Day 256 (Sunday 17th August 08)

After another stop in Canberra at around 4am to pick up and drop off people we arrived in Sydney at about 8am and got dropped at the Central Station. Our bags on our backs again we went to find a train going to Kilara. Stopped for a freshen up in the train station toliets and saw lots of interesting characters. After a short train ride we arrived at Kilara. Very kindly Rick came and picked us up and we went back to meet the rest of the family. Had a good chat and a very nice breakfast. Rick then dropped us at their Manly appartment. Very nice and a lot more space than we have been used to! Unpacked our things as our bags would have probably burst being packed that full! Went out for a walk along Manly beach and around to Shelly beach. Walked around the main shopping area and popped to Aldi for some food. Back to the flat to relax after our sleepless night on the bus.

Day 257 (Monday 18th August 08)

Took advantage of no work and chilled out for most of the day. Sorted through our things to see what else we could send home and do without. Went out for a walk to get a few things.

Day 258 (Tuesday 19th August 08)

Caught the ferry from Manly to Sydney which was a very scenic journey. Amazing when you go around the corner and can suddenly see the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Everyone on the boat out with their cameras! Once off the boat walked around to the Sydney Opera House. Sat in the sun and ate our sandwiches then headed off to find a bus to get to the Spit Bridge to start our 10km walk back to Manly. Got off the bus at the Spit Junction so added quite a bit to our walk getting to the bridge. Then started along the scenic walk. Lovely walk through the bush and along beaches. Lots of amazing views, birds and flowers. Luckily just made it back around when it was getting dark, very tired!

Day 259 (Wednesday 20th August 08)

Chilled out today after our long walk yesterday. Suddenly realised that we should maybe be having our booster travel injection so went to try and find a doctor. Got a bit worried when we saw the doctor we were meant to be seeing! He looked as if he should be retired years and years ago so we were pleased when he said he didn't think we needed them. Later found out we do need them but it can wait until we get home luckily!

Day 260 (Thursday 21th August 08)

Made sure we were up and ready reasonably early as not sure if Ali is popping round. Waited for Rick to turn up with Mum, Dad and Clare. Very nice to see them when they arrived and went straight out for lunch down the road with Rick and Ali as well. Good food and nice to eat out. Back to the flat and had a good catch up. Mum, Dad and Clare feeling a bit jet lagged but doing well. Later went for a walk along the beach to The Corso and to find somewhere to get some food. Ended up at The Manly Grill and had a very good meal. Mark got his first taste of Kangaroo and Em tried a bit too, it was very tasty! Enjoyed the champagne very much too! A nice walk back along the beach to the flat.

Day 261 (Friday 22nd August 08)

Woke up to a rainy horrible day! Can't believe it as it has been so nice all week so far. Decided to drive up the coast along the northern beaches and hope that the weather clears up. Got up to Palm beach and till raining so stopped for lunch still hoping it might clear up for a walk after lunch. Unfortunately no luck so drove back along towards Manly. Stopped at Coles and a bottle shop to get food and drink and then made our way back to the flat. Showed Mum, Dad and Clare how to play backpacker and all got quite into it!

Day 262 (Saturday 23rd August 08)

Still not great weather but decided to venture into the city anyway. The ferry was very different to how we had gone in to the city the other day. Very rough trip! Luckily not raining so walked down to the Opera House and then around The Rocks. Some nice shops around and a good market. As we walked around back towards the ferry it just started to rain, lucky we had the umbrellas! Grabbed a sandwich once off the ferry and back to the flat quickly. Got some stuff in a bag and found our way to the Cosier's house. Had a very nice evening with them and watched some of the Olympics. All went off to our beds kindly made up for us!

Day 263 (Sunday 24th August 08)

Woke up and Em and Mark were surprised to see they were first up after Rick so watched some more of the Olympics until everyone else was ready for some breakfast. We then went for a very nice walk out to Cremone Point with Rick and Grace. A very good view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Once we were back at the cars drove off our separate ways us heading back to Manly. Again stopped at Coles before getting back to the flat. Em and Mark then walked down to the laundrette they had stopped to do some washing. Luckily didn't take too long so were soon walking back to the flat just in time for a drink and some food!

Day 264 (Monday 25th August 08)

Up very early today as it is Dad's birthday and so we are off on a Hunter Valley Wine Tour. A very quick walk down to the ferry to make the 7am boat. Arrived at Circular Quay in the city and just had time to sort ourselves out before our guide picked us up at 7:45am. Steve, our guide, was very chatty and informative but everyone except Dad ended up falling asleep on the way to our stop. After our stop we had watched a DVD showing us information about Hunter Valley. Our first wine tasting, at Iron Gate, was at about 10:30am so we started early! It was a good and informative wine tasting with a tour of wine machinery afterwards. We were then on to our next winery, Audrey Wilkinson, which had amazing views over Hunter Valley. Tried a few different wines here and then had a look around the museum showing the old machinery used in wine making. It was then onto our last winery before lunch. All getting a bit wined out as they went through lots of wines very quick so needing some food! Stopped for a really good lunch at a very nice restaurant and then had a wander around the shops. Back to meet Steve and the bus and we were on to our last winery of the day, Ernst Hill. Tried some tasty wines and then we went in search of some Kangaroos as Steve thought he had spotted some. Couldn't find a road that got very close put got a distant picture of the Kangaroos and across the road spotted a cow which had given birth. We then had the long drive back to the city. Managed to get pretty much straight on the boat and across back to Manly. A nice walk back to the flat after a lot of wine!

Day 265 (Tuesday 26th August 08)

A bit of a later start today as we were all so tired from the day before. Got the boat into the city again and went for a wander around Sydney. Walked around the main sights and then onto Darling Harbour. After a look around stopped for a drink looking across the harbour. Caught the bus back to Circular Quay and walked along to find somewhere to eat before going to the Opera. Had a very good meal and then walked along to the Opera. We watched Don Giovanni which was a good experience. Managed to just get the 11pm boat back to Manly and then a nice walk along by the beach back to the flat.

Day 266 (Wednesday 27th August 08)

A long drive up to the Blue Mountains, where Mark, Em and Clare feel asleep! Arrived to see the amazing scenery of the 3 sisters and around. Got some good pictures then went for a quick lunch before walking out to the 3 sisters. The scenery was spectacular. Back in the car and tried to find the Wentworth falls, unfortunately the place you were meant to be able to park and then walk from was closed so we went in search of somewhere else. Found a car park and started walking but found out it was going to take too long from where we were and we wouldn't be back before dark. Instead started the drive back to Manly. Once back at the flat used Skype and packed our bags!