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Hello everyone,
So sorry I haven't written this blog sooner, as you are probably aware I am now home so have been very busy, but better late than never hey!! You get another final blog from me after this one.
Anyway, my last three weeks in Sydney were fantastic and emotional....As you are all probably aware Claire and I seem to be emotional people!! I didn't work for the last three weeks as I looked after Lewis and Libby. We managed to do lots even though the weather wasn't the best. I moved over to Jo and Rob's and Chris took my bed in the flat so it all worked out well.
The first week I caught up with Malcolm who featured in the blogs before for a final goodbye. We headed to fox studios which is a big entertainment quarter, where we had lunch. Hopefully he will be back to the UK for a visit later this year where we will plan a night out in good old Tonbridge!!! We managed to hit the beach on the Wednesday, where Claire called me and was very envious that I was sunning myself, the weather however didn't last, hence we had a couple of lazy days at home.
The week before Australia Day, we had another weekend that was alcohol fuelled. On the Friday night Jo and Rob had a BBQ to say goodbye to some friends. Claire came over after work and we all ended up playing on the children's musical instruments (oh dear-who are the actual children.....??). With a very muzzy head the next day, we went shopping and before we went out in the evening Jo and I passed out on the blow up bed - why do we do it to ourselves. After a cat nap we were ready to go out again. Claire, Jo Shaz and I met in Darling Harbour and went for a fab Indian, the weather was the only downer as we couldn't sit outside. We were in there about 7pm and didn't leave until nearly midnight having had copious bottles of good old Pinot!! On the Sunday I went to the cook your own steak place and met a few of the girls I work with and we had a lovely afternoon.
The second week I had the children Jo managed to get a couple of days off so we went to Palm beach where they film home and away. We sat at Alf's surf club (for those of you who know), and had some piccies taken where all the deep and meaningful conversations happen before the cast walk off down to the beach!! I was quite surreal being there. Unfortunately we didn't see anyone famous, they told me they were too busy!!! It was at Palm Beach where I fell asleep in the sun with no sun screen on and burnt to a crisp - not a good look. The following day we headed over to the Sydney Olympic Pool where they held 2000 olympic games. Claire managed to wangle the arvo off work and met us there. It was really busy though as all the children were still on their summer holidays.
So my last week in Australia, sniff sniff!! The Monday was a public holiday so we all had a lazy day and then in the evening we went for a Tepanyakki meal (where we went when Sarah was over, and Claire sadi about it in the last blog). On the Tuesday before I left I went up in a twilight helicopter ride over Sydney harbour and beaches. The views from it were stunning. It went along the beach road from Maroubra up to Manly in North Sydney, then across the harbour where the sun was setting, it hovered above the harbour to get some good piccies of the opera house and the bridge. It then headed back over the city to the airport. It was a fantastic experience.
The following night Claire was up to something.......I was told I had to be ready for 6.30pm in the opera bar where we were meeting Jo and after that I had no idea what the plan was. I ended up meeting Claire before hand and then we wandered over to the bar. On the way there Claire's phone rang but I didn't really take any notice. When we got to the bar there were no tables initially so she said 'oh lets just wait here (at the top of the bar) for Jo and then we'll get a drink'. She promptly got up and said she wanted a piccie of me with the bridge in the background (just another one to add to the collection!!) I then took one of her and then sat down. The next things I heard was "Fancy seeing you here!!" I looked round and it was Emma (for those of you that dont remember I went travelling with Emma the beginning of last year). Well I couldn't even move!! I was so shocked it was unreal. When I could eventually move and realise that it wasn't a coincidence but that Claire and Emma had been planning this for ages we had a celebratory drink (Thank you Claire and Em). We met Emma's man who is lovely, and waited for Jo and Susie, then we went to Phillip Foote's BBQ place where Emma went on our first night in Sydney over a year ago. We had a fantastic evening and I was pleased to see Emma.
The next day I did the boring things like sorting out my tax return. Then late afternoon I met Claire and we had fish and chips in Circular Quay. We got attacked by the seagulls which freaked Claire out but still had a nice evening.
On the Friday night which was my last Friday in Sydney we met in Greenwood hotel in North Sydney, where the boys we lived with were there, Jo, Claire, Shaz, Mark, Emma and Stu and Chris' family came. It was a great evening with lots of alcohol. We then headed south of the bridge and went to Cargo bar in Darling Harbour where we could have a dance, and more drinks and more fun. It was there that I said goodbye to everyone other than Claire and Jo. It was very sad. But I can honestly say that I had the best time and I really appreciate you all being there with me. Emma I hope to see you soon, Shaz Ill see you in the UK.
Then the two days I had been dreading arrived my last day and the day I leave. The Saturday was fairly subdued as were all a bit hungover. We spent the day pottering around and we all had little things we needed to do, but in the evening we had a BBQ (my last one in Oz!). I opened all the bottles of wine I had so I got to try them all. I wasn't too bad on the saturday as I didn't want to spend the day crying, I had a couple of moments but not many. I actually slept fairly well considering!! So Sunday 3rd February, the day Claire and I parted as I was headed for home, the day I left my friend in Sydney. We were up early, Lewis and Libby came to the airport with us, Rob stayed at home (dont think he wanted to see 3 blubbering women) I said goodbye to Rob but couldn't talk otherwise I would have been a mess. We had a drink all thogether before I went through to the departure lounge. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, leaving Claire and Jo at the airport. There were many tears (as you can all imagine) and many hugs and kisses. As I walked through to customs I couldn't stop crying it was horrible. I cryed half of the flight when I read cards from them all and opened gifts, thank you all so much for everything.
Claire a message for you - I want you to go and have an amazing time up the coast. I had the best year of my life and Im so glad you were there. It wont be long before I see you again and we'll be going through the thousands upon thousands of photos. Go and enjoy, Ill be following you all the way. Love you loads xxx
Jo a message for you - Thank you for everything, you are an amazing friend and Im going to miss you like mad. You will have a ball in Australia and although I want you home now your doing the right thing, just enjoy it. Ill see you soon. Love you loads xxx
So there we go, (sorry it was so long). My time in Sydney was amazing and I had a ball. I am very sad to have left but Australia will always remind me of those fantastic times. Ive just managed to stop crying to write this.
Until next time. There's one more blog for me write and then its all down to Claire.
Take care
Love you Loads
Carly
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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