Quick winter news

Brilliant to see Suzie, Em and Tom again this winter. It gave us an excuse to take few days off and enjoy traditional touristic sightseeing, including little penguins, koalas, wallabies and wales in the wild. Check the latest picassa album! http://picasaweb.google.com.au/rob.whitehorn/Month4?authkey=Gv1sRgCJjN2N2C1OOaeQ#

Having finally lost last year winter's coat, I’ve taken on running and have completed my first run. 5km in 31 mins. Next time, I’ll aim to do it under 25mins. Rob will be running the half-marathon. I’ve also joined a volleyball team, playing once a week in a mix team.

Still cycling every day to go to work. I must admit, this is the worst part of the day! Having to cycle 20 mins along the beautiful Yarra river, on an off road path, overlooking the tall city, sometimes stopping to make way for the ducks and possums crossing the path. Life is hard!

That’s all for now folk... Proper blog posts will come again soon.

3 Months on - Soccer, Aussie Rules and Rugby League

Keeping up with the sporting life, April was a sweaty month.

At the gigantic MCG, we saw our local Aussie rules team, Richmond Tiger, being badly beaten by local rivals, Carlton Blue, but the experience was fantastic, surrounded by 86,970 people for Rob's birthday. At least we now understand the rules and scoring. Unfortunately, they've only just won their first match of the season, we're considering moving to Collingwood.

Having slightly forgotten our 6 months anniversary (oups!), we enjoyed a quiet afternoon at the Melbourne International Flowers and Garden Show where colourful creations from all over Australia were exposed. Getting up at 6.30am on Sunday accompanying Rob to the annual fun run, I watched the short race while he was running the 14km one. Over 30,000 people participating to the event, I was mostly amazed by the parents running while pushing their double buggy, with the kids in it, and some of the younger runners from athletics clubs. A 12 yrs old or so girl, almost sprinting, was in the top 20, showing off a six-packs to make us all jealous. Yes, a 12 yrs old girl with a six-packs! I won't be surprised to see her at the next Olympics. And on that note, we've registered to do another run at the end of June - yes, you're reading correctly: WE. I will be running too! But only the very easy 5km one. Melbourne Run.

The following weekend, while Suzie was around for a couple days, Rob got his first beach volley lesson on South Melbourne beach. I can already tell that he's a natural digger.

Last weekend we went to the Olympic Park to watch our first rugby league game, between the Melbourne Storms and Auckland Warriors. Wearing a plastic bag as rain coat, seating between few Maoris, we shouted and clapped at the purple Storm man, circling the arena with fireworks for each try successfully converted.

Other activities this month, include a visit to the zoo and few new bars. It's getting a bit cool here, I wore a jumper for the first time yesterday.

Looking forward to see Emily and Tom in a couple of weeks - we've got few places to show off for.

Au revoir - Good-bye André Parisy

André Parisy
1923 - 2009

Version française en-dessous

André was known as the kindest, fairest and most intelligent man of his time by everyone, but for me he was also the greatest grand-dad a little girl could wish for. I shall cherish forever the many happy childhood memories I have; all those precious moments and times spent together, playing petanque, hunting snails after the rain, rowing on the lake of Vincennes, and degusting his collection of rare wines.

While becoming an adult, André became more than a father to me, he was my mentor and a strong supporter. He came to all my plays, took care of me after my many sport injuries, he was always here for me when feeling sad and ready to drive from France to England when I was in need of my family. When I was 20, he told me that I will be talented for management - I laughed - so little I knew then, so right he was. Andre always knew what was good for me but never stopped supporting my decisions and actions.

Happily married for 60 years and a strong family figure to all, I only wish I will be able to be as a good person as he was.

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André était connu comme l’homme le plus gentil, juste et intelligent de son époque par tous, mais pour moi il était aussi le meilleur grand-père qu’une petite-fille puisse espérer. Je chérirai pour toujours mes innombrables souvenirs d’enfance; touts les moments précieux et le temps passé ensemble à jouer aux boules, ramasser des escargots après la pluie, ramer en petit bateaux sur le lac de Vincennes, et déguster sa collection de grands vins.

En grandissant, André est devenu plus qu’un père pour moi, il était mon mentor et mon supporter. Il assistait à toutes mes pièces, prenait soin de moi après mes blessures sportives, il était toujours là pour moi quand j’étais triste et était prêt à conduire de france à l’angleterre pour mon besion de famille. Quand j’avais 20 ans, il m’a dit un jour que je serai douée pour le management - j’ai ris - si peu je savais alors, il avait comme toujours raison. André a toujours su ce qui était bon pour moi mais n’a jamais arrêté de soutenir mes actions et décisions.

