Catching our breath.....

After our very busy but sensational September it was time to slow down and recharge the batteries. The caravan & camping show beckoned and with a wintry day forecast for the Sunday we decided after a lazy morning at home that we should go and have a look on the Saturday afternoon. We took the train down to Sandown Park and spent the next few hours wandering around and dreaming of life on the road. We found a great little camper trailer that ticked almost every box but before we could do too much damage to the bank account the announcement was made that the show was closing and could we make our way to the gates. I think Bill breathed a big sigh of relief.

We took the train home again and had just 30 mins to get ready for our night out at the theatre. We were going to see Love Never Dies at the Regent. We shared a little pizza downstairs, jumped on the tram and made it to the theatre with 15 mins to spare. Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel to the Phantom of the Opera was just wonderful. A spectacular musical full of colour and drama and very entertaining. Sequels can be scary but I think he can call this one a great success. Certainly worth a look if you get the opportunity.

Sundays rain didn't happen and after hours of chit chat about what we had seen at the camping show we decided that we would like to take a second look at the camper trailers we had seen the day before. Yep, we went back but in the car this time. We took a closer look at the trailers we had liked yesterday before taking a walk around the other ones on offer. No competition really. The Quest RV's had won our heart and two hours later we left the show again, this time the proud owners of a brand new camper trailer. We pick it up in a couple of weeks. I guess we have found a mattress Bianca! Now all we need is a destination for our first trip away. Time to get the maps out as we prepare for many new adventures. So much for a quiet weekend eh.

The next week saw Bill away for most of it not returning until Saturday afternoon. This time we were determined to have a rest so after a walk to the Malthouse for coffee we came home and spent the evening with James Bond on the TV. It was nice to do nothing for a moment. Bill had decided that it was time to get the camera into action again so we got up early on Sunday morning for a trip to the You Yangs. We had a lovely morning walking the Big Rock track, one of the many walks in this area. After our walk we did the 12km Great Circle Dve around the park and saw the many different areas on the way. The park is popular with walkers, runners & mountain bike riders and on Sunday there were a couple of events taking place. We saw a large group doing a fun run and a mountain bike competition taking place. Looked like fun but the ride/walk back up the hill looked like hard work. Glad I was in the car. The weather deteriorated during our drive and so we headed for home early in the afternoon.

A couple hours rest at home and then it was time to head back into town where we were going to meet John & Deb for a drink in Chloe's bar at Young & Jackson's. They were visiting from Perth and we were looking forward to seeing them both again. Beers, Bubbles and lots of news made for a fun afternoon before we said goodbye again and headed back to our respective homes. Will see you again in a few weeks. Your town next time.

On the way to meet them we passed Melbourne's newest attraction along St Kilda Rd. The Melbourne Festival is on and one of the features this year is the Angel-Demon Parade. Seven very large black Angelic Demons or Demonic Angels, if you like, are placed along St Kilda Rd outside the Arts Centre, Federation Square, St Pauls Cathederal, the City Square and the Town Hall. The parade is the handiwork of subversive Russian art collective AES+F and the striking six-metre-tall sculptures, cherub like jet-black infants sporting bat-like wings and reptilian tails are looking very comfortable in their newest home. Another 'star' of the festival has been the light show projected onto the Arts Centre Hamer Hall each night. No photo's here but it has been beautiful and a joy to watch as you wander past in the dark.

Monday morning brought a fine start to the week. A nice change from the chilly weather of the last couple of weeks. Bill was off to Tasmania for a couple of days and once home we only had a few more sleeps until we leave again on a new adventure.

We are off to Bali tomorrow where we will join Josie & Nolan from Darwin for a week of much needed rest & recreation. We are staying in Sanur this time so it will be a very new adventure. No idea what to expect but looking forward to putting last years memories to rest and creating some happier ones. I'll let you know how it goes.

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