Hi Anna,

Wow, that trip accross Sydney sounded like a nightmare. I bet the hotel was a truely welcome sight as the taxi pulled up outside!!

The pics Of Sydney are lovely but the water in the harbour looks choppy. I guess it's fairly windy there by that big expanse of water.

I've just got back to Matlock Bath to start work again after the Christmas break. It was freezing !!! too cold to work so I abandoned that plan for today and am going to B&Q to get some materials instead.

Will you be watching the fireworks in Sydney on New Year's Eve? I will give you a ring on New Year's day.

Lots of love XXX

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Hello,

It was crazy! lol but yes the hotel was a nice place to relax, we got breakfast every morning there:) We are in a hostel now, so have to make our own breaky now.

The water was choppy yes, but it wasnt too windy:)

Is Matlock nearly finished now? Where are you up to now?

Fireworks are all in the photo album now. Was worth going in the end, since we got such a good spot.

Hope you feel better soon, sounds like there are some nasty bugs about.

Love Anna xx

The pictures of Sydney are excellent - both daytime and night-time shots (how did you get the coloured strips of light on the water at night?) They brought back many happy memories of our visit there. When are you seeing Barbie?

The weather when you took the photos was obviously a good deal kinder than when you arrived in Sydney - that arrival sounded like a stressful experience!

The stadium shots were interesting - let's hope London can do a job as good as this for our Olympics!

I will be in the Nottingham area on 26 January and should be able to pick you up from the airport if it represents a problem for Dad Bailey. Just let me know. I am flying to Scotland from East Midlands on 27 January first thing.

The VW Golf has become a liability (oil and coolant leaks), so I am trading it in a for a new Vauxhall Corsa (3 door, flame red, 1 litre Life model) under an Ecoflex allowance scheme. This scheme takes older less efficient cars off the road and provides a decent trade-in allowance. I am also able to use my GM Card points, which makes the car a true bargain! I will be very happy for Anna to use it - perhaps we can share the Corsa and Escort? The Escort is running well and is ideal for the summer (assuming we get one this year).

I see from my sailing news that a dinghy sailor was struck by lightning at Newcastle in NSW during a big storm. I hope that the weather stays calm wherever you are and you are able to make the most of your remaining time in Oz.

Daddy Pope

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Hello,

The water with the colour reflections was just like that in real life, it's from the lights inside the buildings etc. I am getting in touch with Barbi again soon, will hopefully see her wither sundsay or monday if she is free.

Yeah, the weather was alot better the next day thank goodness. Apparently it changes often, one min its sunny, the next its raining! lol But we have been lucky so far.

Lol! I dont know what will happen with the London Olympics, havent they cut their budget?

Be good to speak to about picking up arrangements over the phone. Thank you for the offer:) If Ians dad is picking us up from the airport, could you pick me up from Ians maybe?

The car sounds lovely:) did it not come in a 1.2? Just that my old corsa was just about fast enough. I dont feel very safe driving the escort without an air bag, but would share yes, until I can afford to get a car of my own.

Oh dear, Newcastle! I didnt know about that, we havent had a tv for a little while. So far so good with the weather here, so fingers crossed.

Hope you are feeling better now.

Anna x

Love the pictures of sydney looks lush and green there. Glad you had a nice christmas, we had our dinner on christmas eve this year, as Mark and his girlfriend, Grandad and grandma came boxing day tea so had to spend a lot of time in the kitchen christmas night and boxing day cooking stuff. we called up to grandad and grandmas christmas afternoon ( Ben casused a bit of damage to a few things walking into things) saw Margaret on saturday, still on the sofa, with crutches and walking sticks!.what do you think of sydney, is it as warm there? Dad just needs a bit of notice as he is on his own in january, the other bloke is on holiday. going to sainsburys now (hope it is a bit less busy than last time) looking forwrd to more photos love mum

Hello,yeah its warm here most of the time! but when it goes cold it is like england at times!

It is nice and green here yes,not as clean a city as Brisbane but its a lot bigger so maybe thats why! there are lots of tramps in the streets here too which there arent there

We are off to see the new year fireworks tomorrow so sure anna will write about what that was like soon,she has a lot of blogs to do!

Ok anna will speak to her dad and we will let you know about a lift back,

speak soon

hello you two, hope you had a great christmas, looks like you did from the pics!.I am sure Dad can fetch you back, but let us know if It is definate, so he can ask for time off. what did you have for dinner on christmas day, did Anna manage to get something suitable?. I am doing you a turkey dinner when you get back Ian, we have saved you a couple of christmas crackers too!.Like the house steve urwin has it beautifil, let us know when you are needing a lift then and will talk soon, love Mum, Dad xx

Hello!