Marié pendant 60 ans et un pillier pour toute sa famille, je souhaite seulement pouvoir être une aussi bonne personne qu’il l’était.

Special 26th March - One for the Wonderful Man

This week we are celebrating to the most wonderful,

amazing and sexy man.

Happy 34th Birthday - Joyeux Anniversaire Rob

As a young babe to the new Aussie hunk, Rob always liked playing in the sand.

Today a fully grown man with a strong appetite, Rob still enjoys a good old cup of Milo coco ice cream.


A dedicated sport man, Rob mastered several highly dangerous activities during his life, including swimming, running, pizza eating and beer drinking. He has recently also climbed his first Palmera tree - solo.


Is there anything to stop Rob? What other extreme challenge shall we expect him to take? Only time will tell...


Happy Birthday babe. Lots and lots of love. xxx - Caro

Week 9 - One for the girls

This week is the one for the girls, I'm talking about the attractive, gorgeous, funky, hard to resist to, the ones where size matters... Boys, read along at your own peril...

I'm talking about the fantastic shoes shops and associated fashion outlets in Melbourne!

Glorious shoes, coming in all colours, shapes, materials, heights and sizes - even a big foot like myself has no problem finding the pair of her dream. I feel finally accepted with my Aussie size 10 (UK 9) and have never seen so much originality in shoes design. From red satin high heels to cute black leather roundy, I cannot wait to cash up my first pay cheque and get myself a pair of something so unique. Girls, I'm expecting you all to jump on thew next plane for an official shopping trip.

To accompany those fabulous shoes, there're plenty fashion boutiques and factory outlets. From chic Parisian to grungy hippy style - basically, there's no typical fashion. The streets are live cat-walk shows, each girl as beautiful as the next (b*tch) with their perfect ten figures (b*tch again), wearing anything and everything that match their personality. No one looks the same, from trendy jeans to the cutest mini dress, everyone feel at ease. My one large bag wardrobe brought from England has a lot to let to desire at the moment, but I'm keeping myself for the winter collection - once those flabby hips will have gone back to their normal shapes.

As for all other handsomes on the street, well... Uhm... Rob is fine, yes.

Week 8 - Fireworks and Jellyfishes

Glorious 3 days long weekend, celebrating Labour Day and a month of festivals ahead of us.

This weekend started brilliantly, with a mild earth quake on Friday before 9pm, followed by the start of a month long festival with the Moomba Waterfest, a French Film Festival, the Food and Wine Festival and many more activities. Hitting the city centre on Saturday, we went to the top of the Rialto Observation Deck and enjoyed a fantastic 360 view of the whole of Melbourne from the tower's 55th floor.

Fairs, circus, kids activities, beach volley and water ski competitions on each side of the river, we sat on the grass, with thousands of others, to see the fireworks between live bands and hotdogs. Ooh la belle bleue! Ooh la belle rouge! Smiling at the colourful sky - purely lovely!

Back on that same lay of grass on Sunday lunch to see the Birdman Rally - those crazy people with home made flying machine, throwing themselves from a 5 meters high platform into the river. Man and bird (sub)merging together, they were flying, flying and flopping! I want to do it next year and shall soon start the design for my KiteWoman ultimate flying machine.

Unfortunately our usual weekend swim was slightly disturbed by an invasion of jellyfishes, the Blue Bottle and Moon types; not deadly to human but can still stunt painfully. So we just spent another hour or two perfecting our tan.

Rob's training for his next marathon, the Melbourne Fun Run in April. In the meantime, we'll be going to the MCG on his birthday to watch a spectacular aussie rules between our two local teams. Can't wait!

That's all for now folks... More pics on Picassa.

Week 6 & 7 - one scratch, two pulled muscles and three sun-burn later

Last Sunday, we hired some bikes for the day and went cycling all along the north of the harbour, then down south on the west side to Williamstown, charming old port, stopping by the town’s small beach for an hour, then headed back to the city, via a short cut through the Yarra river with our bikes on a punt, mini ferry for commuters. It’s been a while since I’ve been cycling and my legs felt it the next day. So did Rob who hadn’t cycled for years and felt like a child learning to ride for the first time again - at least for the first 30 mins.

