Day Nineteen and Twenty - Melbourne to London via Singapore

The morning has come to say goodbye to this beautiful country. It took me all my life to get here and here I am visiting it again.  I know I will be back for a third time.  I am trying not to think of the 24 hour flight I have ahead of me.  I tried to check in last night on line, it let me check in but would not issue me a boarding pass, so I am going to ensure that I am at the airport early enough tomorrow to get a seat together.  If not, so be it.  I normally travel on my own anyway, but it would be nice if we can sit together. 

Decided to have breakfast at the lovely Spanish restaurant we went to yesterday and we were not disappointed. They remembered us and the had a lovely chat, and then popped into the market which was open today!  Unlike Borough Market, people were buying things. Every time I used to go to Borough Market it was just full of tourists eating the free samples and buying nothing.  It was time them to get an Uber up to the airport.  The journey did not take as long as was first estimated and we were soon at the airport, far too early.  I sat and did my favourite thing; people watch.  It has always amazed me how people actually get themselves around the world.  Our desk is not open yet and I suspect it will open to accommodate the three Qantas flights that are going out around the same time: Perth, Singapore and Aukland.

Called an Uber and arrived to an eerily quiet Airport.  It really was very quiet.  Alloated our seats we waited and when we got on the plane it was half empty!  I have only seen something similar once before, but nothing like this.  After the plane took off, Andy moved and we spread ourselves out for the 8 hour flight.  We arrived in Singapore and was greeted by the heat once again.  However, when we boarded the A380 which I a huge plane, half was cordoned off with tape saying do not sit here.  We took our seats and an announcement come over the tannoy saying it was because there was faulty door that is why people cannot sit there.  What a load of rubbish.  Firstly, it would not be able to take off if there was a safety issue and secondly, where are all the people who should be sitting there?  They blatantly had not sold the tickets.  Scary times.

Then a stewardess come up to me and said are you Karen?  Talk about doing guilt.  I looked at her as if I was in trouble and assumed it as something to do with my vegetarian meal.  She said come with me please.  I said what about my friend and she said oh he can come too. Then it all come clear.  I have a volunteer who is a stewardess with Qantas and she had arranged for me to have some VIP treatment!  We went back upstairs (like our journey out) and were given two brilliant seats with so much leg room, and just us two sitting together.  She then gave us a make up bag each with moisturiser, toothbrush etc in it and a pair of Qantas PJs each!  I felt as if I had won the lottery!  Needless to say, we had a lovely flight (all 14 hours of it) home with so much leg room.  It was a lovely end to the trip and I have Lauren a huge hug and said thank you as we got off the plane.

We called an Uber and the final leg of the journey was through rush hour London on a Friday.  It has been a great trip.  I have learned a lot about myself again and things that I thought I had dealt with are still there with me, like scars.  I visited Australia 7 years ago and wonder now if I have really moved on from then.  I have returned to London in unsettling times as the world appears to be going into meltdown.  However, I love Australia, it is a fabulous country and if I could, I would go and live there tomorrow.  But that is not going to happen.  Until then, and until the world simmers down again, my wings will will be clipped.  However, one thing for sure is I will be going back to Australia again, I just know I will.

Thank you for sharing my journey with me and until next time.

As always, with my love x 

Day Eighteen - Melbourne

I really am sleeping well here, something I rarely do.  We, as usual, had our day planned out and the first port of call was to visit Queen Victoria Market, the largest outdoor market in Australia.  We can see it from the window of our apartment and we thought we would go there and get some food.  But first of all, in revenge for me calling this apartment The Inn of the Sixth Happiness I

need to complete the immersive experience by going to a chemist and buying some blister pads.  Granted, it is not like having my feet bound like the film, but it is kind of like the same thing.  I have had a blister on the ball of my right foot for a while now and in typical Karen fashion, have done nothing about it.  Needless to say, by the end of yesterday evening it had grown in size to that of China.  These blister pads could have been $20 each, I still would have had them.  I instructed Andy to have a look at my foot and administer the bandages (plaster).  I can look at the bottom of my foot but my back has been so good at the moment and I did not want to rock the boat.  Plaster administered, I was ready to go.

