Swapping our 1950's sea plane for something a little more ordinary we flew to Melbourne the next day!! Sorry to say good bye (for now) to Sydney and the kindness Louise and Neil had extended to us but excited about the prospect of a new city and getting to see Laura's family!! Thankful to Neil for getting us to the airport on time having arisen a little too late and missing our train to the airport!!
Bridget and Peter were there to pick us up and we drove the hour down to Mount Martha to find out what a lucky couple of flash packers we had been!!
We were to stay in our own room with double bed in their beautiful holiday home an hours drive from Melbs, pool table and throwing distance from the beach which is exactly where we headed to to clear away cool of after our flight and lugging the heavy cases!!
Ben and Fleur joined us at the beach with the Lenni and Olive.
Was very proud of Laura who had a proper swim in shark infested waters (the first since arriving in oz some 2-3 weeks)!!
Peter did us a BBQ of steak that night which we washed down with some good wine
and Laura bonded with Lenni watching beauty and the beast engulfed in the big sofas at the house!! Something tells me Laura has seen it before as she seamed to know it word for word!!
Just as we were starting to feel settled in and away from the deadly spiders of Sydney, Lenni the three year old showed us the spider stuck in the door frame- it was the size of a terantula and had to be deadly great big hairy body and legs and nasty looking pincers but were assured this was non vminous!!??!! Something told me I wouldn't sleeping too well that night, although the three year old Lenni seemed alot less bothered!!
That morning Olive started showing her affection towards mike and his nose!!Every time she saw him she gave him a great big gummy grin, so cute!!but that morning wasn't all fun and games... the bad luck started with ben breaking the fruit bowl that auntie b had just safely transported all the way back from perth. Then as we were all about to go for a walk little leni fell off the portch and banged her head under the watchful supervision of team mclou...needless to say we felt awful poor likle thing had a real egg on her head! so bad things come in threes...what's next we thought!!
we went to a winery in yarra valley mike and laura tried a few of the local wines...very nice... yum yum!! The annual rain fall for the region managed to hold off till just after lunch. It wasn't till later that evening when little olive fell over and got a bloddy nose that we realised that the rain wasn't the third thing!
Friday 29 January 2010
30 something.....
Awoke to the sound of little feet outside the door...........Caitlyn, Keela and James had all made Mike really cool cards for his birthday which was really sweet!!
Laura was a little worried looking and I was to find out why in a few hours.
All Mike new was that he had to set his alarm for 7.30 in order to get ready for his surprise b'day present!!?!! The pain of 7.30am on his b'day was soon healed by breakfast in bed and card and present time. Mike loved his presents and was touched by all his cards and text messages at midnight, 3.30am and 5.30am!! and later by the facebook messages (many of which were a little delayed due to it not being my birthday in England for another 11 hours)!!
Once we were dressed and out the door we realised just how miserable the weather was with rain in Sydney- not what we'd signed up for!! Laura was really starting to looked worried!!
On the train into the city Laura let the cat out of the bag and my surprise day that she had gone to great lengths to plan and keep secret was a morning flight in a sea plane around the sydney harbour and sailing lessons in the afternoon in Rose Bay!! MASSIVE BROWNY POINTS TO LAURA- AWESOME PRESENTS!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately though Laura's concerns were comfirmed though and the sea plane was cancelled due to crappy weather!!
Sailing benefitted from the crappy weather and we enjoyed an afternoon learning to sail around sydney.
After which we freshened up and headed to Darling harbour for a slap up meal!! We ate on the water front and had a great big meat platter with ribs, steak, sausage, and tasy chunky chips!! All chased down with a few beers................and cocktails!!
Bit of a late night but not too late as we had the rescheduled sea plane to look forward to the next morning!!
We had no problems getting up the next morning after checking the weather we flew out the door and down to Rose bay for a bit of sea plance action!!
The sea plnc was awesome!! We flew down to Bondi, and back up to the harbour bridge before landing back on the water in Rose Bay. Loved the pilots work!! Amazing feeling coming into land on water!!
Cant be sure we had landed as was high as a kite for the rest of the day!!
