At the moment I feel as if the last leg might drop off! I am at Changi Airport in Singapore waiting for my onward flight. I got up early (by holiday standards) to say goodbye to the Auty family. I then failed to go back to sleep. I stubbornly lay in bed for an hour but all I did was listen to the big aircraft coming over the house as they came in to land in a cloudy Sydney. We'd had some good storms overnight with grumbling thunder and torrential rain, so I w...

Today was a day to get a few things done whilst I'm still here in Sydney. I Skyped Gaz for the last time before I see him next Tues as he's off to Italy. I started my day in the city by walking from Bridge St to Mrs Macquaries Chair through the Botanical Gardens. My intended walk along the waters edge was scuppered by the team installing the set for Sydney Operas outdoor production of Madama Butterfly. I was seriously impressed by the layout and would lov...

Having bused into circular quay I boarded the Manly ferry to Manly! The 35 min journey was very sunny and I was sitting on a not so comfy wooden bench outside. It made me realise how big Sydney harbour is. On arrival I walked down the Corso to Manly Beach with its soft golden sands. Not quite ready to settle in for some last minute tan topping up I went on a walk. Quite a long walk! I walked around to Shelley Beach, Cabbage Tree Bay Reserve, then up to the Gateho...

After a leisurely start to the day I headed into circular quay on a bus. I headed towards the water to get lost in the Rocks, the place where Sydney as we know it started. I headed to the Rocks Discovery Museum, but got side tracked by Rockhounds. This gorgeous shop had the most amazing selection of opals I have ever seen! I purchased a very cute and colourful boulder opal from Queensland, using the money some family members had given me for my birthday, thanks g...

We ventured into Darling Harbour en masse via the light rail to find the Thailand Grand Festival 2014 was happening in Tumbalong Park. The children had their picnic lunch and then the three of us headed into the Thai food stalls to pick up some lunch. I also had an odd drink with coconut milk and mixed jelly. After the kids had tired themselves out by playing in the water and sandpit they headed home whilst I went to the Chinese Garden of Friendship. This traditi...