Thursday 7th Jan

Left at 5.35am. Bit of a kerfuffle Sam couldn't find his house keys which turned up on the floor of the office. I couldn't find my favourite fleece which was all washed and ready to go on holiday. Had the house up and didn't find it. Keep telling myself it's in the case but don't think so.

Well its raining here so here's hoping OZ is going to be kind to us.

All good intentions of packing light, right out of the window. Right upto our limit of 30kg each plus our hand luggage which is busting too!

Bags 2k over!! So much for not taking much! Lady was very good and said she hadn't noticed! Got stopped at carry on bag at check in. Sams wires and Thelma's ashes!

Duty free at the airport is a joke. Item at Debenhams and Boots over 10% cheaper than duty free.

Just a short hop to Munich where we got off the plane and had an hour to potter. Back to same seats. Nightmare child on flight to Singapore. Screaming, not crying, screaming, most of the flight - 14 hrs!! The little chap next to me though was a joy. He was 9 months old and a real little smiler.

Lovely at Singapore airport. Visited the butterfly house and it was roasting in there. Then we put our feet into the crusher oh I mean the reflexology massage machine. Sam was almost screaming! Feet and legs did feel better after though.

Third and final leg of our flight due to take off at 9.40 local time. 7hr 05min flight. Our first sight of Sydney harbour bridge and the opera house as we were coming into land were excellent . Touched down at 9.20am UK time 8.20pm Sydney time. Got through passport control super speedy with the electronic system. Huge queues for those without. 1hr 5 mins from touch down to getting on the train ($16 each) including passport control, baggage collection, purchase of sim card - vodaphone tourist international combo 4g $50. including unlimited calls to UK 6gig internet.

Arrived at our hostel 11.15am Friday 8th Jan UK time so a total of 30hrs door to door.

We have arrived safe and sound at our hostel 11.15am UK time.. 30 hours door to door. Just in time to check in and find the very lively 'Lil Darlin' cocktail bar which was excellent. I had a lovely 'smashing pashin' (or something like that) cocktail followed by a super special mojito. It was getting after midnight OZ time when we got back to our room so heading for bed

Saturday 9th Jan
Had quite a good nights sleep. Got up at 7.30. Got our bags sorted (and yay found my little fleece) then went for breakfast $7 for tea, toast, orange, cereal. Will get milk and tea bags today. Walked down to Darling Harbour. It's lovely down there with a fabulous water play area for the kids with jets of water and little brooks and paddling areas. When we passed it later in the evening it was all lit up with coloured lights and patterns. Lovely.

We noticed this huge construction made from cardboard boxes taped together with packing tape. Spoke to one of the organisers and the plan was to build the 'peoples building' a replica of one of the skyscraper buildings nearby.

It is part if one of the largest community participation events presented in Sydney Festival's 40-year history, with Olivier Grossetête's fantastically epic The Ephemeral City.

When it reached a certain level, volunteers lifted the whole thing, walked over to where some other boxes had been made up, and placed the structure on the top making another story. We helped with taping and carrying which was fun, and very, very heavy. I was trying to imagine such a thing in England. Health and safety would have a fit. General public moving this structure which could easily have collapsed or fallen on someone. Thankfully it didn't. They were also making shields and swords with the kids. It was really busy and the kids were loving it.

Then we walked along the harbour and had a drink in one of the bars before going on our harbour cruise which we had booked on a living social deal in the UK. The cruise was excellent and we had a window seat. The included buffet was excellent too with lots of choice and all nice and hot and fresh and a glass of wine or beer included at a bargain price of $26 each including the cruise for 1.5 hrs. The problem was that it could have done with being a bit longer really as there wasn't a lot of time to sightsee after the meal but I did manage to get some great shots if the bridge and opera house. Afterwards we walked through town to the domain We saw a strange bird which seemed very out of place just walking along the pavement. I found out later it was an Ibis. Reminded me of a kiwi. There was a free concert at the domain as part of the summer festival. The headline act was flaming lips (don't know them myself but apparently very popular)!! Unfortunately it didn't open until 5 and it was only 3 so we went to the botanical gardens which were really beautiful and free to enter. The Royal Botanic Gardens is a major botanical garden located in the heart of Sydney, Australia. Opened in 1816, the garden is the oldest scientific institution in Australia and one of the most important historic botanical institutions in the world. It is really well kept with a lake with huge fish and eels, a cafe, lovely flowers and it was right at the edge of the harbour so the views were wonderful. There was a wedding party there too and what a beautiful place for the photographs. There were swathes of red lilly type flowers and huge, magnificent lotus flowers, and. weired rock formations. Sam wasn't feeling too good. Back playing up and tiredness catching up so he had a little nap on a bench while I had a scoot round. We didn't end up going to the concert after all. Instead we headed for the rocks which is a well known eating and drinking area. I liked Darling harbour better so we didn't stick around and headed back there. My feet were throbbing by this time so jumped a cab for a short trip. Had a meal and a couple of cocktails in Blackbird which was heaving and we were treated to a surprise fireworks display. Wow! It was fantastic and went on for ages. We had chicken skewers and spicy wings which were very tasty. Walking back to the hotel we passed the peoples building again. They hadn't managed to build it as high as intended but it looked great as it was all lit up inside just like a proper building. It is getting knocked down tomorrow and I believe the public can also help with this. Apparently there are several similar structures to this, built nearby and will stand until Australia Day (26th Jan) weather permitting.

All in all, we've had a great day and we managed to stay up until almost midnight so I think we've done quite well. Sam's caught the sun a bit too

Tomorrow were getting a bus to Coogee and walking from there to Bondi beach.

Sunday 10th Jan
Change of plan. That's what's great about these hostels. Chatting to interesting people at the breakfast table and before you know it they've given you loads of suggestions. So we're taking the train then bus to Palm beach where neighbours is filmed. 1.5 hr bus ride for $2.5 using opal card can't be bad! Bus is packed but luckily got a window seat to see the views.

Beach very busy but found some shade under a tree. Walked down to the water to see if it was warm! Freezing!! Loads of people in swimming and surfing though. Think I'll give it a miss.

Got train back, quick shower and out for tea. Went to the Keg and Brew for tea. Steak and cask ales and really quire inexpensive. Headed to bed handy tonight. Both a bit tired.

Sydney bridge climb tomorrow. How exciting.