Philip Island & Moving On!

Hello!



That time of the week again and this weekend it feels even better because after 3 weeks of cleaning bathrooms and the kitchen I have finished work, im out of the city and currently enjoying a sunny weekend on the beach! HOORAY!! I have really enjoyed my time in
Melbourne and its been a great way to save some money, but I am so desperate to move on and really excited to!

After all the birthday celebrations at the beginning of the week, I have just really spent this week getting organised for the next couple, as I dont want to be spending my time in Adeliade doing all the boring old jobs and I dont think im going to find much in the outback either! Although on Wednesday I went back to being a tourist, and visited the Melbourne Goal. It was really interesting as this is where Ned Kelly was imprisoned and then hung, so they had quite a lot on the Kelly Gang and their armour too, which all really interests me! I learnt quite a lot on the way too, because i went early in the morning before work, there were lots of school groups there and so i ear wigged where possible!! Great!

Yesterday we went on a day trip to Philip Island for the penguin parade and it was brilliant! Probably one of the best day trips yet, topped off with free pizza and tea and biscuits for dinner, it doesnt get much better! In the middle of the week we also met up with Julie who we met in Fiji, its been great to see her again and she came with us to Philip Island too!

It was a great day trip because for once you got a lay in and didnt leave till midday, as the little penguins are night people! We started off the day at a winery and got to sample some wine, although it wasnt the nice i have had (maybe something to do with the night out we had on Friday??!!) The island in the background of this pic is called French Island and it is mainly a wildlife park and you can only access it by boat or kayak but the lovley Aussie favourite...Kylie...has a house on there to escape the crowds...how cool!!


We then had the best time ever at a Wildlife Park where we saw Koalas (they were sooo cute) and got to feed the kangaroos!! The Kangaroos were actually quite scary because they were quite massive and jumped a lot!! One girl got really jumped on but i eventually plucked up courage and fed them!! By the way if you are thinking the hair looks different that is because Julie has GHDs!!! And it is only the second time since i have been away that i have had straight hair...amazing!! So we had a very happy snappy day, lol!!


The Penguin Parade was brilliant and i saw soo much more than i thought you would. You could not take any pictures there because of the flashes, but basically you waited until dusk and then the penguins just started coming in and out of the sea on to the beach and going back in again and then in small groups waddled up the beach, it was soo cool you didnt know where to look at times! And then as they made thier ways to the burrows you could follow them along the broadwalks and they literally walked alongside you! Ace!

This computer is being a bit annoying at uploading photos, but i will try again somewhere else as it was deffinitly a fun filled day!

So thats it, we are now in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda and im off to Albert Park tomorrow to leave my good luck vibes for Lewis for the Australian GP next year! And then we are getting the bus to Adelaide...not expecting that much, but am looking forward to being a lady of leisure again and preparing ourselves for our Alice Springs which is going to be 6 hot, very sweaty and fly ridden days, but i hope it will be amazing as well!

Thanks for all of your emails, i will get around to replying when i can! Its great to hear what you are all up to as well!

Hope you have a good weekend!

xxx

Birthday Fun!

What a great weekend!! I had a fantastic birthday, in Melbourne, even if the sun did not shine until the evening! Its making up for it today and there is not a cloud in the sky, so was cool to ring home this morning, be my birthday at home still, the next day here and the sun be shining!

Before I update you all on the past week (where has it gone again!!) I completly forgot to share my Neighbours Tour experience with you all! (Thanks Dad for pointing this out!) I think I just got caught up in all the excitment! It was brilliant and a couple of weeks ago now..but got to go to the street, the school and then the studio set of Lassiters...was fantastic, although everything looked so small! How they turn round at the top of that street as they drive away, i will never know, thats a skill in itself!!

