DAY 37 - 26/03/2010 - Coburg, VIC

We headed into the city today. It was a short bus trip to the tram station. The girls, especially Lilly enjoy catching public transport. Straight to the back seat.

Bus trip to tram 19

I have never been in a place that have so many takeaways, restaurants, cafes and in so many ethnic flavours as in Melbourne. I reckon there was 1000's just along Sydney Rd in Brunswick. And if it wasn't a food related store it was a bridal/christening or formal wear shop. This was the same in Fitzroy and Carlton. All the streets leading into the city was a food trail of Italian, Greek and Middle Eastern flavours. It was definately a sight to see. If I wasn't hungry when I first trammed down these roads I soon became hungry. If I lived here I would be as big as a house. All the cafes and restaurants are pumping all day with people filling up the alfresca areas eating or having a coffee or both. Everyone looks so happy. The atmosphere is unreal. Melbourne is such a sociable city. I loved it.

First stop, the Vic Markets. I've wanted to go there for a while now. Its basically a food and wine market. You can taste test at some stalls and you can buy anything from fruit & veg, deli products, cakes & pastries, hand crafted chocolates, meat and seafood. The building is 130 years old and is an icon itself. It was difficult to get thru with the pram as the isles were quite narrow and there were people everywhere but we managed and we also managed to down a few Italian cakes and these filled savoury turkish pastries which were morish. I say morish because we did go back for more.

Next stop the barbers. Waz needed a haircut. We went to Pippo's Barber Shop on Lygon St. Pippo's shop looked like a shrine for Juventis and Catalina Italian Soccer Club. The walls were full of soccer photos, posters and other memorabilia. Pippo himself was very friendly and animated Italian man. He filled us in on his love of soccer and his family. Waz was happy with his haircut. Off we continued down Lygon Street, Carlton.

Lygon Street has a lot of Italian Restaurants. We could not visit Melbourne without visiting and eating on Lygon Street. You could play spot the Lamborghini here. It took us ages to pick where to eat. Alicia picked Papa Gino's.

                                       

Lunch at Papa Gino's, Lygon St, Carlton

                                        

Lilly thoroughly enjoyed her spaghetti

We spent the rest of the day catching trams and walking all over the city. We saw Federation Square, the Yarra River, Flinders Street Station which looks like a building made out of gold and the very beautiful and iconic St Pauls Cathedral where the girls lit a candle for Nanna Kerry.

Flinders Street Station

We also managed to fit some shopping in. I found a great little shop that sells alot of Guess and other big named brand knock offs. At this point I realised the time and had 20 minutes to get back to the Vic Markets to get seafood supplies for dinner. On our way to the tram we spotted celebrity chef Curtis Stone talking on his mobile. Alicia spotted him first. We hopped on a tram and managed to get there at 5 min to close. I got my seafood and then we headed back home.

What a great day! I love Melbourne and I love trams.

DAY 36 - 25/03/2010 - Coburg, VIC

We moved site. Now we are close to all amenities and across from pool and spa area. It was a beautiful day so we made no plans to go anywhere. I got all our washing done and we just relaxed for the rest of the day.

The kids were happy to not have to drive anywhere and take full advantage of the facilities the park had to offer.

We got our Grand Prix tickets today and we cooked our first roast on the Webber. YUMMO

DAY 35 - 24/03/2010 - Lakes Entrance, VIC & Coburg, VIC

We arrived in Melbourne this evening. We have been driving all day and there was so much traffic about. We had to prebook our accommodating this time as it is Grand Prix weekend and school holidays in Vic. Very very busy and very very expensive. Everywhere was booked out or too far from the city. We managed to get a site at a Big 4 in the inner city suburb of Coburg. We wanted to be close to the city centre as we are planning on doing a few things in the city itself and we would rather catch public transport.

When we first got to our new destination we found out what the overflow was. Apparently that is where they put us because they were apparently booked out. I would call it the closet. We were right at the back corner away from all amenities and under those big cat electricity towers. There was one other couple there but they were only staying for 1 night and we were staying all week and might I add we paid top dollar to stay here. Safe to say we were not happy with our new neighbourhood. I voiced my concerns in a pleasant but firm manner and what do you know an available site popped up, but we had to spend 1 night in the closet before it was available to us. They thought we would love the tranquility of the overflow and the other excuse was that people tend to request this area on a return visit. (I don't think so).

