Saturday Day 7

Melbourne: We set off with a tour of the city past the Grand Prix racing circuit and casino-which is a glimpse of the scaale of what Britain will experience through the new gambling developments. The amount of high rise development here is incredible, in the 20 years since my last visit.

We were on a trip to Cook’s Point on the edge of the bay to a family celebration at an old settlement on the salt marches built by a Scotsman called MacDonald in the 1860s. He apprently became rich by buying land and blocking the access of his neighbours to the sea. The house was built in stages, starting with a wooden hut, which is part of the preserved buildings here. In one room is a fish–keeping area full of water which was built below the dairy to keep it cool. It is crawling with snakes and signs are everywhere in the grounds. Emma who lives here nearly trod on a Tiger snake in the cellar last week. The place is also haunted in one of its rooms –I certainly got a ten minute fit of shivers during the walk around! It was interesting to meet salt of the earth solid labour voters at the party who nevertheless have virulent anti –aboriginal attitudes.