Since my last blog I have had poor communication access. The only place that appear to have free wifi access has been in McDonalds. I have had numerous cups of tea in all the available McD's just to send emails to friends and family, particularly Stan who seems like a million miles away! I have to say I didn't realise that Australia were behind us in this respect and the other thing I didn't realise was how long it takes to make all these communications to loved ones via modern technology. Anyway, to move on. At the moment I am in Turramurra in Sydney and again no access via wifi but thought I had better start writing stuff up so that I can put it on the blog as soon I get back to Perth on Friday night. I then have about five weeks left in Oz.

Going from my last entry I realised that we were flying over the Australian Bight, from then on it became a little bumpy, but we landed in Melbourne at about midday having lost 3 hours again. Having travelled around a lot by now, transport is very easy and we caught a shuttle bus straight to Melbourne Central Station, where I easily found the train to Pakenham and to see Sharon, Mick and Jack. Pakenham was right at the end of the line, so I had no worries getting off at the right stop. However, I was slightly worried about seeing her again, but I needn't have been!! Sharon had not changed, but she may have found me changed. She had a lovely home and it was so good to see her and Mick settled so well into their new life. She had Australian friends whose company she enjoys on a regular basis, which is great. Jack, of course, sometimes has wobbles, but he has had to do some hard things, joining school and now a new high school. He has plenty of friends also and I thought he looked remarkably well and happy with life – just didn't like getting up in the morning!!
It was lovely just seeing them living in Australia and being able to share that for a short while. I didn't want to do anything special so we talked and pottered around, talked and took the dog for a walk, talked and picked up Jack from school or the skate park etc., etc. Mick has perfected the Aussie barbe and we had some lovely meals. I just had a great time. Last but not least I saw the enormous plot of land and the plans for what is going to be a fantastic house. I can't wait to go back and see it and Sharon knows that I will be back.
Pakenham is a lovely little town with a real cafe culture. It has everything that one would need and close enough to Melbourne if you wanted a bit of city life. The rest of Pakenham and the area where Sharon, Mick and Jack are moving to (Druin) has lots of areas of new building, but also lots of green areas and trees.
I was very sorry to leave them all and Buster, of course! But my travels had to move on. I went back to Melbourne on the fast train (only 8 stops instead of 28 stops!). Found a local Ibis, booked in and then went exploring Melbourne.

Sorry there are no photos as yet, but there will be when I get somewhere and the time to fiddle around with my camera.