James and me at the Melbourne Aquarium

We started at the Melbourne Aquarium, which he really enjoyed. We then caught the free City Circle tram to the Melbourne Museum and walked back to our apartment on the corner of Spencer and LaTrobe Streets.

After a break we went to Monkey Mania at Docklands. The video shows James reluctantly commenting on his time at the aquarium.

I wanted a slow journey to connect with James and wean him off computer games for entertainment. The train was perfect.

It’s a comfortable 828km trip, departing 7.40am from the Adelaide Parklands station just 1km from our home in Mile End.

We had to arrive an hour beforehand to collect pre-paid tickets and check-in our baggage. It was immediately apparent that most of our fellow passengers were elderly, with a smattering of backpackers.

Our fares cost just under $100 for two people (one way), which is excellent value. It would cost more to drive to Melbourne by car.

While waiting at the station I had a tasty breakfast of egg, cheese and bacon wrap with coffee in the well-run cafe.

The train was nearly full and left Adelaide on time, rattling slowly past the Showgrounds and suburbs toward the Adelaide Hills.

There were frequent showers of rain throughout the journey, including when we crossed the Murray at Murray Bridge (pictured below).

We had four bags, two of which we checked in. I carried aboard my backpack with electronic gizmos (iPad, Nintendo DS, etc) and enough food to keep a seven-year-old nourished for several days.

James munched his way through the early part of the trip, finishing most of the “sour worms” and Burger Rings, however I recommend tacking snack food aboard simply for convenience and value.

Trolley service is provided for refreshments twice during the day. In the morning we ordered a coffee and chocolate muffin for $6, which again was good value. We skipped the afternoon visit in lieu of buying direct from the cafe carriage (pictured below).

James really liked the dining car. There were few people there each time we visited, so we were able to spread out, and in his case at least, run around. There are power points in there too, which I utilised to charge my mobile phone.

The scenery is probably better in winter than summer. The greenery and wet areas made for interesting viewing. It’s fairly dull though between Murray Bridge and Nhill. Bordertown (pictured below) provides a welcome break from the flat, brown farmland and bush.

The towns are a little closer together in Victoria, with Dimboola following Nhill, where there was a change of driver.

Unfortunately it was raining when we passed through historic Stawell and Ararat. The sun shone afterwards, giving some lovely views of the Grampians and lake country (pictured below).

It surprised me the train went through Geelong, rather than Ballarat. The North Shore station at Geelong was an unappealing, sparse outpost in the suburbs.

It was a short trip from there to Southern Cross Station (Spencer Street) in Melbourne. It was fully dark by the time we arrived there, more than 11 hours after departing Adelaide.

Southern Cross is on the edge of the CBD, but close enough to quality accommodation. We stayed three blocks away on the corner of Latrobe Street.

I strongly recommend the train journey for anyone who is not in a hurry to get from A to B. You can stretch out, walk around and enjoy fine amenities.

This shows Smith Street, with Fitzroy on the left and Collingwood on the right.

Some of the crowd watching a Fitzroy v South Melbourne game at the Brunswick Street Oval.

The Brunswick Street Oval.

A tram heading to the football. It was probably taken in Richmond, but I’m intrigued by the lacrosse stick. Lacrosse was a popular sport in early Melbourne, I believe.

It comprises 36 gondola carriages, each able to hold six people. It has a 50-metre peak clearance and each ride is 10-12 minutes in duration.

Michael and I rode the Ferris wheel on Friday evening before heading to the MCG for the Lions v Bulldogs AFL semi-final. The cost was $8 each and we were the only people on it.

The Ferris wheel was operating in Birrarung Marr, on the north bank of the Yarra River next to Federation Square.

Apparently the park has been there since 2002, but it’s the first time I have visited.

There is now a lovely walk along the river linking the city with the MCG.

We enjoyed the trip, just a shame about the football score. Here are a couple of views from the big wheel:

The zoo has an impressive collection of animals from around the world, mainly Australia, Africa and Asia.

