Our trip to Melbourne

On Wednesday, Simon and I made a flying dash to Melbourne to attend the homeware auctions. I stress that it was not a fun relaxing visit. Firstly whenever are auctions relaxing and stress-free, secondly it was creeping toward 30 degrees in a hot shed and thirdly the only food was a takeaway shop down the road which looked really dodgy. I peered around the back after getting our food and saw overflowing bins and flies and mess. But we survived so obviously no salmonella, e-coli around that day.

Oliver stayed with Oma and Pop, Sarra stayed with her school friend Naomi and Hallie came with us. It took quite a lot of research and organising to make the day worthwhile but it is definitely worth it. Melbourne has so much better a range of stuff for cheaper. I can just imagine how good Sydney must be.

So Simon hired a truck Tue night and took it over on the boat. Late Tue night, Hallie and I took the plane. A week earlier, Simon had gone on his own to canvas places and sus out prices to see if it was worth all the effort so we were settled in that respect.

Tue night we stayed at our friend Monica's in Port Melb. her partner Dan just happens to be a chef and Hallie and I were treated to a roast - chef style and then a range of the most sumptious cheeses - we were very spoilt.

Monica's son Sam on his way to school

Wed morning, Simon arrived, refreshed and rested (not) from his voyage across the Strait in a cruise seat. We headed off to the auctions and purchased floating floors, carpet(their 100% wool carpet is so much cheaper over there), tiles, vanity units, taps, toilet roll holders, a sink, underlay, shower heads etc.

Hallie had a ball at the floor covering auction

After we loaded everything onto the truck, we had exactly one hour to spare before me and Hallie were due to fly home so the new DFO near the airport was too tempting to pass up. I bought two tops so didn't go silly. It was just nice to walk around and browse.


When we got home (the Jetstar flight was delayed as usual), all I could think about was hopping in a nice relaxing bath. Aahhh so I did! Poor old Simon had a second night back on the boat, in a comfy cruise seat and then straight back to work when he got home.

Even the cat was curious, checking out our movements - didn't help of course