Claire phoned this morning. That was good. Hearing her voice has this effect on me which can only best be described as an erection. She's on her way to Stockholm for a few days, taking Rebecca's bag and clothes!

Headed out north west of Melbourne today, out past the airport. First stop was at Woodland Historic Park and a chance to see a whole load of wild kangaroos. Then onto the Organ Pipes, which weren't too spectacular although after the walk we did to get to them I was pretty knackered and I was concentrating more on the thousands of bull ants that were around.

Mount Macedon was good. The drive up took a while and once parked up and further short walk took us to the Memorial Cross that's up there. Some great views of the surrounding area as well.

Sausages for lunch. Nothing spectacular, just a case of using the local facilities (ie barbi). Couldn't sit down though due to a massive hairy caterpiller crawling around the area we were using.

And finally onto Hanging Rock itself. Famous for the story of the 2 girls and a picnic there. A bit more of a walk around and a lack of photographs due to a very dead camera battery.

My feet ache now, as do my calves. It's all beed up and down today and the calf pain is all because of the unbelievably steep incline at the Organ Pipes.

Thai dinner tonight and off to Tasmania tomorrow.

Wonder if Claire's got a good map of tassie?

What a fun day out it's been!

Headed off into the Dandenongs. Basic concept - Get out of Melbourne and just follow the extremely aptly named Dandenong Tourist Road.

First stop was a series of mountain paths. Like all tourist areas in Aus there are options, invariably being easy ones, medium ones and hard ones. We didn't really do any of them today though, just ambled round a bit and had a look at the various ANZAC memorials that are dotted about.

Further up the road and a stop at the famous Miss Marple's Tea Room. It's always fun to see something 'English' in a foreign country. Have to say that although they tasted very pleasant the scones need some work. What the Tea Room served was a cake. Not the same thing at all.

Further up the road and into Olinda for a pie (a lot of eating going on today), stopping further up the road at the William Ricketts Sanctuary. A wonderful and fascinating place. Beautiful and tranquil. Ricketts lived and worked here, carving sculptures in the trees or rocks. He was a very spiritual man and in touch with the aboriginal culture and beliefs. His work reflects that a lot.

Continuing on to the Chandon winery for a quick tasting. I sat this one out and took photos instead.

No money left. A bit worrying. I've not got to wait 8 days before pay day. Had five hours sleep last night. Feel exhausted today. Did a spot of shopping this morning.

Today's main event was the football, Saints v Tigers at the Telstradome. That was a whole heap of fun. Aussie Rules is a game that at first glance feels like it should be called Aussie No-Rules Football. It's only when various actual rules get explained that I began to really get into and enjoy it all. Fortunately I had 2 people explaining odds and ends to me as the game progressed.

The Saints won in the end, as it was suggested by all that they would. Will's a Saints fan so was happy with the outcome. Beck is a Tiger but he didn't come with us in the end, choosing instead to spend the day with his dad. I've had to become a Saints fan now. My brother is and Claire is so there's not really an option here!

It's also noticably different from watching football in England. There's no great animosity between supporters. Everyone mixes in together, everyone hurls abuse more at their own team than the opposition. Old women sit near the front with their knitting passing comment as players come near them.

We all went for a pint at the Royal Melbourne Hotel afterwards.

Down the Mornington Peninsula at Anne and Gerald's farm. Anne being Georgie's mum and Gerald her step-dad. Beck managed to throw up on the way here. Didn't even give us a chance to leave Melbourne before he did it either so we all had a half hour break while the rental car was cleaned out.

It's been a fun weekend. We all had dinner last night with more of the family, 12 people in total. Roast lamb with a load of extras. Georgie managed to spill pumpkin all over mym mum. I managed to stay awake till 1.30am. Everyone just sat around the table talking till late into the night. I ended up telling everyone about Claire and Anne now wants me to come and live in Australia. I promised her I'd be back next year.

Slept till around 9.30 in the morning. There was little need to get up but I did anyway. My head felt about ready to explode. Didn't feel too bad but I had a careful morning. I was lying in bed sending texts to Claire. She was sending any back. I just kept sending her some in my drunken state.

Lunch was at Willow Creek Winery. Had pheasant sausages and chicken. Very good food.

Spent most of the day on Phillip Island. The local penguins there are a tourist attraction. They come in from the sea every night and us wonderful humans get charged to watch them. No photographs though, that's not allowed. With it being Easter weekend the place was packed out and there weren't that many penguins either. It was interesting to see them in their nests as we walked back though.

Yesterday I told Claire that I was falling in love with her. It's hard not to, she's so damn perfect in every way.

I rang her later in the night. It turns out that she was replying to my druken texts. I just wasn't getting them. She'd got cross with me thinking I was ignoring her. Felt really good to talk to her. Have to do it more often.

Claire's been a bit distant. She was a bit off with me last night. She was out though. Maybe I'm just worrying over nothing.

Had the day at the house, mostly on my own. Did very little, watched some tv, masturbated, read and spent a lot of time texting Claire. She bothered that I haven't told anyone about her. I don't know why I haven't but then sometimes I'm not very good at telling anyone anything. What do you say when these things come up. I'll be asked a barrage of questions about someone I've never actually met. I shouldn't worry about these things. Have to stop that, go with the flow a bit more.

I've written her another postcard. I'm doing them every 3-4 days now.

Missed a visit to Captain Cook's house today. I had to stay here though, my feet have been killing me. They needed a rest. Just a lazy Friday.

Not too much on TV either. All cheap and cheerful, alot of imported stuff from the USA and England. I guess Aussie's have better things to do than sit and watch TV all day. Right now I'd be happy just cuddled up with Claire.

Interesting that when I went to post the postcard someone pulled up and asked where Barrow St was. There's me, only knowing 2-3 streets in Coburg having come from the other side of the world and been here only a short time and I can help an Aussie find a street.