Saturday, 3rd. August, '02.

Home,
Croydon.

After Yoko has unpacked and settled in, it's off grocery shoping ! Down to Arndale shopping centre, where we buy noodles, vegetables, bananas and essential ice cream.

Sunday, 4th. August '02.

Croydon Market, Mt. Dandenong.

Monday, 5th. August '02.

Main Street.

Tuesday, 6th. August, '02.

With Yoko being here, I've decided it's a good time to upgrade my computer, so off to Nirvana in Main Street.

Tonight Yoko was guest of the Lions Club of Croydon, and met all the other members. Between us all we'll show her around so she'll have plenty to report to her own Club, once she returns home.

Wednesday, 7th. August, 02.

Why did I think a computer upgrade would be trouble-free ? Nothing but error messages and time-consuming re-building, so I'm very grateful to Lion Doreen and Lion Patricia for taking Yoko up to Chirnside Park for the afternoon.

Then it's back to the jigsaw in the evening, while I continue to struggle, even with email.

Thursday, 8th. August, 02.

No, I give in. Back to Nirvana to replace a faulty thing, while Yoko wanders around Croydon. By the time everything is working again, it's off to Australian Automated Air, as part of a tour organised by the Croydon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ooops - surely we're not late ? Yes, we certainly are, it was yesterday. May as well head to the Dorset for dinner anyway.

Friday, 9th. August '02.

Rhododendron Gardens, Olinda. Yoko cooked dinner.

Saturday, 10th. August '02.

Leaving home around midday, we drove North through Launching Place and the Yarra Valley vineyards, stopping at De Bortoli's for lunch.

Although we didn't have a reservation, we were given a lovely table for two beside a window looking out over the carpark to the extensive plantings on the rolling hills.

Service was friendly and first class, and we both chose the baby barramundi served on a bed of spinach. The entire decor was Mediterranean-style with roman blinds, terracotta-washed walls and cornices, warm, sunny, and inviting.

Leaving after a very pleasant, leisurely lunch, we drove another hour through Yea, along the Goulburn Valley Highway to Trawool.

Trawool Valley Resort,
Trawool.

Have often driven past here on my way to and from Seymour, and it certainly is a luxurious oasis in the middle of the picturesque countryside.

We have a family suite complete with kitchenette and spa bath which overlooks the Trawool Valley.

Dinner in restaurant.

Sunday, 11th. August '02.

Seymour - Lions, squash

Monday, 12th. August '02.

Stopped at Wallan for lunch. This is where part of the 'Mad Max' movie was shot, then drove onto Beveredge, the birth place of bushranger Ned Kelly. Spent time in the nearby maze and bird park talking to the cockatoos, avoiding the black swans, phographing the emus.

Departed - afternoon

Tuesday, 13th. August '02.

Lazy day. Lunch at Gloria's On Main. Collected photos, hired videos. Cloudy, sunny, windy and raining, not necissarily all at the same time.

Wednesday, 14th. August '02.

Time for another of the Australian essential food groups - Pizza !

Thuesday, 15th. August '02.

Healesville Sanctuary.

Friday, 16th. August '02.

Eastland.

Saturday, 17th. August '02.

Mooroolbark, shopping. Yoko cooked dinner.

Sunday, 18th. August '02.

Feeding the ducks. Movies. Crisp, clear, sunny day.

Monday, 19th. August '02.

Ok, so we both slept in. Too late for the lunchtime train, so we'll make that tomorrow.

Tuesday, 20th. August '02.

Spring weather, ideal for spending in the hills. Off up to Belgrave, and Puffing Billy. Sitting in the dining car as we weave through mountain ash, small townships and bush, enjoying the scenery, the company, and lunch of quiche. A brief walk around Lakeside before we re-board to be served devonshire tea. Delicious !

Croydon Lions Club meeting.

Wednesday, 21st. August '02.

Everyone has been telling me I must take Yoko into the city, so she may wander around Queen Victoria Market. This will also make it a quicker trip out to the airport, so we leave home around lunchtime.

Le Meridien,
Melbourne.

Yet no-one mentioned the market is closed on Monday and Wednesday ? So after we check in, off to the Rialto observation deck next door. I had work to do, so sent Yoko off on her own for the afternoon, exploring.

After Yoko returned, a game or two on the in-house Play Station, and off downstairs for dinner. Not that either of us were really hungry ! These past weeks have been a food-fest, and Yoko keeps saying she will diet once she's back home.

'Lord of the Rings' is available on the in-house movies, so even though it's late when we return to our room, I watch it to the end, and Yoko falls asleep.

Thursday, 22nd. August '02.

Breakfast downstairs, calm and unhurried. The chauffered car is booked for 10.30, as Yoko leaves at midday for a few days in Sydney before returning home.

At the airport we meet up with other Lions Youth Exchange students, their host families, and sit around swapping stories. Also meet MD335 Youth Exchange coordinator and Nippon Travel Agency representative.

I'll miss you, Koko. I've thoroughly enjoyed having you here, your company, your smile. Now it's back to microwave dinners for me.

Tullamarine to Sydney, Qantas QF430.

How far is it ? - 429 miles - 1hr 20mins.