I took plenty of photos, but these are the three I’m happiest with, especially the butterfly.

The frogs and fish were photographed through glass. I figured holding the camera at an angle would reduce the likelihood of a reflection or flash bounce.

Tomorrow we fly to Rockhampton.

The first was with British celebrity comedian Deborah Frances-White (pictured).

She’ll like me calling her a celebrity, because her show was about how to become one.

There were some useful tips, like setting up your own Wikipedia page for a made-up TV program, complete with forum, blog and links.

It was a small audience, but Deborah was terrific.

I don’t like comedians who make jokes at the expense of audience members.

Deborah had plenty of opportunities to do that, but she resisted them all and gave us a fun night.

If you get the chance to see her perform, take it.

I used to view them with some contempt, seeing the concept as a corruption, almost a betrayal of football’s origins.

It probably is those things, but the “super box” is also the way of the world, and if you can’t beat them, join them.

Juliet and I arrived at 12.30pm. Our hostess, Fiona, immediately offered drinks while we checked out the facilities.

There was a dining table with 16 places, a kitchen, toilet and seats overlooking the massive Melbourne Cricket Ground.

We were situated on level 3 overlooking the wing.

Our lunch included oysters, prime beef, lamb, fish, duck, chicken, cooked vegetables and salad.

Dessert and a cheese platter followed.

The windows of the box can be opened on a fine day to catch all the atmosphere.

There’s a TV inside, showing the match, just in case you miss something or can’t see clearly across the ground.

The drinks flowed: beer, wine, champagne, spirits, coffee. Party pies and sausage rolls were served at three-quarter time.

The TV also had Sky Channel for those who wanted to follow the races.

Not a bad way to watch the footy, which incidentally saw Collingwood defeat Melbourne.

Here are a couple of other photos from Melbourne:

The Melbourne Public Baths in Swanston Street.

The Welsh Church in LaTrobe Street.

I had thought the soccer season finished until they sprang this on us. Apparently it was a pre-season cup that was cancelled, so they shunted it to the end of the year.

The last thing I expected to be doing today was standing in the wind and rain watching a meaningless soccer tournament.

Rant over and back to the topic.

I read The Age during the games Michael wasn’t playing. The speed renting story was buried in the middle pages, but it really caught my eye and it was well written by Dinah Arndt.

If I was editor of The Age I would have placed it on page one or three.

Would-be renters wore red badges and those with space to let wore green. There was no middle man and no cost, but one catch: each had just three minutes to spruik themselves or their property before moving on.

There was a mix of age groups present and apparently the landlords and prospective tenants were pleased with the outcomes.

I remember the strain of trying to find rental accommodation in Melbourne.

Getting to eyeball the landlord and/or potential flatmates is definitely an advantage.

Regarding suburban football, the report described how it continues to some extent in Sydney rugby league, but no longer exists in Australian football.

There was mention of the Newtown Jets playing in a minor division.

The grandstand at Glenferrie Oval, where Hawthorn used to play.

Watching Fitzroy at Princes Park was great fun for me. I didn’t mind seeing them plat at Whitten Oval either, although the landscape seemed foreign.

I wish I had seen them run around at Brunswick Street.

I don’t expect a comfortable seat when I go to the football. You’re there for three hours or a little more.

What I want is a good view of the game and easy-enough access to amenities.

Football has been corporatised too much. Not everyone wants a super box to watch the game. We don’t all need TV monitors and waiter service.

I like the fact Newtown is now playing in a lower division of the rugby league. It would be great to see Fitzroy in the VFA, affiliated with the Brisbane Lions.

As for the future of the rugby codes, they should amalgamate. Perhaps at club level a hybrid game could exist, but for representative purposes rugby union should prevail.

Archie Thompson scored five goals, just the sixth ever A-League hat-trick and the most goal by an individual in any A-League match.