1st day in Melbourne

Got to Melbourne at 3.00 and spent the next hour waiting for luggage in a shed and trying to find the car rental place which was about half a mile from the terminal - not happy bunnies today!! Picked up the car which had dents and scratches on just about every panel - thank you Hertz! (felt like doing a Neil Page rant - a la Planes Trains and Automobiles)

We are staying at the Tune Hotel which officially opened the day before - despite (or because) of its newness I had to do some plumbing repairs in the bathroom to fix the leaky sink. I think we should just write off today as one of those. Also it's 16c here - and that's ffffreezing compared to yesterday.

We found a nice Italian place for dinner - ate outside under the heaters! In Australia no one gives tips - I feel a bit mean not giving any money but I'm told that's the convention - so when in Rome...........

Thought I would have a night cap before returning to the hotel but it's past 9.00 and the bars are shut -   I thought Aussies were a hard drinking lot - maybe they start early?