Ducks Patch

On Wednesday Nights, Queen Vic market comes to life. All the usual stalls are gone, and a lot more art stalls appear. instead of the usual 10 food vendor, there are 40 new ones. The first night, we had a mixture of Spanish, Indian and Texan followed by a spiced lemonade. It was a good night out, good, food, good music and great things around us.

At the moment in Melbourne it's spring, Thats a good thing right! But then you have not seen this flower. Hay fever hell. White and in bloom everywhere.

On Melbourne Cup Day, Jennifer and myself decided to head north for a drive into the country up north of Melbourne. first to Seymour , Yea and then Alexander, finally heading back home through Maryville. The country was already dry, but it was good to get into the country again, I find I need that on a regular basis. I enjoy the city but i am a country kids at heart. We got to see a lot of wildlife and the farming activity was still in progress, a change from the New Zealand habits. Still it was a good day out. Only 350 km round trip.

Well we went for a drive today to find the Dandenong market. It is the biggest suburb market in Melbourne. Well we found it and were not impressed. It had cheap stuff but the atmosphere just was not there. Got a box of Tomatoes for $8 so it wasn't a wasted trip.

Just up the street is a french bakery. They make small cakes for tea mornings. Well we don't drink tea but we still enjoy the cakes. At $22 a box that's not to often. But they sure go fast when we do have them.

We went to the Mornington Peninsula Yesterday and enjoyed ourselves at the beach. It has been favorite place for Melbourne to head to in summer and it is no wonder why. Long clean beach that are easy to walk and swim at. Still a little to cold to swim at yet. But daylight saving started today. Roll on Summer

While at the Queen Victoria Market you find some usual thing, How about chickens or ducks. I love QVM and as we get there about once every three weeks. It is still a place that changes each time we go there. Roll on spring and new sight and sounds.

Well it's time of the year again.. Moon festival was celebrated at church as most of the ward is Chinese. A good time had by all.

Gemma-ann had her party at the local chapel. About 40 people turned up and they had fun, there was lights, music and plenty food. there was a chocolate fountain as a extra, the theme was black and white. Gemma-ann had a great time and so did we

We get balloons over our place regularly. They come over first thing in the morning. Sometimes there is as many as ten but during winter they have been in there ones and twos. It a nice sight first thing in the morning

Well we went and help witht he morman help hands program this weekend. We helped sort out and tidy up the St Kilda Adventure Playground. Stephan was there of Course And so was our bishop. A fun day held by all.

This was the first time the girls had been together since Andrews wedding. They enjoyed themselves a Lot.

We got the chance to go to the MCG for the Tigers game against the Dockers. As expected the Tigers won. And at Half time we got to see Vincent play. A freezing afternoon and the company was great. New Zealand has nothing like the MCG. And it is just down the road from us.

Janet and the family came over from Perth for a week. The main event was the see Vincent play at halftime at the MCG but it became a feasting time. It was fun by all and all room space was occupied by airbeds and Kids watch every movie possible.

Jennifer and Myself go to the Vic market about once every two weeks to buy the meat and vegetables, and to enjoy the atmosphere. This week was Jazz Band of young guys. They were good and the money was flying for them. It was good to see young guys doing there best.

We finally got to the Melbourne temple together last month. The temple is small but it still beautiful.

Melbourne City is a nice place walk around at night. All the lights and a lot of inner city people enjoying pleasant walks. One night we came across this little merri-go round. It looked beautiful.

Yes we finally got ourselves a car. It a little Mitzi Colt. Royal Blue. Gemma of course is already turning to convince us she can drive.

These bays reminded me of the Coromandel so much it wasn't funny. But the rock formations were very different. but these were the last on the trip.

The light house was wind blown but out in the sun. i was nice to be out in the sun for the last leg of the trip. Jennifer had been driving so I had been enjoying myself just taking picture

These Photo's were from the ride in the Helicopter. the ride only last 20 minutes but went as far West as Port Campbell to well past the 12 apostles. Even we the cross wind it was still a smooth ride. This a ride we won't forget to soon.

The twelve apostles is one of the great wonders and they were a great sight. The wind was blowing and the surf was high. You could actually ee the erosion working.. Mother nature at her best.

Port Campbell is a little town that is a sleep during winter. How a town ever got established there is a miracle. Sunset bed and breakfast is a get little B&B to spend a quiet night at.

The great ocean road is one of great road trip. Jennifer and I went for two days driving and seeing the sites. The weather wasn't to bad, just meant running between the rain storms.