Last week just seemed to fly by and so I can finish off my sightseeing this week, I just spent the time when I was not working, getting ready for the next couple of weeks, doing the boring jobs as I dont really want to spend my time in Sydney toilletrie shoppeing etc!! Also apparently a big hat is a necessity in the outback and so I managed to pick a bargain of one for $3 the other day...im really not fussed what it looks like...it will be a life saver and it was cheap...so thats all that matters!

So, the birthday celebrations actually started on Saturday (in true Eley style...obviously its a birthday weekend and not just a day!! :-) ) I booked a pedicure with my birthday money and had visions of floating down to this nice spa i had found in my sunnies and thongs (flip flops!) and all being very chilled! It couldnt have been any more opposite if it tried....hailed storms and 10 degrees...literally!! I thought my poor little toes were going to drop off on the way I had to come back and get my traines, the roads were flooded and I didnt even think I was going to get there! But I did and it was all very chilled out once I was there and then i bought a birthday dress (complete bargain...and the shopping here is to die for!!) and it was the last one in my size...fate...obviously!!!

On Sunday evening we went out for dinner for the first time since we left San Francisco and it was amazing! I cant believe how excited I was to be going out for dinner! Its not like we have eater badly, at all, but it was just wonderful, and I will never take it for granted again! We went to a nice Italian on Southbank in the Casino complex and then went into the casino after, had a few goes on the slot machines, won $7 and had cocktails!! I have never been in a casion like that before, it was like something out of Oceans 11 and how i imagine Vegas to be!

Yesterday (birthday day!) was just great! I got the day off work (for free as it was my birthday!!) and Jen had overtime to use up so they let her have it off as well! It was the first day we had spent together in nearly 3 weeks and was lovely! After a lazy picnic breakfast....

We ventured out to one of the suburbs which we had not made it to yet called Brunswick...def the grungier side of town, but very cool shops, cafes (as always here!) and a couple of cool cd shops to!

Then instead of lunch out we decided to go for fondut....welll it was amazing....are you jealous yet....!!! Plus my hot chocolate was orange flavoured and it was the most amazing thing i have ever tasted, with melted chocolate around the glass...so that everytime you had a sip, you got chocolate round your mouth :-)

I slipped into conversation it was my birthday, to justify this pigging out!! And i got a free chocolate frog, so I decided to go for a white chocolate frog, milk orange hot chocolate and dark chocolate fondut...Louise you would have been proud...and I wish you could have been there!!! Heaven!

So after all this excitment we still had the neighbours night to come, which was full of cheese, but a classic backpacking Brits abroad night! No Dr Karl as he is in the UK doing Panto but replaced with Paul Robinson!!! The funniest guy ever, he really cant sing to save his life, was quite entertaining! But we met Boyd, Janae and the Fitzgerald Brothers....brilliant!! One of the best birthdays ever and I cant believe how much we did and for once it seemed like it went on forever!!

So thats it! This time next week we will just have got off the night bus and will be in Adelaide! I am sooo excited to be moving on now and really looking forward to it, although I will miss my weekly Tuseday market trips!

I have to go now, but will check in at the end of the week, before we pack our bags and carry on on our travels!

Love to all!

E xxxx

A very busy week and The Great Ocean Road!

Hello!

What a very busy week, it now makes me wonder even more how I did I ever find the time for work!!!

Last week was spent really just chilling and working in the afternoons! Its not actually that bad at all, its annoying that me and Jen are on different shifts but its great to catch up in the afternoons and we are having lots of giggles updating each other on the things we have done during the day! Jen is doing housekeeping and some rooms at the hostel have a certain reputation and Jen is always so shocked at how people live in the mess that they do! I do the kitchen for part of my time and the sun that says 'Did you bring your mother with you...if not do your own washing up!!!' doesnt seem to have any effect at all, but hey ho!

On Sunday (I got the day off for free, which is always good) we escpaed city life for the day and did a one day tour of the Great Ocean Road! It was fantastic, but very tiering. We left at 7am and didnt get back until 10.15pm!!! It was worth it though, and I think i am just about fully recovered now! The road was built as a tribute to the Australian WW1 soldiers, and it also gave employement to those soldiers who returned and had no work to go to. So when you think about it, it is really a very new addition and really recent history (like a lot of NZ and here).

