13th February
Nice day outside so I got up and – smoke – everywhere!!! Crap – where is the fire!!! Stuck the radio on, jumped on the net but it was just a change of winds had blown the smoke back across. Brought in the washing (damp and sme
lly) and headed off about 10am to do some walking up Mt Macedon, except that I wasn’t overly comfortable with the smoke so decided against it and drove to the top instead. Double checked in the cafe the fires weren’t nearby before walking down to the Anzac Tribute and cross, which was really pretty. The view however was very limited because of the smoke, only making out some nearby hills. Back to the car for a juice and the apple pie – yum o! Left at 12 stopping at the Organ Pipes National Park, where I was given an official fly swat (gum branch) on my way down. Quite amazing, followed by Rosette Rock and Tessellated Paving (not nearly as impressive as Tassie’s though!). Time to head into the backpackers for just after 2.30pm I headed up to my room, and had intended to go to the internet cafe when I got side-track watching the movie Finding Forrester. Downstairs to pay for dinner (fish and chips) before walking to the post office and Coles for the bushfire appeal, except it’s not Coles there it’s Safeway isn’t it. So then it was a walk into town, grabbing a MX on the way and buying anything I could possibly think of needed while I was there. Had a nice chat with the check out kid before heading back, arriving just before 6.30 – perfect! A cider (love it on tap) and dinner before getting changed and heading off to Telstra Dome for Essendon v Western Bulldogs. It’s a great venue, and my seats were right behind the goalpost. Watched the first half (getting cricket updates from Dave) before heading downstairs just before half time to find a cricket score – and found one of the best pubs with the cricket, live music, just a pitty about the queue for beers! Eventually got one and then worked my way through the crowds to watch the last 12 overs, which turned out to be just 6 with rain ending the game in a draw – what a shame with the end so near (but probably thank bloody Christ, as we looked pretty close to loosing it!). So we retained the shield. Having missed the third quarter I headed back upstairs for the last term, which turned out to be a great quarter of footy, with the game tied with seconds to go before Essendon salvaged another point putting them in front (which made Issy a happy girl!). Good result. Hung around for a bit before starting to head down and in seeing the crowds stationary outside went back to the bar for more live music, leaving at 12. The moon was out and red, one assumes from the bush fires, and I then had a 5 minute conversation with some blokes on the way to Spencer St (but with him being a one eyes Collingwood supporter it wasn’t going anywhere!!!). Got home and was in bed around 12.30am.
14th February
8.15ish I was up and in the shower, and then trying to do something creative with my hair. Breaky and upstairs (where everyone was up) and into the bathroom to make myself beautiful for the day (and finding a rather nice bruise at the top of my thigh.... interesting!) when I get a text to say the bbq has been delayed, meaning I can’t make it. So I grabbed my laptop and headed into the city and my favourite internet cafe, which was closed, so ended up in the subway. Got some photos on the internet and then headed for Melbourne Central, via every 3 store to try and find a calendar – no luck! Dropped my shoes off at the cobbler and wandered back home for lunch, before jumping on the city circular tram (which takes forever) and collecting them again, just before 4.30pm. Phone call from Cousin Steve on my way back home before having a shower and a bread roll and banana for dinner, along with a Midori – how classy! Just after 7 pm Dibble, Dave and I headed down to Telstra, along with 35 000 outer fans (the boy were quite impressed). We got our tickets and our seats (although they were on the other side of the stadium) and our beers! Well, the crowd were going crazy, it was quite unbelievable. Melbourne got an early goal, and then another, which was unfortunate as I was hoping for a close game. We made a run for the beers just before half time, and then the food (with a take 2 on the wedges after the first bucket I got was cold) and started watching the second half from one of their viewing points (although they don’t work so well, as we missed the third goal!). Back to our seats for the final goal, the Mexican wave and the fanatical fans! We stayed for the minor premierships presentations and still got caught in the mobs of people leaving the stadium. Dave grabbed a souvenir Melbourne scarf before we ambled our way back to the backpackers. A quick change and it was off to Greasy Joe’s – Dave’s work in St Kilda. They were still open and the staff were going hard at it. Dibble and I managed to scam our first (and second) beer as we sat around and talked and watched the staff go downhill – rather amusing. After another couple of drinks (including one after they had stopped serving, and a trip to the bathroom in the dark because the lights were off) Dave found a taxi (because we missed the last tram, so around 2am) that would get us to the Casino for $20. While Dibble and one of Dave’s workmates got stuck at the electric roulette Dave decided to try his luck on a real table, so we headed downstairs to find a lucky one – me searching for a $2.50 table with a 10 on it) until we got one with no scoreboard. A few flutters (I of course lost all my money) and a couple of small wins Dave was down to his last chips when he threw them out, and what do you know, 10 came up. Winner, winner, winner!!! So off to the bar, where we had some real drinks and chatted before walking home, only to find the rugby union England (Dave) v Wales (Gwyn) on tv, so of course we stayed up to watch that (well sort of watch it), eventually heading to bed about 6.45am. Rediculous!
