MCG Essendon Vs Collingwood

Day 9 - MCG Essendon Vs Collingwood

Melbourne

Sunday, 31 July 2011

Today I got up before everyone else and left the flat just after 8. I was on a mission. Shake Seigel, a friend, has bought a flat which is under construction in Nicholson St., Melbourne and he asked me to take some photos of the progress if I was nearby. It was a beautiful blue-sky morning and there was not much traffic and so it didn't take long to find the flats and take some photos and video. I had a coffee in a coffee house across the street called "Birdie Num Nums" which was really nice and then drove back home, arriving just as Wendy and Cathy were leaving the flat to pick up coffee and pastries. Emailing the video and photos to Shake from the iPad proved a bit of a problem but I eventually sent them one at a time using Wendy's account.

After breakfast we got ready for the big trip of the day. We were off to the MCG to watch an Aussie rules (AFL) game, The Essendon Bombers Vs. The Collingwood Magpies. We decided to shout for Essendon as they were the underdogs and I even bought an Essendon hat. We had met Andrew (Cathy's sister's partner) at his office as he was working (commerce web design) even though it's Sunday, and we parked the cars outside and walked from there.

The ground is massive and seats 100,000 but today there were 73,000 spectators. The atmosphere was great and fortunately I was sitting next to Andrew who is an expert, having been a Carlton season ticket holder since he was knee-high to a grasshopper. It was actually against his religion to watch either of these two teams but he sat manfully through the game although I couldn't get him to chant for Essendon however hard I tried. It was great to have an expert by my side as the rules can be a bit confusing for a Pom. The girls enjoyed the game but I think they particularly enjoyed the pies, chips and drinks at half time.

Match report:- Essendon made a good start and were well ahead towards the middle of the second quarter...then they picked up a couple of injuries and Collingwood's superior form and fitness started to show...in the end it was like watching a predator finish off a wounded animal as Essendon got hammered. The final score was 166-92.

We are now having tea (left over curry from last night), and will then be packing ready for our flight to Alice Springs tomorrow morning. I don't know what the availability of wifi will be when we get there so my next blog post might not be for a day or two. We are staying the first night in a hotel and then will be camping (sleeping out in a swag under the stars, not in a tent), so I'm pretty sure there won't be wifi! The temperature at Alice is currently 29 by day, 6 by night so it should be lovely.

By the way, I now have a cold (man-flu), so thanks to the sneezing lady that sat by me on the plane from Sydney, my virus evasion measures obviously didn't work.

Will post soon.

	Shake's Place [Map]		Andrew's Office Balcony [Map]
	Outside the MCG [Map]		Inside the G [Map]
	Watching the game [Map]		Go Bombers [Map]

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Melbourne Shops and Ramsay St.

Day 8 - Melbourne Shops and Ramsay St.

Dandenong Road

Saturday, 30 July 2011
Got up at 8-ish, sadly Cathy had just left for the gym so we couldn't go with her, and had to have a leisurely breakfast instead. When Cathy got back we headed off for Chadstone shopping mall. It's big, with loads of designer shops so the girls were in retail heaven, led by Cathy.
Wendy and I found an Aldi so we were home from home. We bought some apples and some vitamin tablets as our diet has been a bit fruit depleted. I had a stroll round the Prada shop and was surprised that none of the sales assistants seemed interested in me until I caught sight of myself in the mirror, unshaven and carrying my Aldi bag. The security guard did seem interested in me though, strangely enough. I did look at a nice leather bag, but at $3000 dollars I thought I'd stick to my Aldi bag. Chris Lilley was in the mall signing stuff. He is an Australian comedian who does lots of different characters, a bit like Steve Cougan. He must be very popular because the queue to get things signed was massive and he was there for ages. I can't say I've heard of him myself but will look out for some of his shows as he's supposed to be really funny.
After our shopping we drove across to Ramsay Street (from Neighbours) much to Cathy's disapproval. The street's real name is Pinoak Court, quite a nice quiet cul-de-sac. I took some photos and video, but even I have to admit feeling a bit self-conscious, especially when a security guy got out of his car to make sure we didn't take any memorabilia. Wendy disguised herself cunningly amongst the vegetation.
On the way home we stopped off at a bottle shop for provisions and I met my new best mate, Dee, who was manning the wine tasting department and was very friendly. The flats near the bottle shop were surrounded by police and Dee told us she thought there had been a murder. Apparently this is not an every day occurence here but it's a bit worrying. The funny thing was that we had been driving round with 4 people in the back and the girls had been worried all day that we were going to be told off by the police, so when we turned round the corner to find the street full of police cars, they all hit the deck!
We are off to Cathy's sister's house (Alison) for dinner tonight.
We had a lovely evening, Andrew explained the AFL rules to me and we watched a couple of games to practice for tomorrow's big game. We are going to watch the Essendon Bombers vs. the Collingwood Magpies at the MCG (apparently now locally known as the G) tomorrow afternoon. I'm not sure if you will be able to watch it on sky but I hope so. We're hoping to see a couple of "specs" when the player behind leaps up and kneels on the shoulders of the player in front.
Will write again tomorrow - goodnight.

