Wow we had a really busy time in Sydney catching up with people (and meeting new ones) and seeing all the sights of such a busy place. We spent time with Fleur's Aunt and Uncle, Nancy and Alan, and with Karen's cousin Karen (yes, just to confuse things - same name!) It was really great to see/meet them all and have some insider info on where to go and what to do in the city and surrounding areas. Also, it was a wonderful break from staying in hostels! We managed to squeeze in a lot in our time in Sydney. We went out to the Blue Mountains with Nancy and Alan, whch was great. It was so cold there though, but a nice crisp day. We got some wonderful views of the Three Sisters rocks and the mountains in the distance. It's only an hour and a half from the city of Sydney but the contrast is amazing - the mountains strecth for miles into the distance, and give off a blue haze - hence the name - thanks to the Ecalyptus trees. We went on the world's steepest train ride down into the bush and went on a walk, before getting a train ride back up. Also outside the city we went with Karen E up to the Northern Beaches, where we went to Palm Beach where Home and Away is filmed. The surf club there is actually called 'Summer Bay Surf Lifesaving Club'! We then went to stay with her friends Tanya and Rob for the evening, in her wonderful house on Pittswater. Their house is in National Park area and is only acessible by boat, with acres of bushland behind. Karen was racing in a yacht race there, while we spent time admiring the view and enjoying the sunshine. We had a lovely evening at Tanya's, with prawns from the barbie and a roast dinner, as well as homemade apple crumble (made by Karen and ourselves! Are you proud Mummies?!) On the Sunday afternoon we went with Karen and Rob to a beach BBQ, which was good fun and a "must" experience in Oz! We were kept amused by the crazy dogs and kids running around! I (Karen) also drove a boat - and nobody was lost overboard!! He he! In the city we saw the Opera House (inside and out - we went on a tour) and the Harbour Bridge, Art Gallery, Botanic Gardens, lots of shops (obviously... you know us well enough to take that as a given), and took a ferry to Manley, where there is a great surf beach. We also went to the Aquarium on a rainy day - they had loads of tunnels under the water to walk through with sharks/ rays/ seals/ any other kind of fish imaginable swimming above you - really great experience. The Great Barrier Reef exhibit was fab too. :-) Oooh... special mention to Psycho/ Muggins/ Kitty... Karen Ewels' adopted kitten! She was cat-sitting while we were there and the kitten kept us amused with its schizophrenia (it was all cute and cuddly one minute, and then would suddenly flip out!) We miss him lots but he was kind enough to give us scratches to remember him by! Karen's flatmate Anne also deserves a mention - she was lovely and shared our love of kitty!... and we also met up with another of my cousins, Richard - very briefly as he flew in just before we flew out so we said a quick "hi and bye" at the airport! Photos from Sydney will be uploaded soon... and update from freezing cold NZ very soon! Love Karen and Fleur xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx