Day 15 - Nowra/ Jervis Bay

We got up in the morning still feeling full from the cheese and decided that we had to do some form of activity. We had been told about this walk that would take us up to this mountain and it was meant to be stunning. The road leading up to the mountain was meant to be suitable for our van so we set off. Marie was driving and we found the road ok. But the further along the road we got the worse it became. Narrower and hillier. So when we had been driving for about 10km we decided to turn back and Marie happily handed over the wheels to Martin. So we drove to Nowra to try and find a walk there instead. We were told to head back along the coast and go for a walk called the white sand walk. So we had some lunch and then we went for our walk. The beaches we passed were stunning and we walked over Hyams Beach which is meant to have the whitest sand in the world. It was like walking on snow. It was a great way to spend a couple of hours and we managed to see a massive kangaroo which jumped out at us. In the evening we didn't get up to much apart from eating snakes and watching Mad Men. Sad, we know.

Day 16 - Kangaroo Valley

We had been invited to go and stay with some long distance family on June's side in a place called Mittagong for a few days, so on the way there we stopped in Kangaroo Valley. The valley is very picturesque and we decided to make the most of it by hiring a canoe. It cost 70AUD which was pretty expensive but hey everything is in this country. So we spent the next 2 hours paddling down the river and seeing some big lizards on the way. Unfortunately we thought the conditions would be harder so we didn't want to take the camera and risk getting it wet. When we had finished our canoeing trip we had a picnic in the picnic area we were being collected from. We realised that this area was actually a free campsite and we were gutted we hadn't stayed there instead the previous night. We got taken back to kangaroo village and after having had a look at the oldest hanging bridge in Australia we headed towards a vineyard to get some wine to take with us to Clair and John. The road wasn't amazing leading up to the house but once you got there it was obvious why they had picked this spot. The views were stunning and the house they had built was lovely. The couple who ran the place were probably in their 60s and clearly had a good life. They were both chatty and we were giving cheese and home-made chutney whilst tasting their wines. We picked a red and a white. Before we arrived in Mittagong we stopped at Fitzroy Falls for some stunning views of the waterfall. We arrived at Claire and John's around dinner time and they were very welcoming. They showed us around their house and we were given the whole downstairs to ourselves which felt massive after getting used to the campervan. Clair cooked up a lovely meal in the evening and we ate and drank in abundance.

Day 17to 19 - Mittagong

We stayed with Claire and John for the next few days and had some great laughs and have some lasting memories.They really welcomed us into their home and made us feel like we were really close relatives.They took us out to see some towns including Bundanoon (where john came as a kid), Bovril (the poncy area!!), as well as taking us to the Surveyor General Inn which is oldest pub (as well as looking round the town) in Australia for a swift beer.

They also fed us like kings.They told us that they don't have many extravagances in life but food is one of them and they eat well.They put together food on a daily basis that we would have been proud of at a weekend when we had the time and there was always plenty of it.

We managed to treat them to some food in a restaurant that they knew for a lunch one day, which again was great food.If travelling was always like this, we could do it for years!!!

John was also really informative about the route that we were taking and gave us some adviceopinions on the Brisbane to Cairns part that we are debating about so much.

It was a great few days that we may even make time to see them again before we head off to New Zealand!!!!

Day 19 - Kiama

After a number of great days with Claire and John, it was sad to leave them but we had to move on.Not that we went too far.We went south of Sydney to a place that John had mentioned named Kiama.We turned up after a slow drive through the Tourist Drive routes and got some information at the Tourist Information centre.

We stayed around the area for the late afternoon and into the evening, checking out the sea rock pool which was going to have to be swum in and then the blowhole.Though it wasn't blowing with the same power that the pictures had shown, it still had some force behind it and was fun to see.

As night set in, we headed to the restarea that we had checked out on our drive over.It was on the main road and as we turned up, there was not one other van or car parked up, so it was going to be a lonely experience.It didn't help that we had been chatting to a truck driver when we'd be checking it out, who told us to be careful in these rest areas.Great.Anyway, we settled in and before long a truck turned up for night, followed by a few more over the next few hours.It actually turned out not to be a great place to sleep because trucks turned up till very late and then the ones parked up first were starting up and off around 5am.So we ended up being woken loads.Oh well, can't have it all ways.