31 and going strong!!!!!
Laura was a little worried looking and I was to find out why in a few hours.
All Mike new was that he had to set his alarm for 7.30 in order to get ready for his surprise b'day present!!?!! The pain of 7.30am on his b'day was soon healed by breakfast in bed and card and present time. Mike loved his presents and was touched by all his cards and text messages at midnight, 3.30am and 5.30am!! and later by the facebook messages (many of which were a little delayed due to it not being my birthday in England for another 11 hours)!!
Once we were dressed and out the door we realised just how miserable the weather was with rain in Sydney- not what we'd signed up for!! Laura was really starting to looked worried!!
On the train into the city Laura let the cat out of the bag and my surprise day that she had gone to great lengths to plan and keep secret was a morning flight in a sea plane around the sydney harbour and sailing lessons in the afternoon in Rose Bay!! MASSIVE BROWNY POINTS TO LAURA- AWESOME PRESENTS!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately though Laura's concerns were comfirmed though and the sea plane was cancelled due to crappy weather!!
Sailing benefitted from the crappy weather and we enjoyed an afternoon learning to sail around sydney.
After which we freshened up and headed to Darling harbour for a slap up meal!! We ate on the water front and had a great big meat platter with ribs, steak, sausage, and tasy chunky chips!! All chased down with a few beers................and cocktails!!
Bit of a late night but not too late as we had the rescheduled sea plane to look forward to the next morning!!
We had no problems getting up the next morning after checking the weather we flew out the door and down to Rose bay for a bit of sea plance action!!
The sea plnc was awesome!! We flew down to Bondi, and back up to the harbour bridge before landing back on the water in Rose Bay. Loved the pilots work!! Amazing feeling coming into land on water!!
Cant be sure we had landed as was high as a kite for the rest of the day!!
31 and going strong!!!!!
Sushi masters
Very long lay in after the reverend kept us up all night!!
We had a chilled day by the pool and learned to make sushi.......which tasted damn good even if i say so myself!!! This was a major achievement as it meant our bank accounts would survive Sydney after Laura's new found love of sushi rolls!!
After our rest we had a fuller day the next day.
We walked over Sydney bridge, took a ferry ride round to Darling harbour, went to the aquarium (beautiful Dugongs and long neck turtles and cool tunnel to walk under the shark tank) then felt slightly more guilty eating our fish sushi picnic in the harbour!!
Louise and Neil returned so we made diner for the tired travellers and enjoyed a night in with the MacDonalds.............and didnt manage to poison anyone!!
The next day we had a sushi making day with the kids, passing on our new found skills. They added their own special flavours like carrots and a big sneeze in the rice (we wont mention who did that though) and we were very impressed with their efforts..........to make sushi and keep Pepper (the cat) out of the tuna bowl!!
After sushi we headed to the beach which didnt happen (rain delyed play) so we ducked into the cinema and watched 3D Avator- awesome film!!!!!
Mike went to bed that night very excited at the thought of waking up the next day as a 31 year old!?!
We had a chilled day by the pool and learned to make sushi.......which tasted damn good even if i say so myself!!! This was a major achievement as it meant our bank accounts would survive Sydney after Laura's new found love of sushi rolls!!
After our rest we had a fuller day the next day.
We walked over Sydney bridge, took a ferry ride round to Darling harbour, went to the aquarium (beautiful Dugongs and long neck turtles and cool tunnel to walk under the shark tank) then felt slightly more guilty eating our fish sushi picnic in the harbour!!
Louise and Neil returned so we made diner for the tired travellers and enjoyed a night in with the MacDonalds.............and didnt manage to poison anyone!!
The next day we had a sushi making day with the kids, passing on our new found skills. They added their own special flavours like carrots and a big sneeze in the rice (we wont mention who did that though) and we were very impressed with their efforts..........to make sushi and keep Pepper (the cat) out of the tuna bowl!!
After sushi we headed to the beach which didnt happen (rain delyed play) so we ducked into the cinema and watched 3D Avator- awesome film!!!!!
Mike went to bed that night very excited at the thought of waking up the next day as a 31 year old!?!