One scratched elbow, two pulled muscles and three sun-burn later, we are back on a regular fitness program. Rob’s running and I’m avoiding the personal fitness instructors at the gym. I really enjoy going to the gym every other days in the afternoon, but I find it extremely annoying to be constantly harassed by some over fit and healthy instructors, desperately trying to have me enrol their personal coaching program, while telling me that I should stop eating cheese, and not have meat in the evening. Do these people really enjoy all the good things in life? I can’t imagine what my life will be without cheese, meat and beer. So duck of! Leave me alone, I like the extra handles on my hips and it doesn’t matter if my bum looks big in this.

Hopefully, we will have perfected our tan, and firmed those body shapes, to hit the east coast with a surf board in the autumn. And lets face it, better keep the museums for the cold and rainy winter days... That's if there's gonna be any.

One month on - Big, Fat and Juicy

We were unfortunately sad to have found out that the beautiful animal park, Healesville Sanctuary, and its area, that we’ve visited two weeks ago had been partially devastated by the recent bushfires. On that day we saw many exotic birds, koalas, kangaroos and even some platypuses.

Last Saturday, we went to the huge Telstra Dome to see the soccer final qualifier between Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United. Melbourne having already won the 1st leg by 2 goals, I’ve sadly lost interest after at the end of the 1st half, once Melbourne Victory had scored another 3 goals… But Rob was still cheering for our team, and getting pissed off with me spanking him with my big inflated hand. Final results Melbourne 4 - Adelaide 0. Go Melbourne! We’ve planned on going to the MGC to see some Aussie rules in March - Richmond Tiger vs. Carlton - can’t wait!

On the culinary side, what a feast! Meat and sea food are a lot cheaper than in the UK, and lot more tasty. We’ve became fan of tender kangaroo’s steak which taste a bit like horse steak, king prawns straight out from the local port, giant red peppers and the juiciest melon ever. I’m trying to be creative when cooking dinner and have already noticed the positive impact on our health (fitting again in my tight dress) and skin (feeling as soft as baby‘s bottom)- eat healthy - go cherry!

For the music fans, here are two great local bands to follow:
The Band Who Knew Too Much
The Big and Horny

And check out our latest pics on Picassa to find out how much we're having with the seashells.

Week 4 It's not all about love and fresh water

This week, I’d like to reassure everyone on the fact that we haven’t lived of love and fresh water all this time - it’s just that there’re far too many interesting refreshing places here, that it’s hard to know where to start.

So, starting from our street’s corner, “the Great Britain” is a very large pub with a delightful beer garden. No sofa or table matches the other, the deco and furniture must have come from your granny‘s lounge. The only place where you can ask for a pint of “piss”, they’re own brew - which tests rather nice. Uhmmmm… gooood pisssss.

Moving on in direction of the city centre, several other chill bars, with no pretension what’s so ever, all serving a range of Australian and Tasmanian beers with funny names like little creatures, blue tongue and boags.

One of your favourites is “the Corner”, a 2 storeys pub with roof terrace which accommodate the greatest rock gigs in Melbourne. Anything from local pop-rock bands to super star heavy - dead core - metal international bands (Bullet for my valentine, Alice in chains and NIN, etc…). Not surprisingly, after all, ACDC started in Melbourne. We still got to find a gig to go, but need to check the bands on YouTube first, cause I don’t know any of them from name.

In the city centre, where the space is very limited between all sky-scrappers, all good bars - from trendy cocktail bars to bohemian caves, are located in the alleyways - or laneways as they say here.

You’ll think I’m joking, I’m not. We’ve learn that if you’re looking for a cool bar, you should look in the most stingy laneway and behind the biggest smelliest bins. The “forgot its name”, a perfect example, was absolutely wicked. An outdoor dancing area with DJ had been improvised between 2 buildings. Packed with people jumping up and down at the rhythm of the music - trainers and comfy clothes strongly advise as you’re after all dancing between rubbishes piles, and god knows where the grey water under our feet was coming from.

"The Croft Institute” was the weirdest and most scary bar we’ve ever been to. At the end of a laneway of a laneway, that place is coming straight out from an horror film, looking like a deserted old hospital where experiments on children were taking place, including an old hospital bed in the ladies loo and hundreds of test-tubes on the wall. The bar-man, that you should call the doctor, is serving bloody scary cocktails. Apparently it’s packed over the weekend, but was empty when we were there. I would never walk into that bar alone, unless caring an axe with me.