Day 20 - Kiama

The weather started out warm, so we headed up to Wollongong to take a look and try to find a battery powered fan.The town would have been great if we'd been there to do lots of shopping!!As it was, we took a look round, didn't find a battery powered fan, so headed back to Kiama ready to test that rock pool.

The rock pool was great.The water was cold and refreshing and a great place to chill in (literally).We got a cold fresh water shower at the end to chill down even more and then an hour late, it was hot!!

For the evening, we decided to team up with the other campervans and stayed at the harbourside where it was unclear whether you could stay or not.Very pleasant till some pissed up blokes at 2am had decided to come down and fish.Who the hell, after a night on the beers decides that fishing is a great idea and for 2 sodding hours.

Day 21 - Kiama to Sydney

Another hot day was here, so what better way to start it than a dip in the rock pool on our door step.Perfect.Then it was time to hit the road as we were to make our move to Sydney.We headed up past Wollongong and continued along the coast roads, sticking off the motorways, so it was more pleasant.We got some great coastal views and then we headed into a national park before arriving just south of Sydney to rejoin the motorways.

Considering the moaning which people make about the traffic in Sydney, the roads were all good and with Martin at the helm and Marie navigating, we found our way through to the Sydney Harbour Bridge.Here it is, the bridge that everyone knows about and here we are driving over it (very slowly in the slow lane) with Marie taking pictures and Martin using one eye to view and one to look at the road.So unreal to be here and to think that all our families are on the other side of the world.It's always just been something you've seen on tv.

We headed on through and further north to the St Ives showground where we would base ourselves for the next week or so, whilst we commute into Sydney.

Day 22 - Sydney

We woke up to another hot day (we are not rubbing it in) and Marie was in her bikini by 8AM walking around the campsite. I think if it was a nudist camp we would have just worn nothing. It was so hot.After we had a shower (Marie with a bucket as the toilets were spider infested), we braved it and put clothes on and then quickly got in the front and put the air con on. Bliss. We got into central and walked up to the Visitor information centre in the Rocks and got some brochures. We then had a look around the market before we walked around the harbour to the Opera House. It felt kind of strange to stand in front of such an iconic building and it was beautiful.The Opera house tour was great and our guide was really good. He took us around the different theatres and halls and gave us all the history. The tour took about an hour and afterwards we had a quick look around the botanical gardens before we headed back to the campsite. It was a bit of a shame as we would have preferred to stay out and have a couple of drinks but as we had to drive we couldn't. We threw a bucket of cold water over us and then went to sleep. It was a hot night and for all the wrong reasons!!!

Day 23 - Sydney

We had checked the weather and it was meant to cool down and rain by the afternoon so we decided to go swimming at the outdoor pool and wait for the weather to cool. And by 2PM it was actually a bit of a chill in the air with the wind having changed direction. So of course now we had to moan that it was too cold…. never good for some. We went to Sydney Aquarium to see some sharks and other fish. We enjoyed it but we both agreed that its better to see fish whilst diving in the wild. It was pretty cool that two of the sharks that we saw in Thailand were in the Aquarium. We could go…. I have seen them in the wild!!! After the Aquarium we went for a drink in an old men's pub (because it was cheap) awaiting the Chinese New Year parade to start. We were given some rabbit masks to wear by some promoters. So we found our spot and watched the parade go by. It was great fun and it didn't matter that it rained the whole time. When the parade had finished we walked off to try and find a place that did dumplings. We walked passed this side street and Marie spotted a red sign with Chinese writing. It was our favourite dumpling chain from Beijing. We were pretty ecstatic to find it in Sydney. So we got to the door only to be told that it was closed. Our faces dropped and we felt mega disappointed. Just before we were about to leave Marie saw someone come out with a takeaway bag so we asked if we could have takeaway instead and we could. We waited for our dumplings and then headed to Darling Harbour to watch the fireworks. It was a great evening and the dumplings tasted exactly the same as we remembered.

Day 24 - Sydney

After the fairly late return the previous night, we made a bit of a late start but headed over to the Sydney Fish market.It was pretty busy even though it was fairly late on in their day and there were plenty of Chinese people eating plates of everything.As Martin had never eaten lobster before, there seemed no better time (with a little convincing from Marie) to try it, so with a half lobster, salad and chips we headed outside to eat (chips were separated for Marie!!) and immediately had the eyes of lots of seagulls staring.The lobster wasn't bad at all but as it was late on in the day, it probably had been cooked a while back in the day and Martin would be tempted to have it again.Another tick for travelling.