We walked up to Queen Victoria Market and straight away I could tell something was not quite right.  It was too quiet.  Then we noticed the opening hours which are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

and Sunday!  Why? Why have Monday off, go back Tuesday, have Wednesday off only to go back to work on Thursday? Why?  Granted, I did not want to go to the market to buy anything and it would have been good to have a look at the market.  However, this is revenge for every Sunday I have been to Neal's Yard at Borough Market and said 'don't tourists know the market is not open on a Sunday?'  Lesson learnt.

We turned the corner and found a Spanish place that was doing breakfast and we thought the sounded good, and good it was!  I had about 2lbs of mushrooms, pouched egg, sour dough and onion.  Coupled with a long black (Americano coffee, i.e. black salad) and a jar of orange juice.  Absolutely amazing, and I did not want it to end.  We paid the bill and passed on our thanks and complements to the chef.  It was a great breakfast.

We then made our way to the next event of the day, which was really a 

busman's holiday for me.  We went to visit Melbourne's Gaol.  It really was interesting and the first part was a semi immersive interaction of us being arrested and being 'processed' by the prison guard.  I have seen Wentworth Prison, I know what happens thank you.  She was really good and it was fun.  We then looked around the prison and this is where Ned Kelly was executed.  I have to say, the faded photos of Ned Kelly caught my eye and he was, what now would be, an every day hipster kind of guy.

We walked up the road and into Carlton Gardens and both wanted a drink.  We made our way to Melbourne Museum and had a lovely chat with the guy who sold us our tickets.  He was very interested, for some strange reason, about how light the evenings are in the UK.  That aside, the museum was amazing.  It had a great deal of focus on Aboriginal culture and one thing I have noticed is how there are mentions and notifications of how people acknowledge the true ownership of this land and recognise the former elders.   The exhibition was really good.  In fact, the whole museum was great, very interactive and it kept us both amused for ages.

It was time to go and explore an area of Melbourne called Fitzroy.  I had been

told about this area and it had been described to me as Melbourne's answer to Shoreditch.  An edgy, creative, hipstery part of town where there would be vegan food (finally).  I really have struggled to find vegan food in the whole of Australia.  Even today, at breakfast they had what they called a vegetarian breakfast then I saw it had salmon on it!  It reminds me of back in the day when no-one understood vegetarianism let alone veganism.  We walked bloody ages and Brunswick Street is very much like Shoreditch in that it needs a good clean up and an evening with a power wash!  We did find a vegan restaurant. Yay!  For the first time since arriving, I could have anything on the menu.  Anything!

Yet another strange thing happened.  As we took our seat a song come on the music being played and it was Ballroom Blitz by The Sweet.  Recently, I compiled my 8 songs for my Desert Island Discs

programme, and this was one of them!  Of course it was. It reminds me of my 13 birthday.  Really strange.  I decided to have the Australian delight of 'Chicken' Parma, which is not chicken in my case but a substitute, covered in breadcrumbs, tomato sauce on the top and cheese.  It was really nice and it come with a lovely salad and some crushed potatoes.  I started chatting to the guy who owned/worked there and he was blatantly my age and I said that I had done vegan January and had carried it on but really struggled since arriving in Australia. He agreed and told me of a couple of places in Newtown, Sydney but agreed that Australia really is not vegan friendly.  Just goes to show I should not assume things.

It was difficult walking back to The Inn of the Sixth Happiness as my foot bounding was aching and I had eaten too much, but I managed it.  I have just tried to check in on line and it only let me do half of it, telling me that I need to speak to someone at check in.  Whilst I hope it is to upgrade me to first class; I suspect it is related to the coronavirus world panic!  Watch this space.

Last night in Australia.  It has been an amazing experience and I really miss the kangaroos and wombats already and are still dreaming of my new home on Phillip Island.  However, back in the real world.  Quiet night tonight as once again I have done 17k steps.  The suitcase can be packed tomorrow.

