The end of civilisation as we know it

G’day everyone!

I thought it was about time I wrote another blog entry- so here it is!

We have been enjoying our time in Sydney immensely. It has been so nice having lots of time to explore all the suburbs and see places that we didn’t get to see on our last visit.

Since my last blog we went on the train to visit a place called Wollongong, which is a town about an hour and a half from Sydney. We had a look around and enjoyed exploring the beach areas and shopping precincts.

The only bit of trouble that we had was that I tripped up on a paving stone and broke my sandal. We then had to endure a very slow walk back to the shopping area, with me hobbling with one sandal one and one sandal off! On the upside I got to buy not one but two pairs of new ones- what a result!

We also spent a very enjoyable day at Randwick races the other Saturday. We did extremely well and between us managed to win the first four races! Unfortunately due to our strict budget keeping we only put $2 each on per race, so we never made much profit. In fact on one of the races with our bets combined we actually made a loss.

Anyway never mind it was a great experience and been a girly I liked looking at the horses close up before each race and we had enough money for us both to get, shall we say a little tipsy!

We have both been very good and have made the effort to go swimming at least three times a week. I managed to swim sixty lengths in half an hour the other day but felt like a needed a lie down afterwards.

The weather has started to warm up nicely although it is rather erratic at this time of year. One day it will be in the high twenties and lovely and sunny, the next it will be nineteen and overcast. A couple of days last week it got to 36 degrees C so of course we were straight down the beach! The weather will definitely be hotting up by the time the Bailey posse arrive on our doorstep!

Yesterday we walked from Cammeray down to Milson’s Point via North Sydney. This is about a half hour walk and gets my fat legs moving. We then walked over the Harbour Bridge which again takes about half an hour but is well worth it (especially at the other end when you come down the stairs and find yourself in the Rocks right next to two cracking pubs!) We will make the Baileys do the Bridge walk and reward them with a pub crawl around the Rocks! What more of an incentive could they need!

It is now just over two weeks until mom, dad and Deb arrive in Sydney and we can’t wait to see them. We have been very busy planning loads of things to do with them and to be honest I am counting the days down now. It seems like ages since we were in Brum and a life time since we saw our families. I’m just soooooooooooooooooo excited to see them again! Also I’m sure Chris will be glad for me to talk someone else to death for a change- I’ve always liked a good natter!

Before the Bailey time we are going on a really cool adventure this Saturday to Alice Springs, Ayres Rock and Darwin stopping off at loads of nice places on the way. I will leave you now with a 'brief' itinerary, so you know what we are up to and where we are(basically in the middle of bloody nowhere!)

Sat 21st October- fly to Alice Springs and survive a day and night in what Claire described as a dog hole! Thank God we have managed to sort out our own accommodation in the YHA hostel, as the place the tour company offered us, is supposed to be the worst hostel in the whole of Oz, according to reviews from other travellers!

Sun 22nd October- we are picked up at 5.10am (in the morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) to start our journey to Kings Canyon and Uluru (the proper name for Ayres Rock). Firstly we travel to Kings Canyon where we explore the spectacular North and South Walls, Amphitheatre, Lost City and the Garden of Eden. After lunch we journey to Uluru for our overnight stay in a permanent campsite (what no five star hotel!!!)

Mon 23rd Oct- another early start today so that we catch the sunrise at Uluru. Then we get to do a base walk or climb Uluru which I am not going to do as it is disrespectful to the Aborginals as the rock is sacred to them (nothing to do with me been too lazy to get up there of course!). Next we visit Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) and learn about the significance of this spiritual place (I think we will both be needing a little tipple of spirits by now!) Then we journey back to Alice for an overnight stay in our hostel.

Tues 24th Oct- we cross the Tropic of Capricorn (now that’s not something you can say every day!) before stopping at a place called Ti Tree. Next we stop at Barrow Creek Pub (now that sounds more like it!) to view the historic Telegraph Station and then travel onto the Devils Marbles which are precariously balanced boulders sacred to the traditional owners. Next we travel to Banka Banka for an overnight stay at a cattle station and a dip in a picturesque waterhole. (I just hope the cows have an early start in the morning too and turn in early!)

Wed 25th Oct- Today we head further north to the famous outback pub at Daly Waters (nice!) which is the oldest pub in the Northern Territory and the first international airport in Australia (how bizarre is that!). After lunch we head to Mataranka to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the crystal clear thermal springs (now this sounds good to me). Late afternoon we travel to Katherine Gorge for another night of camping (lets hope it’s not like Carry on Camping!)

Thurs 26th Oct- Firstly HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CLAIRE on this day! Today we can spend half a day canoeing or cruising the gorge (I’ll do the cruising, Chrissy can do the canoeing bit!) After lunch we head to Darwin via EDITH Falls and Adelaide River. In Darwin we have booked a nice double room with private bathroom so a welcome break from the camping here I think.

Fri 27th Oct- Today sounds cool as we get to view wildlife at the Mary River Wetlands on a Crocodile and wildlife cruise!!!!!!!! After this we visit Bowali Visitor Centre and Ubirr Rock. Then yes you’ve guessed it another night of camping, this time in Kakadu National Park ( I hope the crocs aren’t hungry that night!)

Sat 28th Oct- Our first stop is a place called Jim Jim Falls, then we journey to Twin Falls where we join a National Park operated boat and boardwalk experience up the stunning gorge to the waterfall where we get to chill before returning to Darwin. On our return we have a night in our hostel again to recover a little!

Sun 29th Oct- We have this day free for ourselves so that we can explore Darwin a little more.

Mon 30th Oct- Fly back to Sydney.

So what do you reckon? It is better than a wet week in Brum don’t you think!!

Bye for now