Monday 25 January 2010
City slickers/ beach bums
The next day Stuart and Avis (Neils parents) arrived from the UK luckily they brought some nice weather with them!!
Sunshine could only mean one thing.........time to hit the beach. We met up with Kelly at Bondi where we had a day chilling on the packed out beach. Films crews were there so look out for us on the next episode of Bondi rescue.......Mikes the one with the spartan body running down the beach Mitch Buccanon style - NOT!!
We waved Louise, Neil, Avis, Stuart and the kids off the next day as they left us in charge of the fort!! We did a stirling job of keeping away any robbers, not locking ourselves out and not burning the place down!!
We had good times around the pool baking our white bodys away!! The 1st annual Killara swimathon/ water aerobics/ synchronised swimming contest was held. Laura was ahead at the end of the first days events of synchronised swimming and aerobics but it was a near white wash on day two with Mike steaming ahead in the swimming races if it wasnt for Laura's unnaturally fast lengths of swimming legs only it would have been embarrasing!! Mike feels Laura may have cheated somehow but without officials these suspicions could not be confirmed!!! However next year Mike feels that a team of judges and more concrete rules should be employed for our second annual event (location TBC)!!
Friday night at the rocks was a cool place to hang out after a day at Manly beach!! Their was a cool night market and we watched live music (and random maybe drugged child dancing) in the square. Laura was on a mission to try every food on sale in the market!! Mike was quite happy to be along for the ride on this one!!
We took the late train home and embarked on our usual middle of the road walk back from the station which Laura insisted on to avoid the dark bushes full of deadly spiders!?!
Saturday January the 9th was the opening of the Sydney festival half the city was closed off to cars and loads of entertainment was put on over the city.......all for free!! Hats off to Sydney for putting on such a well organized event for its citizens (and us travellers) all for free- very impressive!!
We walked around the streets wathcing the various acts, breakdancers, BMX riders, floating balloon women thing (see pics), Laura showed off her hula hoop skills, Mike refraned from taking part as far too many children were present and remembering the embarrassment caused by showing Laura (and family) how its done on the Wii fit the previous xmas!!
We set up camp later in the park with a picnic and readying ourselves for the main act appearing at 10pm...........The Reverend Al Green!! He was well worth the wait!! The single best live act Mike has seen. He worked his audience perfectly between performing his classic songs like Lets stay together he also performed some other classics by other soul legends like sitting on the dock of the bay...
The warm up acts are definately worth a mention too. Ross Dewberry started things off with a set all the way from the UK. Hidden republic the black arm band were an aboriginal act who made a great entrance to the stage from amongst the trees of the park creating smoke and light effects.
On a high from the concert we headed back into central and mt up with Kelly once again and her Irish pals. We had an awesome night dancing away til closing time!! This led to us missing the last train so we had to hang around for an hour for the first train Sunday morning (5am) This was no problem as the city was still buzzing with life!! Laura enjoyed the show when we were evacuated from the train station and the ozzy firemen came to our rescue!! No smoke, no fire and we eventually got the train at 5.15am and to bed by 6am just in time for sunrise!!!!
Sunshine could only mean one thing.........time to hit the beach. We met up with Kelly at Bondi where we had a day chilling on the packed out beach. Films crews were there so look out for us on the next episode of Bondi rescue.......Mikes the one with the spartan body running down the beach Mitch Buccanon style - NOT!!
We waved Louise, Neil, Avis, Stuart and the kids off the next day as they left us in charge of the fort!! We did a stirling job of keeping away any robbers, not locking ourselves out and not burning the place down!!
We had good times around the pool baking our white bodys away!! The 1st annual Killara swimathon/ water aerobics/ synchronised swimming contest was held. Laura was ahead at the end of the first days events of synchronised swimming and aerobics but it was a near white wash on day two with Mike steaming ahead in the swimming races if it wasnt for Laura's unnaturally fast lengths of swimming legs only it would have been embarrasing!! Mike feels Laura may have cheated somehow but without officials these suspicions could not be confirmed!!! However next year Mike feels that a team of judges and more concrete rules should be employed for our second annual event (location TBC)!!