We had a relaxing day yes,everything was closed so just went to the beach. What did you lot get upto?

Had beans on toast at lunch and spaghetti for tea! so differnt to the ususal chrismas dinner:-) be nice to have one when i get back tho so thanks.

In sydney now,got some nice photos so far. We went to the olympic site today which i really enjoyed! dont think anna did as much as me but was a good day out. Did the stadium tour and everything so look out for the photos

Well i'll let you know about return as sooon as i can if its for sure. How much notice does dad need?

speak soon Ps saw paul jewell has left,Not looking good for derby is it!

Hello Ian , hope you both enjoyed your christmas, sounds as if you had a nice relaxing day in the sun. Just had look at your latest pics, some really good ones on them. Could see us living in steve irwins holiday home, just the ticket! Have you seen footy results?Derby and Forest lost, and forest have sacked Colin Caulderwood, and coach David Kerslake after losing 4-2 at home to Doncaster Rovers. I,d give Keane the job though he needs a break from footy so he says. Couldnt do any worse. Home game for Derby on sunday, mum and matt going in grandads car. Went down to mums tonight for tea, Mark came with his girlfriend anita, showed us there holiday pics when they went to Egypt and Tunisia. They were very good. Ben came up Christmas Day and poor thing cant see much at all. He came in front room and tried to get passed dad who was lying on the floor, but went along the hearth to get by,needless to say he sent vase with flowers in brass plate and pot pourrie flying everywhere. It was so funny, he,s like a walking bulldozer. When we were down at mums, me and grandad went outside for smoke and there was a big big arguement and fight on Beech Avenue next to Margarets. Don,t know who it was but sounded bad. Proper Xmas that sounded like, boozed up and falling out!!!!Probably not know much about it in the morning. (Idiots, would leave it alone if it served me like that). Grandad had digital photo frame off mum for xmas, been playing with it all day. I didn,t know he was taking pics and walked in front of him, was told "dont walk across my studio when i,m busy, banished me to the kitchen. Did i take any notice NO!!! Will be putting your pics on when he knows a bit more how to do it. He,s well pleased with it. Hope you enjoy your week in Tasmania, and look forward to hearing and seeing pics about it. Take care, love Grandad and grandma h xxxx

Hello! Yeah just seen jewell has left derby now,had bad results over xmas! why did he resign? was he goign to get sacked?

Poor old ben yes,mum said his eyes were getting worse in an email before,hope he doesnt go totally blind

A digital photo frame,sounds like a good present to get,i might get myself one if they are good to put some of my trip photos on,would be a good thing to get when i get home.

Been to olympic park in sydney today where 2000 games were,was a good day out so look out for photos and report soon!

Speak soon

just wanted to wish you a very happy christmas and new year!. Ben is getting Much worse now Ian, he has a job to walk very well, He also can't really see too well now.( on saturday he ran into his water bowl, which went all over the place, that frightened him, so he ran straight behind the christmas tree, which fell over on top of him!. what a mess! the lights didn't work and there was broken decorations everywhere. It took ages to sort it out. will have to make sure I put a bright light on for him. glad your card arrived ok love Mum Dad and Matthew x

Hello,happy christmas to you lot too! ours is nearly over now! not been upto much really,just went on a short bike ride then the beach for the reast of the day! Been nice and sunny tho,started off cloudy but soon cleared up. Grandma and grandad gave me a call in the morning which was nice,updated me on weather and stuff back home

Oh dear poor old ben! Hope he doesnt get worse still,maybe he need the eye operation to help his sight? Liked the photo message with him on it:-)

Also is dad able to get any time off to pick us up if we do return on the 26th jan? Just wondered as will have to arrange something else if not. Would be around 11.30-12 daytime

Ok have a good day and speak soon, ian

The Noosa trip was clearly very memorable, judging from your description of the waters. I wonder what creatures lurk there in those mesmorising depths of colour.?????

