Our experiences with Air India in the past haven’t been good so we were a little unsure about flying Business with them to Melbourne.  They were the only direct flight, and all the other options would have been a little painful so if all we got was a flat bed on the 12hr flight then so be it.   However, it was all good.  The lounge in New Delhi was very good, they did get us there in one piece, on time and with very good comfort, food, drink and service.  So, we would fly Business with them again although probably not on a popular route like London. 

We remembered to pick up some duty free as we passed through the terminal and did the self-serve visa and passport checks without a hitch.  Our 12Kg cases were amongst the first to arrive and then it all ground to a halt as everyone leaving the terminal had to go through just two painfully slow queues to hand in the ‘anything to declare’ form before being allowed to get out.   The ineptness made it all feel like India again.

However, it was soon apparent that we were in a ‘civilised’ country as no one pushed or jumped any queues, there were no strange odours, spit stains or litter and everyone was smiley and helpful. However, civilization does come at a price and we’re still amazed by how expensive everything seems to be.  It’s really on a par with London prices but when you’ve spent three months having dinner for two with drinks and still having change from a tenner it takes a bit of getting used to.

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As the flight arrived at 7am we used the airport bus into the city, then a train to the suburbs where we were met by Callum and Dan, Neil’s great nephews, who drove us to the family home.  We were staying with the Bradburys for the first few days.  They have an enormous house in Narre Warren on the edge of Melbourne.  Four ensuite bedrooms (thanks Cal for giving us yours), a study, a movie room, a snooker room, upstairs lounge area, enormous kitchen/diner/living room, a huge outside deck area with hot tub, 2 dining tables, lounge area and a garden.  Then, of course, there’s Oscar the family dog that we remember from last time and he has a new playmate, Eddy, a very excitable but lovable 12 month old cross between we don’t really know or care – he’s fun!

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We enjoyed our time with the family so much when we first came to Australia in 2016 and spending time with Lisa, Simon, Cal, Dan & Jack was a major reason for us returning.  This time Neil was able to watch Dan play in a golf match and Cheryl watched Jack play in a football match before watching some trash TV with Lisa – Neil went to bed!  Staying with the family also gave us a chance to get familiar with being back in Australia.  First up, everything gets a shortened name.  Stay with the rellies, have a glass of chard or sav, visit ‘vinnies op shop’ (charity shop St Vincent de Paul’s) or salvos (Salvation army) in the arvo.  Next, everything is out to kill you so watch out for the spiders, snakes, ants, mozzies and even roos throwing themselves at your car at night.  More on Aussie rules later in the blog.

After a few days it was time to move on and stay with Cheryl’s cousin Roy and his partner Heather.  They met us at the station in Ballarat and spent the next few days treating us to gourmet treats and more gin, wine & beer than was good for us.  Neil cooked one night and made a large rice pudding which Heather enjoyed so much she devoured it all meaning there was none left to go in the freezer for Roy! 

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Their house was the former police station in the small town of Learmonth and they are carrying out a renovation of one of the small buildings which was once the police office.  It will be a self-contained annex and was originally planned to be completed for our arrival.  It’s still a way off being completed but we will return at the end of our visit in mid April and Heather has told us we will be its first occupants.  We weren’t so sure it will be finished but Heather accepted our $2 bet so let’s see who wins the money.

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After a few days of fantastic hospitality Roy and Heather drove us to Bendigo to pick up our campervan, our home for the next eight weeks.