Had a nice weekend, went into the city on Friday with Maria and Ellie, did some shopping at Victoria market, bought a pair of UGG boots for 35 pounds, sooo warm and comfy, just use them as slippers! We met Steve and Stuart in a bar at Docklands, had a few drinks then watched the fireworks over the Yarra river, they were really good. We then walked to a Thai restaurant and had a nice meal, don’t think Ellie was that impressed with Thai food though, but there are so many Asians it is very popular here.

Saturday we went to watch the X-Factor in the city again. We had to be there for 10.00, but were kept outside on the pavement until 12.00. The reason being that they set the crowd up on all sides of the theatre and had us all practicing screaming and waving for when the judges arrived! They arrived one by one, about 15 min apart, got bored of waiting, Maria’s son Mark and Ellie went to Starbucks at one point to get hot coffee as it wasn’t warm! It was really good once inside the theatre, they had this guy Dave who kept us entertained in between acts, and the judges were really good, they kept chatting with the audience and having a laugh. Most of the acts were ok as the ones that got through are going on to boot camp, so quite far through the process, we has a few weirdos though, a 50 year old overweight, balding guy in a football jersey bobbing his head to Black Sabbath’s Paranoid! The judges nicknamed him ‘budgie’ for his dancing style! He was really funny.

The house is still not fixed, the heating is a tiny bit better but still not warm enough downstairs, spa bath doesn’t work, ? a leak behind tiles in bathroom as the grout looks wet, alarm and video intercom not working, cant lock some external doors- etc….  I have sent an e-mail to the agent documenting all the faults, and asking if we should ask for a rent reduction or pay into an arbitration account until they are fixed. Shouldn’t really be paying full rent at the moment I’m sure! It could be such a lovely house though.

Went to Ikea on Sunday, it’s in Richmond right near the city and it’s as crazy as at home on a weekend, but instead of being full of scouser’s it full of Chinese!! Went to get a desk/dressing table for Ellie, but of course when we got home the legs were not the right ones.. Aarrghh!!!! Why does that always happen?

Went to watch Eclipse at the cinema’s on its release day, it was actually quite good, definatley team Jacob! The weather is still cool, about 12-14 oc, colder at night, dark at 5.30ish. Drove past the butchers yesterday and there was a sign in the window advising you to order your turkey now for Christmas in July! I wonder if people put their trees up? We are going up to the Dandenong mountains on 25th July for our Xmas dinner, cant imagine what it will be like!

There is a lot of snow in the mountains, only 2.5 hours drive away in the Victorian Alps you can be skiing, lots of people go up for the day. Might have to go up and take a look, it stays snowy until Sept.

Hope the weather is still good for you all and your enjoying your BBQ’s!