Clare writes: so here we are in Melbourne, the city everyone said we'd love the best but, because our logistics are a bit awkward in January, we're spending the least amount of time in.

I know why they said I'd love it - it is bonkers! A mad hotch potch of over-the-top architecture, in-your-face public art and general whackiness... almost too much to take in. There are no rightangles here except in the grid pattern of the streets - every roof that isn't a bulbous confectionary of blogs is tilted at an unlikely angle.

This was the venue for the first gig of my poetry world tour - Dead Good Down Under and it went well. Around 40 people (3 in hats) turned up at teh Dan O'Connell, where I was made very welcome. Even Sheila enjoyed it - though that may have been because she was fortified/ aneasthetised by a couple of glasses of Chardonnay.

We sepnt yesterday i the gorgeous botanic gardens and we're heading for the beach today. It started cooler here but 30 degrees forcast today so mustn't tarry writing this!!! MAy be incommunicado for the next week or so... finding out if Ayers Rocks and Alice Springs, and lots of aboriginal things... g'day!!