BRISBANE
Arrived in Brisbane at about 2.15am. Took a taxi to our apartment. When we got there the reception was closed but had an intercom to buzz someone for late arrivals, now about 2.45am. So pressed the call button and eventually a very sleepy sounding woman answered. When we told her our name she told us we were not on her list. After a short panic she asked us what number Thomas Street we were looking for. When we told her it was number 22 she told us we were at the wrong address, we wanted the apartments accross the road! Ooops! Said sorry for waking her and ran over the road where they did have our information. Got to our room and fell into bed exhausted. Next day john was unwell, hadn't slept much and was suffering from the dodgy tummy that i'd had earlier in the holiday. So I laid around the pool for the morning and John laid in bed trying to catch up on some sleep. Around lunch time went to the local shopping centre for a look round. Had a bit of lunch but we were both feeling really tired so went back to the apartments and lazed round the pool for the afternoon. Had an early dinner in a restaurant by the local shopping centre, had to eat inside though cause there were hundreds of birds flying around and chirping and the noise was deafening. Decided to get an early night before our flight to Port Macqaurie the next day.
Port Macquarie/Laurieton
Nigel picked us up from Laurieton airport at about 5.30pm. Drove us back the scenic route to his house. Lovely area, very rural and when we hit urban area's they looked really nice and well looked after. Arrived at Nige's house and was very impressed, really lovely house in a lovely road. April was at the front porch waiting to welcome us with baby Indigo. Was lovely. Nige had a Thai green currey cooking on the stove for us, but as anyone who knows John, he doesn't like currey! So after a quiet word, Nige got him a kangaroo steak out and put it on the barbie! Then proceeded to cook him a couple of fried eggs and bacon to go with it (heaven for John)! Had too much too drink, very unusual! then went to bed. In the morning were woken, about 5am, by the 'Aussie dawn chorus', not a bit like an English one. Our birds do sort of sing, Aussies birds screech, squark and deafen you. Got up at about 7.30am and Nige and April had plans for us, so first we went and had breakfast at the 'The green bean cafe' while April took Indigo to a dance class. Next, off to 'North Brother Mountain' was a long way up but the views were amazing. Felt like i was in an aeroplane, was actually a bit chilly we were so high up. Then went down again to some local camp sites, I wanted to see some 'roos' up close and personal! Had a photo shoot with them, a bit scarey, then they took us to a couple local beaches. Amazing, the sea was wild and the sand was white! A bit on the windy side so didn't have a swim but beautiful. Back 'home' for a siesta then get ready for the bbq. Time to meet Aprils family. Was a really lovely evening and got an invite to the wedding of Nige and April, which would love to make but will have to wait and see. Next morning woken up by the dawn chorus, again! I could shoot the little b****ards and probably would try if i lived here! Anyway had to leave Nige's by 7.15am to catch our plane to Sydney and Nige was off an hour before us to o. Waved him off at the airport and said our goodbyes to April and Indigo. Boarded our plane and took off for Sydney at 9.30am.