>Hi all
>
>So, where was I?  I've been having such a good time in Sydney! 
>Thursday, I woke up to luxury having moved in with Nadia and Loynes!
>  Managed to do all my washing which was great because I was down to
>my last pair of pants (Hels - they were my spongebob ones!!)
>
>After that I had a day of walking around the city and watched the
>sun set over the harbour bridge as I drank a few glasses of wine. 
>Who says you have to be on a budget the whole time?!
>
>Friday, I went into the ML office (Trying to get me a little job!!) 
>No such luck (damn visa laws!)
>Was good to catch up with the guys I know there.  The view from
>their office is stunning - it overlooks the opera house and harbour
>bridge (better than St Barts hospital hey Jo?!)
>After that I just chilled out for the rest of the day.  Sent a huge
>box of stuff back home (mum and dad, sent it to your house so look
>out for that- don't open it though because it has pressies in!)
>
>Went for a sunbathe in the botanical gardens.  They have some wild
>Cockatoo's which made me think of my sister (Lainey - remember that
>smelly boy at primary school who named his bird after you?  ha ha!)
>Took a walk around to the end of the harbour called Mrs Macquarie's
>chair.  Was lovely to sit and look out at the opera house with the
>sun shining on my face - life surely doesn't get any better than
>this?!
>Sun was setting so I just had enough time to get a shot of Sheila
>posing when my big sister called.  Was great to hear from you Lainey
>x
>
>Saturday was Nadia's birthday.  We all took a day trip to Manly
>(mmm, maybe I'll find some manly men in manly!!)  Took the ferry over there and headed straight for the beach.  Made some sandcastles for Kade which he took great pleasure in destroying!  I'm not sure who had the most fun on the beach - me or Kade! 
Found a gorgeous place for lunch.  Fresh fish and salad and the yummiest rose wine ever.  It was rude not to squeeze in dessert especially the chocolate torte - divine!

Sunday is my last day in Sydney - boo hoo.  Loved every minute of it and would come back again.
We jumped in the car and headed for Balmoral beach.  They had a fun run on and lots of cool stuff for kids to do.  Kade had his face painted like a lion and had a great time admiring his face in the mirror (later to be distraught when it got washed off in the bath!)  I was on sandcastle duty again (I really must get myself a bucket and spade for when I head to Byron Bay!)

Got back to the house and I had to start packing.  Kade and I played in the garden - he was Alex the lion and I was Mr Giraffe!  Who I am going to have entertain me when I leave?!

Nadia cooked a scrummy pasta dinner and we had a glass of wine.  I'll truly be sad when I leave them, It's been lovely to have constant entertainment from Kade.  I was so lucky for Nadia and Loynes to have me stay.  One thing I will take away is from my time with The Jenkersons is the film The Big Lebowski. Anyone ever seen it?  I hadn't but it's hilarious - better enjoyed with a few beers and will be quoting from the film for the rest of the trip!

Anway, must dash, I have a 12 hour bus trip to Byron Bay.  Looking forward to lazing on the beach, maybe learning to surf and meeting some new friends over a few beers.  Onto the next adventure...........

ps - love reading all your messages. So great to hear from the SAGA crew (you know who you are you oldies!) Shame Fred doesn't know how to switch his PC on!!