Hi all.

The journey went very smoothly after our drama with the flights in Bangkok. Found our B&B easily enough in Singapore. It was a really friendly place at the top of a tower block. You could see for miles, all across the docks and the city. We weren't actually there that long as our brilliant Singapore Airlines flight was at 7 so we had to be at the airport at 5am. Typically, we couldnt sleep. As excited as kids on Christmas eve.

The 7 and half hour flight went so quick! I was loving it. Getting fed and watered and the service was amazing! Makes easyjet look like travelling in a wheelbarrow. Our hostel wasnt that great but at least we had a private room. It was full of youngsters up partying all night. Us oldies had to step over them sleeping in the kitchen in the morning.

I think Sydney is definately the most beautiful city i have ever been to. It is so clean and the harbour is gorgeous! The opera house and Bridge really took our breath away. The first day it rained so we went to the aquarium and wildlife centre and saw loads of sharks and koalas etc. The weather turned glorious the next day and we walked around the harbour all day. The Rocks market was great and Darren bought me a ring for Christmas. Its lovely. I got him a key ring... i definatel got the best end of the deal! Afterwards we decided to sit in one of the flash bars overlooking the Opera House. 2 drinks cost us more than our whole food budget for the day. Later that night we went to the cinema to see 'Australia' (in Australia!) Darren was dead impressed that you could drink alcohol in the cinema so got me a glass of sparkly. I felt all special.

Next day we moved on to the Blue Mountains. Nice train journey. Nicer hostel than before even though we were in a dorm. We went on a 6 hour hike down into the valley and back up the cliffs at the other side. Actually really enjoyed it though there were a few times when i thought my lungs were going to give out on the way up the cliff. The scenery is absolutely spectacular, especially the 3 sisters cliffs. It was blowing a gale when we climbed them but we managed to hang on!

James O Brien (Darren's mate from Uni) invited us to come stay with him and Cora at his brother Billy's house just outside Gosford (about an hour north of Sydney) for Christmas. That was great as although we couldnt be with our family and were missing them loads, we were able to be with friends and it felt a bit more like Christmas then. Christmas eve we just had a bbq and a little drink on the balcony. Christmas day we went round to one of Billy's workmates. There were about 20 people there. Mostly ex-pat doctors and there was loads of food. Proper Christmas turkey dinner but with few aussie touches...barbecued barramundi and steak, salad.... James got out the guitar and him and cora did a wee session for us. It was cool. They persuaded us to stay a bit longer so we changed our bus ticket and cancelled the first night of our accommodation in Byron Bay.

Boxing Day, I mean St Sephens Day, (sorry James) we went to another of Billy's mates for another barbecue. This was the most amazing bbq i have ever been to and will never forget it! The food was amazing, Ribs, prawns, crayfish, homemade houmous, it was all just so gorgeous. Mick and Lisa were lovely too. However the fatigue was beginning to set in after 3 solid days of drinking and eating so we went back and had a really lazy day the next day and james made us a lovely spaghetti bolognese.

Our bus to Byron left Gosford at 20.30 and took 12 hours. It was sad to leave the lads but we'd had a great time and were ready for the next thing. The first day in Byron was a bit of a wash out. We walked up to the lighthouse but we could see the storm in the distance following us. We ended up getting soaked. Today we went surfing and i can tell you its not something either of us will be rushing back to do. I hated it more than Darren but it was so hard. Definately not my thing. I'm forever a diver not a surfer!!!!!

Off to Brisbane tomorrow, things are good. Starting to panic that we only have 7 weeks left. Feels like no time. We're going to cram in as much as we can.

Love to all

Clare and Darren xxx