hey,

appologies...the photos arent my fault though, i finally get to a computer with sd access and then it doesnt work. will try again asap because im using this asback up for my pics too and im getting a bit worried now...

sydney. we were here for about a week and i thoroughly enjoyed myself. this is the third time ive been to sydney now but each time ive discovered something new. this was the first year that i went when it was warm, and ive found the city to be a really friendly, perhaps not relaxed but really interesting and active place. i think its my favourite city. theres so much weve done in the past few weeks that i cant really go into too much detail but highlights were seeing a bach concert (yes very sophisticated i know) at the opera house, walking the harbour bridge and the cafe culture atmosphere of the place. bondi beach was fantastic, so much fun, i have never known waves like that before (though i have since!) and evening spent gazing at the illuminated opera house with a secret glass of wine (ur not allowed to drink in the streets...) perfect. i have to go back to sydney. i feel such an affinity with the place that id truly feel id missed something if i dont.

we hired a campervan and are now driving to cairns! at first i was petrified, but there havent been too many mistakes so far except for one little incident involving someone (er...me....) not draining the waste water so it exploded into the shower. its ok though...the rule is not t use the toilet at all in the campervan so the waste water was only rthe decopmposing food that had gone down the sink....luckily annas hand sanitiser came in good use on her knees though i dont think being sprayed by waste water counts as a shower, (us getting wet in any form usually counts as a shower in normal circumstances, lol)

anyway im getting ahead of myself. after sydney we went to the blue mountains for a day where my highlight was the terrifying furnicular railway at senic world. this is the steepest furnicular railway in the world and they dont give you seatbelts...its so beautiful though, the blue mountains are called this because of the blue haze given off by the eucalyptus and are home to the 3 sisters a giant rock formation. i reckon anna'll have put in the story behind it and i cant remember just now so you can check hers if you like. something about sisters falling in love with brothers from a warring tribe and getting turned to stone by the local witch doctor. oh there you go, ive tolk it you.

next was coffs harbour... we didnt know much about coffs harbour, and as it turned out it was a pleasant town but not very touristy. it is though home to the big banana which is a giant banana (surprisingly) contructed to promote the industry in the area and is so tacky you just have to stop. think thats the point though.

then byron bay. it is my favourite place along the coast so far, full of hippies lazing on the beach, surfing and playing there guitars. i loved the relaxed atmosphere, the bohemian shops, the peacefulness and the amazing beach. i sort of dont want to tell you about byron bay i want to keep it a secret. coz ive heard surfers paradise was like byrone bay in the 50s but got spoilt by the developers. byron bay is the most easterly point in all of aus and has a beautiful lighthouse. the walk to the easterly point though is 1.4kms from the lighthouse which is a big deal when your walking back again, up hill and in australian summer sunshine. do it at sunrise and see the first light hit the first point in australia instead.

running outta time so i might have to stop there but i'll carry on soon hopefully, have many more adventures to relate!

talk soon

love youxx