So David picks me up at Monday afternoon and takes me to the kangaroo cliffs...beautiful place where you can rock climb right by the river, day or night. David was feeling rough and I was too so we weren't both quite ourselves; both tired and I was losing my voice. I ended up tagging along to his family meal of sushi and thai soup (both delicious) for his sisters 24th birthday. The family were all lovely. It was a nice chilled evening before we headed back to the house for some sleep. I had a bed/mattress in the living room and a nice warm fleecy blanket. Perfect.

In the morning I was sorting photos and then met Lisa for lunch down at South Bank and Mr. Canadian (our new travel buddy Lisa met the previous day). We had a chat in Max Brenners chocolate cafe (oh how I love Max Brenner) and I may have eaten too much - a thick Italian hot chocolate as well as a chocolate waffle and I felt so stuffed and guilty I went for a jog when got back to the house at half 8. Must admit, I don't regret eating it, it's too yummy. Haha. Then it was bed time.

Wednesday morning I went for another run because it's not a chore here to get out and do some exercise. Everyone seems to be running or cycling to keep fit, you almost feel part of a running team when you run down by the river, there are so many people. The weather is perfect for running in the morning and the views couldn't get better - what a great way to start the morning! It makes me so happy. In the afternoon I met with Lisa and Brodie (Mr. Canadian) and we went to book Whitsundays and found out about Fraser Island as we decided to make our own trip on the island rather than spending another $300 each to go on a tour trip. As we have a 4 wheel drive we might as well use it! So Whitsundays was all booked ($469 for 3 days, 2 nights for the 20th May). I'm glad it's planned and now I don't have to worry about it! We just need to make sure that we get there for the date. We have given ourselves 2 weeks to get up there so it should be fine! I then cycled over to West End where David goes rock climbing. He got me a free go so we did some indoor rock climbing for a couple of hours. It was pretty challenging and I realised how weak I really was! Especially when I looked at some of the other girls there, they were so impressive climbing up the walls like spider women. After a quick shower David and I ended up going to China town and had dinner with Kayleigh, Matt and Ian. We all got on well so headed out for a cheeky beer after!

I went for another jog on Thursday morning before making my way to Stradbroke Island. I didn't quite realise that it was going to be a 3 hour journey but I got there eventually (after taking a train, bus, ferry and another bus)! The sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky so I picked a perfect day to walk around Point Head Lookout. I took a stroll along North George Walk as instructed by Kayleigh. The walk was only half an hour but the views were amazing I had to keep stopping to take it all in. I took a stroll along one of the sandy beaches and then jumped back on the bus at half 3 to make it back in time to meet Lisa for the cinema. Her friend is a manager in the cinema so we ended up going to watch a film for free and had free popcorn and m&m's to take with us too. I also bought an amazing Calzone across the road which was only $9, and so worth it. I hadn't had a Calzone in years. The film was Warm Bodies - unusual but I stayed awake through it so it wasn't terrible, but also wasn't great. As it was only 8pm we decided to go and clean TufTuf in a self-service car wash. I have never seen these car wash stations before - they have stations with a hose and a money slot machine. You just stick your money in the side and it gives you about a minute per $. We had great fun cleaning TufTuf and I think he looked stunning by the time we finished with him - sparkling clean! Lisa kindly took me back to the house and we ended up watching another film (yes you could call this a true movie night!) We actually had to watch the first part of Best Exotic Marigold Hotel again as I fell asleep last time we attempted to watch it. Ops. And I proudly stayed awake this time J

By Friday I was in a good routine and set out on another run. I caught up with my new travel buddies for the next journey (Mr. Swiss, Mr. Canadian and Lisa). We walked around the Buddha Festival in South Bank. I decided to cycle up Mouth Cootha in the afternoon so eventually made my way there. Let's just put this out there, it was meant to be a half hour cycle...it took me over an hour...and that's just to get to the top! I got lost cycling up the mountain (not a great place to get lost) I was shattered, tired and almost gave up. But you know me, I can't give in - I eventually made it to the top after having taken a few other random turnings. The view of the city and it's suburbs were cool and it was perfect timing watching the sun set too. Then I saw the city all lit up too whilst sipping on my Chai Latte sitting on a grass patch on the top of the mountain. I'm so glad they had a cafe and restaurant up there because I was in desperate need of a hot drink. I didn't quite plan this as I didn't have any lights on my bike, so ended up cycling down the mountain in the pitch black...dangerous and scary but I made it back alive. A mistake I won't make again anyway! So I arrived back at the house at 7pm. David and I were meant to leave the house at 7pm for a rugby game but he wasn't even back. We managed to shower and head out to meet Lisa for the rugby at Scunthorpe. It was cool to see a game and a big stadium! Good times with a beer too J After the game I went out with a couple of the girls from the house to the CBD. We tried 5 different clubs and ended up in an Irish Bar. It was a good night and met up with David and his friends during the night too. I was however extremely tired before I even stepped out the door so the fact that we stayed out until 3am was a mental challenge for me.

Saturday was a fun filled day. David took me to the West End market where they sell some great food - Japanese, Bakery, Spanish, Thai and all the vegetables are SO cheap (I was so chuffed I managed to get 2 zuccinhi, 3 capsicum, 4 carrots, 3 apples, 5 bannanas, grapes, broccoli and an onion all for just $9!! That would have been triple at Coles or Woolworths!) I tucked into some Paella for my brunch. In the afternoon David drove me to the Glass House Mountains an hours drive away. We were pushed for time as he had work that evening so we literally ran up the mountain (I was exhausted...and I haven't met anyone who walks faster than me before!!!! And he's tons smaller than me, how does that work?!) Views were cool. Mini spec ted had a little photo shoot and then we ran back down. The evening was quite fun - I managed to catch up with everyone...literally everyone I knew in Brisbane - Kayleigh, Matt, Ian, Mr. Canadian, Lisa, Nadia (friend I met in Cambodia)...I must admit it was quite a challenge because as they were all my friends, they didn't all seem to 'click' (not anyones fault of course) so I would often look around to find them all silent. I remember why now I don't like to mix friendship groups back home, because sometimes it just really doesn't work. Never mind, I had fun and ended up spending most of the night chatting with Ian and David came to meet us after work too which was nice. It was another late night, 4am in fact so I have been very tired today (Sunday). This morning was lovely as I had a girly morning with Kayleigh catching up over brunch in West End. It just feels like this is my life here, meeting with Kayleigh and Matt, coming back to a house with people who I really get on with, cycling through the city..its just been so much fun. There were lots of markets on today so we ended up strolling around them together and enjoyed a chocolate delight in another one of Australias chocolate cafes J yum. I cycled back to Fortitude Valley to pick up my flip flops from Kayleighs, stopped for a quick cuppa tea and said our goodbyes. It was really sad to say bye, I can't believe I'm leaving tomorrow - I actually don't want to. I have loved it here. But on I must go for some more adventures! And I know I will see Kayleigh and Matt soon, somewhere! Love you both xx I will also miss the banter with David and Leonie (from the house)...it feels like we have been friends for years. David has been so caring checking up on me most days to see how I was doing and giving me tips how to get places and what to see. I will miss everyone L

Onwards to Noosa, Fraser Island, Whitsundays...it should be a good trip! Different this time, 2 girls and 2 guys - let's see how that goes!!!

Night xx