Melbourne Commonwealth Games

Monday March 13

8:00am flight from Sydney with breakfast at Qantas Club.  Avis rental with GPS in Melbourne and easy drive to the Westin Hotel on Swanston St.  Easy 'cause it was a public holiday - Moomba.  Perfect timing for the Moomba Parade right outside the hotel then a short walk to the shops.  Came across the Urban Dream Capsule which was fascinating (www.urbandreamcapule.com).  Spent over an hour watching the four guys behind the windows.

Around 3pm climbed into the car and headed to Nunawading for Phil to meet the rest of the group for the Queens Baton Relay run.  The girls headed the shops while Phil was briefed on what to do.  At 5:40 it was time for Phil to be passed the baton and run UP hill to pass it to the next person.  Just 500 metres and the girls ran up the hill too taking photos all the way.

Headed back to the hotel for a quick change and to the tram to the MCG for the Opening Ceremony rehearsal.  The flying tram was cool and Phil liked the bikes and ballerinas.

Back to the tram and a quick check of the Urban Dream Capsule - an hour that included knitting lessons and family histories - before bed.  A big day.

Tuesday March 14

Early start with breakfast in Qantas Club again before the 9:30 flight back to Sydney and off to school for Bec and El.

Thursday March 16

After dropping Bec to rowing at 5:30 Phil was back to Melbourne to host people at the Rugby 7s