15th February
Here we go again. 10ish and I was not in any fit state to do anything constructive, unlike the other patrons of my room. Shower was about the best that I could manage, and even getting back from there was hard work. I could feel my sore throat coming back, and I still had a day of the weekend to go. Jim sent me a message ‘ah Melbs, same as last week except cooler’ to which I wrote back ‘More than you could believe. You’ve travelled 800kms, and I’ve barely gotten out of bed (which was true at the time I go the message, just before 10am.) Nothing changes around here except the weather!’ So I got up, organised my stuff for checkout and headed down to reception, with the nasty girl who said ‘if you check out this late tomorrow you’ll loose your key deposit and be charged for an extra night’ and I was just like ‘whatever’, I actually didn’t give two hoots. Banana and yoghurt for breakfast – potassium and a stomach liner? On my laptop in George and I checked on the Exhibition Centre, which had a tour at 2pm, so I headed off for Carlton, with my camera. It took just over an hour, and I was in need of a McDonalds and a toilet by the time I arrived. Toilet I got at the museum, the Maccas would have to wait, and yes, I was still feeling like death warmed up. Did the tour and did improve slightly, although looking up at the ceiling was not a great career move! Made a bee-line back for Melbourne, stopping at the first McDonalds (how sad) and watching the sports news while I inhaled my burger and chips. From there it was back to the backpackers, via a sports store, where I checked into my new room (with a key that didn’t work). Then I headed back out to meet up with Jim and Steve (his cousin) at the QBH, and was seriously not sure how the first drink would go down. Hair of the dog works a treat though! So I finished the first pint, bought the second (after flirting with the bartender) before walking Jim back to his hotel room (because he had absolutely no idea of Melbourne, and was a typical bloke and wouldn’t ask for directions). I then walked home, cooking up a stir-fry feast before heading upstairs, hoping someone would be in touch before I fell asleep, which seemed like such a good idea! Dozed for about 20 minutes, and then another 20, and just before 11 got two messages – one from Jim saying don’t wait up, the band has just come on, and the other from Dave saying he had seen me in the bar, but then I’d disappeared – I don’t think so Tim! Anyway, I dragged my asse downstairs, found Dibble in the bar watching the soccer... football, and so we sat and watched that while Dave tried to drink a pint of his jug – not a chance. He donated the rest to Dibble. I declined and stuck with my water. Dave went to bed about 1am, I went with about 15 minutes left in the game and apparently Dibble stayed up until the second half of the next game, so around 3am.
16th February – Uncle Rod’s birthday
Rolling around at 8am I was quite comfortable staying there and relaxing until well after my alarm went off at 9am. Shower and down to drop some stuff in the car but... no car keys. That’s interesting. Searched through everything, and then realised I’d gone to the car last night, but definitely didn’t have the keys on me when I went to the bar. Crap! Down to reception to collect my other set (after checking to make sure George was still there) and dump my bags – no keys in George either! Crap!!! Back to reception who had luckily had them handed in – that goodness!!! Back upstairs to get the last of my stuff I checked out, threw the rest of my gear in George and headed out for breakfast... err lunch. The World Cafe was the location with Jim and Pete, where I had a really good hot chocolate and eggs Florentine. Jim had fallen asleep at his concert last night, and been kicked out – funny! We finished and headed over to the city for me to organise a last couple of things, so said goodbye and headed off to buy a new lens filter and check out the ANZ Gothic Bank – interesting, and very beautiful inside. Back to George while I cleaned him up a bit before Dave came down. Walked to the shops and then back for lunch (I just drank water). Chatted for a bit until it was time for me to make tracks. Said goodbye (what a sad day!) and left Melbourne at 4pm, headed back to the coast, and the start of the trip home I guess. Quick stop just outside of Geelong to try and get a bike tire (no luck!) before continuing onto Barwon Heads, and then Torquay. It was really windy and not very appealing, but there were still surfers out there. Drove around the coast (looking for somewhere to spend the night) and eventually found a remote little car park in Jan Juc on the beach, watching the sun set. Chicken stir fry on the stove with a Midori, internet and blog before making an early night at 11pm.
