We had chosen the last week in August for our first-ever holiday with neighbours. We were going to spend a week on a houseboat on the Murray River and this time of the year was a bit cheaper. We were pretty confident we could keep the chill from our door with copious amounts of red wine. Time will tell.

We left home at 7am – Mick drove us to Brisbane Airport in record time. His brother Bernie then headed off in Mick’s old Statesman back to our home as Bernie is going to house sit for us. While we have house sat around the world for different people, this would be our first time having a house sitter. Poor Bernie – I am an obsessive compulsive house keeper, I just hope we can remain friends after the experience. At least there will always be the Cavanagh blood to connect us.

Our Tiger Airways flight went without a hitch and it was so nice to arrive in an actual terminal rather than a shed as has been the case for the last few years. After catching the Skybus into town we then had four hours to kill before our train to Echuca departed. We spotted two pubs across the road from Southern Cross Station and chose the Mail Exchange where we enjoyed a nice lunch. I obviously have not bought a bottle of red wine in Australia for awhile as I was shocked when I was informed that a bottle of house red would cost me $37. Regardless, I went ahead with the purchase as I felt it would help the four hours go more quickly. I was really missing Spain and its very cheap and good red wine.

It was pretty cold on the platform in Melbourne as we waited for our train and so we lost no time in boarding when told to. We accidentally selected a Quiet Carriage which had signs all over it advising passengers to turn down electronic devices and to speak quietly. We were then somewhat bemused by Sue who sat across from us who spoke at the top of her voice initially to Jim and then to Greg, for almost the first half hour until the signal dropped out. She found it hard to hear because her furry hat covered her ears. She is having tomorrow off, she enjoyed her trip to Geelong, and most importantly, she does not have cancer. Now that was a relief to all of us on the train.

She did, however, spend a good two hours picking strange stuff out of her ear in readiness for the next phone call and practicing for the world nasal noises competition to be held next month, apparently, in Geelong! And all of this while deftly juggling both sets of wayward false teeth.

Once at our hotel we found Derek and Helen’s room and enjoyed a few red wines before heading to bed. Tomorrow we are to pick up the boat. Until then…