Heat wave in Melbourne....

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I've got a bit behind with my blog quite obviously as I've been too busy somehow - it's funny because I'm trying to enjoy every place while I'm there but there's always the next place to be reading up about/planning for so it's a fine balance. I am now in Dallas airport where I though I would get my blog completely up to date as have almost 5 hours wait between connecting flights as I was erring on the side of caution in case of any delays, but this did mean getting up at 3.30 this morning after only 4 hours sleep, so I ended up sleeping for 3 and a half hours in a chair in the airport lounge so I may only get Australia finished and not get onto the US today, but here goes. Have not been able to upload any photos to go with this apart ferom one, so will try and find a cafe that does it in Mexico when I get there and add them in later.

Trust me to pick the hottest week in Melbourne history to arrive - 45.1 degree heat is not ideal weather for sleeping/exploring/eating - doing much at all really, except sitting in the air con to cool down. I really liked Melbourne - it was a great city to just wander about exploring although as I say, the extreme heat did hinder this slightly. Had a great week catching up Noelle and Paul (actually I can't really say catching up with Paul as that was the first time I'd met him, but it felt like I'd known him longer..) - I arrived on Australia Day so we went for dinner and walked along the Yarra river to sit on the banks near Fed Square to watch the fireworks which the city had kindly laid on for my arrival - Ok maybe it was to celebrate their National holiday, but it was a happy coincidence! Nelly had had her Ozzie citizenship ceremony that morning too so we had a few drinks after the fireworks to celebrate everything.
Spent my time in Melbourne exploring town and heading down to St Kilda beach area as well as getting the oldest (and only I think) steam train up into the Dandenong mountains for a day. The train is called Puffin Billy and with a name like the Dandenongs, I felt like I was boarding the Ninky Nonk in the Night Garden (apologies to those without children/nieces/nephews who won't have a clue what I'm on about..) Anyhow, the Dandenongs were very peaceful and as it was in the 40's again that day, I had a nice snooze in the shade if a big tree in the forest instead of the forest walk which was shut due to the risk of Bushfires. I left Victoria a few days before the bushfires started which was just horrendous - it's so scary the devastation that can happen so quickly.
Had a a couple of great nights out in Melbourne too of course - the first being at the Australian Open at Melbourne Park. We had tickets to the Nadal/Verdasco semi-final which turned out to be the best game of the tournament I'd say - 5 hours and 15 minutes of amazing tennis - it was fantastic (although I would say that as I had a seat and beers for all that time rather than running about a court constantly) We also had a crazy party to go to on the Sat night - based on that experience I'd say Australians throw pretty awesome house parties, although stayign up tuntil 7 am didn't create a very awesome Sunday when I was going to another BBQ with Sara (Gibby's sister lives in Melbourne too) to watch the final of the tennis when I had a very bad hangover and had to pack up for leaving early the next day. (Thanks again Noelle/Paul - you were great hosts and I will see you sooner than later in Ireland next time hopefully.)

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