The last couple of weeks have seen a couple of new experiences added to the list of things we have done in Australia, firstly with hot air ballooning and followed up this weekend with an Australian camping trip.

After being cancelled first time out by bad weather our second attempt at hot air ballooning got off the ground a couple of weekends ago. A 3.30am call to the ballooning company confirmed that the weather was in our favour and we therefore dragged ourselves out of bed for a 5.00 rendezvous at the Sofitel.

Having met our pilot we headed off to the launch site, stopping on the way to let off a small helium balloon to confirm the wind direction.

We made our way to the part of the river known as Yarra Bend which was to be our take off site and began to prepare the balloons. As the sun came up, the balloon itself rose and we jumped into the basket (which was pretty crowded with 10 people in it) to begin our glide over the city.

The trip was a combination of loud bursts as the burner was fired to maintain our height (which also toasted the tops of our heads) and serene quiet as we drifted firstly over parkland and then over the outskirts of the city. We didn't get as high as would normally be the case, only going up to about 1,000 feet. Another ballooning company was having a few issues that day and needed to use the higher airspace in an attempt not to drift out into the bay. The low flight certainly had its advantages though and gave us a different perspective of the city and showed some things you never knew existed, including a few buildings with tennis courts on their roofs. One highlight, for me probably more than MInda, was floating over the sporting complexes of Olympic Park, including past the MCG.

After about 50 minutes in the air our pilot brought us down gracefully into Albert Park. This was quite a success given that the same pilot made the news last year for dragging the same balloon we were in through the bay after overshooting the park and trying to land on the beach.

After landing and helping to pack up the balloon it was back in the bus to the Sofitel for a breakfast buffet accompanied by a glass of champagne. All in all an experience well worth the early start, a fantastic view of the city and a very peaceful way to see it.
And all finished by 9.30 in the morning meaning we still had a full day ahead of us.

So to this weekend and an idea spawned over a game of lawn bowls and a few beers on Australia day weekend. I am not sure I quite remember how the conversation got around to it but somebody suggested we went camping and, despite none of us being regular campers, we all readily agreed. So with a combination of newly acquired and freshly borrowed camping equipment it was that eleven of us (including two boys aged just under two and about five) headed down to Rye for the weekend.

Minda had the day off so I finished work at lunchtime and after packing a full car (its amazing how much you need when camping even though you are only 90kms from home and away for less than 48 hours) we set off on the 90 minute drive down the Mornington Peninsula to Rye.

Being the first to arrive we had to find our allocated plots which wasn't the easiest exercise given that at that point of the peninsula on side of the road is effectively non-stop camp site for about 10kms. We also got our fair share of campers envy when driving past all of the well established camper-caravan-tent combos. Eventually we found our plot and set about putting up our newly acquired tent. The actual construction was not overly complex (having practiced in our apartment during the week) however we had probably not counted on the 37 degree heat meaning that even the most straightfoward construction turned us into sweat-drenched campers. The campsite itself is interesting as (and this is why it is 10km long) it effectively fills the grassland between the coast road and the beach. As a result our plot was approximately 25 metres from the road. This was offset by being 25 metres from a glorious beach.

The temperature meant a quick dip in the bay was required and it was good to find that it stayed shallow for a long while and, having been warmed by the sun, was a pleasant place to drift around in for a few cooling minutes. As this was an organised camp site it did come with some advantages including a dated but clean enough toilet and shower block (reminiscent of prison) and, even more importantly, a couple of power points for each site which meant that we could boil a kettle, charge our phones and that parents could provide young boys with portable DVD players when looking for a few minutes peace.

Having to work a full day and then drive down the coast on what was due to be a glorious weekend affected the arrival of the remaining campers and the final groups turned up around 9.00 meaning both tent construction and barbecuing were done in the dark on the first night. An entertaining evening of chatting and beer drinking was followed by us turning in for our first night in a tent in Australia - which turned out not to be too bad. The temperature was still warm enough that it was a hot night but helped by the airbed we got a good few hours sleep.

