The Long, Long, Journey Home

And so it begins; with time differences, Ian has calculated we will be travelling for 48 hours - still at least we are both feeling a lot better than when we embarked on the outbound journey.

We had a nice lie in and then left the hotel at 1100 to catch the Skybus to the airport.  The bus left from just behind our hotel and of course we were there early so having carefully packed all my camera gear away I then had to get it back out to photograph trucks (seen loads all holiday but not taken many pictures).

(no it's not your eyes, the truck isn't in focus - oops!)

And a couple more dizzying skyscrapers.  The first is currently Melbourne's tallest but will be superseded by the second one on its completion.

The trip to the airport was non eventful and with 2+ hours until the flight we took advantage of our BA Silver Status and enjoyed the Qantas Lounge which is one of the nicest we've been in.  The flight was full and having booked a window seat for me and aisle for Ian, we didn't communicate much across the middle person (who did offer to swop).  Nothing on the menu for me but I'd eaten plenty beforehand.

A few photos as we neared Perth.

This isn't the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Super Pit as it's too close to Perth, but it's certainly a big hole.

Unfortunately we had a couple of hours to wait at Perth before we could check-in, although Qatar weren't quite the sticklers for the 3 hours as they were in Gotenburg.  The lounge was very, very quiet and I was able to enjoy a lovely shower and change of clothes.

The flight was considerably busier than on the way out and although the staff were lovely, I did feel we were rather rushed through everything and the food wasn't very nice at all (in fact I had to double check they'd served me what I'd ordered as some bits weren't obvious - like the raita! and the chicken was horrid) and Ian's lamb was completely inedible.

Anyway, somehow the 12 hours passed with some sleep and a couple of films and we duly landed in Doha at 0555 with a couple of hours until the next flight.  We arrived at a completely different part of the massive airport and although the transit area was much quieter, unfortunately we then had a very long walk plus a train ride to the lounge.  Second time around though the lounge wasn't quite as intimidating and after a cup of tea/coffee we headed to the bistro for a sandwich and glass of fizz.

Boarding the next flight was very strange indeed, we left plenty of time to get to the gate (via train and long walk again) but when we arrived we were told to wait as a special bus was coming for us (and the 7 other business class passengers).  We stood around and waited whilst all the others left and eventually our bus turned up - quite frankly I don't know why we couldn't have all shared the same bus.  By the time we boarded there was barely enough time for a sip of fizz before the glass was taken away for take-off - what a waste.

Either the crew were new or Qatar don't consider this route warrants their best staff ,but everything seemed hard work - from translating what was said to actually getting what you order - I even had to remind them about my chocolates (and Ian never did get his).  Or, maybe we were just tired!!!

But we survived, had something to eat, watched a film or two and once again the time passed.

The wait at Gotenburg we pretty dire though, as we'd landed around 1300 and our flight out wasn't until 1840.  We checked in at the automated kiosk but couldn't print out luggage tags so had to wait around until the BA desk opened.  Then there was a queue for the Vinga Lounge because they had run out of crockery and glasses - have you ever heard such a thing.  The food in there is so minimal I'm surprised any crockery is needed and anyway it was shutting at 1815!!

Flight home was the worst, full of screaming children but at least we landed half-hour early and didn't have too long to wait for the cases.  Don the taxi man was waiting for us and we warned him we wouldn't be very chatty.  Understatement, we were both asleep before we left the airport complex and Ian woke up passing Clacket Lane and me at the M25/A2 roundabout.  Really glad neither of us had to drive.

So to the big question - was Oz Awesome?  For us, sadly no - but principally not feeling well for a lot of the time has clouded our opinions.  Also the parts we visited just weren't that foreign and quite frankly were boring for a lot of the time.  Will we go again? Maybe to visit Queensland/Sydney and of course drop in on the family but not somewhere we're desperate to go back to.

G’day and thanks for following us around.

Melbourne 2 - PM

On then to the Sofitel Hotel, where Toby had told us the 35th floor restaurant loos afforded the most amazing, free, views of Melbourne.  We blagged our way past the concierge saying we were meeting friends for lunch and then wizzed up in the lift for a quick look.

  

The inside was quite impressive too.

We then decided a river boat trip would be a good idea and the Garden Tour sounded quite nice and also we'd already seen the docklands area by tram.  Unfortunately by the time we sailed at 1600 the weather had clouded over (we spoke to Toby later who said it was smoke from the fires again) and all there was to see was buildings and rowers really, no gardens whatsoever.