As always, with my love x

Day Seventeen - Melbourne

I slept surprisingly well considering I am not feeling the love for The Inn of the Sixth Happiness.  Don't get me wrong, it could be lovely.  However, I feel it needs a good bottoming as my Nan would have said ..... however, this means something completely different to 'the gays' :)

Moving on. We had to go and find breakfast.  Obviously, not in the hunter

Beautiful Art Nouveau glass in Flinders Street Station

gathering kind of way but it may as well have been.  We caught the free tram down to Flinders Street Station in search of food.   Melbourne is not an easy place, thus far, to find food.  However, we found a little Italian place and had a great breakfast.  This is great as it fills you up and then sets you up for the day. Also, the place where we had breakfast was just cross the road from where we needed to be.

First stop today was the Immigration Museum. I was intrigued as to how the Australians would hand this sensitive subject.  In all fairness, it was an interesting place. It only cost $15 (around £7.50) to get in and it told the story of how Australia has welcomed immigrants ....... well mainly white British people and few others reluctantly.  

Not sure what message this is selling as there are 8 million people currently living in London!

Little was said about the convicts which is something I am particularly interested in as I have a relative who was sent out here back in 1798.  Her name was Mary Guile and her crime was to steal some cloth.  She was sentenced to seven years transportation and sailed out from the UK not the transportation boat Speedy and served her time and was given her freedom.  However, I cannot find 

anything else about her form then onwards.  I intend to look more when I get home.  See, us Guile women are tough!  I shared the museum with numerous school parties, but it really was interesting.

After this we crossed the River Yarra to the Southbank side of town.  It is apparent that they have spent a great deal of money on this part of town.  We sat by the river, in the sunshine and watched too many men jogging in their lunch break.  My manage is from Melbourne originally and I think I will have to enforce Melbourne Style Lunch Breaks when I return to the UK.  I strolled along the riverbank and treated myself to a very large (I did not know it was going to be that large) ice cream and looked at some displays around F1 which I suspect are related to this weeks Melbourne Grand Prix.  

We then decided to go to the Casino.  Now, this is something I have ever only done once in my life and this was when I was living in Stoke and what an

experience that was!  I remember going to register a few days before I was due to go and was told by the women that I would not be allowed in, or any man I was with, if we were wearing football tops.  My reply to her was 'do you think I look like a woman who would be seen with a man in a football top!'.  In my head it was going to be like Casino Royale; in reality it was like the Jeremy Kyle show.  Today, Melbourne's experience was not much better.

It never ceases to amaze me of the demographics in these environments and I spend too much time thinking of all the wonderful sociological research I could do.  I put $10 (£5 approx) in the 'fruit machines' and played for ages and ages.

I won; I lost and it was fun.  We then went to the roulette table.  I chose the table a I thought the woman had a friend face. Andy cashed up $50 (around £25) and I watched him a bit.  Then I cashed up $20 (around £10) and put a chip on the table and lost.  Then I put a chip on 31, my Megan's birthday and it come in!  The woman was so surprised and I did not have a clue.  My $5 (£2.50) chip won me at 35/1 $150 (£75)!  Yay go me.  The woman was so pleased for me and I was over the moon.  I told her that it was my daughter's birthday and she said treat her to something nice.  How lovely is that!

We left the Casino, in my case richer and made our way down a long the river and had a drink.   I wanted to say champagne darlings, but had a gin instead.  

We walked around and then went and got some dinner.  We found a lovely place that sounded as if we were in a nightclub, but the food was good. By now, we were both tired so caught the free tram back to the Inn of the Sixth Happiness and just chilled out and planned our next day; our last day, in Melbourne and Australia. 

As always, with my love x

Part of my winnings.  Unfortunately, not enough to let me buy a house on Phillip Island 

Day Sixteen - Phillip Island to Melbourne

I do not want to leave!  I am being serious.  I just love it here so much.  It was with a very heavy heart I packed my suitcase, just like a sulky child having to go to school.  Phillip Island has stolen my heart and I wish I could win a bit of money so that I could just bugger off and go and live here (all of which is not possible because a. I am too old for Australia to want me and therefore would not get a visa b. Let's face it, I am never going to be rich, arguably I will never be poor either and c. I guess I just have to live I the real world).  

