Charlotte, Frankie and Hannah in Melbourne!!!

Thursday 26.02.08....................Frankie and Hannah Arrive

OMG I get up after the night in St Kilda, with only six hours sleep I don't feel so good!! But I drag myself up and head to Southern Cross station to meet Frankie and Hannah (Frankie's cousin - absolute legend). I arrive at 10:30 and see about 6 buses go past...I feel all funny inside...I am so excited to see them, especially my frank as I have missed those curls!! Then...the bus arrives...I see Frankie's hair and I run over to the bus beaming...and I actually cry when she sees me!! I am overcome by emotion!! OMG that was so not like me!! I can't stop the tears or the smiles its mental! As Frank adn Hannah get off the bus I give them both a huge hug!! Realise how much I have bloody missed my girlies!!

We head to the apartment, grab some essentials; food etc and then have a sleep...the girls are obviously knackered and I am quite tired after the previous night!! Sadly I have to say bye bye to Olivia and Georgie who have been with me the whole time since I have arrived...I have grown really close to them so its really emotional they are such lovely girls...hopefully we will overlap on our travels so I will see them again...but they live in Nottingham so I will definately be seeing them when I am at uni!!

We wake at 8 and get ourselves ready for our night of partying! It was Harry's Birthday on the Wed so everyone is going out so we were looking forward to it!! Australia watch out Charlotte and Frankie are about to hit the seen, TIGER TIGER style (for those that don't understand TigerTiger is our regular night out in England with its cheap drinks and good music!) We get some Goon before we leave and play drinking games before we leave...both Frankie and I are rather merry by the time we leave, Hannah is not as she is hardcore!! Its so surreal having my raving partner here in Australia...I cannot get my head round it!! So Frankie, Hannah, Tom, Adam, Jamie, Jamie and I head out for Billboards...we have an awesome night...and I only fall over once and that was because I fell over Jamie's foot! Frankie and I try to get boys to but us some drinks...I fail but frankie ends up with a stalker all night haha!! We dance and dance...take lots of photos and drink too much!! Again I do not clearly remember the way home...I always seem to forget that bit!!

When we get back at about 5am we continue the party upstairs...we all chat and drink some more (well I don't I do not need anymore alcohol...again...ever...well until next thursday!! haha)

Friday 27.02.08.....................Frankie's Tour of Melbourne

In the morning we all try to piece the events of the night before...hilarious!! We have about 3 hours sleep before the one and only Frank wakes up everyone!! Gotta love her! NOT! Hannah doesn't feel so good...too much alcohol we think...but Frankie and I drag ourselves out and I give her a tour of the City...she is impressed with what I know!! I take her to Federation Square...explain the city grids, the tram network and how it links with all the suburbs...we then head down to the river and wander past the cafes and restaurants in Southgate...fun fun fun! We sit by the river remembering the events of the previous evening...oh I have missed these chats with Frankie so much!! We then walk all the way from one end to the other, chatting about her travels in Thialand and about my time here so far!! We have decided we have so much more of the world to see...that travelling is amazing...and that we will save and travel together some more!!!

In the evening we watch about a boy and I cook Chicken and Broccoli in an olive oil sauce!! Frank is very impressed! Hannah feels really ill...poor her! She has been sick and is all feverish...I really feel for her...only one person can make you feel better in that situation and that is Mummy...and her mummy is a long way a way!! We watch About a Boy...I forgot how funny that film was and then we get to bed...as we have a big day tomorrow!!!

GREAT OCEAN ROAD DAY TRIP

Saturday 1.03.08.....................A Tour With A Difference (recommended by Adam)

We awake at 6:45...Hannah is still feeling really unwell so decided not to come...I feel really sorry for her...I was really looking forward to spending the day with the two of them! So Frankie get up, washed and packed for the journey...water, change of clothes and chocolates all at the ready). The people carrier arrives and we jump on board right at the front...to get the best of the action!! We meet the other people on the trip...an older couple from Melbourne, and two younger couples who are clearly all loved up in their little foursome...then there is me and Frank, Bill (the scot who we called Scotty all day) and a German man...cannot remember his name!!

Brian was our driver, and he explained the plan of the day, then gave us loads of History about Australia, why it is called Australia, the history of Melbourne and the suburbs, and facts about all the people who had a major impact on the way the Great Ocean Road was formed! By 9am we reached the start of the Great Ocean Road...we arrived at Torquay Beach...we met the other people in the other mini cab and Brian's wife and son!! It was really lovely how it was a family run business and how they really love their country!! At the stop off we had our morning snack, tea and vegemite crackers!! Yummy...I actually really enjoyed the tea...it was a little chilly still so it warmed me up! We then went to the beach and took the first of many many pictures!! We warmed to Bill who was to become our official photographer of the trip!! And he had the best Scottish voice!! Calling us lass all day!!