DAY 34 - 23/03/2010 - Scrubby Creek, NSW & Lakes Entrance, VIC

We got up at the crack of dawn and drove a fair distance today and crossed the Victorian border.

Firstly we checked out Mallacoota. This is apparently a popular fishing destination. It didn't look like you could do much else other than fish. Not really for us so we only stayed for breakfast and then headed back to the highway to drive further south.

Stopped here on our way to Lakes Entrance

We arrived in Lakes Entrance in the afternoon. Lakes Entrance is a coastal town where the lakes meet the sea.

The jetty over to Main Beach

We checked out the local Main Beach and the girls found lots of shells. Alicia and Taylah are collecting shells from all the beaches we visit around Australia. Although the sun was out, it was quite windy and too cold to swim and the surf was really rough.

Looking for shells on Main Beach, Lakes Entrance, Vic

DAY 33 - 22/03/2010 - Narooma, NSW & Scrubby Creek, NSW

We left Narooma and headed south along the Pacific Hwy.

We stopped off at Bega and went to the Bega Cheese Factory. If the number of cars and caravans in the factory carpark is anything to go by, it appears that the Bega Cheese Factory is a popular tourist attraction. We taste tested some cheese and also bought some bargains. Love a bargain.

Back on the road and heading towards Eden which is situated on the Sapphire Coast. Eden is the last major city before the NSW/VIC border.

We stopped at a beach for a bbq lunch of hamburgers. They were so good and huge. Best burgers we've ever had. A big thumbs up to the cook.

                           

The cook

Then a stroll along the beach to burn off those burgers was in order. The girls found some cool looking shells here. Another pristine looking beach on the NSW south coastline.

                            

Back on the road again and heading for a free stay rest area called Scrubby Creek. We didn't know what to expect but liked the sound of the name.

Scrubby Creek turned out to be a pretty good spot after all. There were others already set up there when we arrived and more turned up after us. We set up camp, had an easy dinner and Warren and the girls started up a camp fire. Later in the evening we sat by the fire and Taylah tried to scare us all with some interesting ghost stories.

Scrubby Creek

DAY 32 - 21/03/2010 - Narooma, NSW

School work first thing. The weather wasn't all that great today and kept us indoors all morning. It seemed to get a little better by the afternoon. Fellow travellors and locals rated Mystery Bay as a place to visit so we thought we would go for a drive and check it out.

Mystery Bay is about 15 minutes drive away and it was everything that was described to us. The photos taken didn't do it justice as it was a little overcast and the colours didn't come thru in the photos. In some pockets the water was an emerald green colour. There were large rocks randomly coming out of the water and rock pools galore with lots of little creatures in them. The water was choppy today causing the waves to crash on the rocks quite violently.

Alicia and Taylah climbed up pretty high on a rock and I panicked a little and made them get back down but not until I got a snapshot of their efforts.

Tonight is our last night in Narooma. It will be sad to leave as it is such a beautiful place. I would definately like to come back again one day. We also met some lovely fellow travellors here. Our experience her was definately a positive one.

DAY 31 - 20/03/2010 - Narooma, NSW

Once school work was all done we treated ourselves to a relaxing day at the beach.

Slip, Slop, Slap

Off to the beach

It was a great day for the beach. A cloudless sky, the water was refreshingly cold and the sand like talcum powder.

We had a picnic lunch of fresh calamari, hot chips and salad on the beach.

Later in the afternoon we paired up in teams and had a sand castle competitiion. The castles were huge complete with motes, bridges and neighbouring cities.

We had a movie night tonight and played boardgames.

What a great day.............

DAY 30 - 19/03/2010 - Batemans Bay, NSW & Narooma, NSW

We left Batemans Bay but not without incident. We experienced some servo rage with some locals. Once that was over we got a full tank of fuel and headed South on the highway.

Next stop, Narooma. We found a caravan park, Surfbeach Resort which is overlooking the beach and the Glasshouse Rocks. The view was spectacular.

