Due to persistent nagging from many parties we are now attempting to update our very neglected blog! It's a work in progress so it may take some time, until then here's a quick synopsis of the Oz adventure so far (and yes we are now in Oz and not still in Phi Phi as the blog would suggest!)

We are currently writing to you from a very cold and soggy campsite in Geelong just outside Melbourne. This unexpected Australian weather has haunted us throughout the majority of our journey as we headed down the South East Coast, avoiding floods and ginormous hailstones!

We have been very busy campers recently and have travelled through 4 states in just over 2 months. We spent a wonderful 2 weeks with Gav and Janine in Sydney, although rainy and grey when we arrived we did manage to squeeze out a few days on the beach and hit the waves. In our epic search for a travelling home we found 'Herbert', our faithful 1983 Toyota Hiace camper that has not failed us yet! (everyone touch wood now please!!) Once on the road we got our first taste of travelling campsite life, a little shock to the system but were well and truly in the swing of it now.

We had an amazing time in Victoria State, Phillip Island definitely being the highlight, getting to see wild penguins come home to nest and sampling the delights at the Panny's Chocolate Factory. We spent a luxurious few nights in Melbourne, the city of arts, food and shopping, in an apartment overlooking the Grand Prix circuit. We embarked upon the world famous Great Ocean Road, a little nerve racking on the bends but absolutely breath-taking views. We saw the beautiful Blue Lake of Mount Gambier before heading to South Australia and Adelaide in search of some sun and surf!!

Vic and Scott were fantastic hosts in Adelaide, Tom finally got some much needed decent waves (little did he know it was a Great White breeding ground) and I got some much needed tanning time and home comforts. We visited the beautiful Granite Island and the Penguin Hospital (look out for my favourite with the blue balloon shoes in the piccies!) Whilst in Adelaide we were fortunate to witness the Australian Swimming Championships and Ian Thorpes attempted come back for London 2012. We strolled the streets of the seaside town of Glenelg and soaked up plenty of sun on the beaches of SA.

With time against us we had to make a move to head back towards Melbourne and Torquay for the Rip Curl Pro Surf Competition at World renowned Bells Beach! Along the way we soaked up some more generous Australian hospitality with Mike and Maxine in the Gold city of Ballarat. We panned for gold in the rivers of Sovereign Hill and toured the Gold mines in search of some larger nuggets!! Tom's Birthday was celebrated Hog's Breath style with a Prime rib steak and a skateboard in the park! Bells Beach certainly did not disappoint, a blazing 32 degrees, the surf was pumping, the Pro's on form, we witnessed some perfect 10 waves from Slater and Gilmore!

So here we are now, tired and weary from a very manic 2 months, about mid way through the adventure, planning the route ahead! We have loved every minute (almost) and hopefully the best is still yet to come as we head towards the famous backpackers route of East Coast Australia!

We will make efforts to plug in the gaps in this very brief summary, but if we don't you can rest assured it's just because we're too busy living the adventure!

Enjoy the pictures!

Love to all,

Rach and Tom xxxx