We then went to Bells Beach, where Surfer films have been filmed...here we started out running craze!! We ran down the 100 odd steps to the beach, then took photos, then ran up them then all the way back to the van!! We were huffing and puffing but it was for some reason fun??!! Next stop was the Great Ocean Road Memorial, a tribute to something? Where we took more photos! We then stopped at Kennet River, which was a Koala Spotting Area, and they were lovely and cute YES but exciting...NO!! All they do is sleep as they have no energy!! We were lucky enough to see one reach for a leaf...Frankie had like 20 photos of them...slightly overboard!! We then stopped at a number or beach viewing stops and I got stung by this bloody millipede thing (getting the shivers just thinking about it) it bloody hurt! But I braved it for more beautiful photos and i'm talking about me and Frank, not the scenery!! But the views were amazing, finally I have seen the beaches I have come to Australia for!! Crystal clear waters!

Next we headed to a beach town called Anglessea...where we had lunch!! It was so nice, I had the fish and chips, so amazing, and Frankie had the Roast Lamb!! Not as good as yours mummy, there was no Cauliflour Cheese!! After lunch, we looked around the town market and then went down to the beach.

Next was onto the Rainforest...now the real running started!! We took so many photos and got so far behind that we decided to run everywhere!! Up stairs, up hills, down hills, in flip flops we nearly fell down the hills several times!! We even pretended to be Tarzan and Jane on several occasions! We are so cool!! I can't wait to go trekking when I start my travels...we had such a good time!! And everyone just laughed at us because we took so many photos!! And had so much energy!! After significantly burning off lunch, we persuaded Brian to let us borrow his Bushranger hats and we pose around the bus...everyone laughing with us!! They must think we are soooooooo vain!!

Next we go to see the main attractions!! The numeros rock formations, first the Twleve Apostles...we are able to go down onto the beach, it was amazing! The views were absolutely breathtaking and thats me who doesn't appreciate scenery! We pose in the sea, on the rocks and in the sand, absolutely love Frank, she understands the photo love! We just wish our Floza (Fleur) was here to share it with us!! Bill takes lots of photos for us and we do for him, he even starts poing like us!! Ha! We then head onto Loch Gorge and Brian tells us the story of the shipwreck, and how the last sailing boat to Australia carrying migrants crashed with 49 killed and only two survivors who managed to stay alive in this cave!! Very interesting and Brian is a legend of a story teller we love him!! So again we climb (or should I say run) down the steps to the sea and we view the cave and see these hotties playing volleyball, the little bay is just gorgeous and the sea so clear but freezing! We then head back up the steps and view the Twelve Apostles again from another sight! They are amazing!

Next we head to London Bridge, well what was left of it! Part of it fell a decade ago but still it gives us more photos opportunities!! We head for our last stop in a small seaside town where we stop for our light dinner meal!! And its was so good, Frankie and I shared a Feta Cheese and Vegetable tart and Garlic Bread with Dips...it was so nice to have something different!! And something so tasty!

We then had a three hour drive back to the city, with Frankie and I singing along to our ipod much to everyone elses horror most probably!! We had the most fantastic day, the beaches were amazing and I cannot wait till I hit the coast...its just a shame I won't be doing it with the Frank!! The BEST day of my experience so far!!

Sunday 02.03.08...............Beach at St Kilda

We woke early to find Hannah still feeling really bad, she has flu I just hope that I dont catch it beacuse we all know how long I take to get over things!! Frankie and I get her some drugs and some more supplies...then we drag Hannah out and head down to the Beach...Frankie, Hannah, Jamie, Jamie and I (Adam is also really ill so stays back at the apartments!!!) We soak up the sun although it turns out to be a little nippy! We then meet the girls cousin Anthony who is studying here in Australia which was really cool, he was a legend, one minute speaking Scottish the next English! We planned to meet with him again for dinner tomorrow...the girls last night!

We head back at about 6 and I cook the girls dinner and upload my blog!! I crash early as I am so tired from doing so much in the day and waking up early!!!!

