Melbourne Cup Day & ........ WORK!

Flew from Perth to Melbourne, not my best flight ever. A bit of Turbulence made me and Simon feel slightly sick! James picked us up from the Airport and on the way to his house we went for a couple of welcome drinks in St Kilda. Was great to catch up with him. He is still as nutty as ever!

Stayed at his in a Caravan parked on his front Lawn. The whole family were really welcoming. Big family as well. Every day I met someone new in his family. Think he's got 2 sisters and 4 or 5 bro's, plus god knows how many cousin's.

Preparations for Melbourne Cup Day. One of the biggest sport events in the calendar for Australians. They even have the day off as a Holiday! Unbelievable how many Bank Holidays they have over here. Went in search for a suit for myself and Simon. James had a friend who was willing to lend me his. He's a big fellow so probably would fit - Didn't! But his shoes did! So off to the Factory outlet we went, day before the cup! Picked the cheapest suit I could, job done! Simon on the other hand, being the slightly funny shape that he is wasn't quite so easy. Picked a nice grey suit and had to have it altered, meaning we'd have to return the next morning to pick it up.

Cup day arrives. Rushing round like a bunch of idiots finally got everything organised. Met everyone at a great little cafe in St Kilda for Breakfast at around 11 o'clock. Best BLT I have ever had. One I will be recommending to my parents when they get to Melbourne in a few weeks. Grabbed a taxi to Flemington Race Course. By this point there was about 12 of us.

What can I say about race day? Well, it was all about James. He's the funniest guy I have ever met. Everyone loves the act he puts on once he's had only two smirnoff Ice's. He's actually Bi-sexual and his camp side really comes out when he's had a couple. Within the first half an hour of being at the course he was stripping in the middle of the crowd as a show for a girl who's birthday it was. The girl who called him over only wanted him to wish her happy birthday in his weird way, but no, she had "Happy Birthday" sung to her and a striptease instead. James waving his shirt round his head in the middle of 100,000 people was quite a sight! James really made the day, we had such a great laugh. I really can't describe how he is. You would only get the idea if you met him.

Didn't do much gambling, but had to put a couple of quid on a horse called "Short Pause" in the cup race. It was 50/1 but still I thought with the name I had to do it, just thought luck might bring it in. Umm, no. But hey it was fun to experience a race day on such a big event day.

Had a pizza at Banff in St Kilda after the races. James got thrown out of the cafe/resaurant coz he stood on a chair and told a joke. He received a standing ovation, but management weren't too impressed! Booooo! Headed to The Vineyard after, got chatting to James' cousin Velvet. Really nice girl. Still stick with Jennifer Aniston over Angelina Jolie, she's understand!

With the fun over it was time for work! Thats right...work! James told it would be easy work, just sweeping and clearing up rubbish. Easy money we thought. Drove all the way over into the Grampiens in West Victoria for the job he was working on in Arrarat. Simon swept all day, really slowly - purposely! And I worked my arse off! I was really tired after the first day and my feet had some nice blisters from the steel toe caps. I had been spreadin glue all day with a roller and laying carpet out for him. The bonus in this was that we got to stay in Halls Gap YHA. Its an eco hostel. One of the nicest hostels I've stayed in I would say. Second day wasn't so bad. I was allowed to wear my trainers, thank god!

Moved into Base Backpackers in St Kilda for a few nights. James was working again the next week so we didn't wanna be hanging around his house when he wasn't around. Also Simon was yet to see much of Melbourne. Gav came and met us for my birthday. Was great to catch up and had a laugh with him. Had a really ncie Indian. Then tried to get into a couple of places, but coz it was sunday everywhere had guest lists, even though they were empty. So ended up in The Elephant and Wheelbarrow for the night. Had a great time and a memorable Birthday.

Left the rain and hail of Melbourne for Cairns. Flight was delayed by over and hour due to bad weather in both Melbourne and on the East Coast. Had to change flights at Brisbane which was a hassle but we got there eventually!

Writing this and the last entry from Magnetic Island. I will tell you all about it next time.