Well here's my first words on my blog! Only 8 months since I left, so I should have plenty to say but I think i'll start with the present.

My days in Melbourne are drawing to close, and it's ironic that I'm signing off from Melbourne in the same way I started it. With some Aussie Rules (AFL Australian Football League) action.

My friend Dylan (Of Fermanagh fame) had brought me to a game at the Ethiad stadium the night I arrived in Melbourne from Sydney. And it was he who also was the instogatorfor this occaion yet again. The first AFL action I saw was a pre season mini tournament warm up. But all the localstold me to get to a real game - and fortunately one of Dylans friends had invited us to MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground - 'The hallowed turf') today to see the Melbourne Demons play against the Western Bulldogs, and we were to sit with his family and friends. THE MCG is a notorious sporting theatre and with the bowl holding a capacity of 100,000 it is imposing to say the least. I'd love to be there when it's that full but today we had to make do with only 35,000. (Apparently you ge the larger attendances when 2 melbourne teams play against eachother). Past heroes are immortailed in bronze statues around the outside of the stadium, including cricketin legend Shane Warne.

Generously Chris (the inviter) brought us a scarf each so we bleneded in with the rest of the dark red &blues of the Demons. Not only that but we were brought into the members area known as the bullring - so rightly we felt very privileged by this. Both teams had lost their previous opening 3 matches of the season so all was to play for.

There was a tribute to a former legend before the game kicked off - Jimmy Steynes who had died this year of Cancer aged in his early 40s and you could sense the emotion in the stadium.

Sunshine disappeared during the first quarter, giving way to rain & dark clouds, forcing those uncovered in rows in front of us to run for cover inside. We were luckily just covered by the roof & no more so stayed put. When the rain stopped a huge rainbow arched it's way over the MCG, something like the Wembley arch but naturally beautiful, and provided a quite stunning sight.

With the game delicately poised before the end of the first quarter we went for drinks and stayed in the bar watching the gamee & chatting until the last quarter when we went back out to enjoy the finale. Sadly The Bulldogs won in the end and spoilt the party, but it was a good day out