something fishy

After so many days of pushing on, driving forward, it feels oddly decadent to have a lay in in the morning! Wherever I've stayed I've been awoken fairly early on by the sounds of nature ... cockatoos squawking, waves lapping, dorm mates coughing (and farting)... and while under canvas I've invariably been cold, and usually wet too. But back at Jackie's home, the quiet, warmth and comfort means I've been laying in, which isn't like me at all.

Anyway, yesterday I headed into the city around lunchtime for some shopping and rode around on the old fashioned and iconic circle tram. It's a slow way to see the sights. Wandered about, sipped tea, ate cakes and generally enjoyed myself doing nothing much at all. Later in the afternoon I finally got to meet some of JD's gang... and they're all lovely. Judes and Keith are Jackie's oldest mates in Australia, and were SOooo lovely. While at their (stunningly beautiful!) home, I was served, and ate, little salmon things on cream cheese and bread. Jackie eats fish but doesn't do meat, and hadn't mentioned to Judes that I was a veggie. But - here's the revelation - I really quite liked it. It didn't 'taste fishy' if you know what I mean? It was a 'clean' taste, and really delicious. Not at all what I'd expected salmon to be like. I must've seen some cheapo stuff in the past, I guess. And not to be too polite, I polished off several more, ha ha. I'm a convert! Sat in the immaculate garden, sipping champagne and eating salmon, and chatting to two of the most genuinely lovely people you could hope to meet... it was a great afternoon.

From there it was a taxi to another of Melbourne's seventeen trillion excellent restaurants. And three more of JD's closest pals. I've heard tons about them all individually, and it was good to finally puts faces to names and tales. And again, the most amazingly lovely food. And lots more wine. Both Jackie and me were slightly sozzled but happy as we tottered back to her home, thankfully just a short walk away.

And today, the beginning of the end I guess. I got up (after another lay in!) and washed Blue before riding him for the last time back to the hire shop. Yes Mum, you can breathe again -and sorry to any of you who've been worried by my self indulgent desire to do this on two wheels, and alone. It's been a fab journey, but not ready to write up my conclusions JUST yet Flo. Bike needs to be checked-over by mechanic before I have it confirmed that I'll get my full $2,000 deposit back. Fingers crossed!! But I like and trust them, as the hire firm have been great at every stage so far. Should hear tmrw.

More touristy stuff and just generally pleasing myself in the big city again this afternoon... walked through the huge covered market, ate an enormous bag of delicious cherries in the park in the sunshine, took a tour of Captain Cook's cottage, and tonight, I'm off to the theatre - again- with another of Jackie's old pals. Remember I couldn't name the BMW Bruce because I didn't want to cause confusion or smutty innuendo? It's Bruce who I'm out with tonight. Another face to a name. He has a great telephone voice, and that's about all I know. Will be a bit like a blind date ;0) And Brandon, you'll be delighted to hear we're going to see Love Never Dies. Bargain tickets on sale. Love a bargain... then, depending on our moods later, we could be gaying it up. I really like this ... such a lark!