The drive to Melbourne went smoothly and we were soon back in the madness of a city.  As much as I enjoy cities; I am also enjoying being out of them the

past week or so.  Melbourne is just like any other city. Big (ish) and a building site.  Today is Labour Day in Melbourne (a bank holiday) and the city was fairly quiet but still nowhere to park.  We finally found a place and then walked the 3-4 blocks to where we needed to collect the key.  It transpires that we have booked a high rise (37th high) apartment slap bang in the middle of China Town Melbourne.  The apartment is ok. I am calling it the Inn of the Sixth Happiness, Google it if you do not know!  It feels like living in university halls in Shanghai, but it will do.  It is basic.  Unlike the wonderful accommodation in Phillip Island where nothing was too much trouble, The Inn of the Sixth Happiness hasn't even given us a hand towel for the bathroom.  Strange really due to the coronavirus and the and washing regime. Also, the soap in the bathroom has nearly gone but I have swapped it with the one in the kitchen.  On a positive note, we have plenty of toilet paper.

We dropped off our cases and went to take the car back.  That was an

Bonnie and the Boy!

adventure as when we get there the office was closed.  We had to use our phone again and call the number where I spoke to such a charming woman NOT who, after I made it perfectly clear I was not going to play by her rules, returned to the office.  Hela or Hell as I have called her for short was a treat, NOT and there will be a letter of complaint put in.  I need something to do on my 24 flight back to the UK.  Watch this space for a refund of the sat nav payment.

We started to walk back to the IofSH and stopped off at a great place for a biriyani which was absolutely delicious.  We had agreed that we would not do much tonight as we both have had a headache most of the day, so we were just going to rest up and the IofSH (Inn of Sixth Happiness).  So here we are, kicking back and planning our day for tomorrow in Melbourne.

I have just checked and we have covered 1280km which is 795 miles.  This is the equivalent of driving from London to Madrid.  I told you Australia is big!

As always, with my love x

Day Fifteen - Phillip Island

I could, and I want to live here!  Everything about this place ticks my boxes.  When I visited Port Douglas on my last trip to Australia I said the same.  However, I think that Phillip Island is very much my happy place.  The bed here was very cosy but I did not sleep particularly well as I was mulling over in my head the details for our next destination.  Lovely walk in shower with wonderful toiletries first thing and then we had decided to go out for breakfast and save the breakfast the host had provided for our check out day.  We drove to San Remo which is just across the bridge off the island and found a lovely eatery there where we had breakfast and lashings of tall black (Americano) coffee. Fed and watered it as time to watch the pelicans being fed.

This happens every morning, so we thought, at 11.30am, and so did the pelicans as they were there for 11.15 just swimming up and down.  However,

the notice on the boarding said 12 noon.  We think it was originally 11.30 as our host had left us information about it and that it had been changed, but the pelicans being clever, still rocked up for 11.30.  They were massive and there really is something prehistoric about them.  The local coop fishery feeds them some scraps every day. This entertains the tourists who, many of them, then go to the restaurant for some dinner; as well as feeding the birds.  It was good to see that they did not feed them too much so that the pelicans become reliant on being fed.  It really was lovely to see.

Back in Bonnie and we were off.  Phillip Island is not big.  There is one main road that runs through the island with a few other smaller roads leading off it.  This weekend is a Bank Holiday weekend in the Melbourne area so it was quite busy.  We went to Phillip Island Wildlife Park.  For the princely sum of $19 (around a tenner), plus a free bag of food you would walk around and see indigenous animals!  Needless to say, I purchased four extra bags of food and then went back for 4 more.  They

were only 50c a bag (around 25p) and if I had my way, I would have a 25kg sack of food!

