Mia, Jules and I felt like celebrating yesterday, but I don't know why. We just did. So we jumped a train into Melbourne and went to a bar on the Yarra River opposite Southbank. It was wonderful to escape from life's realities for 2-3 hours.

We all had a glass of rose, and shared a chicken sandwich, three skewers of wagu beef, and one skewer of tuna. Having down that in record time, I shouted us a bottle of rose and a lobster roll. We sat, sipped, ate and chatted as life seemingly passed us by.

And after around 3 hours, we started walking back to Flinders Street Station.....but stopped at another bar where we shared a bowl of chips, and the two girls each had a glass of Pinot Gris, and I had a double shot flat white coffee.

Then we raced to catch the train....and it was only because I thrust a hand into the closing doorway that we managed to get aboard!

But, oh Lordy....the walking. It must have been at least 750 metres to and from the East Malvern station, and at least 1.5km (750m each way) in Melbourne. And that included ramps and stairs. I was exhausted by the time we reached home again, as I reckon I must have done around 3 kms all up.

The body handled this OK, but the increasing stiffness still greatly concerns me. No matter what I do, the right hand, arm and shoulder continue to work and move less and less, and nothing I do seems to prevent this from happening.....

Today proved just as tiring. Jules and I went Chadstone Shopping Centre - a massive centre, and arguably the biggest in Australia - and the walkng was nonstop for about 3 hours until I surrendered and sat in Cibo's cafe and sipped a triple shot Grande latte while Jules shopped til she almost dropped!!!

We purchased a birthday present for Mia, and successfully looked for swimwear for Jules, now I'm back at Mia's while Jules, Mia and the two boys are at tennis coaching.

We return to Hedgerow Cottage tomorrow, and it will be good to really be home. Tonight we are enjoying a bottle of rosé that I purchased yesterday. The weather is warm, the twilight will be good, and with Jules and Mia for company what more could I ask for? The answer undoubtedly is "nothing"!!!!