Arising at about 8am on the Saturday it was clear as soon as you emerged from the tent it was going to be another hot one and a BBQ breakfast was followed by us relocating to the beach - where we stayed for the day. The next eight hours were filled with a combination of sun-bathing and shade seeking, reading and snoozing, cricketing, rugby playing, frisbee throwing, paddling, swimming, floating, sun-screen applying, sun-screen forgetting and of course drinking.

I can't remember the last time we actually spent a whole day on the beach and even calling it a day at 7pm it was still easily warm enough for people to be just heading down to the beach.

The hot weather did bring one issue however with a total fire ban coming into place on Saturday meaning that all naked flames were banned - which of course meant no bbq. We were therefore forced to walked to the Rye strip and, along with all of other other local campers, look to find some food at one of the local bars, restaurants or take-aways. Our party opted for a combination of take-away Thai or fish and chips and after waiting over half an hour for the food took it back to the campsite to eat in the dark (again).

The sun had drained some energy from most of the group (with the notable exception of the two young boys who were still wanting to play ball late into the night) and a relatively early night ensued.

Sunday morning saw us take a chance with a cooler and overcast morning to fire up the bbq for a final time to create some top quality bacon, egg, hashbrown and cheese butties. It was then time to deconstruct our home for the weekend, re-load the car and head back home.

So what it the conclusion? Will the Barley's be camping again? I think the answer is - we spent $100 on a tent so we better had really. We did enjoy the weekend in actual fact and being able to wake up and wander straight onto the beach was a very pleasant way to spend a weekend. The conditions - I think we still need some amenities and the fact that it doesn't rain as frequently means that, unlike the Yorkshire Dales, you don't always need to be worried about waking up in a quagmire.

So over a couple of weeks we have been up up in the air and slept right down on the ground. Both were successful and we would certainly happily do either again should the chance arise.

Sunday wrap up and it's been a busy week.

We've had dinner with Ling and Noah trying out dumplings. I said farewell to Charlene and enjoyed a dinner in South Yarra with her and Christine. We also had a curry with the Worthingtons which was a really good curry and probably the best we've had since we've been here as we have found that Indian food here is just not like it is at home.

We've also been busy preparing for our epic camping trip. We tried out our tent at home and packed up the car on Friday. The car was crammed full of stuff all of which I thought would be necessary but in reality we barely used most of it. I have learnt from the experience and know for next time, seasoned camper I am now!

Before returning to Melbourne today we headed a little further down Mornington Peninsula to have a look at Sorrrento. We will be spending 3 nights there in March when my parents and lil sister will be visiting. This picture was taken in the back area, part of the national park where the Bass Strait.

The beach area is a calmer so we'll probably spend more time there. I think we will enjoy our four day

How come the weekend always goes by just too quickly? And this was a weekend where we had no plans.

After being ill for two days and then busy after work eating out a relaxed weekend at home was on the cards. Before I go into that, we enjoyed catching up with Lucy and Steve on Victoria Street on Wednesday. It's been a while since we've seen them so good to catch up over tasty food. And huge thanks to Steve for passing on some access passes to the Nike staff shop...whoop whoop! So exciting!

Thursday we had a reunion with Toni and Peter who are the couple we toured Tasmania with on a big bus all to ourselves. They live in Christchurch and were in town visiting their daughter and son in law. We had a great dinner and we met Kirsty and Marty (the daughter and son in law) and we enjoyed some yummy wine and lots of animated chatter.

Friday was a long overdue drinks session with Rachel and Tim. Absolutely loved catching up and hearing how they have been settling in to Melbourne life. We thoroughly enjoyed sharing their enthusiasm for this city we all now call home for now. Mutual friends and readers of this, I can tell you they are both well. They're enjoying the sunshine, the food and wine and the running tracks!

So after all that socialising it was good to have a weekend of staying in and that we did. We spent Saturday lunchtime at South Melbourne market and enjoyed a seafood lunch in the sunshine before stocking up on food supplies.

We sat in the sunshine by the seafood peddlar and enjoyed lots of different dishes including some mussels, oysters Kilpatrick, Cajun grilled flathead, sambal skate wing and a Morrocan fish soup.

