Hi Everyone, sorry it's been a while again! we've been busy little bees, both turning another year older :-( Apologies if this is a bit long, you're gonna here from Carly first for her birthday then me for mine.....we've been having lots of fun so hope you all enjoy.....over to Carly....

(Carly)

So, after throwing myself into work so I didnt dwell on Lauren having left, I had my birthday that weekend. On the Friday 21st Claire had said to me that I couldnt work in the evening, I didnt know what we were doing and she didnt tell me anything either, just a time and a place to meet. I did as I was told and arrived at Martin Place in the city on time. Claire was waiting for me at the bus stop, as I got off the bus she told me not to turn around but to wait. Again i did as I was told and who should turn but Jo. I really didnt know what was going on. We headed to a bar (of course) got the vino in (a priority) and then Claire gave me an envelope. Inside were ticket to a show called 'The Menopause'. It was a really nice pressie. We had a few drinks and then went to the theatre. We were probably the youngest watching the show. As it was it was hilarious, and we all laughed from start to finish. You can probably guess what it was about, but the four actresses were fantastic and some of it was true to home even though we were the youngest-hehe. We finished the evening off with another couple of drinks and then went to home as it was my birthday the next day.

Just as we had drifted off to sleep my phone rang and Lauren was singing Happy Birthday done the phone which was really nice. I had lots of text messages in the the night and then in the morning my time so midnight for you guys at home, my phone rang again, this time it was Mum and Dad singing Happy Birthday, they had waited up til midnight at home to call (thank you both). Dad then got the didgeridoo and played Happy Birthday down the phone, with Mum singing along too. It was so funny, well done you guys.

Claire had put banners and balloons up on the wardrobes and in the living room which was a nice suprise. I then got my photos that I have bought away with me and layed them all out so you were all with me when I was opening my cards etc. We had a bottle of Champagne from Mum and Dad that Lauren had got when she was here and bacon sarnies for breakfast - it was lovely. I got lots of really nice cards and gifts and I thank you all SO much.

When we were finally ready we headed into the city to Darling Harbour to meet Jo and Rob. I did want to go to the beach as I wouldnt be able to do that at home in September without getting chill blanes, but the weather here wasnt all that great so it was plan B. We had lunch and more wine and had a really nice day. Then in the the evening we went to Jo and Rob's for an indoor barbie, as it was too cold to have it outside. Thank you very much Jo and Rob. We had plently to drink and it was a very funny night. We ended up on the floor doing the actions to silly songs. Nevermind all good fun.

On the Sunday we went to Bondi beach and then went back to the flat and I made........wait for it.......guess.......Bacon Pudding, with parsley sauce, mash and veg. So I didnt miss out on my favourite dinner on my birthday, the only difference was Mum didnt cook it. It was good but not as good as yours Mum.

Anyway, that was my birthday in Oz. On to Claire now for her birthday celebrations.

Love and Miss you all looooaaaaddddssss

Carly

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(claire)
I decided I wanted to do something different and not something I would do at home...so we decided to go to The Hunter Valley for the weekend. The Hunter is one of the many wine regions of Australia situated approx 2.5 hours north of Sydney. Thanks to my lovely new friend Shaz, she used her best organisational skills and arranged the weekend trip, combining Carly, myself and some of her friends to join us on a weekend of wine tasting.....what more could I ask for to celebrate my birthday (and before any smart arse makes comments about it being nothing unusual for me to drink wine on my b'day, yes that's true but not in this kind of style)!!!

Right, so in total there was 7 of us and on the Friday night we headed up to the Hunter. We stayed in the local hostel and had a 8 bedded dorm to ourselves, it was just like being back at school on some kind of school trip although we took a few bottles of wine to share when we arrived...just to get to know each other a little better and to start the weekend as we meant to go on - yes that bit was not quite a school trip, well apart from me in my later years of school, but then that's a whole different story!!!

After a few hours sleep (the bunk beds were extremely squeeky and rickerty so everytime someone moved the whole thing shook!) we rose bright and early and headed off for a spot of breakie to line our stomachs. We had a private wine tour arranged for the day so it was essential otherwise we would all be asleep by early afternoon!!

At around 10.15am, we were picked up by our lovely guide, Wayne and he explained the itinery for the day. 3 wineries, lunch, another winery, cheese and chocolate tasting followed by a final winery.....perfect!

As we set off into the heart of the Hunter it really was breath taking. The scenery was so beautiful and the settings of some of the wineries were completely idillic and picturesque. We saw a couple of weddings and they really were in the perfect location.