Surfbeach Resort, Naroomba Beach

Lilly and Taylah enjoying some Bratz time

DAY 29 - 18/03/2010 - Batemans Bay, NSW

Today we went to a place called Gold Rush Colony in Old Mogo Town. Its an old community based in the Gold Rush era in the 1800's. We had a tour guide taking us around the place explaining how gold was mined, the machinery used in those days, the different occupations and how to pan for gold. We were lucky to be going around the same time as a group of school kids on their excursion because the tour was more in depth than usual.

Entry to the gold mine

We all panned for gold and we found some small specks. We were allowed to keep the gold we found.

Panning for gold

DAY 28 - 17/03/2010 - Canberra, ACT & Batemans Bay, NSW

We left Canberra and headed back to the Batemans Bay coast. We are staying at a nice place called Pleasurelea Tourist Resort situated on Sunshine Bay.

Lilly and Taylah at Pleasurelea

Its so nice to be back on the coast again. Waz went out tonight and met up with Uncle Pete and Jack at the local pub and the girls and I stayed back at the van and had a pamper night.

We enjoyed a night of facial masks and cucumber eye patches. We also gave ourselves a manicure and pedicure all while watching 27 dresses. Us girls had a great night and enjoyed our mother daughter time. Love you girls.

Taylah takes her pampering sessions very seriously

Waz and Jack were pretty drunk when they got back to the van. They were so loud and very very funny. I think I had to shoosh them up 100 times. I was definately the fun police.

DAY 27 - 16/03/2010 - Canberra, ACT

Off to the Australian Institute of Sport. Johnny is taking us on a tour around the complex.

John Thornell is a mate of ours. Look out for his name as he will hopefully be competing in the next Olympics. His specialty is Long Jump and I am sure he will be a medal contender. All the best Johnny and go for Gold. Thanks again for taking time out of your day and showing us around your stomping ground. The girls said they had an awsome time.

A lot of athletes were out and about training in various sections. The girls really liked the gymnastics area. We watched the gymnists practicing their moves on the beam and uneven bars. We saw the junior basketball players and the volleyball players train. There were athletes in the gym working on their strengh training as well. Aparently we were lucky to see so many athletes training.

The favourite part of the tour for the girls was the sports activity room. They had an absolute ball. They took turns on various equipment replicating Olympic events. They didn't want to leave this area.

After the AIS, Johnny took us out for lunch at a place where they serve Canberra's most famous Laksa. It was the best Laksa I have ever had. I think every person in that restaurant ordered Laksa.

Later in the day we headed over to Questacom Science Centre. What a fantastic place to visit. They had so much fun. In particular there was a face your fears area which is a theme ride that replicates how a person would feel if free falling from a high place. The girls freaked out and they are usually pretty good on rides. There was also a guilotine that replicates the sound and feel of a real guilotine. You have to put your head in it and wait for it to drop. When it does drop it feels so real or as real as I would think it would feel. We all freaked out over that one. Very funny video footage.

Alicia facing her fear of free falling. Check out the Guilotine in the background.

Now its Taylah's turn

DAY 26 - 15/03/2010 - Canberra, ACT

Today we visited the Australian War Memorial and the New Parliament House.

George was our tour guide at the War Memorial. He was a lovely old vet who had lots of historical and personal war stories to tell. George had been a pilot during the war. He could tell we were very interested in what he had to say which is why I think he extended his time with us. The girls were so well behaved and listened intently.

Waz and I could of spent a couple of days there and the kids, well, I think they had had enough. They were pretty into it during the first part of the day but as the afternoon went on their interest diminished. We also managed to find out more personal information regarding Waz's great Uncle who died in WWI in France. We saw his name on the Role of Honour and the girls placed a poppy next to his name. The poppy signifies the end of the war.

Sydney August Jelfs died aged 20 in WWI

We managed to get to the New Parliament House around 4pm. This was too late for the first part of question time. There were 3 politions in the House of Rep. One was talking, one listening and one was on the nod. We sat down in the viewing gallery for a whole 2 minutes. We were worried Lilly was going to yell out something out of boredom. The gallery isn't sound proof and Lilly gets bored very quickly.

We went up to the roof top to check out the flag pole and the view. I must say the flag pole/mast is pretty cool to look at in person and the view across to the War Memorial is a good view too.