Since last writing we have reached Australia! We have now been here for 3 weeks but almost didnt get in at all as I didn't have an Australian visa - bloody STA charging me money for a visa and then never getting it for me.

My predictions in the last entry regarding sports was not too far off. Spurs are 11th not 10th in the league (but only on goal difference) and England finished above Wales in the 6 Nations - hahahahaha. Maybe I shall start betting on sports to fund my trip.

In Sydney we met Roxy, a friend of Liza's sister and saw harbour, opera house, harbour bridge etc. Weather was pretty crap though. I think UK has been enjoying better weather than parts of Oz, however it is getting hotter and sunnier the further up the east coast we go. We also went to the Aquarium and saw Dugongs, i.e. Manatees, Mermaids! We also saw lots of different species of Shark, Manta Ray and Turtle, it made for a fun day out.

We visited Byron Bay for a few days, soaking up the sun on Main Beach and watching as locals paraded their svelte figures whilst we flapped around like beached whales.

In Brisbane we met up with Tom Balme, an old school friend of mine on St Patrick's Day. It was cool to catch up and sink a few pints of Guinness followed by a great Subway (foot long obviously.)

We had a surfing lesson at Surfer's Paradise - Liza was quite good, I was terrible. We both suffered bruises and severe seawater inhalation after a few wipeouts, but the instructors had no sympathy.

After SP we visited Hervey Bay (a sleepy old fishing town with not much to do other than visit the beach and eat ice cream) the weather wasn't great there so we spent one afternoon at the local cinema. From there we visited Fraser Island for 3 days on a guided 'Cool Dingo' Tour. Despite not seeing any dingoes we did enjoy swimming in beautiful fresh water lakes, climbing Indian Head (for a view over the shark infested ocean), walking through sand dunes and encountering various spiders and snakes.

We are currently staying in Airlie Beach before going on a 3day sailing trip around the Whitsundays. We hope to do a couple more dives off the boat and explore the Great Barrier Reef.

Til next time. Hope you are well.

Love Mike & Liza xxxx