Melbourne

Well we had the alarm on for 4.45am and woke to a brisk 3-4 degrees. We packed and headed for the Spirit of Tasmania, boarded and settled in for a 9am departure from Devonport. It was a beautiful day with calms seas. There was one funny moment for all those on the boat's balcony. As we waved goodbye to those on shore, people positioned themselves along the foreshore and waved back. One family made up of husband, wife and dog lazed along one of the beaches waving. What they did not know was that the onshore swell created by the passing Spirit of Tasmania was significant. The husband realised what was about to happen first and made it up to the park and safety. Unfortunately the wife and the dog realised too late and both got completely swamped by the swell. In their panic after the first drenching they tripped over on the sand and received a second total submersion. This was on a pretty chilly morning as well. I wish I was quick enough to get a photo. It was definitely a prize winning funniest home videos moment. Apart from what happened on the shores of Devonport, we arrived uneventfully in Melbourne around 6.30pm and made our way to the western suburb of Braybrook. We set up, had dinner, watched some tennis and went to bed.

Leaving Tasmania just after the unfortunate family onshore swamping

Heading out from Devenport

The next day was Australian Open tennis day. We drove and parked on the outskirts of the city and took the tram into Flinders Street Station. We spent some time in Federation Square watching some acrobatics and the tennis on the big screen. I have to say, Melbourne is buzzing when the Australian Open is on. It has got that same festival feel as the Olympics gave Sydney in 2000 and Melbourne get this injection of euphoria every January which transforms the city. Good for them.

On the tram into the city

In the city, millions of people

Watching some acrobatic shows

Getting into the festival mood of the city at Federation Square

We then made our way along the Yarra River towards Rod Laver Arena. It was a steamy day and a good crowd was in. I heard that evening that it was a record daytime crowd. I also saw a few people I knew from my tennis playing days. We headed for the outside courts and watched some matches of the less known players but from very close up, offering the best perspective of the action. There were many outside court matches and these guys all hit the ball extremely well, with pace and spin and accuracy. It was quality stuff. After being thoroughly engrossed in the action (well I was),we headed off for lunch and checked out all the gimmicks in the precinct and then headed back for more tennis action.

Andrew and I conversing with the Rocket

 Record crowd day but still plenty of seats for close up action

Fiona getting some tips for her ladies Monday morning social tennis with the school mums. Longshots cafe anyone!

Fiona checking out Bernard Tomic

I was thoroughly enjoying the action and planning to stay all day and into the evening. However, by 4pm the kids were hot and bored and wanted a swim. I tried to reason with them  and enlisted Fiona’s support that they could swim later on and on any day but this is the Australian Open here and now and we were not coming back etc …… etc…….. So we left for home at 4pm for a swim. What can I say. We eventually arrived home around 5.30pm, had a swim, dinner and a relatively early night.

Next stop Albury Wodonga and on the way home