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	Chris Lilley [Map]		Hiding on Ramsay St. [Map]
	Ramsay Street [Map]		Ramsay Street [Map]

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Philip Island

Day 7 - Philip Island

Philip Island

Friday, 29 July 2011

A lazy start then a walk in bright sunshine to have brunch at The Coin Laundry. A trendy place for Melbournites to have breakfast - a pic of Jess's breakfast below. Then off to Philip Island which is about 85 miles south of Melbourne. Arrived early afternoon, confirmed booking at Philip Island Penguin Parade, had a quick look out from Nobbie's Point in the hope of seeing seals and/or whales but saw neither. We did get excited when we saw a Kangaroo (but this turned out to be a Wallaby). Then back to take our place and wait for the little darlings to come on out of the sea. Interesting fact :- The Little or Fairy Penguin is the smallest penguin, they leave the nest when they are old enough to swim then don't come back until they're old enough to breed, about 2yrs later. We sat in the viewing area until it was almost dark and then they just popped up like magic out of the surf in groups. They waddle up the beach right past where you're sitting, then on up into their burrows amongst the grass in the dunes behind you. You can follow them up and watch them go from a boardwalk. No photography of any kind is allowed (they say it scares the penguins but I suspect the fact that they sell photos and video in the shop might have something to do with it). But "how did you get your photo?" I hear you gasp. Well being the Yorkshireman that I am, I took photos of their posters. I videoed their promo video while Anna pressed a cuddly toy which made a penguin noise in the background, it's just like the real thing....well actually it's not, but we had fun!

On the way back we wanted some tea so we thought we'd buy something at a supermarket, but we only had 30 seconds before it closed so we grabbed what we could. The resulting meal was a delightful feast of pitta breads filled with salt and vinegar crisps, with Tim-Tams for pudding (a bit like a Penguin biscuit).

Tomorrow we're having a day off sight seeing although we might try and see Ramsay Street from Neighbours. The ladies in my life are going shopping so I have hidden the credit card.

	Brunch at The Coin Laundry [Map]		Brunch [Map]
	Caramelised French toast with maple syrup and baco [Map]		Wallaby [Map]
	Little Penguin [Map]