Steve spent the rest of Saturday cooking up a storm in the kitchen. We enjoyed cheddar and corn fritters with crispy bacon and avocado. He also made his signature crusted lamb rack and a pine nut and honey tart which was accompanied by vanilla ice cream and caramelised figs. A pretty good effort by Mr Barley.

And so here we are and it's Sunday evening and bedtime beckons. Today has been spent holed up happily in the apartment. We've had baked eggs for breakfast and toad in the hole for dinner. We've watched episode after episode of JAG (we're onto series 3 now so only 7 left!) and interspersed that with some Sherlock and some Alcatraz. It's been a long overdue quiet one before another busy week and a proposed weekend camping! Yes you read that correctly - I have been roped into a camping weekend...yuck!

BIG NEWSFLASH!!!!

I'm going to be an aunty! Yes, my little sis is a momma to be and is 12 and a half weeks pregnant. This is such happy news. What has made me laugh though is a story I-Lin told me. She went through half a dozen or so pregnancy test to be sure and made Graeme do one too just to check the tests worked and what a negative result looked like!

Anyway this truly exciting news and I've already bagsied taking the kid to Disneyland!

One of my favourite Christmas presents this year was this great poster from my beloved cousins and little sis.

They posted me three big packages filled with goodies and I was so touched by this gesture. There was even a home made card with pictures of their cute little faces on it.

Anyway I finally got round to putting the print in a frame and I think it looks pretty good.

I'm really excited because my sis (and her bump) and my parents will be visiting at the end of March - whoop whoop. So I've been busy trying to plan things for the visit. We'll be spending a few days in Sorrento in what looks to be like a pretty cool house with a pool and jacuzzi.

Between now and their arrival then we have a whole heap of stuff to look forward to. It's Melbourne Food and Wine Festival soon and Steve and I have a few tickets to things including the Gala dinner. There's also the Grand Prix coming up and our friends Tim and Lorraine will be visiting us during this time.

I also spent this weekend finalising an Easter break for Steve and I. We'll be off to Rutherglen which is on the NSW and Victoria border and is a region famed for its muscats, port and dessert wine.

Back to the present though and Friday evening was a fun night. Stefanie and I met for cocktails and dinner at PM 24. What I anticipated would be a relatively early finish wasn't quite that. Our table was at 6:30pm and we didn't leave till about 4 hours later! Anyway we thoroughly enjoyed getting our eating and drinking boots on.

Saturday was a breakfast at Cumulus affair and Steve and I enjoyed it very much. We then spent the rest of the day in Mordialloc where we enjoyed Lynn and Steve's company over drinks and dinner.

Sunday was not such a good day for me as I was hit by a tummy bug and have been pretty ill since. Turned a corner this afternoon though and feel heaps better so back to work tomorrow.

Before I sign off - happy Valentine's day! Steve and I exchanged cards as gesture and acknowledgement to the day. I'm all for occasions to say "I love you" as well as the other 364 days in the year!

Anyway I received flowers so if the commercialism of this day brings me flowers then here's to next year's Valentine's Day!

Friday was one of those gorgeous sunny Melbourne days. It was also the quarterly "awards" programme we have at work where performers are recognised and we have a bit of a party in the boardroom followed by drinks somewhere.

This Friday I was a nominee / finalist and it was good that the hard work from the previous quarter was appreciated and recognised.

Celebrations took us to Transit bar which has a rooftop terrace in Fed Square and I loved the view of Southbank and home!

I had to cut the drinks short though and head home for an early night as we had to be up at 3:45am!

Saturday morning was hot air balloon day. It was our second attempt as our first date (my birthday) was cancelled due to low cloud and rain...I'll tempt you with a teaser photo as Steve says he'll blog about the experience and I am not to turn the offer down!

Saturday night was a date night for Mr.B and I. We enjoyed a late one in Maha and were thoroughly exhausted by the time bedtime came having been up so early. This was in spite of a 3 hour nap I had in the afternoon!

Steve spent Sunday at the cricket with work and I enjoyed the decadent birthday lunch. We finished things off with martinis and bellinis at the Atrium bar in the casino only to avoid the heavy rain that came in of course!