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Can't believe I am back in Sydney and more to the point, that it's my last week in Australia, where has the last 3 months gone??? I know that I have done loads and can at least leave feeling like I have done it proud, seeing almost all of Oz minus Tasmania and north of Carnarvon on the west coast - both things I plan to come back and do at some point. So time now just to catch up with friends and finally do the Sydney harbour bridge climb, many thanks to the management team at Lloyds TSB Insurance, thanks guys!
So I spend a night at Bronnie's, 5* accomodation in Manly, 5 bedrooms, swimming pool and views of the harbour, nice! She has dinner and cocktails ready for me on my arrival and we head out to meet Midge and Rob for a few drinks at Manly Wharf Bar enjoying the warm evenings while I can. A mini India re-union (we all met on the tiger safari in 2007).
The next morning, Rob comes to fetch me in his oh so Australian Ute so I can spend the day with him, Midge and the twins. They are already 12 weeks old and have grown loads since my last visit, still very cute mind. So I get some practise in ready for my return home and Auntie duties, you'll be glad to know Laura I'm getting quite good and you can put my name down for babysitting duties anytime..
No time to hang around so that evening I head to Asquith, nr Hornsby to stay the night with Fiona at her old next door neighbours house, tenuos link I know but us backpackers will take any free accomodation where offered! We spend the evening, drinking (of course), catching up, checking out old photo's on facebook in a whistle stop tour of our lives to date and inadvertantly booking campers when we meant only to get a quote.!! Oops, so we spend a good amount of time on the phone to NZ trying to correct our mistake, ending up with a Jucy Lucy camper to explore NZ in 30 days for the bargain price of 330 english pounds each. Watch out NZ we are coming to get you!!
The next morning, I'm off again next stop Lindsay's new flat Milsons Point. Very plush and fantastic location! So just time for a cuppa and guided tour before we head out for the long awaited Sydney Harbour bridge climb. We picked our day well, it's raining, windy and grey not disimiliar to England, Nice! An hour of briefing and being kitted up in our rather fetching jump suits covered with rainproof trousers and our bob the builder style belt holding all sorts of goodies: rain coat, gloves, hats, warm fleece, walkie talkie and attachments off we head. I have to say it was no-where near as scary as I thought it would be, It didn't feel that high, even the point at which your head pokes up right next to 8 lanes of traffic and 2 railway tracks didn't phase me! The heavens really opened just as we reached the top and we got soaked, in some of the photo's you couldn't even tell the opera house was there obscured by the grey sheet rain, I just like to see it as at least I have photo's that are different to most other people's!! and it was a fun experience never the less. The only bit of trivia I can remember is that a guy called Sydney fell off the bridge during its build, which the tour guide seemed to think was very apt! he was also intent on pointing out the rabbits on the grass below, strange man! there were definitely more exciting things to look at from up there like the whole of Sydney?
The next day, Linds and I head out for a mini road trip to Jervis Bay. Sadly the weather comes with us, so we embark on some sightseeing: the runined lighthouse and the beach then a spot of horse riding. Thanks to the rain I get kitted out in a illuminous trench mack and cut off wellies. My horse KB was a bit mental, before you say it, yes a bit like me! he did this crazy tranter thing (cross between Trot and canter) in an odd lurching side to side fashion, so I just fixed a smile on my face and held on for dear life! Enough adventure for one day and both Linds and I being shattered we retreat to our crazy little hostel for wine and DVD's. Just us and Dor from Israel in the hostel, so we quickly launch into a routine of cooking for each other and settling into watch the TV. This broken by 3 visit's to the towns one pub in 2 days, not bad! Feeling rested and relaxed again, it's time to head back to Syders and drop off the hire car (this time in one piece, thankfully breaking mine and Linds hire history). Back in Sydney and our second visit to the Sushi train in one week is followed by a civilised dinner at Lindsays and drinks at the Opera House Bar another small reunion of Mr Dennis' GCSE tutor group at Corfe Hills with Amy Vivien (interesting for some, my brother is actually having a joint stag do with her brother, small world).
6am the next morning, I head to the airport, sad to be leaving but looking forward to my next adventure. Bye for now Australia, I've had so much fun and rest assured I'll be back!
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