Friday night at the rocks was a cool place to hang out after a day at Manly beach!! Their was a cool night market and we watched live music (and random maybe drugged child dancing) in the square. Laura was on a mission to try every food on sale in the market!! Mike was quite happy to be along for the ride on this one!!
We took the late train home and embarked on our usual middle of the road walk back from the station which Laura insisted on to avoid the dark bushes full of deadly spiders!?!
Saturday January the 9th was the opening of the Sydney festival half the city was closed off to cars and loads of entertainment was put on over the city.......all for free!! Hats off to Sydney for putting on such a well organized event for its citizens (and us travellers) all for free- very impressive!!
We walked around the streets wathcing the various acts, breakdancers, BMX riders, floating balloon women thing (see pics), Laura showed off her hula hoop skills, Mike refraned from taking part as far too many children were present and remembering the embarrassment caused by showing Laura (and family) how its done on the Wii fit the previous xmas!!
We set up camp later in the park with a picnic and readying ourselves for the main act appearing at 10pm...........The Reverend Al Green!! He was well worth the wait!! The single best live act Mike has seen. He worked his audience perfectly between performing his classic songs like Lets stay together he also performed some other classics by other soul legends like sitting on the dock of the bay...
The warm up acts are definately worth a mention too. Ross Dewberry started things off with a set all the way from the UK. Hidden republic the black arm band were an aboriginal act who made a great entrance to the stage from amongst the trees of the park creating smoke and light effects.
On a high from the concert we headed back into central and mt up with Kelly once again and her Irish pals. We had an awesome night dancing away til closing time!! This led to us missing the last train so we had to hang around for an hour for the first train Sunday morning (5am) This was no problem as the city was still buzzing with life!! Laura enjoyed the show when we were evacuated from the train station and the ozzy firemen came to our rescue!! No smoke, no fire and we eventually got the train at 5.15am and to bed by 6am just in time for sunrise!!!!
Thursday 14 January 2010
Gorillas in the mist!!
The blue mountains three sisters is a one of the most stunning views in australia...or so we're told!! we definately didn't see any gorillas(apart from mike!! he he) we couldn't see any of three sisters it was soooo misty!!
we did go on an old minning train which plays the theme tune to indiana jones as you start moving, and walked through some very misty rain forest, we got a cable car back upto the top...the views were...thats right you've guest it... non existant due to the mist!!
All was not lost we went and had a lovely barbi...on one of the free gas barbeques near by. Kila, Caitlyn and James were brilliant they just got on with it and did complain once about the mist... but i have a sneeking suspicion they might have seen it all before.
we did go on an old minning train which plays the theme tune to indiana jones as you start moving, and walked through some very misty rain forest, we got a cable car back upto the top...the views were...thats right you've guest it... non existant due to the mist!!
All was not lost we went and had a lovely barbi...on one of the free gas barbeques near by. Kila, Caitlyn and James were brilliant they just got on with it and did complain once about the mist... but i have a sneeking suspicion they might have seen it all before.
bbq and bye bye ems
The next day we ventured to chatswood, where mike fell in love with jb hifi(an electricl store), and laura started her love affair/ obsession with rockin rolls.(sushi).
After Mike driving a hard bargain and some wonderful role play from Laura. quote..."fine we just won't eat tonight" we managed to get a really good deal on a net book!! woo hoo!!
we did eat that night..Laura bought some funky organic sausages and keebabs from the butchers and then went on the longest bus ride in the world to manly. To meet up with ems, jodi, chris and some of chris's friends from uni. Mike decided that he would buy himself a rubix cube and compete with ems and tristin on completing it.(so far no joy)
It was really good to see ems and chris again, we look forward to meeting up with them in london for another round of the vegetable game or maybe even ibble dibble!!
After Mike driving a hard bargain and some wonderful role play from Laura. quote..."fine we just won't eat tonight" we managed to get a really good deal on a net book!! woo hoo!!
we did eat that night..Laura bought some funky organic sausages and keebabs from the butchers and then went on the longest bus ride in the world to manly. To meet up with ems, jodi, chris and some of chris's friends from uni. Mike decided that he would buy himself a rubix cube and compete with ems and tristin on completing it.(so far no joy)
It was really good to see ems and chris again, we look forward to meeting up with them in london for another round of the vegetable game or maybe even ibble dibble!!