After the fish market, we walked over to the Sydney Sky tower but first we passed lots of shops.This city would be good if you came as a holiday maker but lots of clothes buying can't be done for both money and space, so Marie did more window shopping.There seems to be a light in Marie's eyes that dims ever so slightly every time we go to a city and there are lots of nice clothes. Don't think it's helped that we've had basically the same clothes for the past 3 months!!

The sky tower is just that.A tower in the sky.Well the highest building in Sydney, so you get some great views.We walked round, spotted some places we'd been to, wanted to go to and didn't have a clue about and then headed to the café for a drink and cake whilst overlooking this city.All very nice.

Day 25 - Sydney

Today was a very boring day.We decided to have a quiet day and to get some exercise and where better than to do this than at the Olympic Swimming pool.So we drove over there and did some lengths.The complex is huge and it was really busy with a competition on, swim school and recreational swimming.

Day 26 - Sydney

High Tea anyone?Backpacker style!!!High tea on Captain Cook's cruise boat was the way to get today started.We headed down to Circular Quay where we picked up the boat and it took us on a cruise of Sydney Harbour for an hour and a half whilst we gorged ourselves on sandwiches, cakes, scones and tea a plenty.So good.Even better that when Marie told them she was veggie, they bought stuff just for her and left all the rest for Martin!!!!

After the stuffing of the face, we headed over to the wildlife centre.Probably wouldn't have done this but as it was included in the multi tickets we purchased and we had a spare hour, it seemed a good option.So we headed in.First section - spiders.Marie, staying firmly in the middle of the rooms seemed to get a little braver after some time and did walk over to some of the tanks to see them.More so she knew what they looked like in case they enter the van than anything!!Then we walked on to the second section - snakes!!Marie again seemed to be taking mental notes as to what they all look like and where they are all found in case we see one on our travels.After that it was just other native animals like koala's, kangaroo's etc along with a 700kg crocodile, which at first seemed unreal, till it moved.

Then came a highlight of the trip.The harbour bridge climb.Martin had been bought this as a leaving present from his work, so Marie was added and we turned up at 7 to start the 3 hour or so experience.We were put in a group with a lot of giggly girls.They kitted us up, with belts, a lead type thing, a nice jump suit along with a fleece, jacket, hanker chief and a radio.Then we were ready to go.The climb was to take around 2 hours to get up and back and we headed out just after 8 with the sunset well underway.You walk along wire mesh floors under the bridge and then up some very steep stairs to get to the start of the semi-circle that is really the harbour bridge and what you climb to the top.We made the climb in slow steps, with plenty of time to take a look around and over the city, the harbour and down to the sea!!There was also plenty of picture taking by the guide as we weren't allowed our cameras.When we finally got to the top, it was incredible.Great views and a great experience.All along the way, we were told about the bridge, the construction and everything else.They said that when the bridge climb was to be started (13 years ago), they came to the top and found a trolley full of empty beer cans and bottles of wine.So people used to go up there and drink.Mental.Don't ask how the trolley got up there!

After we had all taken in the sights and had some time to chill (would have been good with a beer), we headed back down the other side of the bridge to the start.

For anyone going to Sydney, do this.

Day 27 - Sydney

Today looked as if it had potential to be ok (well not raining) weather wise, so we decided to head over to Manly.We were going there mainly (as well as to have a look) to a 10km walk along the coast which was rated as the nicest, so we parked up at the end and took the bus back into Manly.After a brief look around the town and our lunch at the beach, we headed over to the Manly aquarium, which was another attraction included in the tickets we bought.We had a look round for an hour but after the Sydney one, it was, as all good South East Asians say "Same Same", so we started our walk.

So 10kms along the coast, nice.Being the clever people we are, we had come out without any suntan lotion and didn't bother with the water.We wouldn't need it would we.And then the sun came out, full on.The walk is really nice.Paved along parts but then beach, rocks, grass areas bush.It follows along some beautiful coast and there are some lovely views but by the time we came to the end, we were damn hot and ready to be out of the sun.Marie had a bit of a robin chest !!!!!

