The boys have finally arrived, a little jet lagged but are recovering! Sam described the flight as ‘brutal’ and I’m not surprised, they flew 14 hours to Singapore, had 2 hours at the airport then hopped on another plane for 8 hours to Melbourne, I think that journey would even make a terrorist confess – it really is torture!

Sunday was warm but showery so we headed into the city, had drinks overlooking the Yarra river then did some sight seeing. We decided we would get something to eat and had read about a restaurant called Pelligrinos, an Italian that has been there for 50 years, apparently it is a ‘must’ to visit. We duly found it and walked inside, it was very narrow with bar stools and benches rather than tables and a bit dark and dated – Hhmm, but too late to change our minds, the Italian owner asked if we were eating and whisked us into the kitchen where there was a table with benches. Maria, the cook was stood there with all her cook pots and cooker making her dishes! There was no menu, we had a choice of spaghetti, lasagna, ravioli or minestrone. We sat in stunned silence for a few minutes taking it all in, then just started to laugh and couldn’t look at each other without laughing again as the orders kept coming to Maria and she responding in her fiery Italian accent!! What an experience..

Steve is working up until Fri then off for 3 weeks so I am entertaining this week.He has two Christmas nights out arranged for this week also, much more sociable here than his UK job! I am not working for the next few weeks but have booked to work 28th Dec as its a public holiday and so get double time, $80 per hour- 8 hour shift booked!

We went to the beach with the dog yesterday as it was a lovely sunny day and the boys are already getting a tan starting, the sea was so warm, then BBQ for tea!  Today is forecast to be 29 degrees so we will leave the dog at home and head to Brighton beach to see the beach huts etc.  We go to Sydney on Sunday then move house the day after getting back, so will be busy for the next week, then its Christmas.The boys say it just doesn’t feel like Christmas, even though all the decorations are up, just feels like we are on a summer holiday!

Went to the mall to get the boys cheap mobile phones yesterday, good deal for $39 got a handset and $120 worth of credit. Will keep them here for any UK visitors to use in the future. Electrical stuff is so cheap here at the moment with the dollar being so strong against other currencies, temptation to buy!