Hi AllI am currently at Bournda, near Bega on the Southeast coast of Australia. It is a beautiful village and we are staying with Mel's friend Ellen and her mum and dad, we are being made to feel more than welcome. It's like moving into your mum's home we have never eaten so well. We have met a lot of the family on Anzac Day 25th April 08 a national memorial day, they had a parade in the town with speeches and hymns etc. We then went to the pub for breakfast and a drink but I am still refraining due to being off the wagon. We then spent the afternoon on a BBQ boat on the river with the neighbours it was fab how we'd love to do that at home - everybody was in very good spirits due to the bank holiday. We have spent the last few days relaxing and eating which has been great as we have been up so early every morning doing trips and moving hostels etc since the beginning of March. It's nice to have a relax time in the house we are staying in is truly beautiful so large, my bedroom is like a country hotel room. The gardens are amazing and a great outdoor BBQ area, which we have spent most nights around the fire. It is so nice to get that feel of living with an Australian family the lifestyle seems so much more relaxed than home. They focus on things outside of work i.e. work to live not live to work. It gives you a different perspective on your career and home life.We are leaving for Canberra, the capital city tomorrow morning (28th April 08) just for a day as apparently there isn't much to see as Sydney should be the capital. Then we are moving back to Sydney and Ellen is coming with us and I am flying home on Thursday. I am looking forward to seeing everybody and decorating the house, I believe Dan has been working hard on renovating.Got to go I am in the process of uploading some photos. This will probably be my last blog as I am due home in about 5 days. I will get in touch with everybody once I have got over my jetlag. My old phone number (UK mobile) has not been valid since 3rd Jan 08 so you can't text me and if you have sent any text since that time I have not received them. I will buy a new sim card when I get settled at home and send you all a text with my new number on and we can arrange to meet. Weather update - just in case you guys have been mega envious of the weather as I believe it's been a little rough at home. Since about mid March it has moved into the rainy season and in Australia it is the start of their winter. So Mel and I have unfortunately lost our tans :0( but had amazing experiences you will see from some of our photos were rapped up warm - haha.All my love Ali x