Day 28 - Sydney

Today was due to be hot and we woke to a morning that had potential of bringing sun.So there was only one thing for it - hit the beach and only one beach to hit - BONDI.So we boarded the trainsbuses etc to get there and ended up arriving in the full heat of the day.It's funny to be at and see this place considering it is so famous and even has a tv program about it, sadly we have watched a few episodes but it was tempting to ask the older lifeguard if he'd managed to get himself a lady to keep.

So we sat for a lay for a few hours in the sun and did some people watching.Went in the sea a few times and Martin joined in with loads of others trying to ride the waves by swimming with them (was great when it worked).It was a cool place to be at and it was a shame it had to end but the clouds were setting in and we had promised ourselves a treat of a good dinner out.Originally it was going to be in Watson Bay as advised by Sarah but it was a fair way out and not the easy to get to, so we headed back to the camper and moved it to a spot on a street near the station where we felt no resident would see it from their house.Then we got changed, set the van up for sleep mode, closing all the curtains so people couldn't see if anyone was in or not and then headed back into Sydney.

We went over to the Rocks area and took a stroll round the market, which turned out to be mainly food and then founded a little caférestaurant that had good options for both.Marie had a risotto and Martin a steak.Oh, this is how it once was (more for Martin!!!) and a good bottle of wine to go with.Paid for with what was left over from the ChristmasBirthday money from Martin's side of the family (thank you).After such a good dinner, it was a shame to finish the evening there, so we checked out a bar we had seen near the bridge climb, with a roof terrace and stayed for a few beerssparkling wine.We pondered back to the van on the street, happy.

Day 29 - Last Day in Sydney

We woke up, having not been disturbed by annoyed residents on the street that we had parked up on for the night, so before they got to know that someone was actually in the van, we quickly headed over to a local park to have some breakfast.As we'd agreed on the night before, we then headed over to St Ives showground to pay our debts whilst we had some food before re heading back into Sydney for our last afternoonevening.As we sat in the showground, the ranger drove past us, we waved and he didn't stop and then we didn't see him again.Was this a sign that what we had agreed on wasn't actually the right decision….

We got ourselves dressed up before heading back to Gordon, finding a suitable street and place to park up for on the road, at the other end of town before heading into Sydney.Our first stop was going to be the Love, Loss and What I Wore show at the Sydney Opera House.Unsurprisingly from the name, the show was picked out by Marie and as we took our seats, it was very clear that the only men attending were the ones that had been dragged only by their other halves (not even any gays in the house).The show was 5 women all sat on stools telling the storiesmemories of a woman via dresses and it was from all parts of her life.It was pretty funny at times but there were times where Martin had no idea what they were on about !!!Oh well.

After the show, we headed over to Darling Harbour via the ferry to eat in Pancakes on the Rocks (before finding out there is one at the Rocks, near the Opera House!) where we ate like kings. Pancakes for main and dessert.Happy days.As we headed round the harbour towards the train station, we decided to stop for a couple of drinks in one of the bars.We decided then that if we gave the van in early, we'd try to get a couple of nights in Sydney before heading over to New Zealand.

Day 30 - Leaving Sydney

Today was going to be the departure day for Sydney and our moving on to the Blue Mountains.We woke up after a non disturbed sleep, making us realise that we can park and get away with sleeping in towns on normal streets even though they say you can't.We headed over to the same park just out of town where we had breakfast.The fridge wasn't working properly again, due to the number of nights without plugging in, so Martin was left to cook up a sausage sandwich on the free bbq's.As he did, a kookaburra decided to fly closer and closer in the hope of getting some scraps.So over breakfast, we sat watching the kookaburra tuck into some sausage as well.

It wasn't going to be the most exciting of days but we had agreed not to go back to St Ives showground to pay the camping fees we owed and had tried to pay, so we headed off to have a swim in the Olympic pool again.The place was packed again and at only $7AUD, you can understand why.

After a swim, it was off to the supermarkets to load up with food for the trip up to the Blue Mountains, before checking in to a camp site in Bass Hill for the night, so the battery could re charge and the fridge would actually work properly.Oh and we did laundry - told you it wasn't going to be a fun day !!!

Day 31 - Blue Mountains

Leaving the pleasantness of the campsite and with the van stocked of food, we headed off on the final leg of the journey from Sydney to the Blue Mountains.The further we got up and into them, the worse the weather got.Lots of mist and plenty of rain - we think we've had more rain during this Australian summer than in a normal English summer.

