A day at the docks

Yesterday we decided to make a start on one of our indoor activities as it was a pretty cold day at around twenty five degrees (Celsius). One of the most fun sounding ones was the glow in the dark mini-golf so we set out for the Melbourne Docklands. This was the first time that we’d been to the Docklands as they are a little out of the way of our normal stomping grounds in the city. Stepping off the tram it looked like a really nice place although a bit quiet. We headed to tee off for the glow in the dark mini-golf and through the darkness our talent as pretty mediocre golfers shone through. The entire place was lit with UV and just the balls and our teeth glowed in the blackness. There were also wheel of fortune style spin wheels at every hole making it easier or harder for you depending on where you landed. It was a really good game and we both had a brilliant time trying to putt the balls. Shamefully when the scores were tallied up at the end it turned out Rach was on top although there was some skulduggery involved.

After the game we set out to explore some of the docklands. For the most part it is high rise living in a place that is undergoing massive redevelopment. The shopping centre there is huge and we had an excellent time being entertained by a live band on a small stage in the middle of the centre. Me & Him were really good and we have since looked them up and look forward to them getting some stuff out there. Can’t wait to hear it! There was also the infamous Melbourne wheel. Imagine the London eye, but smaller and broken. This is a local bugbear and is a bit of an eyesore. This is the second reincarnation, the first on the same site, having to be shut down due to safety issues after just two weeks of public operation. The second wheel is almost complete but there are no new funds to push through for the final completion. It is somewhat pointless anyway as you can see the city from an even better vantage point on the Eureka sky deck which we have yet to do.

Speaking of things on our checklist, we ticked another one off today. As it was a bit sunnier we decided we’d head to Brighton beach to see the spectacularly painted beach huts. There are loads of them and they are all individually painted, some better than others, and it really is a spectacle. It’s also a little ridiculous as only the week before we’d read an article in the paper on the prices of the huts when they go on the market. The huts are all around five metres by two metres with no electricity or running water. And yet the last to go on the market sold for $300,000. That could buy a small house over here!! Nuts! We posed for obligatory picture outside the one painted in the colours of the Australian flag, although it did take twenty minutes as there was a bit of a queue.

We got back to find that Alex was looking a little lobster like having overdone the sun a little. Still no harm and we got preparing our slightly delayed Christmas. Alex’s mum had sent over some fake snow and some crackers along with some other Christmassy decorations and some belated presents. We had a great time messing with the fake snow and enjoyed the yuletide spirit as the sun beamed down.

Rex’s Rules of the Road

• Ice-skating is a little pricey at the docklands. Just a warning!

• Get some fake snow for Christmas, a little late I know but it really does help give a Christmas feel.

• Don’t bother buying a beach hut at Brighton beach, there are other more secluded, bigger ones with electricity and water for less further down the coast.