After much organisation into Melbourne's public transport system last night, my family and I worked out how I would be able to travel from my Godmother's house to theirs for the afternoon. Unfortunately Melbourne's PT system is based on the assumption that everyone wants to travel into or out of the city rather than between the suburbs. So it was going to get pretty complicated using buses and trains and more buses and trains to go to a house 40 mins away! The system, including buses, trams and trains, all use the myki card; similar to the oyster in London, but much harder to use. I managed to buy mine and top it up after 3 tries on the machine and with little instruction on its use, I may have used the train today and not paid...

It worked out not too bad in the end and the train ride itself was pretty average, no spectacular views or anything but I just love being on trains. I also hadn't listened to my iPod since my plane ride over, so I was desperate for my music and Rend Collective and I passed the time easily between the stations. When I arrived at the agreed station, I met my 'cousin' who drove us down to her Mum's in Surrey Hills. (I say the word 'cousin' because we are cousins twice removed or something like that). My cousin has two little boys who I had not met and were adorable but after they had a little bit of lunch they were put down for a rest. We then chatted away most of the afternoon catching up about anything and everything, particulary the family tree as they and I had both done extensive work on various areas of the tree. Then the boys both got a haircut from their Gran with a bit of difficulty so after all the crying and squirming they were pretty tired out again. My cousin dropped me straight back at my Godmother's in time for pizza night.

A little Nutcracker ballet later, I have made plans to go all the way into the city tomorrow to collect some tourist info and look round the galleries, which are free - yay! I have also been researching possible acts to see at the Melbourne Comedy Festival which begins on the 27th of this month and wonderfully for me I may have a chance to see Sarah Millican.

So watch out Melbourne, I have found my independence and I'm not afraid to use it!