With now just one week left to go here in Australia, time and the opportunities of spending time with them – friends (as well as the money required for destinations to travel to/back from) – are precious.
I was really hoping I could get to visit friends in Melbourne and Adelaide whilst here. Sadly I had to forego the Adelaide trip early on as fares weren’t as affordable as I was hoping… just that time of year, you know? And even Melbourne wasn’t looking great, but after days of trying to work out a time to fit it in, I booked a flight to Melbourne to go down on New Year’s Eve and return the following day on New Year’s Day.
Ally met me at Avalon Airport. We hugged for the longest time. We drove in towards the city centre and stopped for coffee along the way to her home. And cake…
I met two little tubby tornadoes in the form of the pet bulldogs.
Ally soon had me labelled ‘the dog whisperer’. Lol
New Year’s Eve was low key and quiet. I drove Ally and her husband, Steve, nuts with my endless squeals of delight as the trams went by as we made our way to a vegan restaurant in Fitzroy for our evening meal.
Mushroom ‘squid’, spicy tofu bao buns and vegetable gyoza on the menu for starters and a katsu (which really didn’t resemble a katsu much to me) for main.
A stop off at a local pub on the way back – I had a beautiful tasting Four Pillars g&t – and we were back home about 9pm.
We talked and watched some SM. We brought in the New Year watching Jim and having a wee dram (an actual drambuie) at midnight.
A relaxing start to the morning on New Year’s day. Coffee and breakfast in bed.
A trip to the city centre, a stroll along the banks of the Yarra, lunch, a short tram ride and then it was time to get to Avalon for the flight back to Sydney.
A very fleeting visit – just on 30 hours and it was over. But it was worth it for that precious time with my beautiful friend.
Ally – I love you to the moon and back!
Happy New Year to all who read this silly old fan blog. Thank you x