Monday 03.02.08..................Girls Last Day

Again Hannah is really bad...and Jamie has gone down with it!! They are dropping like flies I think I should just stay away!! Frankie and I plan to go for a bike ride, however decide to just go for a walk, we walk down Collins Street the rich street with all the designers, Luis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffanie and Co. etc!! Then we walk to Fed Square and sit the other side of the river in Alexandra Gardens!! It is so hot today, the river looks tempting however, also as clean as the River Thames! We make our way back, we grab some lunch and then I head to work!! I absolutely dread it! It has been so nice just chilling out and having the girls over, but its back to reality again!! Work is ok and I head back and get ready for the evening! Anthony meets us and we go to Lounge on Swanston Street and I order a burger and chips!! So good, however, as usual I am not full!! So I finish off Hannah's escalope and salad!! I then vow to start portion control and train my stomach to be full!! I am eating so much...yet the lack of exercise will result in only one thing = me...BALLOONING! And this will not be so hot come the end of May in Fiji in a bikini haha!!

We get back to the apartment, and I get to bed earlyish as I have a full day of work tomorrow!! Feel really down though as I know Hannah and Frankie are leaving and I have enjoyed having them so much!! SO I give them a hig and kisses and head to bed. The girls wake me at 5:30am and I give them hugs goodbye! I find it really hard to get back to sleep! I feel rather emotional, I have had Olivia and Georgie the whole time and then they left, but I had Frankie and Hannah and now all the girls have gone!! I reminisce on the time I have had so far...it has been fantastic!! I just hope that it will be just as good when I start travelling on my own!!

Tuesday 04.02.08......................

I get up early and feel ok...considering my 5:30am wake up call!! Work is really good, my jaw aches from smiling with the water babies though!! Then my learn to swim goes really well, I manage to keep my 'crier' in the water which is an improvement and one of my little ones has finally got the hang of breathing!! It makes such a difference teaching when I am not tired!! I enjoy it so much!

At lunch I have the most gorgeous pasta, a creamy mushroom and red pepper sauce, it was soooooooooooo good! And I do well to stop myself buying more food after...I am NOT HUNGRY I have to tell myself lol!! I sit and chat to Jayne, she is really lovely and has become my Tuesday Lunchtime Buddy...we sit and chat for ages she is quite a bit older than me but still lovely! The afternoon kids are great too except for this one kid who gives me a lot of lip!!

In the evening I go and see Jamie and Adam, who are both really bad...Jamie being the worst...real MAN FLU!! No that was mean he is very bad, but the worst anyone could be! Haha!! I decide it probably best to keep my distance. Jamie (number two) buys us all Nandos for dinner as it is his last night! We got a takeaway and you get seriously smaller portions than in the restaurant...English Nando's is so much better! I go and see Tommy, I miss him as I have not seen him much over the last few days, we chat and he has me in stiches for about an hour! He is just one of those funny people who has the best one liners and the way he says things just has me in fits!! I get to bed at 12:30 so much for a late night!!

Wednesday 05.03.08

I get up after a nice long sleep and have Schools again at MSAC...god the kids are just such s***s!! Excuse my French grandparents!! But these kids are the worst...'FERREL' as the other Aussie teachers call them..which means scummy, deprived wasters!! One of the coaches Alistair who has the most amazing hair, masses of grey wringlets...tells me they they are stupid, they have no brains, the can't swim........and that in general they are helpless!! And this cheers me up greatly!! I do however get to take one of the classes outside...and it is so amazing teaching outside...being a lovely day it helped, but it was so fresh and relaxed compared to inside a humid, sticky swimming pool!! I wish I could have taught outside more!! I finish off the schools with a kid who blows water at me though a woggle!! I get him out of the pool, b****** him and then get his teacher to do the same!! And I feel so good after!! Argh thank god I never have to see them again!!

I get back, make myself Tuna Mayonnaise, Sweetcorn, Onion and Pepper sandwiches!! Very nice! I then head to MVC and it is so much warmer in the pool so I enjoy it more, except I have a class where some can swim and thisother child can do nothing so its really hard to teach such a varied class!! I then have two hours of squads, except sadly I am lacking in energy, I think the last week has taken its toll on me!!

I get back to a very lonely apartment, no girlies and Harry is not in (not that I have seen much of him lately...we have somewhat drifted apart and he has been staying out a lot!) and cook a very lonely dinner!! I then go and see Adam and Jamie and they are still ill, however Adam is looking slightly better...I then see Tommy and Harry...and update my blog!!

I hope you are still enjoiyng!! Not long now till I hit the road and start my travels!! I cant wait!! A little nervous but I am sure I will make lots of friends!! I move to my next accommodation on Sunday!! Ahhh....but I think I am taking Adam, Jamie and Tommy with me! So I won't be alone!!

I'll update you more soon, loveage sent to you all from AUSTRALIA!!!!!!!!xxxxxxxx