Melbourne in May with Michael

It’s a long time since I connected up with my friends in Melbourne. The boys and I were there for just a day for a footy match in September but we snuck in and out. Marcus said something a few months ago that made me realise I was still a bit curled up in a Covid-era ball, and it was time to travel and connect again.

So I planned four days for Elf and I, with family and friend gatherings and again a footy match in the middle – the Richmond v Essendon 'Dreamtime' game. But, unfortunately Elf didn't have enough leave to come, so I asked Michael – and it became a different sort of trip.

The plan was;

• Thursday evening fly to Melbourne, head to our accommodation at Hampton by train, stopping en route to have some dinner with Alex in Richmond
• Friday train out to the country for a tour of the district, dinner and an overnight stay with Dave and Andrea at Trentham.
• Saturday back to the city for a lunch gathering with some Richmond Tigers friends, which would spread into an afternoon with the broader Tigers family, then a walk to the MCG for the game itself.
• Sunday a lunch with old mates John, Alex and Michael in Carlton
• Monday fly back home.

This was a fairly intense schedule for us but it went off really well. I told Michael in advance that I knew he might feel a bit extra at all these things I had organised for me, and he was welcome to skip any or just slip out early of any of these commitments. But he was by my side throughout and equipped himself well.

I booked an Airbnb right by Hampton station and five minutes from the beach. Although it was May I had the mad idea I might just possibly have a winter dip. I have been swimming a lot this year and built up my cold-water tolerance. Hampton is near the end of the Sandringham line; not close to town but not really all that far; and its about a thirty second walk from the train to the front door.

I swam twice and I enjoyed it but it was really stupid of me. It was freezing, and I caught a cold that I brought home and it hung around for weeks.