I made my way to the wombats.  Wombats are my spirit animal!  I adore them. They are just so cute and obviously indigenous to Australia.  I remember walking to work when I was 18, pass the little shops that represented each state of Australia that used to be located in the Strand and seeing a soft toy of a wombat and not knowing what it was.  I found out more and have totally adored them ever since.  Those of you who have followed my travels may remember me meeting a wombat on my first trip to Sydney.  She was called Meg (of course she was).  Well nothing has changed, I love them just as much.

When I arrived at the pen there were two at the fence and one sitting back.  Then another appeared from the burrow.  Four wombats in one day!  I was beside myself with joy.  Talk about being a child.  I was stroking their ears and

trying to give them a pad.  They are so lovely.  Other people were coming up to look at them then going away;  I just wanted to stay there.  The woman who initially served us as we arrived said they had around 20 and there were some babies.  Unfortunately, we only saw four and no babies, but it really did not matter.  It has made me very, very happy.

We then walked around looking at other animals and made our way down to where the kangaroos were.  It was a huge area and there must have been over 200-300 there!  You could approach them and feed them!  That was it, I turned into a child again.  There were all

different breeds there and some of them, the male ones, were massive and I mean massive.  The average size one was the same height as Andy (5 foot 7 inches) and they were quite happy for you to feed them and in my case, squeeze them!  In the end we went round twice.  I sat on a tree branch and fed a kangaroo and I itched its neck and it just turned into a dog, nudging my hand to continue. It really was a wonderful experience and one that I will always, always remember.  We then saw mothers with babies in their pouches.  The babies just had their heads hanging out and in one case we just saw two little arms hanging out. We even managed to feed the mother and I was so close to the little baby.  I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this and it is something that if I had not come back to Australia that I would have had the opportunity in the UK to experience.  I could quite happily just stay here.  I love this little island so much and the whole way of life.  The Wildlife Centre was a very small, I suspect, family run affair which was so good to see.  We arrived at 12.30 and left at 5.00 and did not see one employee.  We were just free to roam around seeing what there was and feeding what wanted to be fed.  

They had koalas who were just sleeping, Tasmanian devils, dingos, reptiles, yes snakes Lee, emus, lizards, numerous varieties of birds and goodness knows

what else.  It was an amazing place all for £10 I mean really.  You would be hard pushed to get a sandwich and a coffee in London or Australia for that amount!   They do not have a cafe there and I would love to just go and live there and run the cafe, I loved it so much.  It really is going to be my new happy place!

We have learnt now that Australia does not do late, so we went to a local restaurant called The Boathouse for, what is for me, a very early dinner.  We both had pizza, a different one each and shared half and half. We were so full that we have brought some cake home with us to have later.  So all in all, yet another memory day.  Phillip Island is stunning.  I can see why Chris and Liam Hemsworth have a property here!  I guess I can keep wishing and hoping that one day I will have house here too.

As always, with my love x

Day Fourteen - Bairnsdale to Phillip Island

Today was a memory day.  It was one of those days that will stay with me forever.

We packed up and left Bairnsdale and got some petrol for Bonnie.  It has been over five years since I had to put petrol in a car; just a little known fact and

then we hit the road.  The boy likes driving, in fact in the morning you can see he just can’t wait to get behind the wheel again!  Found the road we wanted to be on and we were off.  Usual thing. Andy driving; me kangaroo looking.  We stopped off at a little town called North Marboo to get a coffee and stretch our legs.  Bakeries are a big thing in Australia and they do like a pie.  I remembered this from my last visit.  I opted for an egg roll and a coffee; Andy went for the pie.  He could not figure out how to open the little sachet of tomato ketchup that come with it.  The Australians have their pies and then spread ketchup over the top.  I have no idea why.  Anyway, next thing I know is this ketchup is flying straight I the face of Andy and not on the pie.  It was so funny.  Fortunately, it hit his glasses and there was some left for his pie, but it was funny.