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Great Ocean Road

Day 6 - Great Ocean Road

Port Campbell

Thursday, 28 July 2011
Got up at 8, (Cathy left for work at 6) left for Great Ocean Road at about 9. Downloaded NavFree app for iPad which meant we had sat nav for Australia without having to switch data roaming on, which was great. Drove to Geelong and then headed south to the coast on the B100 through Torquay, along the coast to Lorne. Stopped off at Merle's bakery for a pie on the way. Just past Lorne we parked up and took a short walk up a creek to a waterfall (Sheoak falls). The valley was lined with gum trees and we really wanted to see a Koala. We had almost given up hope when Jess spotted a little fella sitting high up in a gum tree having a sleep. While we were watching he decided to put on a show and had a little climb and a munch on some leaves. We then spotted another one in another tree (another Jess find), and eventually tore ourselves away to continue our trip. We stopped at a place called Kennett River for an ice cream and strolled up a dirt track and were virtually mobbed by Koalas (we saw 4) - very exciting!
Time was getting on and so we made straight for the 12 Apostles which we got to just as the sun was beginning to go down - very beautiful.
We were now in Port Campbell (approx 150 miles from Melbourne) and were supposed to be back for dinner but we weren't going to make it so we stopped in a country town called Colac to pick up some food. It was just how you would imagine a country town to be, a real local's town for locals, where everyone looked strangely similar to everyone else, and all the men appeared to be farmers.
We drove back to Melbourne and are now back at Cathy's where Lizzi is updating her Facebook page, Anna is in bed and the other girls are discussing the content of Hello and OK.
Tomorrow we are going for a Melbourne brunch and then down to Philip Island to see the fairy penguins come in from the sea.
By the way, if you're reading this (and you obviously are), leave us a comment. We've had a few and it's lovely to hear from you. C,W,J,E and A xxx.

	Roos sign [Map]		Great Ocean Road [Map]
	Koala [Map]		Kennett River [Map]
	12 Apostles [Map]

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Melbourne

Day 5 - Melbourne

Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Got taxi at 7:30, plane was delayed and didn't fly until 10:35. Short flight approx 40mins on a smallish . Sat next to someone who sneezed the whole way. I put virus avoidance measures into place by adjusting the air inflow nozzles to produce a barrier of air and occasionally wafted my hat but I suspect that a cold is inevitable!
Picked up a hire car from Thrifty (a silver Nissan Xtrail 4x4), big enough for us all and all our luggage, then set off to drive to Cathy's house. She lives in Caulfield North which should have been straight forward but ended taking us a couple of hours largely due to the fact that I wouldn't phone Cathy for directions! Cathy is a close friend of ours who we first met when we spent our year in Brisbane and then came over to the UK for nearly 15 yrs and then went back to Oz in 2006.
We eventually arrived to find Cathy waiting at the end of her driveway for us. She lives in a really nice suburb of Melbourne with leafy, wide clean streets. It was really good to see her again.
After catching up we caught a tram into Melbourne to look around/visit the shops etc. I spent most of my time in an Akubra hat shop looking for souvenirs.
Melbourne is noticeably colder than Sydney, it was 4 degrees C this morning but warmed up to about 15 degrees later in the day. Even though it was like a lovely sunny spring/early summers day for us, the locals were all wrapped up like it was the middle of a bitter winter. Melbourne has got a feel of London about it, it is cosmopolitan and quite busy.
Went for a pizza for tea and then back to Cathy's.
Off to drive the Great Ocean Road tomorrow.

	Jetstar plane to Melbourne [Map]		Waiting at Sydney Airport [Map]
			Waiting for tram in Melbourne [Map]

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Bondi Beach / Sydney

Day 4 - Bondi Beach / Sydney

Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Got up at 7:30, had our 3 Coco pops (each), and rocked down to Eddy Avenue, where the hop on hop off bus leaves. This morning we were headed for Bondi Beach. There was not a cloud in the sky, and the temperature was a pleasant 19 degrees by lunchtine. We paddled for a while at Bondi. The waves were impressive and the water not cold so Lizzi and I decided to go for a swim/surf. Sadly we had not come prepared for a swim, and so Lizzi swam in her clothes and Bondi had to brace itself for Dad's pants. Bondi has a great set up, great off beach showers and interesting signage on the bins.
A bit of lunch then back to Sydney on the 333 bus (our 24hr ticket had run out). We got off at Circular Quay then walked round to The Botanical gardens and through to Mrs Macquarie's seat. Loads of fruit bats in the gardens all roosting The gardens don't like them as they damage the trees. Saw loads of cockatiels too - they mob you and land on you if they think you have a biscuit. I tried to fool one with a leaf and it gave me a right bite when it found out it had ben duped - fair enough I suppose. There's a picture below with one that is obviously loosing it's hair...and there's a bird on his head...ha ha. No, they don't get any better.
Great views from the headland, you really can't get enough of the harbour view.
We then walked back into the centre of the city and made our way to, and up Centre Point Tower, more great views. Back on the train to our hotel, quick change and out again to Philip's Foote restaurant, recommended by Debbie. You go in, get a table then when you're ready to eat, go and choose your steak or fish, put it on the BBQ yourself, cook it, help yourself to salads etc and away you go.
A really nice meal but the children are all tired so we came back soon after and they are in their beds.
Got to pack now as we catch a flight to Melbourne in the morning. We have a taxi booked for 7.20.