North of the centre, within Carlton and Fitzroy areas, Brunswick Street is the most bars per streets populated area. More jazzy, arty, bohemian types, we’re going back there tonight to see a rock (classic 50’s) band.

In conclusion, there’s definitely a different drinking culture here. No binge drinking, seating at the same table for hours is allowed, as those bars are so fascinating that you want to see as many of them as possible when out. Pub crawl - hourray! But most importantly - you need a map with you, cause otherwise, you can never (re)find those bars.

Next Saturday, the 14th Feb, we’re going to see a soccer game at the massive Telstra Dome… uhm.. Wonder whose happy St Valentine day it’ll be.

Week 3 is bra less week

Beginning of our 3rd week (the wi-fi café manager is my new best friend and has my usual table and morning coffee ready for me every day at 9am), we enjoyed a 3 days long weekend for Australian Day.

Chilling Saturday night on the lawn of the Royal Botanic Garden, with the pic-nic, where we saw Baz’s Australia latest film… When the film began, a group of large birds started to circulate above our heads… They were very BIG birds.. Oh no… They were no birds… but BATS!

Spent Sunday on Brighton beach, south east of Melbourne beach, miles of clear water and fine sand with view of the city. I’m learning to walk with my first ever pair of flip-flops - it’s difficult - will give it another try before switching back to trainers. 3 hours and 4 swims later (once with black swans next to me), we were forced to head back home when realising that both our body had became as red as they could be - ouchhhhh…. And yes, got some serious sun stroke feelings in the evening, forcing me to sleep on the only parts of my body which was not hurting me, the tip of my nipples and my two thumbs.

Monday was a day of pure patriotism. The Aussie flags were flying high in the sky, the army band marching down the main streets, the jet planes circulating above us, and Rob was simply jealous of my newly purchased Australian cap which may me looked like a native already.
Tuesday morning, preparing myself for a temping job interview in town, I realised that I was so sun burnt that I could not wear a bra… oh bollocks! Bra-less I went - don’t think they’ve noticed )) And worst, it looks like I’ll be bra-less for few days according to the doctor at the chemist. Note to myself - must get a “protection 60” sun cream for our next trip to the beach.

The temperatures are still raising, up to 41 degrees this week - a record for the season since 100 years according to the national news.

Week 2 - The Good, the Bad and the Weird

1st day in aussie land, 27 hrs of travel, 48 hrs without sleep and 5 plane meals, we safely arrived to Melbourne on the hottest day of the year so far - 38 degrees (been hotter since). Without any rest, we went on a hunt for a flat and found one after almost passing out on the street, due to exhaustion and over-heating.

Efficiency “a la australienne”, it was easy to open a bank account and move into new home the following day. Allowing ourselves some rest, we headed straight to St Kilda beach where the water is warm, the sand burning hot and the beer very refreshing - few words came to mind: “ah ah ah sucker!”

Took few days off to explore the town and its beautiful areas, including the Royal Botanic Garden, Albert Park and Lake, the whole east corner, the city centre and some of the north. Including some of the weirdest and eclectic bars on earth.

Met up with my old good (tall) friend Suzie for few days while Rob started working on Monday. Having not yet internet at home, I’m using the café on the corner for their free wi-fi while job hunting intensively till the weekend.

Some new things to get used to: the f***ing heat, the 3 mins shower rules and water restriction, the buildings looking completely different next to each other, the insects (been told to use some products to protect the front of the flat and windows against unwanted crawling guests) and finally the traffic

The best bits: Kangaroo steak, orange juices, the space, the green spaces, the tan on my body, the polite and friendly Aussies, sports facilities are so so so amazing (note to myself: got to get fit again), the birds, the colourful flowers, the clean streets… and yes, the Australian beers!

The bad things: uhm.. Let me think… nope.. Can’t think of any!.. Of yes… We still haven’t learnt how to surf properly, but after all, we’ve only been there for 8 days! Rob will have to go first, just in case of potential shark attacks.

Where we live: got a small but nice, modern and clean fully furnished flat (enough kitchenware to open my own restaurant or bakery) - guests will have to bring their mattress to stay in the lounge unfortunately as the sofa is not futon. In a tiny quiet street, at 3 mins walk from East Richmond Station and walking distance from everything, including Olympic centre, city and commercial streets (even got a French patisserie near by). It’s the type of flat called “Californian style” - ground floor of a little complex, with our own private mini court.

G’day mates… and no worries.

Week 1 - The Beginning

27 hours later... too tired to write but this is where it all started for Mr & Mrs Whitehorn.