Our journey today was around three hours (remember, Australia is big) and our destination was Phillip Island.  We arrived at our accommodation and met our host.  But her and the accommodation are so lovely.  I think this is the best

place we have stayed yet.  We both have our own room and it is very luxurious.  Our host had left us some cheese and crackers as well as a lovely breakfast and we stood having a chat with her and her lovely little dogs.  It is funny as I could see her trying to work me and Andy out.  This happens sometimes it is obvious we are not a couple and I make it clear I am not his Mum.  It really is funny how people make assumptions.

Then the day started.  Andy said shall we look at the helicopter rides.  In my big birthday year this was something I wanted to do as I have never done it.  We jumped back in Bonnie and headed for the airfield.  My first impressions was that the helicopter looked very small!  The guy who served us was lovely.  I told him I wanted to give it a go but was a bit reluctant and he was joking, in a good way.  In the end we decided each to push the boat out and do the 20-25 minute trip around the island.  Will was our pilot and he too, was lovely.  He explained to us how the helicopter worked and what he would be doing.  We then wen to get in it and Andy went in the front and I, goodness knows how, cocked my leg up and got in the back.  I cannot say enough how much better my back has been since arriving here and thank goodness, because some of the things I have done.

Then we were off!  It was amazing, absolutely amazing.  I was not scared, in

fact I loved it so much I want to do it again.  We went right round the island and Will pointed out places.  We even went over our accommodation.  Everything, obviously, was very small but the views were out of this world.  It really was a wonderful experience and one I will always remember with fondness and total excitement.  When wee got back in the car I was still buzzing with adrenaline.  I would really recommend you give this a go if you ever get the opportunity.  I need to find a man now with a helicopter ……… along with the 10030404 other requirements I have.

We went to Cowes for an early dinner (more about that later).  Once again we found the lunch is 12.00-2.00 then dinner 5.00-8.00!  They really do not do a

late night the Australians or places where you can get food all day.  In the end we found a pub and grabbed something there but it really is strange their opening hours.  We had a quick look around Cowes and I have decided that Phillip Island is somewhere I could live. It really is beautiful here.  The reason why we had to eat early is tonight we went to watch the Penguin Parade.  I have seen video of this on YouTube.  Each night, little penguins come in from the sea to roost in the grasses.  They know what time they are expected and tonight it was 8.15.  Andy and I arrived early.  Of course we did, we always do.  In fact we even said that if we were penguins we would arrive on the beach an hour before anyone else!  The doors open at 7.00 and no one in those crowds were worried about coronavirus or loo rolls and I did not see one face mask!  Funny that.

You have seat on the beach and we waited for it to get dark.  Then, all of sudden, you see them.  Tiny little penguins venturing onto the beach.  If they

got scared, they would run back into the sea and try again.  They would come onto the shore in groups, for safety, and you could see them waiting for each other.  They will say on land now for three weeks as they need to get their new coat.  Then they will go back out to see for days at a time, just hunting food.  It was so wonderful to see them waddle across the beach and then negotiate the rocks and go up into the grass area. They always return to their own home every time.  It was amazing.

We then were frozen as it was quite cold so walked along the broad walk and looked either side and we could see them settling down for the night.  They were so noisy as they communicated with each other.  Nestled with them were these huge, grey geese and the old wallaby.  It really was a wonderful site to see.  Then I looked up and finally, the stars were coming out. Granted not as good as when I saw them at Uluru but I could see Orion’s Belt upside down again!  I really do struggle to try to understand that and then the Southern Cross.  When we were looking one of the security guards noticed and come over to speak with us. His name was Mick and he pointed out the stars of the Southern Cross to me and we had a lovely chat about our adventures and what we had seen.  He was a great bloke and I am so pleased I have seen some stars at least.

Back in Bonnie it was time for home.  Our host had provided a snack of cheese and biscuits for us for when we arrived so we sat and ate them and had a hot drink to warm us up.  Australia truly is a wonderful country.  It stole my heart when I was 17 and it is has a hold on it.  There is just so much here to see and it is so varied.  On our journey we have seen forests, plains, mountains, beaches, lakes, rivers, sea.  It really is such a beautiful country.