Wednesday 6 January 2010
Happy New Year!!
So we landed in Sydney to the welcome sight of Louise who kindly picked us up from the airport...........Mike rewarded this Kindness by taking Louise out with the dodgy trolley (sorry Louise)!!
More apologies are extended to Louise and Neil for the two zombies they had welcomed into their house (aka MacDonalds mansions)!! We had managed to not sleep a wink on the plane due to Laura's over excitement of soon to be arriving in Sydney and Mike having soooooo much good tele to watch!! Although we should have taken our parents advice and avoided 'funny people' as they were right what a crap film!! Not funny at all!!
We took a new approach to conquering jet lag after our week long failings to stay awake in Thailand. We arrived in Sydney at 8am having not slept for 24 hours and elected to stay awake for the rest of the day....................it worked though no jet lag the next day!! Or maybe its our new found love of coffee thats hiding it!! Louise and Neil took us to Balmoral beach (lovely place) where we caught some rays and had fish and chips!!
When we awoke we were really able to fully appreciate what a lovely place Louise and Neil have. We had the most comfortable bed with our own bathroom and pool out side our room!!! Louise had made us breakfast and sorted all our washing out......Outrigger eat your heart out!! Louise and Neil have made us feel soo welcome and the three kids are real cuteys, but have made loo miss her Ol monster!! It was very welcome to have a piece of home after the cultural contrast in Thailand!!
First day in Sydney Laura was very excited to catch up with red eye and Chris.......they took us for pancakes on the rocks, gave us a guided tour of Sydney, around the Opera house and Botanical gardens and front row seats on the Manly ferry.
Laura was amazed by the wildlife in the botanical gardens... and not at all disturbed by the sheer volume of massive man eating bats!!!
On Manly beach we managed to meet up with yet another familiar face.... Fat Head, the gregster!!! we also met his new girlfriend Elise and were surprised with his linguistic talents...he is now able to resite the whole of a norweigian phrase book!!
After chillin on the beach we went for a beer and catch up then went to meet chris's dad..it almost felt like we'd come home... it was so good to see everyone.
New years Eve was to be spent in Rose Bay, Sydney, with great views of the harbour for midnight when the fireworks would kick off. So that morning Mike was sent to the supermarket with three things to remember. 1. Enough beer for a 12 hr session (no glass) 2. Food for the BBQ 3. Wine for Loo. Mike returned home with no food, 24 glass bottle and beer but luckily 2 litres of vino (goon) for loo.........1 out of 3 is not bad!! So after a second visit to the supermarket and beer shop (oz does not sell beer in supermarkets!!??!!) we arrived at the beach with 24 CANS of Jack Daniels and coke and loeds of food although we were a little late starting!!
We steadily managed to catch up on those lost hours of drinking with several drinking games including fuzzy duck, pass the sausage, pass the dirty bottle and the vegetable game............which led to led to alot of lunging and beach limbo dancing competition us versus the rest of Rose Bay (we won, mainly due to Ems extremely supple back and having an 18 year old on the team)!!
To see the new year in we waded into the water with no fear for our lives, after finishing all the jack and coke Mike was pretty certain he could take out any shark who dared to attack!!
Laura fluently conversed with all comers on the beach with her amazing South african, Irish, Australian accents which I'm sure won us lots of friends!!??!!
We crept in the door at sunrise to sleep off an amazing new year celebration!!
New Years day we awoke to the smell of what turned out to be a lovely roast diner (Mikes favourite) prepared by the MacDonalds, but this was no junk food!!!
After lining our stomachs we headed to Coogee beach to help Diana (Laura's diving buddy from Koh Tao) celebrate her 25th birthday!! We had an afternoon of drinking hair of the dog and chilling with DJ's playing on the hill looking out over Coogee beach!!
We left Diana and headed over to meet up with Greg in the evening at the opera house bar.
