Hi people, how's it all going?, good i hope. Life here is still good, still struggling against work interupting our holidays and doing the best we can! Monday i started four nights so in the morning i met Mag and Jenny at circular quay, had a drink in one of the nice cafes there and then got the fast ferry to Watsons bay. The weather was rubbish and therefore the water abit choppy. It was still a nice trip though, stops at some of Sydneys posh areas like Rose bay. We then had fish and chips at Doyles pub which is qite renowned, the restaurant is posher but also about $30 more for the same fish. It sits on the beach front which is really nice even with the grey skies. Mag then showed us camp cove which is just a little walk, the houses round the little streets there were amazing and probably millions. The beach was really nice, calm waters which is very unusual for Sydney. Had an amazing ice cream and got the ferry back. We sat on top deck outside to take in the view and it was just a tad windy. Mags skirt was getting blown over her head and Jennys new haircut was blown everyway possible- very funny but probably had to be there. We then got the ferry to Darling harbour, i pushed Mag through the ticket checker and went through on her ticket as if i had of had to get one we would have missed it - she was mortified but again very funny! We then went to the chinese gardens which was very pretty but done with in 10 mins. We then got on the city monorail back to the station. So my day out with the oldie in-laws was very amusing and laughed alot. Was not laughing when had to start my four nights that night, was busy first night but rest quiet.

Paul did a private job with Jim on tuesday night and then went out with him and his two mates to a mexican and then the pub on wednesday night. He said they had a good night and the blokes were cool. Friday night when my nights were all done with we went to a restaurant in Coogee called La spiaggia, was very nice. Had our ice cream on the beach for desert.

Saturday we got up very early and caught the 0815 train to the blue mountains, it took 2 hours and cost 5 pound bargain! Dumped our bags at the guesthouse which was a massive house built in 1880 and was nice but spooky, the transylvanian vampire woman receptionist didnt help. We stayed in Leura which is a nice little village and from there got on a hopper sightseeing bus, which is actually a former london red bus. It goes round all the attractions and you get on and off as you like. Weather was really hot in morning-blue skies. Went to this part called scenic world which has 3 modes of transport over the valley and rainforest. We first went on the skyway which is a cable car that goes 300m above the ground and has a glass floor-slightly freaky! We then went on the scenic railway which is an old coal train which at 50 degrees is the steepest railway incline in the world. Its like a rollercoaster ride taking you down to the bottom of the valley.  There are walks all through the area with boardwalks showing the way.  It was only a short walk through the rainforest to the other cable car and i didnt even see one of the many ozzie animals that lives there not even an intresting bird!  Got cable car back to base and had some lunch overlooking the valley.  We then went on a much longer walk down these steps called 'furber steps'.  They are not steps but big mud made steps with logs indenting an edge.  We went all the way down until we reached a Katoomba waterfall, it was huge, worth the effort, we were at the bottom of it and its at a cliff edge, Paul was getting worried as he said i was too close to the edge, making my wonderful video and being snappy happy, i on the other hand thought it was funny!  The walk was all abit muddy and my suade trainers wernt ideal.  Also went to an area called witches leap and veras grotto.  Paul thought he saw a koala in the tree and got all excited but it was a cuddly toy- very funny!  Walk was fun but hard work but at least we were going down and not up, those people must be insane.  We opted sensible and got the cable car back up.  By the time we had done all that the rain started and a thick sheet of mist covered everywhere, went back to the hotel for a needed sleep and the rain came down with avengence.  That night went to a nice little restaurant in Katoomba with a band playing, felt like i was nearer to Ireland than Sydney and food was lovely.  Went to a pub after that had a group of men all in green wigs with ozzie accents for paddies day and it was defintly spot the unlocals. 

Sunday it was still drizzly so couldnt go to the rest of the lookouts but we went down to the valley and saw Leura cascades which was very nice but a very muddy walk.  We also went to a chocolate shop where they make their own, taxi driver told us the hot chocolate was amazing and he was right.  They bought it on a tray which consisted of a bowl full of choc buttons, a jug of hot milk and a tall thin mug with a tea light under it and you make it then sip it through the stainless steel spoon/straw, very cool.  Went to the little quaint villagy type shops of Leura and had lunch in a little cafe then got the 1300 train back to the other world of Sydney.

Got back and dragged Paul to the harbour as it was the 75th birthday of the bridge.  It was closed to traffic and thousands of people were walking accross it, we just went to watch it light up all nice colours.  Came home after our action packed weekend and had to think about our long weekend at work.  Suzanne my friend that i started kings with is staying on saturday though so will be cool, we are then going to Melbourne for the week so stuff to look forward to.  Good news about my laptop-its being fixed, yey, so will do photos soon, have lots to show you.  Anyway thats enough isnt it!, havnt got better at condensing it, give up on that.

love and miss you loads Laura and Paulxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ps hope you mums had a good day despite our abscence and you liked your flowers!