Blogs from Burwood, Victoria, Australia, Oceania

Today was something Ashleigh had been wanting to do for her last few visits to Melbourne, but never got the chance in the past - visit the Neighbours street and set. Well, today was the day. When we booked, the tour specifically said that it was a tour to the street only, with a bonus of getting photos with a past or present cast member. They only do set tours on the weekend, and we couldn't go, but we were aware of that when we booked. There is a specific building on Flinders St, dedicated to the Neighbours tour (as well as a few others the company does, but the sign advertises neighbours). We'd seen it a previous day by accident, so we knew where to go. It was still a near 30 minute walk from ... read more

Only a couple of more days before we head off. Will be updating on a regular basis.... read more

The country woke up this morning with potentially a new government. The system in Aus is slightly different to the UK. It is compulsory to vote - failure to do so results in a fine. The polling stations are not open as long, closing at 6pm, which means that most of the results are known throughout the evening of polling day. It’s not just a single vote system either - all the candidates have to be voted for in order of preference and the secondary and subsequent votes are included in the overall assessment and often make a significant difference. It was a very close run contest and is likely to end up with a hung parliament, as has recently happened in the UK. It was a virtual dead heat between the two main parties so ... read more

Well, we are slightly more “compus mensis” now. It was a bit of a struggle to stay awake during Sunday but we more or less managed it. Graham had arranged to collect the car and went off to Grant’s house courtesy of a lift with Bert in his works panel van via the local refuse disposal site. He’s a landscape gardener and had some garden waste to dispose of. As it happened, he came back with almost as much as he went with as some attractive cacti and succulents which someone else had disposed of caught his eye and proved too tempting! Graham successfully drove the car back and so was able to get to know it a bit. With the car came two full rucksacks and it was a bit like Christmas as we opened ... read more