Sacha and Janine came around to say their farewells and they headed off by 4pm. I got into a new T-Shirt and went to St Patricks Cathedral for Mass (man that church is like five times the size of the church at home). After a good hour we came home, no we went to the supermarket to get some food for dinner and then we went home. I made creamy pasta for dinner, watched Law and Order, bed by 10.30pm.

32 degrees. Went ten pin bowling just after lunch with Luke and Cathy. Picked up Sacha for a couple of hours (said goodbye to maria). Wrapped all my presents. Bed at about 10.30pm.

Got up again at 7.30 and Dick picked me up across the raod so i could go into Cathy's work to use the rowing machine, the treadmill and the exercise bike. played "warcraft" on Luke's computer until lunchtime. Cathy picked me up and we went shopping at Greensborough for something for mum. luke came around for about an hour, I baked a huge batch of fudge brownies. Cathy went around to Dick's fro about an hour then came home and told me we were going out for diner. We went to Dick and Vera's place and they drove us to their daughter and son-in-law's (Shelley and Wayne's). On the way we stopped at a golf course and saw hundreds of kangaroos on the fairway. Played with Daniel, Christopher and Zac (and their dog Sacha) in the pool, watched a video (Stormbreaker) and came home about 11.20pm.

Went into work with Cathy at 7.30 am as she had to start training a new person. I helped by putting two new training folders together and earned $100.00 (whoa!). Had lunch at a Malaysian restaurant with Steve, Luke and Ann. Did nothing in the afternoon and had a fairly early night.

42 degrees!!! Stayed inside for most of the day. Cathy had to go into work late afternoon as it was super busy. Enjoyed the spa that night and slept in another room with both the fan and aircon going most of the night. Also went shopping at Greensborough where Janine, Sacha and Maria surprised me with a watch (a G-Shock - it is very cool!) so I could remember my trip to Australia.

Left just before 10am to go to the Healesville Sanctuary. Bought nothing but a postcard! The wallabies were very friendly; saw some birds being fed by one of the sanctuary keepers ...with baby mice, crickets and maggots! Took loads of photos.

Cathy dropped me home at 4pm while she did an interview at work. Had a spa when she got home and bed.

32 degrees. Gardening out the front in the morning then went shopping at the Queen Victoria markets. Bought heaps of gifts. Met janine and Sacha at Bunnings to get some plumbing supplies to convert the grey water but weren't too successful. Had a spa in the evening and a late night.

Janine had carpets cleaned so we had Sacha until after lunch. Went to mass at St Martins. Mass was said by one of the Archbishops. Did some shopping then home for the evening. Another late night. No photos today.

We were all up by 9.30 and getting ready to go home. While I was asleep Sacha tried to wake me up and, well, she didn't. We were back in Melbourne by 2.30 and me and Cathy watchedMarch of the Penguns. Bed by 10.30am.

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Early start in the morning, up by 9am and getting ready to head down to Coronet Bay to see Sacha's Nona (meaning Grandma). Three hours, no five hours later we were at Coronet Bay with Sacha and co.

As soon as we got there Nona had a meat soup and potatosalad on the table ready to eat. After lunch we played hide'n'seek and then me, Cathy and Janine went to Philip Island (http://www.penguins.org.au/index.asp) to see the town and beach.

Dinner was on the table by the time we got back. By 7.45pm we were heading back to see the penguins. After seeing the cute penguins we went back to Sacha's nonas to stay and went to bed at 10.30pm.

Today I was up at 9.30am getting ready to go to the zoo with Sacha and Janine (and Cathy!). We got something hot to eat for lunch and was off to the next animal. After 4 hours of walking, running and carrying, we left and headed home. When we got home I started to make my 2nd and 3rd batches of brownies. While Cathy was in the spa I tested it to see if I needed to put in more chlorine in it and when I went to walk inside I found that I had locked us out. One hour later Luke arrived and let us inside. Then 1/4 hour later Dick came around and had drink. Finally when they left I went inside and had tea. Bed at 10.30pm.

Left home about lunchtime and drove to Science Works in the red sports car. From there we went to Williamstown with the roof off - it was very hot. Had a late lunch in a bar (chips and nuggets). Had very sore ears today and fell asleep on the drive home (no spa again tonight!!) Bed at 10.30pm.

Smoke over Melbourne from bushfires

28 degrees. Stayed at home today, had Sacha come over to play then Luke and Janine later in the day. Went to the doctors and found out I had a middle ear infection. Got some antibiotics and drops. Went shopping then went into Cathy's work to send a quick email home. Bed at 11pm (No spas!)

29 degrees. Very windy. Went to pick up Fay in Ringwood and drove into the city. Saw a Christmas show at the casino and caught the 109 tram into Port Melbourne to see the ocean.

Caught the tram back and walked along Southbank. Had dinner outside then went back to Fays sisters apartment on the 8th floor to have a rest.

Saw the Casino flames and left the city at 9.30pm.

Dropped Fay off home and called into the pharmacy to get some eardrops. Bed at 11.30pm.

We watched telly in the morning and spent all afternoon in the back garden. Filled the bin twice over with pruning. Had a very light shower of rain but stayed outsid because it ws so refreshing. Mass at St martins at 6pm with Father Peter - the quickest mass in history even with the singing. Had a spa again and in bed by 10pm. It was 32 deg today.