Heloooo!

Sorry for not writing on here recently. Firstly there wasnt much to write, and then I was on a farm and had no computer, so slap on the wrist to me.

I hope everyone is well, we are currently in Melbourne where the whole city has gone slightly F1 loopy after Hamiltons win yesterday (whooo...!), unfortunately we weren't there to watch it but we forced the Aussie family we were with to watch our fantastic win, only to be ridiculed about how it is unusual to hear our national anthem played these days, the cheek!!!!

So, starting from where we left it last time....

We went from Lake Tekapo to Christchurch, which is probably the most English city we have been to so far with most the streets named after English places. The weather was all over the shop ranging from scorching to miserable but we have become accustomed to carrying around brollys and suncream in New Zealand at all times. We had a good time, went punting on the River Avon, saw the botantical gardens and the art gallery...all very civilised! We were in a dorm with some lovely dutch people so we spent time with them, and learnt some rudimentry dutch (of which I remember none!). To be absolutely honest I think we spent a little too much time in Christchurch as we ran out of things to do pretty quickly and the weather started to deteriorate. This is the only rain we have had in about 2 months but being British I feel compelled to complain about it!

So on from New Zealand we caught an obscenely early flight to Sydney and arrived for some Brekkie. We stayed in the Wood Duck Inn in Sydney which was scabby but centrally located (this isnt exactly an advertising slogan!). On the first couple of days we headed out to the good tourist sights, the Harbour Bridge and Opera house, the weather was beautiful and so were the people! As Tom pointed out, even the sea gulls are better looking in Sydney! We went to Manly beach and saw Monica which was great. She bought us some fish and chips in attempt to (wrongly) prove that Australian fish and chips are better than British. They may be better looking, healthier, more tanned and inexplicably better at sport but they cant beat the good English Fish 'n' Chips. We also popped down to Bondi beach to do some people watching and catch some rays. We were going down there for a bit of a swim but unfortunately the ferocity of the waves kept pulling my swimming top down, giving the guy next to me an eye-full, so that kind of hampered that plan!

The day before we left we were also invited round to The Richard's house for dinner which was lovely. We saw everyone after a good few years and about the only thing that has changed is their accents! It was nice to have some proper food and hear about how everyone was. I also learnt about the rather worrying answerphone messages that Monica has been saving on her phone from my parents for months (Good-morning, Good-Morning!)!

So on from Sydney we caught the overnight coach from Sydney down to Melbourne, which seemed like a great idea; save time and money, but didnt feel like such a great idea when we got to Melbourne in the morning after about an hours sleep!

Melbourne is a much more laid back city than Sydney, with a little more culture and variety. We actually only stayed there a couple of days initially so we headed into town and walked and walked and walked and walked, until we discovered the free tram! I think the free tram alone has been enough persuasion for us to stick in Melbourne for a while(free being my favourite word at the moment) , so after I have written this blog the plan is to go and find myself a job!

Anyway in the mean time we decided to go an do some wwoofing (yes - it does have two w's, no - its nothing like dogging!). Wwoofing stands for willing workers on organic farms, it is an organisation you join and farms all over the country will take you on for a while; providing food and accomodation for 4-6 hours work a day. Well, we completely landed on our feet with this choosing a farm near Woodend, about an hour from Melbourne by the name of Wombats Lodge. We arrived to be taken to the lovely WiggetTs, who run a 77 acre farm, mainly for enjoyment more than industry. Here there was Christina and Keith and their kids; Natalie - 15, Vanessa - 13 and Toms new best friend; Alexander - 5.

We spent 5 days here and had an amazing time. Christina and Keith completely welcomed us into their fold, and went out of their way to make it a real experience for us. On our side of the bargain we weeded, raked, put up fences and general household stuff. We got to go to an event all about bats and handled them, Went to a barbie at a neighbours house, learnt a lot about what they were doing on the farm to try and replenish their environment and live in a homely barn house that Keith made himself. We also helped out with picking fruit making jam and got to try Australian delicasies such as 'snot blocks'(only in Australia!). We saw wombats, kangaroos and echinidaes and got to feed their animals. Tom was the ruled the roost at feeding the chickens (excuse the pun) and me and alexander perfected the 'pied piper' technique of feeding the sheep. One day the sheep wouldn't come to get there apples so me and Alex headed up the paddock (field) with a t-shirt full of apples, and tempted them down by walking back down throwing the occasional apple with them follwing me. Unfortunately about half-way down the paddock I did a specatcular fall and managed to drop all the apples, at which point the sheep had a field day (excuse the pun again), and gobbled them up at an astounding speed...well, I got the sheep half way down the paddock! This was quickly followed by one of the cows jumping the gate we left open. As you may be able to tell, I dont think I am a natural born farm hand! Either way we both learnt a lot and if you come on here Wiggetts...thanks again!!!!!!

And that takes me to the hear and now. I promise I will do this more often now as these blogs are turning into essays at the moment.

I hope you are all good and the weather isnt making you miserable, I am going to try and add some photo's now so go browse!

Rule Brittania!

Liz and Tom xxx