey, following the coastal road, then highway, up the east of the bay back towards Melbourne. I dropped the bike to the hire store mid-afternoon and was able to return the unused puncture kit, pump, spare innertube and tools for a refund - who'd have thought 400km without a single mechanical glitch (on the bike anyway!)?! A reasonable sense of satisfaction started to set in whilst on the train back to Melbourne, as did the stiff legs!

A quiet week in Melbourne has followed, it still seems slightly strange to be in a sterile western environment having arrived from Asia - Everything seems far too orderly right now. The main attraction for me was to see the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the largest cricket ground in the world, holding over 100,000 people. On monday I watched an interstate game between Victoria and New South Wales, a surreal experience with approximately 50 spectators in such a massive venue. Yesterday I followed that with a tour of the ground and it's facilities. For its impressive size, the facilities didn't seem so superior to the major grounds in England, which was a suprise.

I also spent 2 days on the beach resort of St Kilda, just south of Melbourne. I guess this was my first sight of the Australia I have been expecting - a beach decked with sun worshipers all day long bordered by quiet seaside bars and people running, walking and cycling along the espanade, all very stereotypical. It was a welcome change to relax on the beach, however I am promised more impressive sand, sea and surf as I venture further up the east coast.

A journey which I start this evening as I head to Canberra, the often-forgotten capital city of Australia. Chances are I would have skipped it if I hadn't done the tour through Asia, but instead I'll stop off there to see Claire and Brett, who have to put up with me for a couple more days following 3 weeks in Malaysia and Thailand. During the visit my tour of Australian stadia will continue as we plan to see ACT Brumbies vs Canterbury Crusaders in the Super14 rugby.