Monday 4th June - Sunday 17th June

Gday home people, hope youre all well. Well first things first Lorraine and Luke congratulations on the birth of Evangeline on 11th June, cannot believe you have finally had a baby girl. Has made me really want to be at home just to see her but our time to come home is not yet. Our homecoming however has been fore front of our minds lately. We have had to change all the dates on our tickets as they were all for this month due to only being able to book a certain time in advance. We have had to decide how long we want to spend in each place which is hard as we don't know how much money we will have but have done it, just need to confirm them and sort out America. Will put our new dates at the bottom of the page.

Well haven't done much over the last couple of weeks as trying to save money, not that its easy as still got a list of stuff that I want to do here. Well the 4th, Paul's parents flew home and made it home safely after their fortnight of Oz fun. It was really sunny that day so instead of sitting in all day, I went and sat at Coogee and wrote some of the last journal, wasn't too warm at the sea front though! I did nights Monday and Tuesday night which were a doddle and spent the night on the phone and the internet. Rain started on Thursday of that week and basically hasn't really stopped. It did stop on Thursday 'arvo' (afternoon to u) and as Paul was off we went to Australia museum, quite good really, every stuffed bird and Oz animal under the sun and every skeleton. Also a big aborigine collection. We then went to Paddy's market before walking to Darling harbour at had dinner at twilight. Friday the rain was so bad that neither of us left the flat all day, did holiday planning which was fun, NOT! Saturday and Sunday, I did afternoon shifts, walked to work in very windy rain, not fun. Sunday weather was better, Paul went to Hornsby for Jordan's 9th birthday, they all had a curry made by Owen which of course he enjoyed. He stayed round there that night as it was bank holiday Monday next day and I was on an early shift. The bank holiday was for the Queens birthday, how unfair is that!, much injustice I reckon, but for this year at least I'm getting some extra bucks out of it.

Tuesday we were BOTH at work finally, I did an early shift and afterwards went straight to the city to change our tickets with New Zealand airlines. They are in Australia tower and at the top is a bar called the Orbit, so it would have been rude not to check it out. Had just opened when we got up there at 1700 but was good because it was still light and is 47 floors high so views were cool. Gets dark quite quick so saw Sydney in both views. Was a very funky place with cool lighting and revolved as is a round building, biggest revolving restaurant in the world. Wasn't planned though and felt like a couple of tramps but was worth it, very annoyed that didn't have the camera though, will just have to go back! Food was a bit out of our budget and my taste range so had dinner near circular quay where Paul ordered a pint which was more like a litre but was only $4/?1.60 so let him off!

Wednesday and Thursday came my 3rd week of nights but Thursday was my last night shift for at least 6 months so made it better! Spent Wednesday looking for a baby outfit for Evangeline with out any luck, didn't find anything I liked so will wait till Saturdays markets. Met Paul in the city after work to check off going to the other side of circular quay at twilight. As you've probably realised, I'm a bit obsessed with twilight but this makes for the best views and photos. This side of circular quay is opposite the opera house so the views are basically of that and the bridge but have seen that in most angles! There are a load of bar/restaurants called the overseas terminal bars (this is where the cruise liners dock). They are all very posh and expensive but a drinks we could manage! Went to wildfire which is an amazing place but with a separate bar, sat on a big leather settee looking out to opera house. It was freezing and so had a hot chocolate and was so amazing had two! Took some good photos of the views then went home for night shift time! Nights were uneventful and felt very good to think wont have to do anymore for a while! Paul meanwhile went to work on Thursday in Richmond national park where there are lots of roos. He went armed with the camera and this time managed to get some good shots, they are bloody huge and he was a bit scared to get too close, look at the size of its arms and tail, and he said it had boobs! In the distance he also saw two fighting, like they were having a boxing match, but it was too far away to video, it amused them though! Friday he worked in the pouring rain and got very muddy luckily for him it was Jims turn to go in the muddy trench, he's a bit of a poser and ended up covered in mud!

Saturday we managed to escape just before the rain started, headed for Paddington market to get baby Evangeline a present but before we got there the rain joined the already present wind, not good. There weren't many Stalls and didn't find a thing. We then went to a cool department store called Peters of Kensington, its in a big pink building and is full of cool stuff. There did manage to get a couple of bits but could have bought lots! We then went food shopping before staying in watching dream girls and listening to the rain/wind!

Well today is Sunday and haven't been out and don't intend to either, its still raining, has rained more aless everyday for 10 days and we've got a few days left yet! At least it prevents us from spending loads of money. Am nice and busy researching our future destinations anyway. Oh and by the way, its not all joy here, our flat is absolutely FREEZING and we have to sit in hoodies or under the duvet to stop us from turning to ice!

So happy fathers day Dads, hope you like you're cards, took lots of time and effort! Speak later hopefully.

LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL LOADS LAURA AND PAULXXXXXXXXXX

PS If you are reading this please leave us some kind of message, to let us know you are still there! You all keep saying you have nothing to write but anything will do!

New dates (TBC)

Sydney to Brisbane 30/7

Sydney to Auckland, NZ 27/8

NZ to Fiji 17/9

Fiji to Cook islands 22/9

Cook islands to USA 6/10

Few days in USA

trying to change from Vegas to NYC

SO back about 12/10 (Unless we spend all our money, in which case we will be back earlier!)