Nice day outside so I got up and – smoke – everywhere!!! Crap – where is the fire!!! Stuck the radio on, jumped on the net but it was just a change of winds had blown the smoke back across. Brought in the washing (damp and sme
lly) and headed off about 10am to do some walking up Mt Macedon, except that I wasn’t overly comfortable with the smoke so decided against it and drove to the top instead. Double checked in the cafe the fires weren’t nearby before walking down to the Anzac Tribute and cross, which was really pretty. The view however was very limited because of the smoke, only making out some nearby hills. Back to the car for a juice and the apple pie – yum o! Left at 12 stopping at the Organ Pipes National Park, where I was given an official fly swat (gum branch) on my way down. Quite amazing, followed by Rosette Rock and Tessellated Paving (not nearly as impressive as Tassie’s though!). Time to head into the backpackers for just after 2.30pm I headed up to my room, and had intended to go to the internet cafe when I got side-track watching the movie Finding Forrester. Downstairs to pay for dinner (fish and chips) before walking to the post office and Coles for the bushfire appeal, except it’s not Coles there it’s Safeway isn’t it. So then it was a walk into town, grabbing a MX on the way and buying anything I could possibly think of needed while I was there. Had a nice chat with the check out kid before heading back, arriving just before 6.30 – perfect! A cider (love it on tap) and dinner before getting changed and heading off to Telstra Dome for Essendon v Western Bulldogs. It’s a great venue, and my seats were right behind the goalpost. Watched the first half (getting cricket updates from Dave) before heading downstairs just before half time to find a cricket score – and found one of the best pubs with the cricket, live music, just a pitty about the queue for beers! Eventually got one and then worked my way through the crowds to watch the last 12 overs, which turned out to be just 6 with rain ending the game in a draw – what a shame with the end so near (but probably thank bloody Christ, as we looked pretty close to loosing it!). So we retained the shield. Having missed the third quarter I headed back upstairs for the last term, which turned out to be a great quarter of footy, with the game tied with seconds to go before Essendon salvaged another point putting them in front (which made Issy a happy girl!). Good result. Hung around for a bit before starting to head down and in seeing the crowds stationary outside went back to the bar for more live music, leaving at 12. The moon was out and red, one assumes from the bush fires, and I then had a 5 minute conversation with some blokes on the way to Spencer St (but with him being a one eyes Collingwood supporter it wasn’t going anywhere!!!). Got home and was in bed around 12.30am.14th February
8.15ish I was up and in the shower, and then trying to do something creative with my hair. Breaky and upstairs (where everyone was up) and into the bathroom to make myself beautiful for the day (and finding a rather nice bruise at the top of my thigh.... interesting!) when I get a text to say the bbq has been delayed, meaning I can’t make it. So I grabbed my laptop and headed into the city and my favourite internet cafe, which was closed, so ended up in the subway. Got some photos on the internet and then headed for Melbourne Central, via every 3 store to try and find a calendar – no luck! Dropped my shoes off at the cobbler and wandered back home for lunch, before jumping on the city circular tram (which takes forever) and collecting them again, just before 4.30pm. Phone call from Cousin Steve on my way back home before having a shower and a bread roll and banana for dinner, along with a Midori – how classy! Just after 7 pm Dibble, Dave and I headed down to Telstra, along with 35 000 outer fans (the boy were quite impressed). We got our tickets and our seats (although they were on the other side of the stadium) and our beers! Well, the crowd were going crazy, it was quite unbelievable. Melbourne got an early goal, and then another, which was unfortunate as I was hoping for a close game. We made a run for the beers just before half time, and then the food (with a take 2 on the wedges after the first bucket I got was cold) and started watching the second half from one of their viewing points (although they don’t work so well, as we missed the third goal!). Back to our seats for the final goal, the Mexican wave and the fanatical fans! We stayed for the minor premierships presentations and still got caught in the mobs of people leaving the stadium. Dave grabbed a souvenir Melbourne scarf before we ambled our way back to the backpackers. A quick change and it was off to Greasy Joe’s – Dave’s work in St Kilda. They were still open and the staff were going hard at it. Dibble and I managed to scam our first (and second) beer as we sat around and talked and watched the staff go downhill – rather amusing. After another couple of drinks (including one after they had stopped serving, and a trip to the bathroom in the dark because the lights were off) Dave found a taxi (because we missed the last tram, so around 2am) that would get us to the Casino for $20. While Dibble and one of Dave’s workmates got stuck at the electric roulette Dave decided to try his luck on a real table, so we headed downstairs to find a lucky one – me searching for a $2.50 table with a 10 on it) until we got one with no scoreboard. A few flutters (I of course lost all my money) and a couple of small wins Dave was down to his last chips when he threw them out, and what do you know, 10 came up. Winner, winner, winner!!! So off to the bar, where we had some real drinks and chatted before walking home, only to find the rugby union England (Dave) v Wales (Gwyn) on tv, so of course we stayed up to watch that (well sort of watch it), eventually heading to bed about 6.45am. Rediculous!
