So it's been a while again, sorry guys!! Internet has been hard to come by and in Sydney and Melbourne it's pretty expensive so we've waited until we got out into the sticks to write again . . .

We left Coogee on the 14th and arrived in Melbourne at around 4ish. Lou met us at the train station and it was really great to see a familiar face for the first time in 6 weeks! We jumped into a cab and went straight to the apartment that we were staying in with Jody and Kon - again fantastic to see their faces! Plus we had another reason to celebrate, as they got engaged the night before - if you guys are reading this 'Congratulations again'!!

We spent four days in Melbourne and had an awesome time. I'd been to Melbourne before in 2000, but we only stayed one night went to the neighbours quiz and were then frightened off by prostitutes and a parking ticket so we really didn't see much of it at all! Well I can't believe how much we missed and Jody and Kon (FM) made a massive effort to show us as much of it as possible . . .

The first night we had drinks and food in the Elephant and Castle in St Kilda, just round the corner from where we were staying and then the next day Jody and Kon took James and I to explore St Kilda, the beach and some of the quirky streets around there - crammed with so many funky shops and cafes - we really were spoilt for choice when it came to lunch time!! The second evening the four of us, plus Lou, Lisa, Jake (Kons brother) and four of Jody and Kons friends went to the Telstra Stadium to watch a pre-season game of Aussie Rules (or AFL as they refer to it out here). It was a fab experience and Kon even bought me a St Kilda scarf, as I'd decided to support his team! As if this game wasn't enough excitement when it was over and we'd had a few drinks in the stadium bar the lads decided to join in a street game of AFL (James included!) - this was probably even more fun. James didn't really know how to play, but he pulled it off well and Kon was getting so into it that some guy ripped the t.shirt off of his back - whoops!

The last two days we explored more of Melbourne, which seemed so vast that it was like visiting a different city each day! We loved the Southbank area, where the Casino is, as there were loads of craft markets, bars and restaurants all sitting alonside the river. This was a particularly hot day, so it was a relief to wander round and eat in the air conditioned Casino. Afterwards we spent our last afternoon at a large pub called the Belgium Beer Garden, where we refreshed ourselves with some interesting beers that they had on offer. We met a few of the others here too and then went off to another pub for dinner, where James and I tried some of Todd's, wait for it . . . . sorry vegetarians!! . . . lambs brains! They were in breadcrumbs and tasted more like some kind of seafood than meat, although whether brains can be classed as meat we're not really sure? Neither of us would have it again, but hey sometimes you have to try these things for the experience!

Overall we had an amazing time in Melbourne and our only regret was that it probably wasn't long enough - a few more days with Kon FM and any sign of double chins would be well and truly gone, as he just keeps you smiling and laughing the whole time (this is why we call him Kon FM!)

It was really sad to say our goodbyes to Jody, Kon, Lou and Lisa, but we're hoping to catch up with them all in Sydney for Easter . . . . .

There's more for you to catch up on, as we've since also driven the Great Ocean Road, but I don't have enough time on the internet so watch this space . . .

Love to all xx