As always, with my love x

Day Thirteen - Central Tilba - Bairnsdale

I had a good nights sleep, it was so dark where we were staying and I slept well.  Up washed, dressed and breakfast consumed we were soon loading up Bonnie and Bonnie and the Boy were off.  As well Central Tilba it was almost

Road signs have just melted

busy, I counted six people.  We found the A1, Princes Highway, and we were off. I should have known it was going to be a challenging day as I saw one dead kangaroo by the side of the road, and one, I am so sorry to say, dead wombat! So sad.  We passed through so many small towns that had suffered terribly with the bush fires.  You would see just the brickwork left of the buildings. I did not want to stop and take photos as these were people's homes and it really did not seem right. I cannot tell you enough how terrible this country has suffered with the bush fires.

As the road continued we witnessed miles and miles of forest that had just been burnt to a crisp! Yet, some trees had little green shoots coming off them, giving us, at least some hope.  Roads were closed and there signposts that had just

melted.  Terribly, terribly sad.

We ended up at a place called Eden. The garden of Eden it was not; it was more like the gates of hell!  A cruise ship had arrived and it is crowded with tourists (yes OK arguably I could be one but you know what I mean).  We walked passed the school and three girls, aged about ten shouted where do you come from; to which I replied London.  Their response was wow! I stood and had a little chat with them and they thought I was on the cruise.  I made it perfectly clear I was not, they were so sweet.  We left Eden and continued along the highway, seeing more and more destruction.  We stopped of at Caan and went to what I have now named the Carrie-Ann Cafe.  Why I hear you cry? Well it was 2.00 yet some of the tables had chairs on top of them, just like the film Poltergeist.  I asked the woman for a coffee and she said it would have to be a take away as they were closing at 4.00 ........ yes you read

correctly, it was only 2.00.  Andy and I did wonder for a second if we had gone through a time zone. Australia does not do late.  Most coffee shops, even in Sydney close at 4.00pm.  5.00pm the latest.  I know I live in London but this seems really early. Also, restaurants close around 8.30-9.00 with a late night being 10.00. I really do not know what people do here.  I have seen a lot of men, sitting in pubs, at the bar and that seems to be a pastime.

From Cann we made our way to our next destination, Bairnsdale.  It looked like Neighbours.  We found our digs which are fine, plenty of room and clean and then went out to get some dinner because if we did not go early we know by now they would be closed.  We walked up and down the 'High Street' and

settled for an Indian meal.  You cannot go wrong if you are vegetarian with an Indian meal.  It was lovely and the young woman who serviced us was lovely.  She reminded me of my friend Nita.  Paid up we walked home.  We were both tired.  Australia is a huge country and today we drove 400km which is approximately 248 miles which is the equivalent of driving form London to the Isle of Man.  Our total trip is around between 1200 and 1500km which is 745 and 932 miles which is like driving from London to Slovakia or Budapest.  Then when you look at a map of Australia we have just done a bit of a right angle at the bottom corner.  I am so pleased we have SUV as it gives us a comfortable ride.  However, Kylie died a death today.  Her voice was getting on my nerves anyway.  We tried numerous attempts to reboot her but she was not having any of it; so we download via some free wifi from Eden Tourist Information, the map on Andy's phone and we were sorted.

As we are driving through the middle of nowhere the radio in the car does not always work well and when it does, some of the programmes.  Today it must

have been suicide Friday as this guy was playing around the theme .... the end of the world!  There was us driving through what looked like an apocalypse and this depressing music.  I turned that off and played my birthday playlist off my phone and before you knew it we were both Voguing to Madge!  I did manage to see a little wallaby out of the window at some point but still no kangaroos, wombats or stars oh my.

Australia is truly a beautiful country.  I feel so much for them now as they are trying to rebuild the damage done by the fires.  The accommodation we stayed in last night was almost burnt down.  It is really just awful for the people.  I have said to a couple of people this trip and to the three little girls today ..... 'you have such a beautiful country, please look after it'.

As always, with my love x