Making use of one of the many public riverside BBQ areas.

The supports of this bridge have been turned into a climbing wall.

Turning old commercial buildings like this plastic factory into housing is the current "in" idea.

Sadly it must rate as the most boring boat trip ever and when I mentioned this at the end to the boat driver/commentator he totally agreed (of course I made it clear it was no reflection on his entertaining commentary).

I know neither of us are the nattiest dressers, but I so wish I hadn't lost my nerve for street photography as we've seen more fashion disasters in Melbourne than anywhere on earth and at times have been doubled up with laughter.  But I think this young lady on the river cruise took the biscuit.

And one from the tow path.

For years I've been asking Ian to take me to a cricket or rugby match in a big stadium, so as it was our last evening and we'd walked the streets of Melbourne enough, we decided to go back to The 'G' and watch the T20 match.  I think the ticket price of just £12.50 swayed him somewhat.

The match was due to start at 1940 and we got there way too early at about 1800 in case tickets were scarce - they weren't, in fact only about 10% of seats were taken and numerous sections were closed off to ensure that what few spectators there were, were bundled together.  An awful lot of razzamatazz goes on and we had all sorts of promotional goodies pressed on us; glasses, flags, buckets (apparently to wear on our heads - so we did).

Warming up.

These lads came in with armfuls of buckets and we soon realised why.

I'd decided not to bother taking a camera but so wish I had - there was a cheer leader acrobatic group that did amazing routines whenever the home team scored 4 or 6, but the lag on my phone meant I missed every one.

It was a really good evening, with the Melbourne Stars winning (in fact we left 2 overs before the end to miss the "crowds" as it was clear who would win and go on to the final in Sydney on Sunday).

I think this is the first night we've stayed up past 2100 - must be feeling better!

Melbourne 2 - AM

We were up and about fairly early this morning as we've booked on a tour of the MCG - Melbourne Cricket Ground -  The 'G' - one of the most iconic stadia in the world.

The ground is in Yarra Park only a couple of kms away, so we decided to walk along the river and this part of it reminded me very much of Richmond, with many boathouses and lots of activity going on with rowing boats.

We asked one chap if there was a regatta happening, which there was but out of town and the activity was them getting ready to leave - shame.

The riverside paths are shared with walkers, cyclists, joggers et al.

It really was a beautiful morning.

The walk should have been easy, except for the Australian Tennis Open which had finished the previous weekend and the whole area around the Rod Laver Arena (which is next door to the MCG).

was a giant de-construction site with all the temporary things erected for the tournament like corporate hostility being dismantled.  Anyway to cut a long story short, we walked all around both the Rod Laver Arena and the MCG before finally reaching the correct entrance - good job we'd left the hotel an hour earlier than should have been necessary.

Outside the ground were statues of two greats of Australian Cricket - Shane Warne, a Victorian (makes me giggle) and Dennis Lillie, who although from Western Australia took a large proportion of his test wickets on this ground.

Our tour guide Phil was extremely interesting and entertaining too.

I was surprised to learn that not only cricket is played in the MCG, but numerous other sports including Aussie Rules, Soccer, Rugby Union, Tennis, Real Tennis, Lacrosse, Hockey, Netball and Phil's sport of Baseball.  After each cricket season the pitch is taken up and replaced by one suitable for winter football, and then returned the following year.  Just imagine that happening at Lord's.

Touching the hallowed turf.

Seating capacity is 100,024 (currently the largest in the world, although Eden Park, Kolkata is currently being extended).

There is a match being played this evening so we couldn't visit the changing rooms (good job too -probably smelly anyway!).  The view from the top was pretty impressive.

 And looking down onto the pitch.

Tonight's match is a T20 between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder so their logos are being painted on the turf (with food dye apparently).

Plus that of the sponsors - KFC.

The geometric patterns are incredibly precise.

This board details the record wickets and runs made at the ground, firstly domestic and then international.  Viv Richards held the batting record until Cook's 244 and apparently his name came down that very night.

The tour ran well over the scheduled 75 mins and Phil made it very interesting.

We walked about 20 mins to within the free tram zone and then caught a tram to the State Library which is a magnificent building.  We could have spent the whole day there looking at the various exhibitions.

Street chess outside the library.