Today being Sunday we went to church with Joan and John. This was nothing new for us as we have been several times before but it is a very unusual church in that it is an English and Korean speaking church with a Korean minister as well as a Samoan Australian minister. This means everything is translated between the two languages and the hymns are sung in two languages! We had communion today as well which was done slightly differently too. After the service we had a Korean lunch - vegetable curry and rice, which was very nice.

Anthony joined us and we all then drove to Rippon Lea - about half an hour away through the Melbourne suburbs. Rippon Lea is one of Melbourne's grand houses dating from the 19th century. It has an interesting history and we enjoyed a guided tour round it. Its last major refurbishment as a private dwelling was in 1938 largely in a glamorous Hollywood style. It is set in lovely gardens with a lake and the largest covered fernery in the world!

Rippon Lea House

It has been used on several occasions as the setting for films and recently for a TV series about a lady detective. We were therefore delighted to be able to watch one of the programmes on our return to John and Joan's, as they have the boxed set.

Clare, Joan and Anthony in the garden at Rippon Lea

The weather has been sunny and warm, though not quite as warm as yesterday and hopefully will stay the same as we go to Phillip Island tomorrow.

A ghost gum tree at Rippon Lea

We have enjoyed our brief return to Melbourne. It is a lovely city, with plenty to do and see and it's always a pleasure to be with Joan and John.

Melbourne cityscape