Hey guys,

Hope you are all well and thre January blues arent kicking in too badly!

Today I arrived in Byron Bay for the second time- its funny as you dont think you will return to places once you have already been there but your always glad when you do as you already know the best places and things to do!Hence upon arriving and getting sorted we all headed straight for the beach and straight into the warm spa water that is Byron Bay! It was great to be able to chill out on the beach knowing that the only thing you have to do is turn the page of your book every now and then and get up for a dip whenever you get hot!

Once we left the beach we all headed out to the local bar by the beach for some dinner, I love spending time with Annette, Greg, Amy and Owen so this was a great end to a great day! We enjoyed nachos and a few beers before heading down Byron Bays main street- Jonson street to see it come to life in the moonlight with buskers all around showcasing thier talents and all the ice cream parlours doing a roaring trade after dark. Byron has this lovely atmosphere that is rare in most of the backpacker/ tourist spots I have visited. Although it has the small seaside town feel about it, it is also full of surfers, hippies and backpackers and you know that no matter what your mood you will fit into this place perfectly. Its the kind of place you feel safe wondering aroud at night which is a good job as otherwise you would miss out on Byrons World famouss night markets whcih are full of all kinds of different treasures you cant find anywhere else.

The next morning was one of thoise enjoyable lazy mornings that we all love when we are on holiday, get out of bed when you want, get dressed when you want, leisurely read the paper over breakfast before decideding its time to go and top up the tan once more. I must say in the few days I spent in Byron I have been to the beach more than anywhere else. As you will be able to see form the pictures, with the scenery, warm crystal waters and gorgous clean soft sand- why wouldnt you? Again we all spent the day in and out of the water swimming and splashing around, I never realised the sea was so much fun until arriving in Australia! Or maybe its because the sea in England is so cold im not brave enough to bear it and find out!! Either way Im glad I found out how great it is!

On the day I was due to go home, Brett (the guy I work for) text to say that Nanny was still staying with them so if I wanted to stay an extra day then I could as the Nan would look after the boys! Bonus- another day on the beach!! So I made the most of that day on the beach by catchin up on my reading and my celebrity gossip and maybe some sleep!! We also had an inflatable body board which we all palyed wiht- so much fun!! Going out, finding a decent wave any riding it and the board all the way back into shore- what a thrill!! Me and Amy were doing it together and all the grown ups had a turn- really was great fun!! I was really bummed out when it was time to go! I wanted to play all day!

I got the greyhound back to Brisbane that afternoon and when I was there I saw the aftermarth of the Queensland floods. Debris out on the streets- whole shops had been ruined and all thier equipment now useless out on the streets. Shop after shop holding the same sign- Closed due to floods. Piles of sandbags everywhere, where people had tried to stop the water coming in. The peoples faces when they were clearing out were looks of sadness over having to start everything again.

There were trucks and workman everywhere still trying to suck water out of the sky scrapers in the CBD. Most of the Botanic Gardens were closed off. The whole of Southbank was shut off and fro, what I could see from the bridge, the once green lush grass around was now brown and ruined. The once lovely beach, water park, walkways and shops all disppeared and washed away. The Birsbane wheel no longer turning and the river of Brisbane looking as though it was still taking over. A sad yet facinating site as you can imagine.

Now Im back to work until my next adventure....

Speak soon x