Robbins Ramblings: A Day with the Family.

One of the main reasons for choosing Melbourne as the start of our cruise is that it gives us an oppurtunity to visit our neice Briony. She lives in the suburb of Pakenham some 45 minutes from the centre of the city, just a short train ride away. Well a short train ride away on a normal day but today and for the next few days work is being carried out on the line with a bus replacing the train for a large part of the journey. The timetable indicated that the journey time would be increased to around 2 hours but having travelled half way around the world this wasn’t going to put us off.

The trains like the trams operate on a ticketless basis with a travel card called a MYKI being precharged with credit , the journey being charged by tapping the card at the beginning and end of each trip. We purchased the cards at the station and commenced the journey, the train sailing past the first five or six stations until we reached Caulfield. Here the train was emptied with all the passengers directed to waiting buses, one which was to stop at all the stations with the other an express non-stopping service to Dandenong, the station where the onward train jorney would recommence. There was plenty of staff around ensuring that everyone boarded the correct coach and before long we were heading off down the dual carriageway towards our destination. Although it obviously took longer than it normally would, it was nowhere near the forecasted 2 hours.

Sylvia’s sister Lorna and her grandson Tyson meet us at the station and walked us back to Briony and Thai’s house. Chatting to Tyson was just like talking to my own grandson Joey as it revolved around Roblox, Minecraft and You-Tubers.Technology doesn’t recognise national borders!

Briony had prepared a lovely lunch of pulled pork, coleslaw and potato wedges and as she admits herself her cooking skills have improved immensely since her attempts at an omlette at our house while she was at Uni. For dessert Thai introduced us to a new fruit called a Mangosteen...

.....a tropical fruit that has juicy segments that have a citrus sweet and sour taste. Although originating in Malaysia they are now grown locally in Australia.

With lunch complete the children disappeared to play with their technology which left the adults free to play with theirs...a kareoke machine. Songs of note were “Living on a Prayer”, “Delilah” and the fabulous Walker Sisters version of “Born to Wild”.

A great time was had by all although the neighbours didn’t join in! Thai not wanting us to endure the train journey back droveus to our hotel. It was much appreciatted, thank you Briony and Thai for a lovely day we’ll see you tomorrow!