Now we're back in Melbourne and work for me is merely one sleep away, we miss UK very much. Perhaps not the weather or the fact that you have to pack your own groceries at the supermarket but everything else. Our welcome home to Melbourne started off well as we landed in the early hours to pleasant 16 degree temperatures.
I enjoyed a day of acclimatisation on Thursday whilst Steve went to work. Unfortunately I felt a bit out of sorts on Friday but trucked on, caught up with a girlfriend in the evening for some chit chat but at 11:30pm was hit by a tummy bug which has taken up residence ever since. I am improving but feeling a bit sorry for myself and mournful for the love and company of family.
So on the one hand I really appreciate that it's still shorts and t shirt weather here in Melbourne but on the other readjustment has not been all that pleasant when ill and I feel like the weekend has been wasted as we had to cancel plans to go out and I spent Saturday evening in bed instead. So this weekend the most exciting thing to have taken place is probably the fact that I've had mini wardrobe clear out to make room for the new stuff! Oh and Steve saw Richmond beat Western Bulldogs today so that's two sporting games he's been to where his team has won which is rare!
As I return to work tomorrow, my beloved sister does too after maternity leave and I really hope we both have positive experiences!

Day 1 in the UK and I meet Miss Amelia Grace Hall. Here we are getting to know each other and starting to bond. Amelia likes to touch everything including faces! I think it helps her understand things better.

Amelia's christening was such a happy day. The service at Sunderland Minster was led by an incredibly likeable minister with a loving and caring nature. As godparents we loved seeing all these people come together for our gorgeous goddaughter,

During the time in the North East, I enjoyed days out with my sister and mum and cousin who took annual leave to spend with me.

This is a reminder that we were there over Easter. Amelia was a bit grumpy during this supermarket shop and I'm sure dressing up as a bunny didn't help but I think she looked adorable anyway!

Steve and I actually paid a prior visit one evening as well as arranged this lunch where we had the restaurant to ourselves.
As always Richard and Lyndsey were THE best hostess and chef and we loved their company and food. We were so lucky and pleased we could squeeze a visit in especially as they close this month and embark on a new adventure and we wish them all the best for this and will support them in whatever they plan next.
As we said to you then, there's a spare room for you in Melbourne should you wish to come and see what's going on here.

On Easter Monday all the cousins go together for lunch and hung out for the rest of the day ending in a late night KFC escapade! It's been almost 3 years since we were altogether.

It was touch and go whether we would come in under baggage restrictions. Unexpectedly they were very strict at check in and even weighed and counted our carry on and made us lose 1kg of stuff! That equated to a newspaper and a book which we ended up not losing and taking anyway (shhhh!). It didn't make sense when we could have bought that weigh in duty free and taken it on the plane anyway.

During our stay on the farm we saw new born black lambs. It still felt too cold to be Spring though.

Also loved seeing Andrea et al in a local pub and thanks to Jon and Adele for cooking a yummy dinner at their beautiful house. \
The only people we didn't manage to see that we had planned to were the Pontones but that was due to chicken pox germs and rather than put the little people at risk we decided to leave it. One thing I have learnt though is that with these friendships, the last 2.5 years feel like nothing when we get together. It's like the dissolve and it's only been 2.5 weeks and that we'll be getting together again soon. Maybe it's the history, maybe it's the friendship...I don't know what it is but I know I love these people and they'll never be replaced.