My own picture! Taken today from the Manly ferry.

We are now back in Sydney and I can not believe our Australian adventure is so very nearly at an end.

We woke on Wednesday in the Blue Mountains to total white out. No, not snow of course, but the mountains were totally in the cloud. Nothing was visible beyond around 20 metres. We spent the day having a total chill. Couldn't have been in a better location for this as the Lilianfels Hotel where we were staying is designed for total R&R. We read, we swam in the heated indoor pool, we relaxed. Great.

Our internet research showed that Thursday was going to offer good weather and it was spot on. From the moment we drew back the curtains we could see it was going to be a good day. Took the Scenic World Skyway 270 metres up over the Jamison Valley as the last wisps of cloud were just burning off. Spectacular views of the Katoomba waterfall, the Orphan Rock and then the magnificent Three Sisters, three huge sandstone formations that rise out of the forest floor and are totally iconic.

By the time we boarded the scenic railway down into the valley bottom the last of the cloud had gone and the sky was clear. The railway is the steepest incline railway in the world, originally constructed for the coal mining industry in the area and now just used for tourists. It is so steep, it is better than the best roller coaster. Takes your breath away. We enjoyed it so much we immediately went back round to the other side and took the front seats for the backwards ascent to the top, then again round to climb aboard again, once more in the front seats, for the downward journey. Incredible. It runs through a short natural tunnel and then emerges to reveal cliffs that soar on either side of you and trees that reach up to nowhere.

In the valley bottom we took a boardwalk around the dense forest, kookaburras laughing in the trees all around and lyre birds imitating them. The sounds, smells and sights of the forest were astonishing and wonderful in equal measure. Then took the cable car back up the escarpment to top. Another breathtaking experience, swinging high above the broccoli-like tree tops.

The sun was shining, the sky was blue, the birds were singing and the air was fresh, so we decided to take the cliff path back to the hotel. This pathway rises and dips as it clings to the side of the cliff. It is both demanding and exhilarating. Wonderful vantage points along the way to appreciate the views. Beautiful, especially in such good weather ....

We had been back at the hotel for around five minutes when everything changed and there was an almighty thunder and lightening storm with rain hammering down as if it was being poured from a watering can. Our timing could not have been better.

And then the sky cleared and again the weather was fine. We walked next door to the Lilianfels sister establishment where they have an excellent cliff top restaurant overlooking the valley. Took our seats by the window not expecting anything amazing from the scenery other than what we had already seen - which was amazing in itself. Almost immediately there was another storm but this had the effect of creating a hole in the cloud and next thing there was an incredible sunset, the first they had seen in four nights. Gorgeous. Right time, right place!

Friday morning - the fog was even worse than it had been on Wednesday. We had been so fortunate to find the one day window in the weather. It could so easily have not worked out that way.

Headed back down to Sydney and in no time at all we were below the cloud and the sun broke through. We are staying at the Sheraton on the Park. Enjoyed a stroll through the park and a walk through the cathedral. Beautiful. Peaceful. We walked through to Cockle Bay for dinner and couldn't believe it when fireworks erupted over the water - apparently there are always fireworks on Cockle Bay on Saturday evenings but this was Friday and the fireworks were part of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Today, Saturday, we have taken the ferry over to Manly Beach, half an hour away downstream in the ginormous harbour, Sydney Harbour is like no other, so wide, so beautiful, boats of every size and shape. Never a dull moment. Manly was interesting - another seaside town that reminds me of New Brighton. So much so that there is even a hotel called the New Brighton Hotel, dating from 1926. Spent the day chilling, much of it sitting beachside watching the surfers riding the waves. Supposedly Manly is where modern day surfing first began.

Back in the hotel we took a swim on the 22nd floor in an indoor pool overlooking the harbour then went and had drinks and canapés in the club lounge on the 21st floor. And that's it. Night has fallen and brought with it the end of our amazing Australian Adventure. Tomorrow we head to the airport for our two long flights home, 22 hours in the air. We have had the most amazing time and have so many memories emblazoned in our minds. It has been fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Hope you have enjoyed it too.

As the sun comes down on Sydney I bid you farewell. Much love. Xxx