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.

Christmas Eve - Dandenongs

Karen, Ian, Liam, Daniel and Amanda took a trip into the Dandenong Ranges today and went for a walk at Mount Dandenong

We also visited William Ricketts Sanctuary

and then had a glass of wine over lunch in a very nice resturant - what a way to spend Christmas Eve - mountains, wine and sun!

Melbourne at Christmas

Ian and I took a trip to Melbourne today for a Chistmas look around the city centre. It felt very odd standing next to a Christmas tree in 35c!

We also visited the Melbourne Aquarium where you can swim with sharks!! (but we decided not to take that opportunity up - this time!)

Relaxing in Rowville

We spent today relaxing at Karen and Craig's house in Rowville, Karen and I took a trip to Knox City for that last minute Christmas Shop leaving Ian with Liam and Daniel and the bubble making machine!

When Craig came in from work we all went to the local park and Ian and Craig tried out the boomerangs they'd bought at Phillip Island - & yes they did come back.

Phillip Island Trip - Beach Day

Today we spent on the beach playing football with Liam, building sandcastles and watching Craig and Ian surf.

Phillip Island Trip - Koala's and Fairy Penguin's

Phillip Island has a Koala Conservation Centre. This centre allows you to visit the koala habitat via boardwalks which allow you to climb into trees and observe them close up!

The Island is also famous for it's Penguin Parade which we went to at sunset and watched loads of penguins come a shore to their nests within the beach dunes. Again boardwalks are used above the dunes to allow you to walk over and watch the penguins returning to their nests.

Phillip Island Trip - The Nobbies and Fur Seals

Karen, Craig, Amanda, Ian and the kids went to Phillip Island for a few days. The Island is famous for it's racing track, Seals, Koala's and Penguin's.

We went to the coastal point called The Nobbies where a colony of Fur Seals make their home and explored the Island's coast.

Our apartment for the trip was right opposite the beach!

Neighbour's...... & Knox City

Yup - we had to do it!!

We went to Pin Oaks Court where Neighbours is filmed!(raining at the time!)

Took a quick shot (feeling rather embarrassed as all was quiet).

Then it was off to Knox City to do some Christmas Shopping.

We had yet another BBQ in the evening at Karen and Craigs house (could get to like this life a lot)

Soverign Hill, Ballerat

A visit to Soverign Hill is like stepping back in time - it's a gold mining town and daily life goes on just like it did 100 years ago!



We spent a great day taking trips down the mines, lunching in the old bar and being driven around the town by coach and horses as well as exploring how life was back in the 1850's!

We topped the day off with a visit to the Gold Museum before returning to Melbourne.

Halls Gap & The Grampian Mountains

Today we set off early for The Grampian Mountains and had a drive, walk and a bit of an explore of the mountains before setting up camp at Halls Gap.

I still haven't got used to having a meal in the evening in the roasting heat right next to a snow covered Christmas Tree!!!

When we got back to the camp site both the Galah's and Cicadas were out in force and we ended up lighting a camp fire and opening a bottle of wine and got a surprise visit by a wild kangaroo!!!

Leaving The Outback

Today we left the luxury of The Lost Camel and the Ayers Rock Resort and flew back to Melbourne.

Into The Outback - Ayers Rock (Uluru) Sun Rise

Today was another day for getting up before dawn but there was no way we were going to miss the sun rise over Uluru and it was well worth it! The pictures were taken at 5 minute intervals.

Into The Outback - Ayers Rock (Uluru) Circuit

After watching the sun rise our plan had been to climb to the sumit of Uluru but due to the high winds the climb was closed for safety so we walked around the complete base of Uluru which is about 3 hours and got to the visitors centre in time for lunch and then had a look at the history of Uluru.

Into The Outback - The Olgas & Uluru by Helicopter

This afternoon we took a drive out to see the Olgas - a rock formation not far from Uluru - it was very, very windy.

We got back to Uluru for our 4pm helicopter ride over both Uluru and the Olgas - spectacular.

