Today I had a really enjoyable lunch with Natalie and her honours students. This past year I worked closely with young Adilah, who was an absolute delight and I was thrilled for her when she received First Class Honours for her thesis. 

We had a belated celebratory birthday dinner for Tash at Mandy and Graeme's this evening. 

Mandy feeling the bub, he or she had the hiccups. 

Even on a cloudy, dull day the Curtin campus looks beautiful....

Took Rusty for a walk around the lake, the main attraction for him were the light poles.

Pete and I went Christmas tree shopping this afternoon....we chose our tree and return in a couple of weeks and cut it down...such fun.

Yes  we saw a snake at the beach this morning, a dugite we think. It scared the living daylights out of me as I was walking ahead of the girls and saw it first. Luckily it retreated into the dunes so we could pass.

After our walk and swim Pauline showed us her husband's "mustang". She really wanted to show Julie who is interested in cars and will be moving to Albany in a couple of weeks.

What a lovely evening Jo, Tash and I had at the ballet. The performance was excellent as was the orchestra, we all loved it. It was probably one of the most enjoyable male ballet performances I've ever seen.

I love this photo that Tash posted on instagram today....her last day at school!

Back to work today....the students are in the middle of exams, here they are waiting outside the stadium waiting (poor things).

Flight to Sydney

We spent the afternoon and evening with Phil, Carlo, Macario and Lucian. It was wonderful to catch up, the boys are growing up so quickly.

Two of the famous sights of Melbourne that Pete and I walked past on our walk this morning.

A stop for coffee on our walk along Acland Street.

It was a sensational day for our drive down to Portsea. Michelle gave us a tour of the area...

...little bush walk...

Portsea Beach on the bay side...

Portsea Surf Beach...

Wonderful swim...

Delicious lunch at this famous hotel.

Pete and I walked from St Kilda Beach to Ellwood Beach this morning, the water was like glass and the sky so blue.

Chris and Michelle drove us to the Shrine of Remembrance in Kings Domain...we'd never been before. The views from the balcony was stunning.

All four of us then walked the Tan track which is a 3.8 Km track around Melbourne Botanical Gardens.

Eating yummy Pidapipo ice-cream in Chapel Street after a delicious italian dinner at Baby Pizza.

This morning Pete and I walked through the St Kilda Gardens, which are just down the road from where we are staying.

Then we walked down to the St Kilda Pier, it was a lovely morning.

Beautiful view from the pier...

After our walk , we were off to breakfast in Richmond with Chris and Michelle. Across the road from the restaurant is the Bryant and May factory where for many years Redhead matches were manufactured. It is a really impressive building.

We visited Chatswood shopping centre later in the day...it is huge!

...and the Dandenong Markets.

 Pete and I had an enjoyable evening with Chris, Michelle and her parents, Helene and Brad...good company and delicious Vietnamese food. 

Last night Pete and I flew into Melbourne to spend a few days with Chris and Michelle. This morning we did a little sight seeing in the city.

The weather was a little dreary but the Christmas lights looked quite cheery.

....the State Library...

The Block Arcade ready for Christmas...

We woke to this wonderful news. 

Tash sent me this beautiful photo of her and Sofie at City Beach...it was Sofie's birthday today.

Our beach is far more crowded now that the temperature has risen. 

I'd forgotten how much I enjoy this....

Dean's funeral was today, these two photos...favourites of Mandy's and mine....were on the Order of Service. 

Pete, Chris and I went back to Jeremy's new apartment for a drink and quiet chat after the service.

Pete, Chris and I had a quick swim in the afternoon, the beach is always a tranquil place to gather one's thoughts.

Tash and Todd cooked us a delicious meal this evening...so nice to be together.