Good Morning, Melbourne.

After an uncomfortable night on the ferry, and the anxiety about whether the van would start, (it did-first time!), the wonderful view of hot air balloons rising over the majestic skyscrapers on the Melbourne skyline as the sun rose over the beach was surprising. A guy was running along the beach. What a way to start a day in the city! Fabulous. A look to my left as we drove off the ferry and claimed our four gas cannisters, showed me a different image. The full, flowing traffic over the Westgate Bridge. What a contrast to Australia so far, the six lane highway was in full flow, and we were about to join it! We hated it after the hick roads we had come to love, everywhere else!

Our first view had been the drive into the city from Geelong. It was alarmingly like home, litter strewn and rather dull. The whole horizon was full of buildings and trees. It was unlike anything we had seen so far in Australia. Drivers seemed impatient and screeched around us to be one or two vehicles in front! Madness, and not impressive.

We found our way first time and arrived at the campsite for 8.30am in the early morning sun. We set ourselves up, put the washing in, showered and had a cooked breakfast. Joy arrived at 11.30, having travelled from the other side of the city to pick us up. She looked lovely,her usual sparkling self. So civilised; hair done, fashionable, make-up on. I remembered that! I felt a bit daggy in my on-the-road gear. It was cold so I had joggers and a fleece on. Delightful! I settled for comfortable and warm. When I had asked a passing lady, earlier, if I would pass muster in the city she said, "Aw, rug up darlin'." so that was that.

We went to St Kilda's for luch. There were lovely old buildings. It was a bustling thoroughfare, in contrast with our next destination, the silent peacefulness of the Botanical Gardens. This was fascinating too because it was in the heart of this large modern city. The patterns and textures of the trees were like an art gallery. After tea and scones we headed off to the South Bank where we visited the pub opposite the station. It had a range of rooms on three floors, each with a different feel. There was mellow music and settee on the first floor affording us a view of the passing city life below. Behind us a room sporting a full length demure nude, called Chloe, after whom the bar was named, provided a quiet reading space. There was even a trendy roof bar with modern music, but, curiously, nowhere to sit as the seats had all just been varnished. It was a good place to be though and there was a vibe about the place as city workers called in for a drink after work.

Once dusk fell the buildings lit up in a very appealing way. It really did look beautiful standing beside the Yarra River looking over to Franklin Square. The whole scene was further highlighted by our trip up the 88 floors of the Eureka Tower. From here we had a 360 degree view of Melbourne in the rush hour. You could almost feel the pulse of Melbourne City as the lights swirled below us along the highways. It was a glorious, magical moment in a vibrant, modern city.

The day was completed with a pizza and a bottle of red wine in the Italian quarter of town, with Joy and her daughter.

A perfect end to a perfect day, and, such a contrast to all we had experienced so far. Thanks Joy. (I will post the pictures when Joy sends them to me.)