Hello loyal fans,

So Nikki and I are currently sitting in Sydney International airport departure lounge waiting for our connecting flight to Cairns to start our Australia east coast journey.

We had a great last couple of weeks in Queenstown. We both finished work a week before leaving so we could have a chance to sort bags, buy souvenirs and generally relax before travelling starts again. Nikki's work got a card signed by all the staff and gave it to her on our last night out along with a voucher for her favourite clothes shop 'Lulu Lemon'. We had a couple of nights out with friends in our final week and went to watch the local ice hockey team play so something different.

We have both had a great time in NZ and especially Queenstown which has been our home for the last 7 Months. We have made some amazing friends and will defiantly be keeping in contact and meeting up with them when they return to the UK.

After leaving Queenstown we continued on the kiwi bus which we started on, to Christchurch where we flew from this morning. The drive was long (8hours) but was cheaper than flying from Queenstown to OZ. Unfortunately in my heist to book things in the week, I booked the incorrect date to stay in Christchurch. Luckily there was space at hostel so no harm done! The hostel was located in an old Jail (hint in the name: Jailhouse) and the cells converted into rooms. It was a bit spooky with a large iron door, tall ceilings and very small windows. The noise also travelled from the metal staircases and heavy doors making sleeping a little difficult.

We were rudely awakened by my alarm at 03.45 to catch the shuttle bus to the airport for our morning flight at 07.00. To add further drama to an already stressful day, the airline had incorrectly spelt my name on my ticket (missing the N out of Benjamin) so my ticket and passport didn't match. After speaking to the help desk and a very early phone call to Australia the name was changed and we could check in, allocate seats and check in luggage. After that everything was plain sailing up to this point (fingers crossed no more problems!)

Will keep you up dated on our travels down the east coast of Australia and try and post pictures as we go alone. Unfortunately phone calls and text messages cost a lot here, so maybe kept to a minimum (sorry mum - every penny/cent counts).

From Sydney airport with love

Ben and Nikki (v.v.v.v tired Nikki) xx