....and a Happy New Year

And then there was two. Gareth & Taegan came back from Chadstone ready for a Nana Nap. The shopping centre is the largest in Melbourne & probably the whole country. The latest additions, the designer shops, were completed late last year and it is a must on any shopaholics list. They even run a free tourist shuttle from the City everyday giving you 5 hours of shop til you drop time. The kids weren't on a shopping mission but took advantage of the free ride just to check out the size of the place. They did come home with some shopping bags though. Dinner that night was at another favourite haunt, Ants in Chinatown. Yummy as usual but with all of us very tired after a week of excitement we didn't stay out late. None of us were late to bed that night.

New Years Eve was a shock to the system with Summer deciding to make it's presence felt for the last day of the year. With a high of over 41 deg it was Melbourne's hottest day of the year. After a very cool summer so far it really was a shock to the system. We wandered into town to see what was happening but didn't stay out long. At home the airconditioning seemed a much better option and we needed to rest up for our big night on the town.

.We headed out about 7.30pm and caught the tram to Lygon St where we had a great dinner at Sale & Pepe. Leaving there around 10.30pm we made our way back to town and then walked over the Princes Bridge and into the Alexander Gardens where we found a nice quiet little patch of lawn where we were able to sit and wait for the fireworks at Midnight. It was a wonderful spot to watch them from right in front of the Art Centre Spire which was one of the highlighted buildings this year. With all the crowds on the bridge and in the gardens on the other side of the road we had the best seats in the house I think. And getting home from there was a breeze. So all in all a good start to 2011

New Years Day was much cooler and we had decided that we would visit Werribee Open Range Zoo. We got our there about 10am and had a good time wandering around seeing the animals. Being an Open Range Zoo alot of the animals can only be seen from the Safari Bus but as that is all part of your admission everyone has the chance to see everything. The giraffes, Zebras & Rhino's were very accommodating and were very close to the bus as we passed. Back in the Zoo area we got our best look ever at three of the Hippo's as they basked in the sun. One of them was the 'baby' Primrose. She is now about 2 years old but still smaller than the others. We have never seen them so close before. Later in the day we saw them all back in the water but still very close. All Zoo'd out early in the afternoon we decided we would go home for a rest and dinner before our next big adventure that night.

A spur of the moment decision the day before to see the musical Hairspray had paid off with great tickets being handed back that day. We were able to get 4 seats together near the middle and had a great night. Hairspray was just wonderful. After thinking a couple of weeks earlier that Mary Poppins was the best theatre we had seen I now think that it is too difficult to split the two of them. Both amazing shows and absolutely worth seeing if they come to a theatre near you. Gareth & Taegan had never seen a musical before and loved it. So bright and colourful and just plain fun.

As mentioned earlier all holidays must come to an end and Sunday was when Gareth & Taegan were going home. We still had time to slip into town for a hot chocolate at Chocolait in the Gala Arcade and a look at the Arts Centre Sunday Markets before loading the car for another trip to the airport for our final farewell of the trip. Once again, it was sad to say goodbye, but we know it won't be too long until we see each other again. I'm sure we will visit Perth later in the year. We have had a wonderful time with everyone and have such lovely memories of our Christmas together. Thankyou again for all coming to Melbourne and sharing the time with us.

Life has returned to normal once more. With all the beds changed and the washing done, Bill has spent a day editing photo's and I took a trip to town to check out the sales. Retail therapy completed I arrived home with 4 bags and now have new sheets and a new quilt cover for our bed. Gotta love the sales.

Bill returns to work tomorrow and I have 4 more days during which time I will catch up on some chores around the house and am looking forward to lunch with Maree on Wednesday.

So with no more news to tell right now I am going to wish you all a Safe & Happy New Year from Bill & I. We hope 2011 brings you health & happiness and we look forward to seeing you all during the year to come.

until next time............