Into The Outback - Ayres Rock (Uluru) Sunset

Tonight we did sunset in style - we took a bottle of champagne and the Christmas presents we had brought over from England and sat on top of the Nissan Patrol & as the sun set we opened the champers and our pressies - an experience I will never forget!

Into The Outback - King's Canyon

We were up well before the dawn & set off walking as the dawn broke!

By the time the sun was peaking up we were well up on the ridge - the pictures say the rest!

We were down for a late breakfast & then back on the road to Ayers Rock.

Into The Outback - Ayers Rock (Uluru)

We arrived at Uluru about 3pm and decided to go and get our passes to Ayers Rock & have a drive round it.

The first site of this enormous tower of rock is unbelievable! We drove around it and then stopped near to the climb for a wander - at that time of day I survived about 5 mins outside the air conditioned car - Ian a little longer.

We went and checked in at The Lost Camel and had a wander around the resort and a swim by the Christmas Tree before going back to Ayers Rock to watch a very spectacular sunset!

The evening was topped with a very nice meal sitting outside the resturant.

Sydney - The Opera House, The Rocks and The Harbour Boat Trip

We went to visit the Syndey Opera House today, took a boat rip around he habour taking in all the sights and visited The Rocks - a fantastic market.

We went to an Irish themed pub on Craigs suggestion and lunch was good old bangers and mash!

Into The Outback - Palm Valley & King's Canyon

We were up early again and off to do some walking in Palm Valley before heading over to King's Canyon. We settled into our cabin and then settled into the pool before a meal in the local pub and an early night.

Into The Outback - Ormiston Gorge & Palm Valley

We got up at about 5am this morning so we could walk down the gorge at Ormiston Gorge, where we'd camped, before it got too hot. After a breakfast of bacon butties cooked on the BBQ we set off for Palm Valley - and lost the tarmac along the way.

We arrived at Palm Valley in the afternoon and spent the afternoon walking in the valley - we were tempted to go for a swim in the water hole but as we weren't sure what wildlife may also be swimming in there we paddled in the shallows at the edge instead.

Into The Outback - McDonnall Ranges

Today we flew from Melbourne to Alice Springs, we picked up the very large Nissan Patrol and did some shopping - we took extra fuel as well as 15 litres of water to last us the 2 days until we reached Kings Canyon, we bought a cool bag & ice to keep the meat cool for the trip.

We explored Alice Springs before setting off for Glen Helen via the McDonnall Ranges visiting various water holes on route one of which was Ellery Creek Big Hole (pictured above) and the Ochre Pits (below)

We had brought our own tent - a Quechua Bionnassay - from the UK as it's a very small tent ideal for quick use when all you need is something to sleep in - it was smaller than the back of the car!!!!

Our camp site for the night was at Ormiston Gorge.

Port Napean & The Mornington Peninsular

Today we headed down the coast to Port Napean & the Mornington Peninsular and had lunch in a village called Sorrento.

We then spent the afternoon swimming in Port Phillip Bay - warm sea and hot sun.

Melbourne City & The Sky Tower

Barry, Ian and Amanda went into Melbourne to see the city sites. We started off at Federation Square and then walked down South Bank and had lunch in the casino in front of $1,000,000 - no joke - it's all in coin & displayed in a giant circular glass cabinet - we didn't try & get too close!!!

We then went to Melbourne's highest point - the Sky Tower which has panoramic views around the city and surrounding area.

The weather was hot & the Christmas trees were out!!!

Apollo Bay Trip - Bell's Beach & Point Lonsdale

Today we returned home to our base in Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road - visiting places we didn't visit on the way down such as the world famous Bell's Beach - a haven for surfers and Point Lonsdale.

Apollo Bay Trip - Otway Fly Treetop Walk

Today we went up into the canopy of the rain forest in the Otway Ranges via these high raised walkways which are literally hundreds of feet into the air!

The Otway Fly Treetop walk is the longest and highest canopy walk in Australia. It's a fantastic experience and is a lot better than walking on the forest floor!

