Melbourne in

We were feeling pretty smug and stable that we had reached the one year mark in Canberra without moving and no plans of move. We patted ourselves on the back and gloated to each other about how we wouldn’t have to worry about leaving the country this year. Here we are permanent residents sending emails about renewing our lease for another 12 months. It is understandable that we felt deflated to learn that the owners would not renew our lease as they intended on moving in and we had a month to move out. So here we are packing again. But we weren’t going to let some crusty real estate agents and property owners ruin our fun.

In the days preceding our fourteenth anniversary we drove fourteen hours for a weekend in Melbourne. Apart from a few threats, howls and recriminations, the drive down was smooth and we arrived close to midnight in our lodgings: a converted warehouse with highly odd decor. Zadie talked to the skull on the table and stuck her fingers in its eyeholes. Tova stroked the skinned cat. Aurora counted the >15 unicorns that festooned the walls and counters. Sophia did reverse pushups on the wall rack. Jakob admired the depressed whale on crutches in the bathroom. There was even a hot tub in our bedroom though we never filled it. 

Melbourne weekends are always laid back whirlwinds of socialising. We saw lots of good friends, plus their adorable new babies. We had exceptionally good Japanese Korean food at Neko Neko; Tamar has a serious weakness for dishes that come surrounded by 8 side dishes. The girls had a blast in the MSAC wave pool, which always leaves Jakob with recurring nightmares about losing children in the ocean. Messina gelato was used as a highly effective bribe/weapon to force good behaviour. Playgrounds comprised hours of our days. The girls were reunited with their beloved goats at Collingwood Farm. Good times all round. 

We gained an honorary family member on Sunday - one of Jakob’s oldest friends (from high school) drove back with us to spend a week exploring Canberra. The drive was much smoother and more convivial for having her good cheer and corny jokes...even running out of gas and practically coasting into the giant submarine gas station seemed adventuresome rather than stressful!

As always, Melbourne visits make us question living in Canberra - it’s like having an older, hipper sibling showing you up. But, despite the lack of vegan delis, subzero bars, underpass bouldering walls, rooftop traincars, and gorgeous graffiti, Canberra’s got a sort of slumbery humdrum vibe that is ... also great?