I'm glad you're managing to get enough gluten free food out there. I went food shopping in Sainsburys today. Quite an experience!!! First of all I think I got the very last parking space in the carpark.Sadly though I was wedged between a trolly park and another car and and had to climb out of the driving seat across the car to squeeze out of the passenger door. Couldn't help wondering if I was going to have to battle my way through the volumes of customers into the store as well.There were fewer customers than I had imagined but it looked as if the store had been raided. There were Huge crates on wheels in nearly every isle With shelf stockers losing the battle to refill the shelves.The shoppers were raiding the crates as well.!!! Oh Christmas!!!!!Needless to say, I didn't manage to get quite what I went in for....hmmmm..... Christmas dinner will be a little unusual this year. lol

Do you know what you'll be eating yet ?

talk soon.Lots of love

Mummy xxxxx

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Hello,

eah, apparently there are no crocs there, but there have been some shark sightings! lol So Im sure there will be many creatures under the water! Scary! However you acn swim there.

Yes, the shops in the uk are always very very busy at christmas, even a couple of days before! We thought that we may have a problem here, but the shops were surpringly quiet!

Did you enjoy your unusual christmas meal!? Was Keith hungover? lol

Love Anna xx

Hi Ian, Just had a look at the everglade pics, they are beautiful. The Everglades are absolutely fantastic. Think we all wish we were there. The blogs set the scene for us to forward ourselves into them. I dont think 37degrees is that cold ian, (maybe 36). You,ll soon be like an aborigine if it gets any hotter. Grandad just put other xmas tree up and says its the best its looked(cause he,s done it). Typical man. Look forward to seeing more pics and blog on your next trip. Have a good xmas and new year. We wish you a merry christmas we wish you a merry christmas, we wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year. Love grandad and grandma hibbitt xxxxx

Hello,yes 37 is nice and warm really:-)

Got some more good photos to put on,some of steve irwins house which we saw when we did a kayak trip around the mooloolaba rivers. But having camera problems at the moment so its difficult to put photos on,there is a way tho its just long winded but they will be on soon!

have a good chrismas and new year too

Hey there everyone! :)

I have been having trouble getting on a comp for a good length of time here, but will reply to your lovely messages tomorrow:)

Thanks for getting in touch

Anna xxxxx

Hey Anna

Saw Keith last night in the pub hugged him to death lol i then said i miss your sister and nearly cried lol. I got v.drunk and not had much sleep at all!

Im so jealous you got to go to Steve Irwin's Zoo it looked amazing!

I agree with what everyone is saying with your blogs, they keep me so entertained and i feel as im almost there myself! You could have your own column in a magazine or newspaper!

Anyways i best go and get some sleep lol yes i know its nearly 12!

Love Anna

x

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Hiya!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lol awwwwwwwwwwwwww Im sure Keith would have like the hug. Was it your christmas night out? Wish I could have been there:)

Yeah, the zoo was cool! We should go to that safari park thingy in uk when I get back, if you wanna go?

Thank you:) I will try and make the rest ineteresting too:) When its finished I can have it made into a book to keep for 20 pounds! So will be looking forward to seeing that :)

Hope you have a fab christmas! Speak to you soon Xx

Hi Anna,

Your blog on Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo was brilliant. I could almost have been there with you as I read it. It must have been lovely to be up close to the animals. And with your special way of viewing things it seems you can also witness their coping stratergies for dealing with life in the zoo first hand. lol .Wallaby's taking their keepers for a walk etc. lol.

The everglades photos were so artistic.Wish I could be with you. It looks beautiful out there...You could frame and sell them when you get back!!

love Mummy xxxx

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Hello :)

Thank you, thats lovely of you to say :) Its fun writing the blogs too :)

Yeah the everglades were very pretty:) I want to see more places like that, such as valleys etc. I will try and blow up one of the pics, hopefully they will look just as good large:) Then put it up in Newton! lol

Love Anna XXX

Hey! Tenerife was cool Anna, I want to be back in the sun ASAP! Its no good having to come back from a holiday / adventure it makes you realise that there are far too many things to experience out there in the vast world. My days seem to fly past in Nottingham so I have decided to try and gather some money and head back into the sweet sunshine :D lol. I never want to feel this crappy cold weather again!!HAHA. My goal is to permanently capture the sun rays! So living in England during the summer period may be a possibility. Mind you our last few summers have been a real letdown =( Anyhow missy Pope hows it going in oz?? xx

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Cool!!!!!!!! glad you enjoyed your holiday! Did you prefer it to Gran canaria!lol!

I do agree that there is so much more in the world than newton! LOL! Make sure you dont move too far! somewhere in Europe! So I can visit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

We are off to Sydney next! So looking forward to finally seeing the new years celebrations we missed years ago!

Christmas will be odd this year! what are you doing for christmas!

xx