Hello everyone,

Hope you are all ok. Sorry its been a while since I last wrote its been a bit hectic over the last few days. So today is my 19th birthday - wicked, and im spending it in Sydney, in which we arrived today. Over the last week or so the four of us spent our last few days in Melbourne before roaming up to the countryside to stay with mine and alice's family in a little village called Briagolong.

On Monday morning my great Aunt Audrey came into visit us in the flat and we had a great catch up as it had been 5 years since our last encounter. Later that day, Alice and I left Brett and Catriona (who went on a romantic date to Nandos) in the flat for the night as we travelled up to Bendigo to stay the night at our Grandmothers. That was also the first meeting we'd had in 5 years and she was startled at how much we'd changed. We only got to spend a day up there but it was a nice trip nonetheless.

On the train back to Melbourne from Bendigo on the Tuesday evening Alice and I realised that we'd actually missed the others and were glad to come back to nicely cooked Chicken Barritos! We left the flat for Briagolong on Thursday morning, arriving in Briagolong early evening, staying there on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Alice and I worked out that it was the 5th time we'd been there, but it was Brett and Catrionas first time in the Australian countryside and they thought it was great. They got on well with my mums cousin Gill and her husband Kline and their 15 year old son Jasper who is very cool.

Alice and I also worked out that everytime we'd been to Briagolong we'd swam in the creek opposite Gill and Kline's, but also that we'd only been in the height of summer, although we weren't about to break traditions. Braving the mild and cloudy weather we made our way over and decided the only way we'd actually get in is if we dived in without feeling how cold the water was before. First off was Me, Brett and Jasper who all dived in. As soon as we hit the water we practically went into shock, with the water feeling closer to Ice than anything. After this the girls went in and experienced exactly the same thing and we were all standing around sheepishly for five minutes trying to warm up!

The next journey was from Melbourne to Sydney which we took on an overnight train on Sunday. It didnt get off to a great start when the booze we'd brought on board to celebrate mine and Alice's birthday with at midnight got duly confiscated and whisked away to the buffet cart 'til the morning. Also, leg room was a bit of a non-existance as we all fought each other for the little space there was. However, it was a good journey which included a birthday 'muffin' with candles, cards and presents at midnight.

We didnt get a whole load of sleep on the train and are a bit tired now but after a quick power nap we will be raring to go for tonights festivities. Until next time, take care, and if anyone wants to leave a comment or anything you can leave a message on the message board.

Will x