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	Bondi Beach [Map]		Bondi Bins [Map]
	Botanical Gardens [Map]		Botanical Gardens [Map]
	View from Botanical gardens [Map]		Centre Point Tower [Map]
	Philip's Foote BBQ Restaurant [Map]

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Sydney

Day 3 - Sydney

Sydney

Monday, 25 July 2011
Went to bed at about 10pm last night and got up at 8 ready for the day. Breakfast then off to Sydney, We bought a ticket for the hop on hop off open top bus tour. The ticket lasts 24hrs and you can get on and off as many times as you want. Went from near where we are staying to Sydney Harbour bridge. Got off here and spent the rest of the morning in awe over the iconic bridge and Opera House. Had a glass of bubbly sitting outside a bar just below the opera house bathed in sunshine. Amazing. After lunch took the ferry to Manley, walked over to the ocean side to watch the surfers. Lizzi and Anna went paddling then got hit by a big wave which soaked them and filled their shoes which they'd left higher up the beach. I, of course, took the only responsible action and abandoned the kids immediately. Beck to Sydney on the ferry and then back on the bus to the hotel. It's winter here but still got to 18 degrees and sunny. When we got back I went out to get a takeaway and came back with a Vietnamese banquet. I told Anna it was Australian KFC so she would eat it. Actually it was very nice. Now we're sitting down watching "Renovators" which is basically Australia's got DIY talent. Tonight they're repairing chairs. Now that's entertainment, we know how to live.

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	Photo 1 [Map]		Photo 2 [Map]
	Photo 3 [Map]		Photo 4 [Map]
	Photo 5 [Map]

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Leave Today

A travelog of our trip to Australia, July - August 2012

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Day 1 - Leave Today

London Heathrow, Afghanistan

Saturday, 23 July 2011

Setting off from our house at 5:30am, hope everything is packed. No matter how prepared you think you are it's always a mad rush at the end. Eddy is at Tom and Rach's. I have been going on at the children not to take too much but my case is the heaviest, just scraping under 20kg. I think we're ready!

18:45 UK time: We are now on the plane (Singapore Airlines) somewhere over Afghanistan, it's a great plane (Singapore Airlines won 2nd place in airline of the year this year - interesting fact). Each seat has it's own interactive screen where you can choose what you want to watch and when, play games, listen to music etc. I am making the most of the free food and drink, much to Wendy's embarrassment. I have taken an aspirin but had to take my flight socks off as they looked too ridiculous. Just finished watching "Paul" and now I'm going to watch "True Grit" but have had to resort to watching it on the iPad as it's not on up here.

Ps ignore the date stamp on the first few photos - just noticed I've set the camera with the wrong month!

	Photo 1 [Map]		Photo 2 [Map]

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Arrive In Australia

Day 2 - Arrive In Australia

Australia

Sunday, 24 July 2011

07:05 UK time -We are now over roughly mid-Australia still at 30,000 feet. We can see red desert below us. Jess is sitting by the window and she is hoping to see Ayer's rock. Still making good use of the free facilities, had two Singapore slings and the girls have had fruit spritzers. Arrive in Sydney in 2.5 hrs. Will probably start using local time then.

18:30 Australian time - We have arrived!! Got out-voted on my suggestion of getting the train to town and took a cab. Glad we did. Arrived at The Adina apartment hotel 395 Crown St. Surrey Hills. Got a two-room apartment, it's really nice. Went out for provisions and got a bit of a shock, we 're either in an expensive part of Aus or the rumours we have heard about Australian inflation and the poor exchange rate are true. £6.00 equivalent for a box of coco pops! I think three coco pops each for breakfast is plenty, might come back a bit thinner!

	Our apartment [Map]		Photo 1 [Map]
	Photo 2 [Map]

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