Part 1 of the Trilogy

A few weeks ago Joe & Fil, friends from the UK arrived here in Melbourne to stay with us for 2 weeks before spending time tripping around Oz and then come back here for xmas before heading home.
So we went to meet them at the airport and had a near disaster after forgetting how high Jym is and almost clumping a restricted height sign but that obstacle was negotiated and we safely parked and went to wait for the travellers.
As ever the plane was delayed so we had to stand around with out causing any trouble which was hard work as we were very excited to see them and everytime the custom doors opened we would jump and then sink. The temptation to squeal or make other random noises to add to the air of tension as there was several hundred people there (not all waiting for Fil & Joe of course) was great but we did refrain and did behave as it’s not good to arrive on the other side of the planet to find that your lift has been detained for silly behaviour.
At last people started to pour thru the gates and we waited and wait and then I spotted a tall chap and a flash of ginger and knew the wait was over and as they came out we jumped up and down and waved excitedly till they spotted us they escaped the one way system will Fil using good bag technique to remove a person in the way and a mayor hug fest began (whoo hoo).
We then strolled to Jym and did board for new adventures but this time with friends but only once we had worked out how to get out of the carpark without decapitating Jym with that managed we headed home and arrived home about 1am and continued to talk till 3.30am all on a school night. (oops)
The original plan was for Bel to show them around Melbourne as she wasn’t working but unfortunately (fortunately for our finances) she had started her new proper very full on job the just that day however a very nasty cold was sweeping my office which I happened to have caught and spent most of the prior day sneezing, sniffering, groaning and moaning so I phoned in sick (sorry mum) and had a lie in which I really did need before head off for our first tour of the city centre.
Joe & Fil were both excited about there first tram ride and craned their necks trying to take it all in as we travelled in the No 16 to the city centre where we jumped off at Federation Square which is by Flinders Station a huge red & yellow brick Victorian style railway station rather like Charing Cross. On the tram journey there I had been pondering where to start the tour as I didn’t want to over load there system on the first day so I suggested maybe a drink was in order which they jumped at and so we headed for the lanes to Hells Kitchen a fine bar on the 1st floor over looking a busy lane full of coffee houses, eateries, graffiti and buskers a prefect place for a quiet drink to start the afternoon rolling. Thus the lazy day did roll on as we leisurely went between several excellent bars to watch the world float past and catch up on the last year whilst gently exposing them to this new culture and finally meeting up with Bel for one last drink before heading home for food.
The adventurers had to make there own way for the rest of the week due to work but it was great to come home and hear what they had done and seen that day have a drink and eat great food (for those that don’t know Fil she is a superb cook and just loves to cook, fortunately Joe likes to eat) each day bring us close to the weekend and then a whole week off for myself and Bel to go adventuring in Jym with Fil & Joe (whooooooo hooo)…….. to be continued