Blogs from MCG, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Oceania

From Federation Square it was only a short walk to the ground past the river where a sustainability festival was in full swing.Whilst walking up the concourse with a selection of weird sounds playing from speakers built into the bridge, the magnitude of the 100’000 seater stadium really begins to impress you. We met Max our guide for the afternoon and after a quick introduction we walked out into the lower stands. With the sun shining on us Max pointed out each of the three stands that make up the ground, as well as the history of how the stadium had evolved; interestingly the ground was originally located where Spencer Street station now stands. With the South Australian Red Back’s warming up on the pitch in preparation for their game the next day, he also pointed ... read more

G'day team. How's it going? Well can you believe my time in Melbourne is nearly at an end?! It's insane how quickly this trip has whizzed by. Spent the morning pottering around at Wilson and Karen's, packing, unpacking, repacking etc! I frustrate myself sometimes. Anyway, had a lovely walk along Brighton beach and had a look at the brightly coloured Beach Huts there. Also went for a wander around St Kilda and had a spot of lunch there. It was so bitterly cold - just because of the wind chill but the sun was shining. We popped to Luna Park too - it was closed but got some pictures outside in front of the scary clown face!!!!! Yuk. Was really tough to say goodbye to Wil and Karen, it was really lovely to see them and ... read more

R Writes: Apparantly I have to take the blame I've been told, well by Carmel anyway. On Friday night the five of us were making our predictions on who would win the big game. All of the girls were tipping the Saints, I think more for the fact that they were playing Collingwood more than anything else. I had this weird feeling, I blurted cockily to the girls that I thought it would end in a draw. I just had a feeling, I know it's easy to say that now, but I sometimes get just this little inkling about things. Carmel berated me, saying that I'd be in big trouble if the result ended with no winner. Fast forward a few hours, the only trouble I was in was that I didn't put $20 on it ... read more

R Continues: ..... As we made our way to the ground you couldn't help but notice the signs a lot of people were holding.... "wanted ..one ticket for desperate fan" ..... "was here in '66 ....pleeeasee give me a ticket" . In a way it was sad, and in another it made me feel a little guilty that I didn't support either team. In the end you reap what you sow and I was glad to be able to be at this game with the TRICK crew. Teresa and I had been to a few GF's but for Carmel, Irena and Keara it was their first. We made our way to our seats hmmmm Gate 1 Section 33 Row QQ....QQ I thought omg these are going to be sitting on the roof. After a few pitstops ... read more

Yesterday we took a trip to Melbourne to see and AFL game at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground)! Collingwood vs Carlton were the two teams playing against each other, supposedly they are meant to be arch rivals so we we're hoping to see a good game! We got the train to Melbourne at 10.30am, we saw a lot of people wearing Collingwood shirts/scarves/hats - their colours are black and white, and nickname is The Magpies, so Liam automatically supported them as Newcastle has the same name and colours! After an hour on the train we followed the crowd and got on the first tram we saw, then onto another one at Flinders Street which took us straight to the MCG. From the outside the MCG looked pretty huge, I suppose that's because it is, it holds ... read more

Maybe we been a little harsh on melbourne it does have a very european feel to it with the trams and the buildings and its cold and grim here but anywhere that has The MCG cant be all bad, a place Philip has been desperate to see since he arrived in Australia and true cricketing colusiem that blows you away the sports musuem inside is fantastic as well and the interactive games at the end are great fun although getting involved in the interactive Aussie rules game with our friend gino wasnt the best idea especially with another half marathon to run somewhere in the world a week sunday. Philip hasnt run since the marathon in the gold coast but has been swimming most days so maybe a bit of trainning wouldn't go a miss. We ... read more

Hi Everyone, Hope everyone is well and not suffering from cold symptons where ever you are! Also before you read details in here, we're fine, no injuries, if that's got you wondering, read on. Perth Ok, so last we wrote we were just about to leave Singapore to head to Oz. We arrived just after midnight in Perth and in our wisdom decided rather than head into town to pay for a room that we'd only sleep in for a few hours, that we'd sleep in the airport. Genius... apart from the fact we couldn't sleep and nothing was open. So after arriving in town and getting digs we went to the massive Kings Park and had a kip whilst the locals ran, cycles, jogged, power walked or just took their dogs for a walk around ... read more