We decided to drive as far in as we were likely to go and then work our way back but we stopped in Katoomba to have a quick look around and some gifts back to the UK and Sweden.We were shocked at the cost but then again, it's like everything else in this country!!!We cheered ourselves up with a big cake to cover the next couple of days.

We then headed up to the town of Lithgow where we'd spend the next couple of nights and days.We stopped in at the tourist information office, who turned out to be pretty useful before making our way down to the free camping just out of town - that meaning 15kms down a windy, s*** road and in the middle of a forest.Turning up, this was definitely going to be the worst place we'd slept in.Saw a few kangaroos shooting past in the evening but thankfully we had a glass of wine and mad men to make things a little better.

Day 32 - Blue Mountains

We woke up having slept pretty well in the free camping place, in the middle of nowhere.It was helped by the fact that throughout the night, it was literally pitch black.Marie did try when she woke up to see her hand in front of her face but nope, no luck!

We pottered around in our usual fashion (god help us when we actually have to get up for something like work) and then headed out to the Jenolan Caves where we signed up to go on the 2 hour tour of the Jubilee Caves.However, on the way we decided that we were pretty stupid as we had nowhere near enough petrol to do the return trip and it was of course, in the middle of nowhere. The tour guide started by saying that this was the tour that all the tour guides fight over, which sounded great but his tone didn't seem to agree.So we headed in, walking pretty quickly through the Imperial Cave and further down and in.This was meant to be a level 3 of 3 in terms of strenuous but it was only numerous steps and a few bending this way and that to get roundunder some massive rocks.And then we ended up in the Jubilee Cave, which had numerous different parts to it and took some time to get round.There was millions of stalactites and stalagmites which were all very pretty and the limestone was crystallised but after that, it was like all the other caves that we have been to and I think we are getting a bit caved out.May be have to spice it up with some pot holing next time…

So, after reassessing the petrol situation again, we went off 20kms in the wrong direction to buy petrol, so we could then drive back up to Lithgow where we would spend another night in the wilderness.We've decided to write to NSW council and thank them for their great places on offer.As you drive to these free campsites, there is loads of free national parks and normal parks but no, you must travel out to these ones in the middle of nowhere.

We stayed in town though to use the internet and finally sorted out with the van company that we would drop it off in Brisbane instead of Cairns.The fee dropped nearly halved, so pleased we didn't do it when we first called.We then got the final update on mum's dilemma as to whether to come or not with the news that her and Lesley are joining us in New Zealand, so something to look forward to.

We decided to treat ourselves to a Domino's tonight as they were doing a Crazy Tuesday special.It was really great, as we sat in the van waiting for the pizzas to cook, so see a massive spider start to crawl across the windscreen.Damn it was big but we managed to flick it onto the car park and made a hasty move of the van.Where the hell did that thing come from…..

Day 33 - Blue Mountains

Having spent another night in the pitch black forest camp site, we woke up to the unfamiliar sound of the alarm and the very unfamiliar time of 6am.Is it work?No, Spurs are playing away to AC Milan in the Champions League.However to get any kind of signal, we had to leave the middle of nowhere and move to more civilisations, so we headed to the tourist information parking lot and got back into bed and got the game going (on and off).What a great win.Made getting up all worthwhile and even better, we should be able to get to watch the second leg.

Then we headed to the Zig Zag railway, which is a steam engine train that they run down a track in a zig zag, which was set up in the late 1800's.It was all very normal, with lots of old people out for the day, the men checking out and discussing the steam train itself.We got ourselves a coffee and made for some seats.The train journey took about 1h20 to do the round trip and it was cool for that time.

After the train, we headed over to a town called Blackheath where we checked out on a couple of potential camp sites to stay at before heading over to Govetts Leap Lookout which did give spectacular views, all helped by the much better weather that we seemed to be having today.Could may be even see a little bit of why they call this place Blue and not Grey.

And then we decided to bog it all off and stay at a paying campsite, so checked in just before the rain started and it seemed to be making up for the fact that it hadn't rained in the morning.

Oh and we booked to do a 2 hour horse ride tomorrow.Martin is really looking forward to learning and then riding round to get a sore ass!!!