Finally we have stopped on our travels and have chance to update you all on our last jam-packed week! Pretty sure last time we wrote on here we were planning our trip to the Blue Mountains, but our plans changed slightly, we haven't been yet! So after changing our minds on that one we sorted out a new plan, an then went to the beach, Bondi!! Weather was great when we arrived, spent a good few hours jumping waves and drowning lots (Helen drowning that is) but unfortunately the clouds came in for when we took our pics! The sea was gorgeous, clear and so warm, with great waves, lots of surf dudes falling over, plonkers!!So then we finally left Lane Cove and headed north of Sydney slightly, we travelled up the coast to a place called Lake Macquarie, a huge lake (surprisingly) on the coast. We stayed on the beach side, 9 mile beach which was very impressive, and just about 500m the other way was the lake. We headed to another beach too (beach bums I know) where there are caves set amongst the cliffs at the waters edge, so at low ish tide we explored a few. Little dull but something different and Taylor managed to collect some rocks, sad! To be fair the stones and shells were pretty cool, much better than the bluebottle jellyfish on the beach!! Nearest city was Newcastle, no Byker Grove and frankly it was rubbish, except for the beach (last beach we visited so wont mention it again, this blog!) Newcastle beach also links to a beach cove called Nobbys Head, strangely it was at the tip of a headland (couldn't think of any jokes, honest!)We spent 4 nights there before the sweet smell of wine lured us to the Hunter Valley where unfortunately there were hundreds of wineries all wanting us to get bladdered for free!! We stayed at a campsite about 6miles out of the major wine area, there is no public transport going through the vineyards so we were a bit limited on what we could do. Good job there were 2 outdoor swimming pools and a heated spa pool to keep us entertained! Due to location and lack of options we had to go on a wine tour, no complaints though as it was an air-conditioned bus, blooming good job too as it was 40degrees plus that day!! In the cellar doors without air-con it was almost unbearable, but the alcohol kept us going!! We went to about 5 wineries each showing off about 15 different wines for us to taste, all completely free and some gave us discount off buying the wine too, a very nice white bought that is designed to be poured over ice if desired, perfect for the weather here!! Tour also took us around the olive groves, tasting the oils, chutneys, jams etc, and a few cheese shops, with of course the option of ice cream! It was a brilliant day and we will be going back there!!So tomorrow is Australia Day, no idea what our plan is but I'm sure it'll be a long day, and with all the celebrations planned everywhere we decided Sydney would probably be the best place to experience it! And where else could we stay, but back at Lane Cove, been gone a week and it felt so comfortable returning here, we were even given a special greeting by the local wildlife, including two Rainbow Lorikeets that joined us at our table! Also managed to get a walk around the National Park as the weather is a little cooler today (some brilliant thunder storms helping to clear the air). Hopefully we wont be too drunk tomorrow and will remember all to update you guys again soon! Missing you all so send us all your gossip and updates x