After picking Gregs brains on where to go we came to the conclusion Japan has to be top of the list (cheers Greg for adding another $???? dollars to the cot of the trip!!
Another after midnight finish to another great day!! No alcohol tommorrow we promise liver we promise!!
More apologies are extended to Louise and Neil for the two zombies they had welcomed into their house (aka MacDonalds mansions)!! We had managed to not sleep a wink on the plane due to Laura's over excitement of soon to be arriving in Sydney and Mike having soooooo much good tele to watch!! Although we should have taken our parents advice and avoided 'funny people' as they were right what a crap film!! Not funny at all!!
We took a new approach to conquering jet lag after our week long failings to stay awake in Thailand. We arrived in Sydney at 8am having not slept for 24 hours and elected to stay awake for the rest of the day....................it worked though no jet lag the next day!! Or maybe its our new found love of coffee thats hiding it!! Louise and Neil took us to Balmoral beach (lovely place) where we caught some rays and had fish and chips!!
When we awoke we were really able to fully appreciate what a lovely place Louise and Neil have. We had the most comfortable bed with our own bathroom and pool out side our room!!! Louise had made us breakfast and sorted all our washing out......Outrigger eat your heart out!! Louise and Neil have made us feel soo welcome and the three kids are real cuteys, but have made loo miss her Ol monster!! It was very welcome to have a piece of home after the cultural contrast in Thailand!!
First day in Sydney Laura was very excited to catch up with red eye and Chris.......they took us for pancakes on the rocks, gave us a guided tour of Sydney, around the Opera house and Botanical gardens and front row seats on the Manly ferry.
Laura was amazed by the wildlife in the botanical gardens... and not at all disturbed by the sheer volume of massive man eating bats!!!
On Manly beach we managed to meet up with yet another familiar face.... Fat Head, the gregster!!! we also met his new girlfriend Elise and were surprised with his linguistic talents...he is now able to resite the whole of a norweigian phrase book!!
After chillin on the beach we went for a beer and catch up then went to meet chris's dad..it almost felt like we'd come home... it was so good to see everyone.
New years Eve was to be spent in Rose Bay, Sydney, with great views of the harbour for midnight when the fireworks would kick off. So that morning Mike was sent to the supermarket with three things to remember. 1. Enough beer for a 12 hr session (no glass) 2. Food for the BBQ 3. Wine for Loo. Mike returned home with no food, 24 glass bottle and beer but luckily 2 litres of vino (goon) for loo.........1 out of 3 is not bad!! So after a second visit to the supermarket and beer shop (oz does not sell beer in supermarkets!!??!!) we arrived at the beach with 24 CANS of Jack Daniels and coke and loeds of food although we were a little late starting!!
We steadily managed to catch up on those lost hours of drinking with several drinking games including fuzzy duck, pass the sausage, pass the dirty bottle and the vegetable game............which led to led to alot of lunging and beach limbo dancing competition us versus the rest of Rose Bay (we won, mainly due to Ems extremely supple back and having an 18 year old on the team)!!
To see the new year in we waded into the water with no fear for our lives, after finishing all the jack and coke Mike was pretty certain he could take out any shark who dared to attack!!
Laura fluently conversed with all comers on the beach with her amazing South african, Irish, Australian accents which I'm sure won us lots of friends!!??!!
We crept in the door at sunrise to sleep off an amazing new year celebration!!
New Years day we awoke to the smell of what turned out to be a lovely roast diner (Mikes favourite) prepared by the MacDonalds, but this was no junk food!!!
After lining our stomachs we headed to Coogee beach to help Diana (Laura's diving buddy from Koh Tao) celebrate her 25th birthday!! We had an afternoon of drinking hair of the dog and chilling with DJ's playing on the hill looking out over Coogee beach!!
We left Diana and headed over to meet up with Greg in the evening at the opera house bar.
After picking Gregs brains on where to go we came to the conclusion Japan has to be top of the list (cheers Greg for adding another $???? dollars to the cot of the trip!!
Another after midnight finish to another great day!! No alcohol tommorrow we promise liver we promise!!
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