I have a week off between finishing in Tatura and starting work in Adelaide and having already seen the main things I wish to see in Melbourne I venture beyond it, testing the limits of the public transport system. On Monday then I head to Healesville Sanctuary. A wildlife park for Australian animals with various rescue and breeding programmes in operation. I see some awake wombats, a speedy platypus and the top 10 poisonous Australian snakes. Its a cold day though with no sunshine to take the edge off and I'm in doubt about Tuesday's plans. 
Which are another mission of a journey along the Mornington Peninsula, SE of the city to Portsea to dive. The day is bright and sunny and after some doubts about the effect of the wind on the visibility they deem it ok to dive. Not unaware that perhaps this was an activity for summer I was still keen to try and see the Weedy Sea Dragon on what might be my last time in Victoria- the only place in the world it lives. 
10mm of neoprene, hood and boots 1 cold plunge and necessary recovery of breath at the shock of the 15 degree C water then we disappear beneath the pier. Luckily I see the weedy Sea Dragon and gain photographic evidence too. It's from the seahorse family about 30 cm long and looking like a beautiful minature dragon! Emerging from the sea is difficult as my hands have become so cold that my hands don't work and I can't get my fins off!
Wednesday is a more relaxed day by necessity involving no public transport. I meet Jessamy for dinner in the evening. On Thursday it's 10 1/2 hours on the Overlander train to Adelaide. It's a decent train but after 7 hours I'm ready to get off, just glad that this time I was sensible enough to not travel overnight. Victoria's been fun but with winter setting in and my lack of warm clothes it's good to know I'm starting the journey north with 3 weeks to go before I start it in Perth...
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