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Hi Everyone,
Well arrival in Melbourne was damp and a bit miserable chiefly because I had to say goodbye to new friends, but, I was staying with old friends so caught the train to Grahams' house in Mitcham. I have used the rail system in Melbourne on numerous occasions and think it is really good. Having arrived at Flinders Street station I discovered that I missed my train by about 30 secnds, I eventually made it to Mitcham and walked to the house just for the exercise. There was no 'cheery' Welcome for me, oh no, just an envelope on the door step saying 'Winnie" Oh well back to earth with a bump!
Graham and Peter eventually made it back home and announced that they were taking me to a penguin sanctuary over the weekend. The thought passed through my head, Frill Necked lizards, Horney lizards, Sleepy lizards to Penguins, all within 3 weeks, not bad going, diverse to say the least.
On Saturday morning I got up bright and breezy, did my washing, some of which was - well actually I wont go there...made breakfast and got ready to go back into the City. Now at this pooint the washing does become relevant because all I had to wear was a pair of shorts and and a T shirt, That's alright I hear you say, well, yes it was. Until I got to the station that is. I was met with with hoards of people dressed up to the 9's. Big wedding I thought. No, it was a Big Race, The Melbourne Cup weekend. I got on the train to find people young and old having champagne breakfasts in the carriage, Ladies dressed with various amounts of cover, and men in suits. All very 'nice' however, the most outstanding thing for me was guys wearing cream coloured animal skin pointed shoes, I mean come on fellas what do you think you're doing. pleeease!
Mind you it was me who stood out like a sore thumb and I felt very self conscious and drew quite a lot of attention. I'd like to think the Ladies were looking because of my good looks but I fear not! At one point I wanted to exclaim 'G'day Sheila, don't bloody gawp, I've been through the Ouback!" I suppose the responce would have been "Didya leave all your kaks there?!!" - No actually, they're all in the washing machine!!
I met with Stephane and later Vicky joined us. Although we were all busy on the Internet it was good to be with them for a time. I left them mid-afternoon and returned to Mitcham joined Graham and Peter who then took me to Phillip Island home of the Aussie Grand Prix and the Penguins, no, not on the track! I nearly froze waiting for them to come ashore which happens around sunset into the early evening. My word it was cold but good to be there. It is mating season at the moment, seems to be a bit of a theme on this trip, but I think it should be renamed the Raping Season judging by some of the noises coming from the undergrowth.
With darkness upon us and most of the penguins safely out of the water, up the beach and merrily humping, we went to the visitors centre. There is is a good display here explianing all about the habitat etc and various boards and enlarged photos relating to the ecology of the area. It was suggested that I had my photo taken to mark the fact that I had visited. Good idea, well it was until the point where my two Tour Guides tried to work out how my camera functioned! Aim it, press the little button to focus, try to get the subject in the frame! Then press to take photo. Well I've seem some funny things in my time but you two took the biscuit. The final shot after several attempts was, well average. Sorry Boys, just don't give up the day jobs, not yet anyway. How can you fail to get a point and shoot camera to work? It was like watching Laurel and Hardy, and I'm not saying who was who! Graham's already thrown a grump with me for not mentioning him by name the last time I visited and included it on this Blog, well now you understand why. I was just trying to protect his identity!
He did very kindly take me to the Airport and hang around whilst I had to re-organise my flight because of a change in the schedule by the Airline, but then bled me dry for an Airport coffee! No. Really it was kind of you graham, I appreciated the hospitality and a nice room, the comfy bed and my own bathroom. I'll make an entry on Hostelworld!
And so ended Australia, I had a great time there. The Country is as diverse as you could ever wish, it has everything from Crocodiles that will eat you if you dare to go in the rivers, Sharks that will do the same if you dare to swim, Spiders that will kill you if you dare to go to the loo, and Snakes that will kill you if you dare to go for a walk! It has everything. It also has good Cities, civilised living, good food a very decent lifestyle and adventure, if you are that way inclined. It is a fine place to be and live and I understand totally why people stay there. I was very impressed and I want to go back to discvover the West coast and do more. It is a HUGE Continent and would take many years to it any justice at all, a few months has merely scratched the surface but exposed enough to wet the appetite. Thank you Australia and G'day to ya!
See you soon,
Chris
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