Melbourne, Berwick and Lakes Entrance VIC

After returning from Tassie it was time for a break from the caravan parks and budget accommodation to stay with family in Richmond in Melbourne's inner east. Uncle Terry and Jan were kind enough to let us take over their apartment for a week so we could explore the city and have a bit of down time after a busy couple of months.
Believe it or not, this travelling caper is hard work, I know I know, play the miniature violins because we have it so tough! It's not that I am saying that at all, we are having the most amazing time, but sometimes it's nice to sit on the couch in your pyjamas and do nothing too. 
I didn't pick up my camera that much over the last two weeks, it also needed a much deserved rest, so my iPhone came in handy for some of the following pics.

Melbourne

Shopping for (giant) shoes in the city - Melbourne, VIC

All tuckered out after a hard day of retail therapy/torture. The #109 tram pretty much took us everywhere we wanted to go. The novelty of a tram ride for the kids soon wore off! - Richmond, Melbourne, VIC

This is the face of a man enjoying an interruption free dinner while the kids are at home!  Yippee! Date night with Damien at - Union Dining, Richmond, Melbourne, VIC

I could have posted the pic of my dinner but it was so delicious I couldn't photograph it fast enough! - Union Dining, Richmond, Melbourne, VIC

Funky lane way bars to explore - Richmond, Melbourne, VIC

Something NOT to love about Melbourne... Traffic!! - Somewhere on the M1, Melbourne, VIC

A quick visit to 'The Block' but unfortunately for us they had finished filming the current season :(

My coursing Em scored a couple of free tickets to the pre Melbourne comedy festival shows, so Jan and I headed out for dinner and a night of laughs! 

Jason Byrne.... that is him in his undies with fake pubes out the sides. Let's juts say he came in on a wrecking ball with Miley cyrus playing in the background, it was a very funny show! - Melbourne Comedy Festival, Melbourne, VIC

We headed out to visit my cousin Em and her gorgeous family for a BBQ. This is Em with her beautiful new baby Violet. 

(from left) Grand-Jan, Lola, Uncle Terry - Em's Place, Melbourne, VIC 

The storyteller keeping the boys enthralled

Got a chance to catch up with my bestie, Krystelle, from school and her gorgeous (very) new bub Molly. So glad they were able to come and meet us for a cuppa. Hope we can make plans to catch up more often! xo

Berwick (pronounced 'Berrick')
After the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, we headed to Berwick for a few days rest and to sort out the mess that was the caravan after unpacking from Tassie. 

Cleaning out the van. This is where we put the kids when they have been naughty, under the bed... although tempting sometimes, I am just kidding.

There was a fire pit that was lit each night, which of course needs restocking with firewood. So Damien and the other residents got chopping. With an audience of course - Akoonah Park Reserve, Berwick, Melbourne, VIC

'Old' versus 'New'-bold.
The retirees got the right idea and went to fetch the hydraulic block splitter for the very dry and very hard wood. Damien, not to be beaten, did a great job on the axe and got there eventually! - Akoonah Park Reserve, Berwick, Melbourne, VIC

Reward for effort. Each night everyone congregates around the campfire to share travel stories and a general yarn. Although we were the only young family there, we were made to feel very welcome and were very sad we couldn't have stayed longer. Such a nice bunch of people - Akoonah Park Reserve, Berwick, Melbourne, VIC

The toasty fire - Akoonah Park Reserve, Berwick, Melbourne, VIC

Lakes Entrance & surrounds
After Berwick, we headed east to resume our travels along the coast and the next stop was at Lakes Entrance approx 315kms from Melbourne. 
Lakes Entrance is a tourist resort and fishing port. Talking to locals, there were some 50 caravan parks here only 15 years ago, with local tourism supported by Melbournites looking for a cheap holiday. In recent years with the emergence of budget airlines travelling to Asia and interstate, tourism has suffered with only around 25 caravan parks still operating. Most have turned to budget cabin accommodation to survive. A real shame as this is such a lovely place to visit.
We made the most of the quality cheap seafood on offer and feasted on prawns, and local fish for the three nights we were there.

Saying hello to the friendly swans - Town Foreshore, Lakes Entrance, VIC

The kids were more frightened of the swan - Town Foreshore, Lakes Entrance Foreshore, VIC

Solar powered fun. This is the new way to paddle boat, with a joystick! The old fashioned foot powered one were there but the lazy option was too good to pass up - Town Foreshore, Lakes Entrance, VIC

This is the view of the Bass Straight entrance to the Gippsland Lakes and Reeves Channel from Jemmies Point - Lakes Entrance, VIC

Dawn approaching at - Town Foreshore, Lakes Entrance, VIC

Fishing boats at dawn on the calm waters at - Town Foreshore, Lakes Entrance, VIC

Damien and Blaire building sand castles on the river edge right next to our caravan - Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve, Lakes Entrance, VIC

Birds lined up on the jetty - Lakes Entrance, VIC

The river was just at the back of our van...literally - Lakes Entrance Recreation Reserve, Lakes Entrance, VIC

Ok, so this was just a bit of fun mucking around with night time and lights and shutter speeds. Damien to the power of three!

Having fun after the kids went to bed with sparklers and torchlight <3 xo

Last morning sunrise before leaving Lakes Entrance - Town Foreshore, Lakes Entrance, VIC