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++ UPDATED 12:25pm August 11

I'd describe my experience in Beijing as incredible, fascinating and very, very hot.

The locals could not have been friendlier; they were all trying so hard to speak English and welcome us. Even the ladies at our hotel went out of their way to make us coffee and make sure we were comfortable.

The opening ceremony was spectacular. I felt so privileged to attend. One of the loveliest moments was when it was all over and we hopped on the bus to head home and a fellow guest who lived in Beijing said how proud she was that night of what her country had shown the world. I felt so happy for her. The Chinese were really feeling the pressure and were so keen to show the world what they could do. I wish them and every athlete competing all the very best.

Firstly, thanks to everyone has got knitting with our Guardian Angels campaign. We have been inundated and the response has been massive!

There are still stacks coming in - remember to take them into a Guardian Pharmacy if you can. The box I am opening now is from Anna Jane in Wee Wah. Her two sons have knitted a rug and it's beautiful. Thanks guys.

The trip to Armenia is something I will treasure forever. And I am so blown away that people have embraced it. I don't know if it is a resurgence in knitting or it's just that a lot of those good old-fashioned skills, which personally I love. Maybe it's just that they have always done them, old fashioned daggy no more

Cooking is another thing I love that’s coming back. We're going back to some hearty meals. Like that risotto we did the other day with Barbara - that was so good!

I am also a fan of old-fashioned parties. You know, the type with three legged races!

Just opening another box of great knitted garments now from Mildura. It's a huge box from Dorothy . Thanks Dorothy and to all who helped you!

Sewing is really my mum's department, I'm hopeless. I wish I could sew. Get more info from World Vision here.

Mel

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++ UPDATED 1 July 3.28pm 

I have just had the Sunrise web team upload a bunch shots from my recent trip to Armenia. (VIEW GALLERY)

I hope you like the phtoos and they give you some encouragement to keep knitting - or take it up!

Sorry I haven’t got more to write. Speak soon!

Mel. 

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++ UPDATED 25 June 11.40pm

We met some wonderful people in Armenia ... (read why I went there)

Obviously language was a barrier but it's amazing how much you can communicate with a few gestures and smiles.

One of the loveliest was a lady called Tamara. (Watch video)

The 73 year old was selling strings of walnuts covered in a sticky grape juice. She was working to support her disabled son.

She had the most fantastic wizened face that flashed between sadness and a smile as she talked about her son. I bought strings of walnuts and bags of fresh berries and left with with a warm embrace.

Another kind lady we met was Tukhik.

She came out to watch us filming and immediately invited us into her home. She brought out the best china tea cups and wiped them with a tea towel the way my Nanna used to when guests arrived.

Her home was neat and tidy, the dirt floors swept. She cooked us some Armenian coffee - this very dark thick brew that kept me awake for hours!

She insisted we then stay for lunch and went about her garden picking fresh herbs, sweet white cherries and what looked like white mulberries.

She unwrapped large chunks of home made cheese and from a cupboard under the house she brought out sheets of dried lavash bread and replenished them with water.

It was one of the best lunches I have ever enjoyed. Her farm is idyllic and lush and her kindness so genuine.

We sat it in the sun sipping coffee and just smiling at each other.  

Mel

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++ UPDATED 22 JUNE 6.21pm 

Mel on parents being banned taking photos of children at sporting events

It’s a terrible shame this decision of police to act after a father took photos of his kids playing sport.

I take photos of my kids sport every weekend. 

They will want to see the shots when they grow up – they are memories – and God forbid if I miss Nicks' goals! He'd be shattered! 

Obviously, there are people who take photos for the wrong reasons. 

There are perverts and illegal pedophiles out there, and that’s a real problem.

On this issue, I would rather if all parents kept an eye out and monitor onlookers themselves.