15th February
Here we go again. 10ish and I was not in any fit state to do anything constructive, unlike the other patrons of my room. Shower was about the best that I could manage, and even getting back from there was hard work. I could feel my sore throat coming back, and I still had a day of the weekend to go. Jim sent me a message ‘ah Melbs, same as last week except cooler’ to which I wrote back ‘More than you could believe. You’ve travelled 800kms, and I’ve barely gotten out of bed (which was true at the time I go the message, just before 10am.) Nothing changes around here except the weather!’ So I got up, organised my stuff for checkout and headed down to reception, with the nasty girl who said ‘if you check out this late tomorrow you’ll loose your key deposit and be charged for an extra night’ and I was just like ‘whatever’, I actually didn’t give two hoots. Banana and yoghurt for breakfast – potassium and a stomach liner? On my laptop in George and I checked on the Exhibition Centre, which had a tour at 2pm, so I headed off for Carlton, with my camera. It took just over an hour, and I was in need of a McDonalds and a toilet by the time I arrived. Toilet I got at the museum, the Maccas would have to wait, and yes, I was still feeling like death warmed up. Did the tour and did improve slightly, although looking up at the ceiling was not a great career move! Made a bee-line back for Melbourne, stopping at the first McDonalds (how sad) and watching the sports news while I inhaled my burger and chips. From there it was back to the backpackers, via a sports store, where I checked into my new room (with a key that didn’t work). Then I headed back out to meet up with Jim and Steve (his cousin) at the QBH, and was seriously not sure how the first drink would go down. Hair of the dog works a treat though! So I finished the first pint, bought the second (after flirting with the bartender) before walking Jim back to his hotel room (because he had absolutely no idea of Melbourne, and was a typical bloke and wouldn’t ask for directions). I then walked home, cooking up a stir-fry feast before heading upstairs, hoping someone would be in touch before I fell asleep, which seemed like such a good idea! Dozed for about 20 minutes, and then another 20, and just before 11 got two messages – one from Jim saying don’t wait up, the band has just come on, and the other from Dave saying he had seen me in the bar, but then I’d disappeared – I don’t think so Tim! Anyway, I dragged my asse downstairs, found Dibble in the bar watching the soccer... football, and so we sat and watched that while Dave tried to drink a pint of his jug – not a chance. He donated the rest to Dibble. I declined and stuck with my water. Dave went to bed about 1am, I went with about 15 minutes left in the game and apparently Dibble stayed up until the second half of the next game, so around 3am.
16th February – Uncle Rod’s birthday
Rolling around at 8am I was quite comfortable staying there and relaxing until well after my alarm went off at 9am. Shower and down to drop some stuff in the car but... no car keys. That’s interesting. Searched through everything, and then realised I’d gone to the car last night, but definitely didn’t have the keys on me when I went to the bar. Crap! Down to reception to collect my other set (after checking to make sure George was still there) and dump my bags – no keys in George either! Crap!!! Back to reception who had luckily had them handed in – that goodness!!! Back upstairs to get the last of my stuff I checked out, threw the rest of my gear in George and headed out for breakfast... err lunch. The World Cafe was the location with Jim and Pete, where I had a really good hot chocolate and eggs Florentine. Jim had fallen asleep at his concert last night, and been kicked out – funny! We finished and headed over to the city for me to organise a last couple of things, so said goodbye and headed off to buy a new lens filter and check out the ANZ Gothic Bank – interesting, and very beautiful inside. Back to George while I cleaned him up a bit before Dave came down. Walked to the shops and then back for lunch (I just drank water). Chatted for a bit until it was time for me to make tracks. Said goodbye (what a sad day!) and left Melbourne at 4pm, headed back to the coast, and the start of the trip home I guess. Quick stop just outside of Geelong to try and get a bike tire (no luck!) before continuing onto Barwon Heads, and then Torquay. It was really windy and not very appealing, but there were still surfers out there. Drove around the coast (looking for somewhere to spend the night) and eventually found a remote little car park in Jan Juc on the beach, watching the sun set. Chicken stir fry on the stove with a Midori, internet and blog before making an early night at 11pm.
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