Wahoo, it's SUNNY! Trust us to have decided to sleep in a little later today. We rushed around getting ready and by the time we did, the weather started getting crappy again. It even started spitting when we got into the car!!

Paul took us on a sightseeing tour around Surfers Paradise and the surrounding area. They actually live in Southport just near Surfers, and he took us to the northern point of the beaches to a place called The Spit. We walked on this rocky pier and watched the mad surfers in the sea - really rough waves out there. The sun got itself back out as well. Could see the rain in the distance though. Paul took us on a tour through some of the expensive areas where there's nice restaurants etc - saw a Ferrari parked outside one place. We didn't stop. Not made of money.

We wouldn't have seen even half as much as we have if it wasn't for Mel and Paul, they've been brilliant. We got back in time just before the rain started up again although it wasn't too heavy.

We went shopping for some stuff for tea, then went to meet Jodie, Dean, Laura and Andy at the hostel they're staying at. They were telling us all the nightmare stories of rearranging their plans. Everyone is having to leave Oz basically. The worst story was from Laura and Andy. They'd come travelling just to visit Oz for 3 months. They've had to rearrange their flights to spend a bit longer in LA on the way home, but will still be home a month early! They can't change as much on their flight ticket, so that's the only choice they have.
Dean and Jodie are having trouble even getting through to STA Travel. They won't deal with them over the phone to change their flights, only via email!! They're a joke that company. Don't ever use them!

Now we've found out that the train to the airport isn't running to the airport anymore. Nightmare.

We got back and made some tea. Peri-peri chicken with corn on the cob, salad and cous-cous. Lovely meal and washed it down with our cheap-ass Rose wine.

Straight after tea, I was once again back on the damn computer looking into stuff. Tried to ring Qantas as they had a bulletin on their website saying that they would allow re-routes of flights because of the Brisbane problems. So that means we could fly from the local airport, which isn't far from here at all (couldn't do that originally use that airport when we rebooked our flights though for some stupid reason, it had to be Brisbane). Anyway after 15 minutes of holding and being cut off, then 30 minutes of holding and putting the phone down, we gave up on that idea. We called a few taxi companies but were getting quoted ridiculous prices to get to the airport - $190 (£135) from one company!

We decided the best thing was to get up early in the morning and check the news and trains etc and work out from there the best plan.
We're pretty sure we won't be coming back to Oz either. We were really gutted at first, but now we're not as bothered. We're going to spend up to 2 weeks longer in New Zealand than originally planned so we can go a lot further than we planned. Then we're going to go to the US of A for about 6-7 weeks. Most likely starting in LA.

We gave Mel and Paul a small gift tonight too. Bottle of red Chilean wine, a little plant, a box of toblerones and some snake sweets. Plus a card. Nothing much bit a little thank you. They've been really brilliant to us and let us stay for 5 nights and treat it like our own home, took us on some sightseeing trips and let us use their car! They've cooked for us and bought food for us to help ourselves to as well. We've had a lovely stay, and it's back to the reality of hostels. And crappy meals like pasta with sauce.

We had to get packed before bed which took ages and then set our alarms early to see what the situation is tomorrow. Fingers crosses...

(5 different blogs posted today for Surfers)