Col: Boys are safely in Melbourne having done the Cook's tour of Airline lounges. We are safely ensconced and sampling some beverages after a light antipasto repast.

Easy flight from Canberra.

Straight through to Customs - no line so straight through.

Eric: As someone who regrets things not done more than contrary, this trip with the guys is a once in a lifetime opportunity not to be passed. Having said that, today brought with it two minor regrets:

- Having chilli con carne for lunch right today; and
- Gardening in the morning, playing with Dynamic Lifter and then getting 'randomly' swabbed for explosives at the airport.

Things turned out ok. Not 100% sure about the chilli yet, but I have a feeling that that too will pass.

John: Well clearly arranging for the boys to sit together was not a strategic move given Eric's taste for red hot chilli and lots of beans - despite the size of the A380 there's no escape on a plane.

Today was supposed to be quiet but I ended up rushing around getting things I forgot - I'm now in a new pair of Skins the old ones having unaccountably shrunk since I wore them to England in 2010. I am however reliably informed that in the older man if you try to reduce the beer gut by getting fit the  circumference remains static the centre of gravity simply moves backwards. Anyway I'm trying to further this particular scientific experiment by knocking back a few champagne - help the little fat cells on their migration.