Apollo Bay Trip - The Twelve Apostles

The day started with breakfast cooked on the BBQ & eaten on the balcony (I could get used to all this outdoor heat & no rain stuff!!!)

We then set off further down the coast to visit the 12 Apostles (a series of sea stacks), Loch Ard Gorge, Thunder Cave & we ended up at The Bay Of Islands after visiting London Bridge (another stack) and various other coves on route.

We spent a very nice evening having a BBQ on the balcony and drinking lots of wine (hey - you buy it by the cask over here!!!)

Apollo Bay Trip - Great Ocean Road

Today Karen, Craig, Liam, Daniel, Amanda & Ian set off in 2 cars to follow the Great Ocean Road down the Victoria Coast to Apollo Bay stopping at various spots on route for paddles in the sea, lunch and site seeing.

We arrived at Apollo Bay in the afternoon and had a nice walk down the beach and a swim before going out to an 'Aussie' pub for a drink & then a meal in a resturant near the apartment.

The apartment was something out of this world - although Craig said 'wait til see the room in Sydney' - well this was excellant - big glass doors all round the living area with a balcany giving panoramic views to the beach one side & the hills the other.

Madelaine & Barry's for Lunch

I had only seen Barry & Madelaine (Karen's parent's) at my house in England about 12 weeks ago and I had promised them then that I would come to Australia as soon as I was able to and I'd phone them to let them know - well I had already booked the tickets a few weeks before so when I phoned them from the airport saying 'you know I said I'd let you know.... well I'm at the airport' - there was silence on the phone!!!

I really don't think they believed I was actually in Australia until I turned up at the house today!

We had a great time, an excellant BBQ & we even got a swim in the pool too!

McGrae & Sea Winds

Today we went to Craig's parents for lunch, they live down the coast from Melbounre at a place called McGrae, whilst we were there Craig's mum, Barbara, took us for a walk into the hills behind the house to a place called Sea Winds.

(the pics are Craig's parents house & the view from Sea Winds)

Madelaine And Barry's

We went to say our final farewells to Madelaine, Barry and Julie today and had a BBQ lunch at their house with Karen, Craig and the kids. The birds were in the garden.

Healesville Sanctuary

Healesville Sanctuary is almost like a zoo but more like a safari park, you go round it on foot but the animals aren't 'caged' in as such - some are behind fences & some in enclosures but it's a great place and an excellent way to see all the native animals before you into the outback to try to see them & discover just how elusive they actually are in the wild!!!

I was introduced here to just how much better the cafe food is over there - the bowl of nachos & dips was absolutely enormous & the choice of food available was unbelievable!

On our way home we were struck by a freak hail storm with hail stones bigger than golf balls & it was the worst storm in over 100 years (must be our arrival!!) we pulled off to the side of the road for safety and then decided we'd better pull under some trees for protection! When we got home (we were in Craigs car) we discovered the roof of the car was pitted from the hail stones - we went half on the insurance excess for the repairs!!!!

St Kilda Market & 10th Wedding Anniversary Celebrations

Today Karen & Craig have been married for 10 years!!!!

We spent the day at St Kilda which is a great place near the beach just outside Melbourne.

The market was fantastic and I could have bought loads of stuff - but it was my first day! I did however buy Ian a digerido for his Christmas present and got the aborigines who made it to play it first so at least we knew what it sounded like even if we couldn't get a note out of it.

We had a great walk down the beach and I discovered English sun tan lotion wasn't good enough in Australia and switched to the Aussie stuff!!

In the evening we went to a very nice Italian resturant for an excellant meal and more champagne! It was fantastic to be able to sit outside and sip cool white wine before the meal in weather hotter than the midday sun in the UK!

Champagne Arrival

I hadn't seen Karen for 16 years & she hadn't a clue I was at the airport - Craig had got her there on the pretence of meeting a friend coming in from Adelaide.

I walked up to her, dropped my bag a few feet away walked past & said Hi Karen!! You could see her doing a double take!!! Then came the hug & then she wouldn't let me go!!

I think she needed the champagne!!!