Back in Melbourne!!!

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45 weeks, 23000 km, 109 blog entries and a bit of tan later, we made it back to good old Melbourne! Wow, where did the time go?!



It was only a 90 minute drive from Torquay to Melbourne but I found it very difficult to sit still and focus on my study book. In the end, I had to give up! I was seriously freaking out. But when the unmistakable Melbourne city skyline came into view, I couldn’t help but smile. Melbourne and London are the two places where I feel most at home and everyone should have at least one place like that in life. That didn’t change the fact that I didn’t quite feel ready for it though!



I do wonder how much we have changed over the last ten and half months. We both agree that Dean hasn’t changed at all, but I think that I have. I’m not sure I can really verbalise in what way but I think I have become more self-aware and have a slightly different view on life’s priorities.



Our GPS was set to Mill Park to visit our friends Grant & Robyn (on Robyn’s due date, no less!!!). Thanks, guys, for letting us camp on your lawn when you might have gone into labour at any time! Poor Dean wasn’t too overjoyed with his motorbike wouldn’t start, but the battery has since been charged and his baby is in action again.



On day two in Melbs, we headed over to Nici & Mick’s in Eltham. I missed you so much, dear friend!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing your home with us until we get ourselves sorted out with jobs etc. And thanks so much to our wonderful friends Maria & Alfredo for letting us housesit later on this month. We’re so blessed to have all you guys as friends.



The following day I took the train into the city and felt very nostalgic as I bought lunch at my favourite café in Degraves Street and had some chillout time in Federation Square. I didn’t have enough time to go for a walk by the river or catch the tram down to St Kilda, but that will happen soon. Not much has changed in the city – there are just a few new shops and of course the Christmas decorations are up.



What we have noticed, however, is that Melbourne, and Victoria in general, is freezing in comparison to where we’ve been! While we were on the road, there was barely any need to check the weather forecast because we always had all of our clothes nearby. Now, we need to plan ahead and it seems as though the best strategy is to wear lots of layers and peel them off during the day. At least the sun is now showing its face, whereas our two days in Torquay were grey, rainy and cold enough to get the thermals out!



On Sunday, we enjoyed a warm, relaxing afternoon and I got to meet my beautiful five month old goddaughter Violette for the first time. Many congratulations again, Ali & Vic! Also to Yolanda and Alex on their new baby girl Eva, Calum & Nic on our new nephew Malachi, and to Robyn and Grant who welcomed their new baby girl Mia into the world today! There’s one more baby due in March, so it’s officially a baby boom :-)



We now look forward to sticking around in Melbourne for a year or so before embarking on part 2 of our trip. We have yet to make it to Western Australia (the part we were both most excited about!) and have decided that we need to trade our van for a 4WD for that journey. So our priorities now are to get jobs to bring in the pennies, find a flat, renew my visa (it would be nice to stay in Australia beyond Aril 2013!) and reconnect with everyone in Melbs.



We reeeally hope that you have enjoyed travelling around Australia with us. I have certainly enjoyed writing the blog in the knowledge that you’ve been following us. Here’s a snapshot of part 1 of our adventure, and stay tuned for part 2!



FAVOURITE PLACES

Jackie: Tasmania, Bellingen NSW, Lennox Head NSW, Fraser Island QLD, Kings Canyon NT, Robe SA

Dean: Eden NSW and other fishing villages on the east coast



WEIRDEST EXPERIENCES

Jackie: Blind-folded yoga class in Sydney

Dean: Paronella Park



BEST LESSONS LEARNT

Jackie: It takes time to adjust to new circumstances, and that’s ok. Living in the present is the most peaceful way to live.

Dean: What depth creek we can drive our van through



BIGGEST CHALLENGES

Jackie: Keeping up regular quality exercise, Adjusting my attitude in times of change, Recycling rubbish, Mould problem in van

Dean: Finding a toaster



MOST APPRECIATED

Jackie: Being off work

Dean: A cool night’s sleep



MOST MISSED

Jackie: Friends

Dean: Ocean that’s safe to swim in (in northern QLD and the NT)



BEST PURCHASE

Jackie: Birkenstock sandals

Dean: Board shorts and surf board



NICEST INDULGENCE

Jackie: Delicious apple & rhubarb friand in Port Douglas

Dean: Trip to Fraser Island



USEFUL TRAVEL TIPS

Jackie: If it doesn’t make you want to do a little dance, don’t buy it

Dean: Get full RACV cover and a compressor fridge



WORST EXPERIENCE

Jackie: Lamrock Lodge hostel in Bondi

Dean: Our van’s differential bearing falling out



BEST EXPERIENCE

Jackie: Fraser Island

Dean: Fraser Island



ANY REGRETS

Jackie: Not spending longer in Tasmania, Leaving my ipod at home

Dean: Not having a purpose built travel vehicle



LOOKING FORWARD TO IN MELBOURNE

Jackie: Being back with friends, Regular yoga classes and access to a quality swimming pool, Melbourne’s foodie culture and health food shops

Dean: Living in a house



LOOKING FORWARD TO ON PART 2 OF OUR TRIP

Jackie: The wilderness of Western Australia and finally visiting Perth

Dean: Seeing the whale sharks in Exmouth



WONDERFUL WELCOMING HOSTS WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK

Grant & Robyn, Blaithin & Rory, Di & Jo, Sarah, Kim & Grace, Sarah & Chris, Mel & Timmy, Caz & Dave, Wendy & Jacob, Tracey & Jason, Stuey, Nici & Mick and Maria & Alfredo!

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Comments

[Barbara McFarlane]

Thank you and good luck
I'm keeping your blog in my 'favourites' for when you re-start your journey. Can't wait to follow you around WA. Good luck with the flat and job hunting. Lots of love, Barbara xxx