A Day in Melbourne

Patricia Quigley

Just back from lovely meal at Villa Romano, Lygon Street. I think this had been a favourite Restaurant for Kate and Rachel and had been vetted and approved. It has been a whirlwind of a day - my first full day in Melbourne.

I saw Kate and Rachel's smiling faces with beautiful bunch of tulips as I came through Arrivals. Throngs of people awaiting loved ones and the sheer emotion of months of separation came to the fore and I blubbered a bit.

Back to my apartment in a taxi, delight at the apartment even down to little cereals and fridge stacked with little bottles of OJ. Had celebratory glass of complimentary wine, re- acquainted ourselves and felt sheer delight in seeing Kate and Rachel. If I had been required to turn round and travel back to Airport, Dubai and Glasgow, the trip would not have been wasted.

Taken round CBD, FED Square, lunched outside, free stress test and something called Nerve Assist from Volunteer Ministers with Church of Scientology ( Kate and Rachel not me), shopping for clothes ( just like the old days) then had long walk through Chinese and Greek precincts en route to meet the team for meal at night. Lygon gives priority to food lovers and pedestrians move between waiters and al fresco diners with some difficulty.

A very happy beginning to holiday of a lifetime and happy re- union and first meeting.