I Don't Think We're at the Cricketer's Arm.

We had been planning to head to a footy match with a big group of people for quite some time, and part of that planning included a good ol'American tailgate.  You see, the folks here in Melbourne don't really tailgate prior to sporting events.  There could be many reasons for this, including:

• City living doesn't really afford the space to keep all of the tailgating essentials - grill, tent, table, chairs, ect.
• Very strict drinking and driving laws (1/2 the legal limit as the states).
• Public transport to the stadiums is abundant.
• Limited parking lots due to the stadiums being in the city...having previously tailgated in a car park, it's not recommended.

Unfortunately, Melbourne weather struck again, and Saturday was forecast to be cold and windy with rain and hail (not the best tailgating weather).

So, our mate, Michael, put together a Pre-game Tasting Tour (not to be mistaken for a Pub Crawl, which only a bunch of bogens would go on...).

Our tickets and itinerary for the day.

We headed out around 2pm to begin the tour and were greeted with sunny skies and mild weather...a perfect day for tailgating...

The day began at the Swan Hotel, where we proceeded to have a couple of beers and some nibbles.  

Swan Hotel in Richmond.

Refreshing way to start at Saturday.

We then headed to the Richmond Hotel, then off to the London Hotel for some dinner. 

Part of the crew leaving the Richmond Club Hotel.

Jeffie has experience pouring a good beer.

Me and Jeffie in our team gear.  Go The Cats!

Matt often gives Jeffie this look.

Our last pre-game stop was the Royal Hotel.  Be warned, if you are in the Richmond section of Melbourne, this is NOT the Cricketer's Arm (which is where we thought we were), and there is no warning to the contents of the inside...

NOT the Cricketer's Arm.

We then made our way to the game, where we had great seats and the skies opened up and it continued to rain for the rest of the evening.

If it looks like there is a cloud in the stadium, you're almost right...
it was pouring.

Rival fans in front of us, that Jeff harassed the entire game.  He's really
quite witty when it comes to harassing 9-year olds.  Their dad's weren't
impressed.

Putting our tour guide in a head-lock.

While Geelong lost, we had a great time, despite the rainy game and the almost 2 hour trek home.  In the RAIN.  

Good times trekking through Melbourne in the rain.

Our living room looked like a laundry mat this morning, with all of our clothes drying on the backs of chairs and the drying rack.