Hey,

Hope everyone is doing ok and the weather back home is not so bad, its awful here its so hot (he he!). So, its been quite a few weeks since my last email and I can truely say it has been a bit a of a rollercoaster ride.It has had its ups and downs! So here we go, sorry for the spelling mistakes in advance!

I have been staying in St.Kilda (Melbourne) with Stephs and Claire for around three weeks. I think I metioned it was pretty hard to adjust sharing a room with 7 other people, but we were pretty lucky that we were with a good bunch. The hostel (Base Backpackers) was ace too and the bar was good too! Most nights there was a competition on or a themed night. One night (sat 3rd) we had a 70s/80s night, which meant we had to get an outfit (about the only thing I didnt pack in my back pack!). I managed to find a little gem in a vintage shop- abba style 70s long dress with sequins. Lovely. Steph had an 80s style outfit with rollerblades and Claire had a wedding dress and white rolleboots! Now you might be thinking rollerboots and alcohol = bad idea and you could be right! After quite a few drinks by all, someone decided to spin stephs on the dancefloor. I spotted sitting down with a few people around seeing if she was ok. I reallt did think she had her drink spiked as she had lost the colour in her face and could not really speak. We got her to the room and she started to say 'my wrist'. So after taking her bright pink sweat band (!) off her wrist I discovered her wrist was broken! And anyone that knows me, will know I am squemish! We got her down to reception and called am ambulance. Bear in might we are still in fancy dress. Someone actually came over to see Steph and grabbed her wrist and bent it whilst saying 'look, its not broken!' I nearly punched them! Anyway, the ambulance came, gave steph some laughing gas ( I need a large glass of wine at this point). Anyway, poor steph is ok, she has a plaster cast on and its on the mend. Lesson learned- Drinking and rollerblading is not a good idea!

Afrer all this drama which all went the Melbourne Cup Races (Tue 6th Nov), which was fab. Its a bit like the Grand National but in the sun and not a trackie in sight. Had a grat day but no big wins. The best thing was getting dressed up! After this, I left St.Kilda ( It was sad leaving stephs and claire but it wont be long till I see them again) on thursday (8th Nov) and travelled to Bombala (NSW) and spend a lovely week with Toni (Warren's sister), Damien and Max. This has done me the world of good! I didnt not feel as homesick and it was nice having home comforts and privacy! The house is set in the middle of the countryside with lush green fields and hills all around. Very relaxing after the madness of St.Kilda. I felt so welcome at their home and I'm looking forward to going back. Plus I miss my 3 year old cousin Hannah so much, so it was nice being able to play with Toni and Damiens 3 year old son, Max, who was gorgeous! We drove up to a place called Merimbula on the coast for the weekend which has really beautiful beaches.

I left Bombala on friday 16th nov and took a coach and train up to Sydney for one night before I stared my trip up the east coast! I was really nervous about travelling by myself and had a few crisis talks with my mum, dad, warren and toni, who all reassured me. I dont think I liked the idea of travelling alone and I was so worried I would be lonely, but on the train something happened to make me realise that its go to have time by yourself. If you can imagine the most annoying person in the world and multiply it by a million times you may be able to understand how I felt sat next to this guy for 5 hours on the way to sydney on the train. At first I thought he was just very chatty, but then I realised he was just nosey and would not shut up. Even when I got my book out and started to read (the usual warning sigh to others to say 'dont talk to me im reading'), he still talked to me! Anyway, I have told him england is really crap so hopefully he wont come over anytime soon. After a night in sydney I headed up to a place called Woolgoola on Saturday 17th Nov (Happy birthday Marie, 21 again!) and stayed at a place called Spotx which is a surf camp. It was a cabin right on the beach! Plus I had it to myself. I had 2 surf lessons which was awesome. Plus I managed to stand up and stay up! Would love to try surfing again.

On Monday 19th Nov (Happy Birthday Kel, 21 again too!) I headed up to Hervey Bay for one night before I went to fraser Island for 2 days and 1 night. This has been the highlight of my trip so far, it is amazing! On Wednesday 20th I was picked up from the hostel and we caught a ferry to fraser Island. I was in a group of around 18 people and met some really people. I met 2 nice girls, one from the netherlands (who is also a SW!) and one from oz and we pretty much stuck together. Also, Janneke (from netherlands) is travelling on the greyhound to Airlie beach tonight and we are staying in the same hostel so it will be nice to travel with someone for a bit! Anyway, we had out own ranger who took us all around the Fraser Island on 4x4 Bus thing. We went to Lake Wabby, walked through rainforests, Pile Walley and then ended up in lake Mckenzie which breath taking. After this we were dropped off at our log cabins and then all met for a dinner which was a feast! We went on a night time walk through the rainforest and ended up on the beach. I have never seen such big spiders! We even saw baby dingos and 2 massive stingrays. We had a few drinks then to bed as we were up for 7am. On thursday, we met for breakfast (so much food!) then headed off in the 4x4 again and went to Maheno ship wreak, Champagne pools, sandblows, climbed Indian Head, ate sap off a tree which numbs your mouth (!). We headed back for dinner then caught the night ferry back to the hostel for one night and a day in Hervey Bay. I then had to catch the overnight bus on friday (23rd nov) to Airlie Beach which was ok as I travelled with Janneke. Last night Janneke and I went for dinner and then had a mojito or two! Airlie Beach is kinda nice but its not been my favourite place, but in around 4 hours I will be sailing around the Whitsundays for 2 days and 2 nights. Arhh this is the life!

Anyways, I hope everyone is ok and doing well. Miss everyone loads and loads

Lots of love,


Becky xxx