Right, I really have to catch up now, so here is my 5th week in Australia...
On Saturday me and Will set off for the snow - not at the 5am start we firstly considered, but we set off with the dogs to drive towards the hills until we found snow - Will had been checking the forecast for the last 24 hours and we had a vague idea what direction we were heading in...the white stuff on top of the hills!
On the way we took a small detour to Yarra Valley Dairy to taste some cheese and wine - which we did, then we bought some cheese (called 'George') and wine - that wasn't predictable at all! We continued on our journey again, and at one point all the trees were burnt which was the Black Saturday fires that destroyed the whole area including the town of Marysville that the fire ripped through, and destroyed everything apart from a couple of buildings. It is a strange place to drive through, with so many new-build houses going up everywhere and people living in caravans where their house used to stand. Anyway, we continued into the Yarra Ranges National Park and continued into the hills until we found what we deemed a suitable amount of snow. Getting out the car made me very grateful I had brought my many layers with me, and donned my scarf, hat and an extra hoodie before venturing out into the cold. We took the dogs up a track and it wasn't long before they were frolicking about - Turnip really looked the part as she was running through the snow which was a good few inches deep - and Joey just looked ridiculous as usual! We found some more, much better snow and it really was like being back at home - I came all the way to Australia just to find snow! On our way back we stopped at a local brewery, and I had an amazing cider - it'll take a lot to beat that one, but Will had a beer whcih tasted of chocolate and coffee - even better! We got home and Toni had made Mac & Cheese for dinner - just what we needed after such a chilly day - comfort food. 
The next day I pottered into the City, and to Vicotria Market, which I have been meaning to go to for ages, and finally made it - and it is so worth it! Within about an hour I had wandered about, and bought myself a great bread roll, and a little chunk of cheese and sat and made a little cheese sandwich, and then had cake and coffee all bought from the market. Bloody great! It does also have a whole bunch of people selling absolute crap which you have never wanted - but that's what's great about markets! After I had wandered about enough I headed off to the Immigration Museum - which was an odd choice, but really interesting actually, and in a beautiful building too. Was really nice to just take it all in - and slightly curse at the fact it is now so hard to move here! It used to be so easy! The rest of the day was spent on the free tram around the city, randomly jumping off at points which I thought looked intriguing - including Phil & Rowan's work, and from there I just walked through Chinatown and eventually through some back streets back to the train station.
As I judge all cities I visit by the quality of their zoo, I decided it was time to go and see Melbournes and be able to make an informed decision on this city. As Will had never been either, off we went to Royal Melbourne Zoo. Fancy name - good start. And, in my humble opinion, it is a great zoo - points being taken off for the strange lay-out that just get's you lost - but the animals are amazing. Also, saw one I have never heard of before - a Tree Kangaroo - and they had a whole bunch of tiger cubs which were just playing with each other and learning how to hunt - gorgeous creatures that I am certain would make a good house pet! The best bit was the monkeys though - as usual! They have a huge viewing area over the cages, and the orangutangs came and sat right by the glass so everyone could admire them properly. 
The next day I went to the Botanics with Phil & Rowan and decided to cycle part way there as it was a nice day, and I think it has been years since I was on a bike, and as Will's one was huge it turned out to be slightly more annoying than a normal bike ride - as every time I stopped I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get going again without falling off, not the relaxing bike ride I had in mind, but it was still much quicker than walking, so one positive came out of it at least! The Botanics are beautiful and it was such a good day to be just walking about and enjoying the sun and the surroundings - and the lovely tea room by the side f the lake! We did see a turtle too, soaking up the sun which was pretty awesome, and I am sure there was much more wildlife there that we missed! We went for lunch in a great old American diner that Phil & Rowan had found before, and had a full meal of retro food, including an ince-cream float (called 'Spiders' here for some reason?) and a banana split for pudding - great place, complete with a proper jukebox and a full cabinet of Elvis photos and ornaments! So, after stuffing my face with ice cream and chips I was glad to have to bike to get home - and at least feel slightly healthier on the way home - as I rode along the river in the sun I really did feel like a kid again, until I fell off. 
The next day I braved the bike again - to go up to Seddon to pick up some leaflets for Will, and everything was fine, until I realised that my bag was slowly wearing a whole in my knee. After a quick re-shuffle I was off again. Until I fell off again, and I decided enough was enough, that no-matter what bad things I have said about my own bike - I love it. With my one errand done, I decided I deserved a cake and coffee to soothe the growing pain in my knee (I like to justify the cakes I have with flimsy self-sympathy!). So, I walked the bike back to Yarraville, and went to investigate the Sun Theatre and to see Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps. The actual cinema is brilliant and old, and kind of like the Cameo, but slightly more modern on the inside. So, I got my 'choc top' ice cream and box of sweeties and went up to the screen to find out that there was only one other person there - so the two of us sat and watched the film, and I almost felt like offering him some sweets..but didn't. It's a great film, and I really enjoyed it, but I don't have the best taste in films, so don't take my word as gospel!
The next evening was Will's Citizenship ceremony, which was all very official and Will was more excited about the Bulldogs scarf he got given, and didn't refrain from woofing when the speaker mentioned the 'doggies'. We went to the Station Hotel for dinner which is a great pub, and we had eggplant parma washed down with some pretty good beer! I am still not entirely certain what 'parma' is - but it is very good.
As I had downloaded some recipes for stuff, I decided a day of baking was required, so headed off to get the ingredients before going to the end of festival Fringe party. It was an interesting afternoon with the Fringe staff - with a lot of dressing up and an interpretive dance by some of the management team to 'Circle of Life' in animal costumes...maybe you had to be there!?
The next day we all decided to go to the markets which were around the area, so started the day, in the rain at Yarraville Farmer's Market, which was all to be expected from a small rainy market - although Will bought some Catnip which apparently deters mosquitoes, so that'll be good if it works as I am being eaten alive! And we got a drink too, which was my first chai tea latte since I get here - not bad really! Then we jumped back into the car and were off to Abbotsford Farmers Market which had an amazing selection of cheese - some of which was purchased to accompany 'George', our cheese from Yarra Valley Dairy.The next market was Rose Street Artist Market which was full of lovely lovely thing, and it is a good thing I didn't have cash on me or I would have bough a lot of random but beautiful things! There was just so much there, and it'll be great to go back to for presents - maybe just presents for me! We then met Chloe for a beer in Smith Street with the dogs and then me and Will headed home leaving Toni and Chloe drinking...
That's been my action packed week, still so much to do though...including perfect the frangipane tarts because although they tasted good, they really weren't cooked!
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