Mel

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++ UPDATED 12 June 2.34pm

Sunrise host Mel updates us on her adventure to Armenia, and has advice on what wool knitters should choose  (read more on that here)

To my lovely knitting friends, thank you! Your response already is amazing.

feel so privileged to be associated with World Vision, and on your behalf help so many children in need.

The response Sunrise had to the Guardian Angel campaign back in 2006 was incredible. Both from you - our viewers who took the time to knit and from the children in Mongolia to whom we gave the woolies.

Families are struggling all over the world and in Mongolia even more so. Can you imagine living in a country that drops to -52 degrees in winter and you are forced to choose between food and firewood?

This year we are helping the children in the Caucasus region - Romania, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.

So on behalf World Vision, but in particular the children, thank you for knitting.

“…the children won't mind if you find something a little less expensive…”

I know wool is not cheap and although the preference is for 100% wool because it is warmer, the children wont mind if you find something a little less expensive with as high a percentage wool count as you can manage. We are all tightening our belts with the rise in groceries, petrol and interest rates ... but Aussies are just so generous and you, our Sunrise viewers continue to inspire us!

I am heading off to Armenia next week to meet some of the children, visit some of the institutions where they live and take some of the knitting I have already received. The rest will be shipped over in a few months when the campaign ends in August.

When I come back I will tell you all about Armenia ...(such as where it is - I had to look up on the map myself!) and what World Vision is doing there to help.

Thanks again - its all so appreciated. These children will be so grateful to be warm and know someone from the other side of the world cares enough to knit them a jumper.

Warm Wishes, Mel

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++ UPDATED 2 June 10.17am 

- Sunrise host Mel Doyle on what she really thinks of Kochie

My first week on Sunrise was back in 1997, when it was an hour's news service. I was hosting with Peter Ford and Kochie did the finance.

We had lots of fun and immediately developed a great rapport.

When Peter left Kochie filled in for him. He was a natural and we hit it off. We continued for another two and half years. Till they boned us, axed us - whatever you want to call it!

I used to do News on 11am and that ended too. So they put me into ‘special projects'! Sunrise then returned with a few other hosts; Johnanna Griggs and Andrew Daddo did the Olympics.
I had Nicholas in 2001 and at the start of 2002 was asked to come back and co-host with Chris Reason.
Chris and I worked together until October when he fell ill with cancer. So when he left I said ‘"What about Kochie?" So he came in and here we are!

I can't really describe the chemistry. And I wouldn't want to try. I think if we sat down and over-analysed it then we'd probably read too much into it.

We're good friends we trust each other, we get each other. We have a great working relationship.

We have a really similar sense of humour. And I think we both have very similar values, loyalties. We both believe in the same sort of things, we have the same goals in our personal lives. We both put our families first and don't get to caught up in the whole world of television.

I can't tell him this but he's quite like my dad, and my husband, in that he's got that naughty boy, cheeky, how-far-can-I-push-this type of humour? Maybe that's why??

I never get any warning if Kochie's going to drop a clanger. Sometimes I can sense it, if he's in one of those trouble-making moods. I think, "Woah, we're in for a wild-ride this morning!"

There's always ebb and flow with each of us. We can sense when one of us is flagging, one's sick or tired. The other one will step in and carry a bit more of the load that morning. Kochie and I have always said if one of us is grumpy, the other one will say "Look, we've got a show to do. Get over it!"

In the same way, we always said from day one, if either of us have a problem, we'll be open about it and discuss it.

Nat I adore - she is one of my dearest girlfriends in the world. I admire her as a person. She's fantastic. I admire her as a mum. I really enjoy her company. We'll go shopping, we happily spend time outside of the show together. Our lives are at a similar spot, our kids are at the same age.

Mel

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++ UPDATED 16 April 10.07am 

I thought I'd write a note about this Fuelwatch issue.

I don't know if this is going to make a huge difference to how you buy your petrol. Especially if you already have a routine. I mean, is it worth driving around to save a cent per litre? But anything that helps increase competition is a good thing.