So we arrived at the first winery, Pigs Peake around 11am and the wine tasting commenced. For those of you that have never done anything like this before or who didn't read the blog when we went to Margaret River in WA!, you basically 'rock up' (that is such an aussie saying!) and work your way through the tasting list, normally the whites first and then the reds. You can chose to swallow it or you can tip it into the little buckets if you don't like it. It's not rude to do that as they expect it, afterall we can't all like the same wines...also it's a good tip to do that and not to think, sod it, i'll drink it anyway otherwise you get drunk to quick and crash and burn (as we learnt when we were in Margaret River and were asleep by 8pm!). The guy from this winery was so knowledgable and passionate about the wines, it was a small place and he actually made them all himself. After making a few purchases, we jumped back on the boogie bus and headed for the next winery, Tintilla.

Of all the ones we went to, I think this was my favourite. It was set in the most gorgeous place, surrounded by the vineyards and the winery itself was like a little Tuscan cottage with these bright pink flowers growing up the outside. Inside we all sat around our own table and they served us the wines to sample...extremely civilised! Afterwards we got to try some olive oils aswell. I think we all bought something and then we posed for some piccies outside, check 'em out!

Just time for one more winery, Keith Tulloch, hic and feeling a little merry! It was then lunchtime. After a well deserved lunch in another gorgeous little place surrounded by rose gardens, (all that wine tasting certainly built up an appietite), we went to another winery, De Iuliis. I'm not going to go into full detail about each place otherwise you really all will be asleep as it's bascially the same deal in each one with the tasting....

Then onto the cheese and chocolate tasting places (mine and Carly's fav things, yummy!). Finally just time for one more winery before heading back to the hostel for a little rest before hitting the town! We had all made quite a few purchases, however Shaz and Amy were way out infront with around 25 bottles each!

So after our little rest, we got our glad rags on and headed to a lovely little restaurant for dinner. We couldn't decide on wine (think we had had too much choice that day) so we got a bottle of white, red and rose! After dinner, they surprised me by bringing out my dessert with a sparkler on the top and everyone sang 'happy birthday' - thanks guys, it was very sweet!

Now apparently the only 'place to be seen' on a Saturday night in the Hunter is at this Irish bar called Harrington's, we had been warned that it was a bit of a meat market, but hey, we were game for a laugh!! So with our dancing shoes on that's where we went. I have to say, it was actually not that bad, they had a live band playing and we cut up a few shapes on the dancefloor....the highlight was def modelling this disgusting blonde wig some guys had, don't ask me why but check out the pics as they are quite amusing!!

After all that excitement, it was home to bed however it took about an hour to get a cab as there were only 2 working for the whole place, how backward!

Sunday morning and after breakfast we managed to find some time to go to one more winery Margen's plus do some champagne tasting at Petersens. The champagne was def another highlight of the weekend, the tasting was fab and they let us take all these silly photos modelling all their merchandise behind the counter. My bank balance went down rapidly here, between Carly and I, I think we managed to buy pretty much everything they were selling...watch out for your Christmas pressies coming soon some of you!!!

Unfortunately, it was then time to head back to reality and back to Sydney. It was a fantastic weekend and we all really enjoyed ourselves - thanks again Shaz for organising it all and to Carly for arranging the sparkler on my dessert, he he!!!

Hope you're all still with me, I'm nearly done, just time to quickly mention my actual birthday....

I woke in the morning and Carly had decorated our room with happy birthday banners. Unfortunately I did go to work however I was surprised on my way to work by Mum, Dad and Linz calling me and singing happy birthday down the phone - thanks guys, was great to speak to you xx

Work also gave me a card and a gorgeous bunch of flowers and at lunchtime they took me out to lunch. In the evening, I arrived home and Carly and I cracked open a bottle of pink champers (yes a purchase from the Hunter) whilst I opened all my birthday cards and pressies. Thanks again to everyone that remembered me and for all the texts and facebook messages too, it really meant a lot. We then went for dinner with Shaz and Jo. I had wanted to go to this mexican place on Bondi beach but when we arrived, it had closed down! We went to a little Italian place instead which was nice. Our waiter was very amusing, Carly had arranged for him to bring out a cake for me and when he did, he decided to sing and dance around, very bizarre!!

So that's about it from us and our birthday celebrations. We are now both another year older and still no wiser!!!

Take care and we'll be back again soon with another update....

Lots of love
Claire and Carly xxxxxxxxx