Home away from home.....

Over the past week in particular it struck me that life in Melbourne is just a home away from home.  First and foremost there is the weather - we had hail, gale force wind and torrential rain that didn't let up all week. We could even have gone skiing/sledging 2 hours drive away if we'd been organised enough!
Then there is the fact that since my internet radio arrived I listen to Radio2 and 6Music all day, every day (except when Andy comes home and annoyingly changes it to Radio Clyde?!)  Even when I go out running I listen to Frank Skinner's podcasts from Absolute Radio - technology really is amazing! And of course nearly all the TV programmes are British. The top rated shows are Top Gear, Location Location Location and Grand Designs. For some reason Australians are fasinated by houses on the other side of the world??
Saturday was Eurovision night and yes, it's also huge in Australia?! On Friday, Saturday and Sunday night Eurovision took over, although we didn't have Graham Norton commentating unfortunately.   
On the theme of TV, I must tell you what the hilarious front page headline was today - 'New comedy from Little Britain stars too sophisticated for country viewers'. Would you believe they are only going to show 'Come fly with me' in the major cities and the simple country folk will get some trashy American sitcom in it's place - only in Australia!
Anyway, back to my home away from home theme....I am ashamed to say that nearly all my friends are British. Even the local playgroup now has more British families attending than Australian and every week a new UK family joins - is there anyone left back home?? (I'd like to point out that I do have a few Australian friends and we had a lovely night out on Friday so I am trying to redress the balance!)
Finally, I dress Celia and Max head to toe in M&S as even with the international delivery charge, the clothes are half the price of stuff over here (and far nicer - I get nonstop compliments on Celia's winter coat) so we are going home with 4 empty suitcases in June and will probably have to pay excess luggage charges on the way back!
  

4 happy years of marriage

Saturday 7th May represented the completion of four years of wedded bliss. A lot has changed in four years but all of it for the better.
Our evening of celebration began in a great little cocktail bar - Murmur. Amazing cocktails and a waitress wearing stockings (so Lydia noticed).
Next up, Red Spice Road and their famous spicy pork belly. The waitress was concerned we were ordering too much food...but there were so many great dishes to try (and we don't get out much!). A nice bottle of Pinot and eating very slowly did the trick and allowed us to finish the lot. Black zambucas finished us off as a nice digestif.
For Melbournian readers, RSR was excellent, really great, but Longrain still wins on the asian fusion stakes for me. Next time, Lyds!

Sunday, mother's day (in Australia) and a wife that wasn't feeling so great. Daddy took contol of parenting for the day and Celia seemed to get much faster on her bike that day. She even wore a helmet.

Also, a momentus occasion for Max. Finally, a tooth. And now, a few days later a second one. Rock and roll!

There's a lot going on down under

A lot can happen in a few weeks.
Since my last update there's been...

A week in Sydney, checking out the life of a single man through the eyes of my good friend Roger. Even his flatmates can't quite keep up with his love life so what chance have I got. You may have great fun my good friend but I'm too old for Thursday night drinking!

A week in Singapore and a few nights out with Gavin and Nicholas. Great to see you again guys again and the food over there is just the biz.  Singapore is a great city but a liittle too much like London for my liking...and stinking hot. You guys have a great life, but I'm a bit too old for Tuesday and Wednesday night drinking!

An overnight flight back from Singapore...ahh the joys of business class...movies and G&T and swiftly on to our lovely 5 day Easter break at Wilson's Promotory (aka "the 'Prom", but not like Portstewart on a Sunday night).
I have to say this was my favourite family holiday to date. Celia and Max together are becoming a great little comedy act. Everyone was very relaxed, the setting idyllic and the agenda very empty. Pure relaxation - well, as close as you get with children in tow.

Next up, back to Melbourne and 100% total Royal Wedding fever. If you think a republic is on the cards any time soon, it certainly doesn't feel that way. Coverage on all media was wall to wall. I have to say, as an unashamed royalist, I loved it. Lydia, Celia and Max seemed to be caught up in it too - with wedding parties galore.

The highlight of course was commentary Australian style from Dame Edna. Got to love it.

Royal wedding was quickly followed by Obama vs Osama with Obama striking the final blow (well watching it on TV anyway). 1st May 2011 will go down in history alongside 11th September 2001. Hopefully the world is safer now. I guess I have my doubts still.

Next up, wedding anniversary on Saturday and not too far down the line a little trip back to the UK.
All go, but still all good.
Have fun.