We just spent the day driving along the road and stopping off at different holiday spots along the way. We did this tour...http://www.bunyiptours.com/ which gives a brief outline of the places that we went!

The 12 Apostles (the picture on that link) were truly amazing and well worth the trip...its all just so incredible to think that they were formed by the power of nature...although there is now actually only 11 as one collapsed into the sea without any warning in 1995 I think. Jen took a helicopter tour over the coast line, it was very good value, but I decided against it as there are going to be sooo many more opportunities to do things like that whilst we are here and I suppose you can't do it all ;-) although we are giving it a good go!!!

On Monday I spent my morning exploring the alleys here which have fantastic botique shops and marvellous cafes in preperation for my birthday next week!! Im getting really excited and we are off out this afternoon for a treat of hot chocolate to see what they are like! I asked for the day off next Monday, just deciding to pay for that night's accomodation and thought i would mention its my birthday! And not only have i got it off, I dont have to pay for it and they have said Jen can have it off to, which is fantastic! So now we can go back to our original plan of Spa, afternoon tea and then off to the Neighbours Triva Night, I have a feeling its going to be a great day!

Anyway I have to dash and grab some lunch before work, have a good week and I will be back again soon!

E xxx

Melbourne, Week 1!

Well, all the plans have now changed since i last wrote as we have managed to pick up some work for accomodation in the hostel we are staying in! Its only 3 hours a day and we get to save $30 a night, so it now means that we can party on at Christmas, so all is good!

So now we have a bit more time to aclimitise to city life in Melbourne which is great! Although i spent the morning at the market again, treated myself to cake on the first day of work and then enjoyed the sunshine and my book, has been great! And although the job isnt fantastic, its qutie nice to feel that i have done some work for the day! I probably wont be saying that this time next week, but we only plan to stay for 3 weeks and then head to Adelaide.

So the sun is shining and we are just generally living here now, rather than sight seeing so much! although yesterday afternoon we wondered along the South bank and enjoyed the city views and desginer shops (only window shopping of course!!)

We do have a couple of day trips planned now, as we know where we are going to be. On Sunday we are heading down the Great Ocean Road for the day. You can do a 3 day trip, but there are good deals on the one day at the moment. We have also booked to go out to Philip Island on our last weekend here and then off out on the Neighbours evening on my birthday, how cool!

Anyway, only have 5 mins left, so just a quick hello and to let you know all is a ok!!

Will pop in again sooon!

E xxxx

G'Day!!

Well hello from Australia!! How cool is that!!

I arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon and has been busy busy ever since! Weather has been a bit tempremental but thats Melbourne for you apparently!

Have been busy aclimitising to city life, i think i saw more people in my first day here than i did the whole of the time in NZ!! Its a cool city though, i know people who havent liked it, but i think it is more a city to live in rather than sights. Have ventured out to the beach suburb of St. Kilda this afternoon, as in between hostels today...check in this afternoon for a week at one place as its a lot cheaper! Its really cool out here, great clothes shops and cakes everywhere, so will spend next weekend here.

Have been organising things that i want to do over the next couple of weeks if i dont get work, its all a bit up in the air at the moment whilst i job hunt. Its not looking too promising, but you never know! Will probably head to Adelaide if dont get work, because its pretty cheap to get there and generally cheaper, plus a lot of Ayres Rock tours go from Adelaide, so trying to combine lots of things!

Spent this morning at Queen Victoria Market, a Melbourne institution, getting all our fruit and veg for the next couple of days and dinner for tomorrow (mini roast!!) Im off to Ramsay St tomorrow :-) Its SOOOO exciting! Jen doesnt want to do it, im not sure why ;-) but you cant come all this way and not!! Its going to be extra cool im sure, will let you know!

