This year we have been a bit more meticulous in our preparations, from our cleaning, checking mechanicals plus tyre replacement. All our travelling friends again gathered in the Pub in the Paddock for a farewell meal and whilst we dined we spoke of our individual travels this year. We are all departing at different times therefore we may not meet on the road in the coming months. We have not planned our travel destinations other than our usual visit to my sister prior to boarding the Spirit of Tasmania for our journey across Bass Strait and then the stay at our daughters place for a few days. Our mate Eddie is in the hospital at Nhill so we expect to call in and see him in a week or so.

Thursday the 28th of May
We awoke to stormy weather and the rain just bucketed down, so much so we delayed our travels to Devonport until 1.30 pm. The winds were very high and we dropped into see my sister and spent some time having a cuppa and talking about things in general.
Back on the road we were being buffeted by very heavy gusts of wind nearly forcing us off the road and plenty of rain. On arriving at Devonport we drove up to the bluff and the sea's looked horrific which does not auger well our for trip across the water. We went once again to the maritime museum and had a cappacino and watched the surfer's catching the waves close to shore.
Around to East Devonport and had fish and chips with Debbie and Sophia and then onto the ferry. We were once again located on G deck close to the mezzanine floor. Into the cabin and then onto the lounge for a few happy hour drinks.
We were then underway and the first hour or so was ok and then we came into rough water which these ships seem to handle well.
Friday the 29th of May
We awoke this morning to darkness though we could see the various towns lighting lining the shores of Port Philip Bay. In no time at all we were down to our vehicles and waiting our turn to disembark. We were parked quite close to the mezzanine floor which I was watching closely I did not notice the car in the other lane come over and next thing I heard was bang! Looking in the rear vision mirror I had run into his rear vision mirror which was protruding into our lane. Well talk about a song and dance wanting to take pictures of this and that and photo's of license etc. I hopped out and inspected his mirror which went back into place with just a little of the white paint from our hot water heater. nothing a bit of polish won't fix.
We put that behind us and then went to Jen and Rob's place with no further hassles in the peak hour traffic. We set up and then went inside to say our hello's to our grand kids who were getting ready for school.
We repacked the motorhome and Digger and then jen took us to Aldi's for a few groceries and then onto Big W and bought cans of gas then onto Ikea to have a late lunch and then purchase some lights for Robert and then out into the traffic and home. The first thing I noticed as we drove past service stations was that the price of diesel is some 16 cents a litre cheaper than Launceston. Relaxed for the rest of the afternoon and then had our meal and settled in to watch the Sydney V Carlton game of football and then off to bed.

Saturday the 30th of May
Excellent sleep in the motorhome last night our first of the trip and many more to come. This morning was very sunny with no wind and it was a pleasure having breakfast by the window with the sun streaming in.
After breakfast we went along with the family to watch Lucas play soccer and though are small they certainly get into it, Lucas was doing a lot of running and challenging for the ball. They had a 20 minute half and then oranges for half time then another half. Then they swapped teams to play and it was on again. We really enjoyed the game and watching our grandson play and then home for lunch.
After lunch Andrea our grand daughter came to visit and then the woman went out for some retail therapy with Liz having a gift card to use. I went and filled the gerry cans with diesel and then the fuel drums for both chainsaw and generator and topped up Digger total cost being $114. The diesel this morning had dropped to $1.21.3 a litre times sixty litre's. The motorhome will be filled on monday on the way out of Melbourne.
The rest of the afternoon I had a poppy nap in between watching the football Hawthorn V Gold Coast Suns. We had pizza's for our evening meal cooked on Jen's new pizza cooker.
Then watched the other game of football between Essendon V Richmond and then off to bed

Sunday the 31st of May
A cool morning and after we showered and had breakfast we were off to watch Oliver play his game of soccer. For youngsters the skill level of their game is very high with some more so. Oliver showed skills and did a lot of running back to help defend the goals, in all it was a delightful few hours though a cold wind was present. Back home to prepare for our trip to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch the Collingwood V North Melbourne clash.
We went off to a newly opened Vietnamese Restaurant in Fairfield for an enjoyable lunch which consisted of various large bowls of soup and small spring rolls. All excellent though I made the fatal mistake of placing to much chilli into the soup along with bean sprouts and the heat was nearly overpowering it certainly cleared the sinus's.
Then down to the train station at Fairfield bound for the MCG. Liz looked resplendent in her Collingwood regalia, there were plenty of fans of both teams on the train as well as the boys Jen were excited with the day at the football.

Off the train and down the long ramp to the MCG and it was crowded and the rain had started so it made the day dreary. The game was not due to start until 3.30 pm
so we were a little early and firstly we had to wait for Andrea to arrive before we went looking for our seats.
We were lucky that Jen had reserved seats on the lower level under the mezzanine floor for later in the day the rain teemed down and those out in the open really were getting drenched though with the excitement of the game it did not worry them to much in their poncho's.
It was chilly though we were all well rugged up and it wasn't long before the game started and North Melbourne were scoring at will and it wasn't long before they were out to a 39 point lead. In the second quarter they extended the lead again and it was very quiet around the ground. Then Collingwood started to turn it around and we have never heard noise like it especially when they were chanting Collingwooooooooood over and over again. The turn around was unexpected and it made for a more interesting game and when the rain came down heavy in the last quarter it was obvious that Collingwood was handling it better and run out 17 point winners of the match.
By now it was dark and we had to climb uphill in the rain to get to the train station to head for Fairfield. All in all it has been a good day where we relaxed at home for the night before going off to bed. This is the last of the Melbourne family visit for we will be on the road heading inland tomorrow.