The Sebel Resort And Spa Hawkesbury Valley Windsor

... was as pretty as a picture postcard. Fortunately we managed to get booked on the 'Baz tour of the Mountains' and it was fab! Barry drove us around the top of the mountain range stopping at different places for a walk, twitter and a look at the views which were.... absolutely breath taking! We have had a wonderful few days with them. We hit Mosman today - Max no longers looks like a stand in for the Planet of The Apes and has been ...

... flocking here.

Monday saw Kath's final dental appointment achieved and the installation of the new TV and antenna done. No more circling Brisbane, we are heading south to Tasmania!!!!! Enjoyed a lunch and chat with Malcolm and Cheryl, and said our last, 4th farewell to our Holdway St neighbours who by this time are wondering if we will ever really be gone.

... which would sit on the back fence and demand that we come out and provide a snack (we did!). So far I have not seen any, but to make up for it, these Rainbow Lorikeets showed up every morning in Carolyn’s backyard.

I did a few normal tourist things as well and can happily recommend:

- A ferry ride to Manly Beach for harbor views and, upon arrival, a hike up the scenic walk to Dolbroyd point for a really ...

... centre over the harbour. It was so random to all be back together in Sydney! After a few drinks we got the subway to Kings Cross, to a club called Soho (N.B. Sydney is absolutely FULL of street, and other, names that have been thieved from London). At the door the bouncer was ID-ing everyone (Laura told me this was standard in Sydney) and I was a bit concerned as I didn't have my passport. Brilliantly, however, I just showed him my ISIC card that STA Travel had kindly ...

... detour and just made some comments about my speed. pft. the girls have started making a list of my illeagal exploits. we are at 3 i think. Dad told us to keeping going until the servo between grafton and coffs, we didnt think this place exsisted and as kath was serioulsly contemplating heading bush for a toilet break, until the glorius sight of the shell symbol light up the night sky. This however is where we were advised of a tanker on fire just noth of coffs ...

... is linked to the city by Pyrmont Bridge, a famous swing bridge which is great to cross for views of the city skyline. We stopped off at the Sydney Aquarium to see Australian marine life through an underwater glass tunnel, especially a number of different sharks (no great whites though!), rays, a platypus, crocs and the fascinating dugongs. Dugongs are mythical like creatures, the best description of one would be half seal, half whale. After the aquarium, we went to ...

... Beach, which was glorious and the shops were amazing!! One shop sold 'design your own Havaiana's!' we could have spent a fortune, the clothes were so good and far cheaper than at home. On our last night we moved into the centre of the city and stayed in a really nice hostel. It had a bar in the basement where we drank numerous beers and watched some live music, which was a perfect way of finishing our time in Sydney.

... one of the greatest locations in the world, jutting out into the harbor. The famous white sails of the building attract visitors from the world over and it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, modern Wonder of the World, and all of the other accolades bestowed on architectural wonders. Sarah went on a tour of the building, while Mary and I had a date. We had both been fiending sushi for some time and wanted to ...

... listed as a heritage site, so fortunately it can never be taken
down despite it's sought after prime spot right on the water with views
of the entire city. We'll definitely be coming back to the park to ride
the spinning thing where you stick to the walls, when it's open Friday.

... awake, because the driver wasn't sure where to go and Nadia and Luke were sound asleep. Poor Luke sat in the front with his head bobbing up and down and Nadia's soft cheek eventually made it's way on my shoulder. We were telling the driver what way to go, but we blow right past the turn. Then I woke Nadia up and he told him how to get to her house from there. Once in the house, we all called it a night and headed straight for bed.