Long weekend with the Ranger family

Friday, 2nd February
We head to Melbourne via Geelong, a large coastal town to the west of the city. We had a fish and chip lunch in a quirky wooden cafe which was like a shed overhanging the water. We ate up on the deck even though it was rather breezy and cool. We eventually find the Apollo offices and hand back the camper van - it has served us well, at times an oven, then washing machine and sometimes nearly a fridge! We take a taxi which battles its way to the other side of Melbourne on a busy Friday afternoon, to Armadale to

the home of Mike & Wendy Ranger.
Wendy is one of Jim's Brighton cousins who came to Australia about 40 years ago with her husband Mike. They stayed. Mike was an architect and Wendy a sports' physiotherapist, latterly being the chief physio for the Australian Olympic team. They have two sons - Tom and Charlie.
When we arrived we learnt that Wendy has been a bit unwell , so it was decided we would stay just a few minutes away at Charlie's house. He and his new wife Em were away for the weekend at the family beach house celebrating Em's 31st birthday.That evening, back at Mike & Wendy's house we had a good catch up with them all, including Tom who spent the evening with us. It is amazing how many young people here in Australia are vegetarian or vegan, and also in New Zealand.

Saturday, 3rd February
Mike picked us up and we went to Prahran market to buy some supplies. What a fabulous place - the best market we have ever been to anywhere in the world. The stalls of fruit, veg, flowers, bread, cheese etc etc are beautifully laid out and everything looked so delicious. We have never seen so many varieties of sour dough bread, for example. We bought a sour dough fruit loaf, cakes, apricots, mangoes, cherries and avocados. Then we had a top quality coffee in an adjacent coffee and got chatting to some Germans, as you do. In the afternoon I stayed at the house with Wendy (had a much needed swim in the pool) whilst Jim and Mike headed off to a place called Knox where one of the West Wittering cricketers (the captain, in fact) is spending the winter months as an overseas player. Carl was fielding but Jim spotted his girlfriend, Jordan, who was over on holiday and chatted to her until Carl was able to join them. Supper with Mike & Wendy (cooked by master chef Mike) and then Jim and I caught the tram back to Charlie's house in Windsor.

Sunday, 4th February
After our lovely breakfast of toasted fruit sour dough bread (with whole figs and apricots through the loaf), we were just preparing to walk round to another of Jim's family, when Charlie and a very pregnant Em walked in with Odie their gorgeous dog who had been sick in the car, poor thing, and needed a wash. Charlie had to go to work - a documentary he had been involved in producing needed to be finished off.
We set off to walk the few streets to Mark & Yulia Cripsey's house. Mark's mum Sally is another of Jim's Brighton cousins (there are lots!). Sally herself had only left a few days ago as she comes each year and goes every day to the Australian Open Tennis where everyone knows her - she is very chatty and not at all shy! Mark & Yulia's 2 children were out sailing at different venues. Mark drove us first round the Grand Prix circuit which was already being prepared for the F1 in March, and then to see Anna (13) at a huge lake where she was having classes to become an assistant sailing instructor. Both children are in the elite youth Australian sailing squad and travel all over

the country and abroad for competitions.
It was a hot day and, having promised to buy provisions for tonight's supper, we headed to South Melbourne Market, a bit like Prahran but nothing like as good in our opinion - but it did have a bigger variety of goods for sale. Outside there were lots of street cafes, so we found a table and had street paella which was scrummy. Karma, their dog, was with us and allowed in the market area because she is a guide dog in training and wearing her yellow vest.
Next we drove to the Royal Brighton sailing club to collect Philip (10) who was in a race, sailing Optimists and he had had successful day. Tom and Charlie came to supper that evening, and Wendy was on good form too so we had a very chatty time.

Monday,5th February
We go into central Melbourne on the very efficient tram, and it only takes 20 minutes. On many corners are Tourist Information volunteers wearing their red shirts (always long sleeves to keep out the sun). They are so pleasant

and helpful and throughout our time there we asked information from at least 3 teams. We walked through all the key places, including the Block and Royal Arcades, and the lanes with all the street art (graffiti) some of which is very impressive. We managed to have lunch in Chin Chin which is notoriously difficult to get in to - but we were early and it was Monday. The food was Asian Fusion and absolutely delicious.
We went up the 88 floors, in a lift, of the Eureka Tower where we had magnificent views all over Melbourne, right down to the port where the cruise ships were in. Back to Windsor on the tram was so easy - we should have more trams in Britain. We packed our bags and said a final farewell and thank you to Charlie and Em. Mike drove us to the airport for our 11.45 flight (the same link we took nearly 3 weeks ago, so we recognised the tiredness of the passengers coming from UK). The flight was full, but fine. We were pleased to be offered a hot sausage roll, but were amused that it was cheese, not sausage! Bye for now Australia.