One step closer… Raced out of Monash at ten past five, leapt on the bike and tore across town to try and pick up the invitations before the shop closed at six. I’d guessed that it should take less than forty minutes to get there… I made it — just. The three kilometres straight up Bourke road from the freeway is an impressive climb, especially with the added spice of bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic.

Invitations done. One more tick entered on the big chart of things to do.

Oh, and look what arrived in the mail today — the real paper mail that is… It’s a personally signed letter from Little Johnny How-hard, our esteemed pry-mini-stir, telling us all Lets All Look Out For Australia It even includes a fridge-magnet, so that when I spot the nasty terrorists in my neighbourhood, I can call up the friendly anti-terrorist hotline and dob them in. Is there any chance of dobbing in Mr Howard for failure to represent the Australian electorate, and being a politician in a public place (a truly heinous offence)?

All is not lost, however. There is still good in the world while Marko is capable of inviting us around for a meal one of his magnificent curries and a couple of beers.