Sorry to have been incommunicardo for so long. Have not been able to find time to get to a internet cafe to connect to my computer. Am now at Ernie and Wendy Ewerts house in Melbourne. Am so impressed with Muffins efforts. Didn't realise she was so talented.
Our last full day in Surfers Paradise was very lazy indeed. M soaking up the rays - me in the shade reading. Dinner in the evening at a Tai restaurant - average, made no better by being served on cold plates which seems to be a common fault out here. After dinner a stroll along the seafront where there was a pavement market - mostly tat but did buy a hand made fishing lure which I am assured will certainly catch bass at home and if I am successful I can send him a photo and get another lure free. An offer that could not be refused.
Thursday we flew down to Melbourne. Good flight with Virgin Blue. Met at airport by Ernie and driven out to Caroline Springs - a new residential estate on the western edge of the city. We went via his farm where he trains race horses and stopped to give them their afternoon feed. The countryside to the west of Melbourne is very flat and very dry. They have had hardly any rain for over 7 years. Consequently the paddocks are very crisp. The farm is about 60 acres and has a small track for training the horses. Ernie's father started training here about 45 years ago and trained his 100th winner at the age of 86. He is now 93. Ernie has now taken over. They are one of the nearest training establisments to the city and they are able to use the Flemington (home of the Melbourne Cup) facilities as part of the training program. We are given a wonderful welcome by Wendy and their two daughters Jessie (8) and Madalyn (5). Pictuures to follow later. The house is single storey and very spacious. M says she could live here. Must stop for now