Melbourne: The 50th, Steam, and a Southern Ocean Roar

A familiar face greeted us as Two's Company pulled into Melbourne Cross Station. Within minutes, we were whisked away to Geelong, eventually arriving at the Brown’s family home in Drysdale.

Saturday brought a special occasion. Young Alex smashed a 50 not out—coincidentally, it was his dad Andrew’s 50th birthday celebration weekend!

All Aboard ‘The Q Train”

The evening was a fantastic blur of steam and fine dining.

Clickety, click went the tracks as we meandered through the Aussie countryside.

A lovely evening feasting and drinking, watching the world slide past the window.

Sunday Roasting Aussie Style

Sunday was Andrew's happy birthday BBQ. Two's Company met up with former teammate and BCC cricket pro Clinton and his wife Sarah Peake.

Cricket talk with Australians is like Rugby talk with Welshmen—it tumbled back like a glorious, long-lost memory.

A truly lovely afternoon concluded a wonderful weekend. Shame the weather was more like East Lancashire than the 30 degrees expected.

Mornington Peninsula: Gone in a Flash

We headed across the water to Sorrento. The ferry zipped across the bay, which felt vast, although as we sailed you could make out Melbourne in the distance and that was as the distance from Dover to Calais. James pressed himself to the glass, loving the salty air.

Then, a spectacular sight, but only for seconds: dolphins caressed the white tops next to the ferry. Such graceful animals! In the blink of an eye, the flash of beauty was gone.

We enjoyed an afternoon lunch, with views to die for so lovely back across the bay.

Melbourne - An Away Day from the Coast

Two's Company were back on their feet, navigating buses and trains. A good hike around the city sites, eventually lead us to the memorial of remembrance, such a poignant and perfectly laid out centre. 

The MCG and surrounding sporting venues was stunning, the scale was difficult to understand or capture. So many sporting greatest were recognised around the park from Tennis, Aussie Rules, Soccer and of course Cricket.

James was fortunate to get a photo with statues of some of his ideals from yesteryear.

The Great Ocean Road Adventure

Wednesday brought a trip down the fabulous Great

Ocean Road. Stunning ocean scenery was the order of the day.

We were in our element with all that coastline stretching out.

The wind, however, still wouldn’t let up. It made sure we didn't get over warm; it practically peeled the paint off the car.

Lunch was an event. A gang of bold Cockatoos descended, eyeing what they thought might make a tasty afternoon snack.

Learning from Helen, James huddled his plate closer, wary of the beautiful white, crested mobs. You won’t be surprised that one attempted a blindside manoeuvre but failed at the last second falling from its perch on James’ shoulder!  

The Day was Capped Off with...

…a fantastic evening stroll along the beach path. We even got a late sighting of a whole school of dolphins! Melbourne and Drysdale had been so much fun.

The following day, we left for Perth.

Two's Company take happy memories onward with us. A huge thanks to the Browns for their hospitality; see you all in England very soon!