[lettie]

When we left the Bellarine Peninsula we took the ferry from Queenscliffe to the Mornington Peninsula. We figured that as we were staying in East Melbourne, it may be better to approach this busy city from the east. The ferry journey with the car and all of our luggage in tow was surprisingly cheap. We had a lovely drive up the Mornington Peninsula and had a lunchtime stop in the town of Mornington (there's a fantastic chippy here).

As we approached Melbourne the road became predictably busier. We managed to find our hotel but had to drive around one block 3 times in order to spot the Avis place so that we could drop off the car. Fortunately the 3 times round the block was not wasted time...... we dropped the car off and headed straight for a real ale pub which Sparks had spotted whilst we had been going round and round.

After a couple of drinks, we had a walk down to Federation Square. Fed Square is Melbourne's newest public space. Opened in 2002 it commemorates the centenery of the federation of the Australian states. It is a modern space with plentiful cafes, a glass enclosed indoor area with arty shops, the Australian centre for the moving image and much more. There is a big outdoor screen here which televises concerts and sporting events, there is also an outdoor stage for small concerts and shows. There is always something going on in Fed Square whether it be day or night. I believe that it was slightly controversial when built as many locals believed that its' modern look wouldn't fit in with the grand old Victorian buildings which sit alongside. However, Fed Square has blended in well and in a strange way it looks right.

After poking around Fed Square, we walked over to the South Bank of the Yarra River. The South Bank houses lots of restaurants and bar type places. There is something for everyone in the culinary city of Melbourne and me and Sparks couldn't wait to get eating so we strolled back to our hotel to get scrubbed and changed for our evening meal.

We spent the following day shopping. Melbourne is a paradise for serious spenders, and what's more........The sales were on!!!

I was in retail heaven... Everywhere I looked there were cool clothing and shoe shops. They sell really stylish flat shoes here, something that I find difficult to buy in the UK. To make the day even better, I bought a pair of trousers in the sale for half price and found out that in Australia............. I am only a size 10!!!!!!! and even they are a bit loose. Considering that I haven't been a size 10 since I was 10, I was well pleased and decided that I really love this place.

The afternoon was spent at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) watching a day/night match between England and Aus. Predictably, we lost. But what the hell, I'm a size 10 here!!!!!!! so I didn't care..

Here are some pics.. The view down the Yarra river to the MCG in the background, inside the MCG (this place is massive), A couple of views of Fed Square, and Flinders St Station which sits just across the road from Fed.