Well, it's been a busy couple of weeks!

Tanya and I took ourselves off on a girly road trip out west. I wanted to see another side of Oz, away from the cities and beaches. Tanya and I both agreed that neither of us are camping enthusiasts so Kingaroy was the nearest we came to the "outback" and we made sure we still had a comfy bed and shower rather than a sleeping back under the stars!

We estimated that we drove the equivalent of Portsmouth to Glasgow and back - this country is so huge!!!!!

I then flew up to Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands. Airlie is beautiful and has a lovely man-made lagoon. I went out to the Whitsunday Islands on a 2 day/1 night sailing adventure on a 55 foot sailing cruiser which was just stunning. I managed to snorkel around the Great Barrier Reef (not all of it obviously!!!!) and saw some turtles and dolphins swimming. You now have to wear the lycra suits which cover you literally from head to foot because of the jelly fish - these were definitely ice-breakers with everyone as we looked completely ridiculous :)

The wind picked up on the second day so we sailed for a couple of hours which was so relaxing and peaceful.

I then flew down to Brisbane to stay with friends from the UK who moved out here five years ago (the Broomfields for any of you who know them). Their kids are now 9, 7 and almost 3 and each have their own Aussie twang! It was great to catch up with them and quite hectic playing with the kids!

We went to the Southbank area of Brisbane which is really relaxing and a good place to chill. Alot of if was ruined a year or so ago by the floods but they've cleaned it all up now, although some businesses went under which is a real shame.

We took the kids to Maloolooba the following day and visited the underwater world. I'd plucked up the courage to swim with a shark but it was fully booked when we got there (a sneaky sigh of relief from me!). We then went to the beach and spent a couple of hours on the boogie board - not my most graceful of moments!

I'm now back in Noosa for my last night - I head off down to Byron Bay tomorrow for three days, hopefully just relaxing on the beach and topping up my tan :)

I've been completely spoilt these last few weeks staying at Tanya's and Clare's but now reality hits - hostels and noddles all the way!

xx