Melbourne Feb 2007

Time for a break! This time we went to Melbourne just for some R and R time, and to play with the grown-ups! Virgin flight to Tullamarine. coach to Mercure Grand right near Flinders Street Station, where a fully appointed private apartment was to be our home for the next four nights. We toured the city courtesy of the free tram, and also the free bus, and decided how to spend our time. Day one we went for a rivercruise on terribly squat ferry boats, had a comfortable coach ride up into the Dandenongs, and beat the heat by staying under the tall trees. Back to the city on the bus, and a fabulous finish to this lovely day with our three course dinner on board the restored Colonial Tram. Free drinks flowed as this stately tram slowly meandered its way around the city and the immediate environs. Feeling sated with the food wine, and the sights of the day we slowly wended our way back to our hotel. Next day we found the famous Bourke Street Mall, trawled through Chinatown, and had a fascinating visit to the Old Melbourne Jail. Excellent penal museum, with death masks of those who had been hanged there(including Ned Kelly), displayed the cruelty of those early colonial days. Upsetting - (sure there were ghosts). We caught the train from Flinders Street and travelled to Williamstown, the first port in Victoria. After alighting we walked to the jetty, and climbed aboard a tiny bus where a local chracter took us around and explained the history of the place, (Where Diver Dan had his shed, where Blue Heelers and Charlotte's Web were filmed, etc.). On Wednesday we explored the centre of Moving Images at Federation square, and found a photo of my grandfather at the Moments in History exhibition of black and white photographsby Bill Brandt at the Victoria Art Gallery. As it was Valentines day, we took a picnic to the Botanical Gardens, and watched the Australian Shakespeare production of Midsummer Nights Dream - how romantic. We both think that we will have to come again - so much to do and see in Melbourne.

10 year wedding anniversary

December 15th was our tenth wedding anniversary. Being a pair of old romantics, and being blissfully happy with each other, we had some of the guests from the wedding round to our home. We reminisced, gossiped, joked and had a wonderful evening. After the over-the-top cake was unveiled, we renewed our vows, with even more feeling than the first time!

Christmas at Surfers Paradise (Dec 06)

At Christmas we joined our daughter, Carrie, and granddaughter, Isabel in an apartment in Surfers Paradise Queensland. Terry's sister and family were also there so we all joined together to have some fun. An evening at "Dracula's" started the holiday, a really fun evening, but only for the adults. The next day we set out to explore. Niece Sally took us on the duck to drive then float around the sights. In the afternoon we visited "Water World" and had a great time. Then we had to prepare for Christmas day when the whole family came around for breakfast. Sally took us a drive to Byron Bay where Isabel went out to the most easterly point in Australia. A visit to the "Australian Outback Adventure" was one of the highlights of our stay. Great atmosphere and wonderful food and spectacular horse riding. By this time Terry and I were ready for a quiet day, so Carrie and Izzy went off to "Wet and Wild" and we took a coach tour inland to the mountains. Nice quiet rain forests with peaceful walks, just what we needed to recover. On our final day we got into Brisbane early and had time for a coach exploration and a visit to a Koala sanctuary.