I did my mammoth trek from The Strand hostel on William street over to The Landsowne on City Road yesterday - good lord! It wasn't too bad, but not being able to stand up straight as both my backpacks weighed me down wasn't the most fun you can have in Sydney! Of course it was boiling hot as well, so my shoulders were quite raw by the time I got to the hostel - and of course they weren't ready for me! I arrived at about 11, but they were still tidying up from those people who had just checked out, and so the manager said could I go back at 2! As I may have mentioned the walk was a little taxing with such heavy luggage, so I had been looking forward to a nice shower upon my arrival. No such luck. Whilst he gave me access to the showers I couldn't fathom how to get my shower stuff out of my backpack without ruining some of the best packing in Eastern Australia, so I simply washed, freshened up, and headed out... looking a little worse for wear!

As it turned out I had a good day: I went to the Opera House and saw that it's covered in tiles, just like a bathroom. Queer really, as I'd always imagined as sheets of material, maybe that's the desired effect though! I'm glad to say that it was much more impressive close up than from afar, and I was suitably in awe of the architecture that I'd only ever seen on television. I tried a few DIY photos, but they weren't up to much, in fact one shows an elderly man in the background looking directly at me as if to say 'what on earth are you doing my dear?'. Great!

I wandered around The Rocks area again, but this time went into one of the cafes, a little patisserie in fact. Their cakes looked truly divine, but I stumped for a hot chocolate instead for just $3. I must say, it was THE best hot chocolate I've had from a cafe: they often come too hot, too watery, or just not chocolaty enough. Well drinking this I felt like Goldilocks at the third bowl of porridge! Heaven! The rain even had a break whilst I drank it overlooking the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

I met the new people in my dorm after I'd managed to check in at 4! The owner said he was quite full and so would I mind moving from the female only dorm I'd pre-booked to a mixed dorm? I said yes, but I wanted a reduced rate. He obliged and I'm now paying just $17 a night, bargain. Although the hostel's very tidy, the kitchen is tiny, and there's no hob, so it's microwave meals all round, or tinned beetroot and crumpets in my case.

I spoke to two of the people I'm sharing with: one's a girl from Basildon and the other a bloke from Oldham! We talked about ghosts, ouji boards and horror films just before bed though, so I'm not sure how I managed to sleep so soundly! Alas I did though, even though the other two people in the dorm came in at 1am and then 3am to try and disturb my slumber!

I managed to hit the snooze button so many times this morning that it eventually turned itself off, but I did get up at 8 for my run... maybe it's just a jog at times! I found a new park near my new abode and ran around there. When I got back at 9 there was still no movement in the dorm, in fact they were still in their pits at 10.30 when I left after my shower! Waste of a day, tut tut!

I walked the thirty minute distance down to the harbour and then across the Harbour Bridge as recommended by Linda, the Welsh lady I shared with last weekend, and it was definitely worth doing! Luckily the winds were quite mild up there and so I could walk without fearing for my life, although it did creak a few times in some places, which made me quicken my pace a wee bit. There were some people doing the bridge climb as I walked over, and I was pleased I'd opted for the free option rather than the $198 option to get a bit of extra height on my pictures. Maybe next time though.

After the bridge I wandered around The Rocks again, I really do think this place is lovely. I think it reminds me of Shropshire! I had planned to get another cup of hot chocolate from the patisserie, but I didn't have any money on me so walked back along George Street to an ATM - exciting times! On the way I spotted a cupcake bakery that I've been passing everyday this week offering a deal of 'coffee and cupcake for $5' - I finally went in! I chose the chocolate peppermint cupcake and walked to Hyde Park to enjoy them as I read Bill Bryson - unfortunately neither of them lived up to my high expectations. The hot chocolate at The Rocks was still the best treat!

Not truly eventful days, but I've enjoyed them. One more day in Sydney!