Sue's 70 birthday bash started off round at Jo and Peters Saturday night with champagne and nibbles and her big birthday surprise. Once all the local family had arrived and drinks were flowing Bens Parents Hilary and Chris appeared and said 'Can anyone join the party'! We of course all knew they had made the long journey from the UK to Perth especially for Sue's 70th but thankfully we had all managed to keep it a surprise. Sue was indeed very surprised there was screaming, crying and lots of laughter. We all headed into Perth City to a lovely Italian restaurant and spent the evening catching up over good food and lots of wine!

The next morning and a little worst for ware, Hilary Chris, Sue, John, Ben and I headed down to Margaret River with Sarah Ben's cousin who lives in that part of OZ for a few days of sight seeing and family time.

Sarah had organised for the four of us to stay in a friends cottage just south of Margaret River. The cottage was great and located in a rural part of the town, with lots of Kangaroos around and the odd Huntsmans Spider thrown in for good measure!!

Sarah celebrated her birthday on the Sunday so we had dinner at a resturant in town with her and the family before heading home for some much needed sleep.

Monday morning we were all up early and ready to see what Margaret River and the surrounding area had to offer, but the good old Aussie weather decided to treat the British visitors to some home comforts and rain!! Nevertheless, we headed out to the coast via Caves Road and the forest, stopping at a local art/furniture gallery where they make the most amazing bespoke furniture out of Kurri trees. Next stop was Hamilyn Bay, a beautfiul beach where on a good day you can stand in the sea and watch the baby sting rays swimming around you. Although the weather wasn't great we still managed to have a little walk and paddle in the water but no baby rays were spotted!!

We stopped for lunch in Augusta and experienced Aussie pies before indulging in a spot of afternoon wine tasting which is what they are world renowned for.

After completing a 750 piece jigsaw puzzle that night we all slept a little better and the rain was starting to ease off. Tuesday morning we drove over to Voyager Wine estate, which has stunning rose gardens and even better wine! We had coffee and cake to get us all going at 11am and then visited a little surfing town called Gracetown. That night we had a lovely family meal at Sarah's home and got some much needed advice from family friends on what to expect on our travels North.

The next day it was time to say goodbye, Sarah, Ben and I did a little more sightseeing before Sarah dropped us at the train station for our journey back to Perth. It was a lovely few days and we both wished we had had a bit longer in Margaret River.