New Years Day - McGrae

We went for our last trip down to the coast today and then visited the beach ..........
before heading back for a BBQ lunch at Barbara and Ian's........t o Craigs parents for a BBQ lunch.
It was quite sad really - we said our farewells, packed our bags and headed off for the airport not knowing when we would see each other again........ who knows what the future holds.

New Years Eve - McGrae

We were all spending New Years Eve with Craigs parents, Barbara and Ian, at McGrae.

The afternoon was spent swimming in the pool......

and having an early evening BBQ.........

We then went down to the beach with some drinks and Liam and went swimming in the warm sea and watched a fabulous sunset.....

we came back and went for a midnight swim before coming out and welcoming the New Year in with champagne

Madelaine and Barry's

Ian and I went over to Madelaine and Barry's house with Julie for lunch and to say our farewells. This is the part of the holiday I wasnt looking forward to.

The birds were on their bird table in the garden.

Melbourne

Ian and I went into Melbourne today for one final shop for things we wanted to take back to the UK with us.

Sydney - The Opera House, The Harbour Boat Trip

We visited the Sydney Opera House today and then took a boat out for a Harbour Tour taking in all the sights.

Sydney - The Bridge Climb, The Rocks

One of the best things to do in Sydney is climb up to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the outside - it's also one of the scareist things to do - you definitly need a good head for heights as there's nothing solid beneath you - only steel ladders and walkways!

So this is what Karen, Craig, Ian and I did today!

We followed this up with a trip to The Rocks where Craig suggested visiting an Irish Bar and we all had good old sausage and mash for lunch.

Boxing Day - Sydney: The Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race

Today we went aboard Matilda to watch the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and have a Champange Buffet lunch!

We went out into the harbour and then waited right next to the start line for the boats to begin the race and then followed them down to the open sea before turning back, having lunch and taking in the sights of Sydney on the way.

Boxing Day - Sydney: Bondi Beach

After coming in from watching the boat race we headed for Bondi Beach for ice creams and a paddle in the sea.

Christmas Day with the Lovegroves

We were all up early on Christmas morning to open pressies - Liam with his new blackboard.....

and then went to the Craig's sister's house in the Dandenongs for Christmas dinner with the Lovegrove Family......

Christmas Day - Sydney

After Christmas lunch Karen and Craig left the kids with Craigs mum and we drove to the airport for our flight to Sydney.

We were staying at the Four Points Sheraton on Darling Harbour and arrived in the afternoon in time for a wander about the harbour and dinner sitting on the harbour front.

The hotel room....

We ended Christmas Day with phone calls to England at midnight and champagne on the balcony.