Anyway, just had a flyer for free inet for 30 mins, so just thought i would say a quick hello! Best go now, but have a good weekend!! I cant believe tomorrow I will have been away for 2 months!! Its crazy, but soooo much fun!

Love to all xxxx

Bye Bye New Zealand!!

Well, it is now Tuesday evening and we fly to Melbourne tomorrow afternoon!! I cant believe this is New Zealand over and will be sad to leave. Have had an amazing time and seen sooo much! no wonder i am feeling a little tierd today!

So whilst reflecting on my time here it is really hard to decide what has been my favourite thing. It is like deciding the Rock Club end of year top 10 albums (which by the way guys is pencilled out at the moment - there are soo many this year!!). But I have decided that these were my top 5 New Zealand must dos!!

1. Skydive has to be numero uno!! I absolutly loved it, was not scared and is one of the proudest things i have ever done!! Also, it turned out to be over my favourite place - Wanaka - just a beautiful, easy going, mountained view town.
2. Franz Josef! Even if my legs did kill for days after! The rate global warming is going, the glacier will keep receeding, so is very cool to say i have done it!
3. Cape Reinga (the very tip of the north island) and a very spiritual place for the Maori was a beautiful day and seeing the two oceans (tasmin and pacific) clash was very special.
4. Milford Sound comes in next. This was also a great experience and as you can see from the pics, definitly saw it in all weathers.
5. And number 5 is difficult, but it has to be the caves at Waitomo. Both the caves were so different and the glow worms were truly spectacular!

So thats it! Christchurch has been fun and we guided ourselve on a city walk yesterday! Not quite up to Cambridge standards, but you can go punting along the river all the same! The small towns and villages are the place to hang here, it seems to be a waste exploring the cities when there are so many natural beauties waiting for you around the corner.

The washing is done, and even had the luxury of hanging it on the line! Wow! This hostel is sooo homely, free warm home made bread for breakfast, nice comfey sofas and a dose of four weddings and a funeral this afternoon! Life is good and we shall see what Australia has to offer!!

Have a good week everybody!! xxx

Milford Sound...in Pictures!!!

Unfortunatly this computer is taking ages to upload the photos....that is why they are only small....but this is Milford Sound, see how it started off nice and sunny and then ended up typical Milford!!!

Enjoying Christchurch and summer is really here!!! Yay!!! Happy Monday!! xx

Oamaru

Hello again from a very sunny Oamaru!!

Its Sunday lunchtime here and after a very pleasant stroll along the pacific ocean this morning we are just waiting for the bus to take us to Christchurch! I cant believe it, our last bus journey & only 2 more days in NZ :-(

Oamaru has just been a one night wonder, but what a night!! Its a funny little place really, they cool it a city but is probably no bigger than Brentwood high st!! But it is famous for its penguins, yes penguins! Real ones and all, both yellow and blue eyed colonies which make their way into the harbour at night. So last night, instead of paying the $20 to go on the official penguin watch, we put on the woolie hats and did our own David Attenborough bit and were succesfull!!!! We saw all the penguins, probably a good 100 on the pier and then we wondered back through the lanes and saw 3, just toddiling along!! Was very exciting and worth the cold! Have never seen a penguin in the wild before!! Thanks must go to the lady in the most gorgeous jewellery shop ever,who pointed us in the right direction!!

So in all this excitment we treated ourselves to a trip to the local pub and dessert!! Well, it was not planned, but my, the warm chocolate mud cake with cream, ice cream and chocolate snaps satisifed every craving possible and was one of the most amazing things i have EVER tasted!! It did mean that our trip to the bakery this morning was called off, but its the traditional NZ pie for dinner tomorrow if we can find a good bakery in Christchurch!! It is all about the food here, their cafe culture is amazing, I would never have thought!

Anyway best go have some lunch (Cheese on toast if your interested!!) and then catch this bus!

Have a good rest of your weekend and everyone please cross their fingers for Lewis, sounds like he is going to need it!!!

Ellen xxxx