Having become used to staying with people we thought we would continue in the manner we had become accustomed whilst we were in Sydney. For the first two nights we were staying with an old work colleague of Paul's, Craig, and his girlfriend, Carrie, in Woolharra, and the other two nights we were staying with Nic and Sandy who we first met in Moorea and subsequently spent some time in NZ with them.

Our 16hour night bus arrived on time in central Sydney and after we had stowed our bags we set about the mundane task of finding the laptop repair centre. Once we had taken the train right out of the city, walked to the service centre, walked back and taken the train back into the city there was not much time left at the end of the day to really take a look around so we jumped on the bus to Craigs house before rush hour and spent the evening catching up over a couple of beers and a pizza.

The following morning was the big day that myself and Katie had been waiting for as we were going to the clinic for our first scan. It was an early-ish appointment and we headed out with all the commuters to get back into the centre of the city. We were there well in time and we sat down excited and nervous knowing that we were going to get a good look at Frank. Katie had been told to turn up with a full bladder as this would allow a very clear ultrasound picture so every minute we stayed in the waiting room was one minutes further discomfort for Katie as at the best of times she does have a "thimble bladder"! We were finally called in before she burst and once we had gone over the formalities with the radiographer she put the ultrasound scanner on Katies belly and right there in front of us on the large flat screen monitor was Franks spine in all its perfect tiny detail. I was gobsmacked at this point and as the scan continued we saw hands, feet, legs and arms all looking perfect in every way. One hand was fully open and almost waving to us whilst the other had was held in a tight fist like Frank was shaking it in anger for being prodded and poked. It was then that she asked us to look away as she checked Frank's privates. After we were told to look back at the screen it was strange as we now knew that the radiographer was the first person who knew whether we were having a Frank or Franketta!

During all the scanning Frank refused to turn over so therefore some of the vital checks could not be carried out. It was then that Katie was instructed to leave the clinic, have a strong coffee and a chocolate brownie to give Frank a caffeine and sugar rush and get him/her up and dancing! This off course was a real hardship as Katie has been steering clear of caffeine for months and really missed a good cup of java but the doctors orders couldn't be ignored and after doing justice to the prescribed we were back in the room having the rest of the scan. It was then that Frank decided to turn and we saw his/her head and face profile for the first time and may I say what a perfect looking specimen we have created. After all the scanning had finished we were told that we had a very good looking baby growing and Katie makes a very good egg! So with this good news we left the clinic with a spring in our step and a slight gloaty feeling in our stomachs!

After a quick snack it was time to see the sights. As both of us had been to Sydney before the usual and seen the usual attractions we very briefly paid a visit to Circular Quays to see the harbour bridge an opera house. The weather seemed to be taking a distinct turn for the worse and our first attempt at tourist photos of the bridge made for a very moody picture and as the weather really seemed to draw in we thought what better time to take the picturesque ferry across to Manly and check out the laid back beach retreat. It was whilst we were looking out to sea studying the beautiful rainbow that the heavens opened. We skirted back around the shopping precinct trying to seek shelter and made our way back to the ferry.

As we were moving our stuff to Nic and Sandy's the following day we took Craig and Carrie out for a slap up feast at the Soup Kitchen washed down with a few BYO beers.

The next day I was up early to head across the city to pick up our repaired laptop and by the time I finally got back it was almost lunchtime. It was only when Katie left the flat to get a quick lunch before leaving that the heavens opened again. We were stuck. She returned about an hour later looking like a drowned rat and there we stayed until the storm passed. Eventually the skies cleared enough for us to get over to Nic and Sandy's but that was it for the day really. We only had one more day left in Sydney with a lot of stuff to do.

The next day the weather was a scorcher but after we had sorted out our outstanding job applications and got all our stuff sorted for China we didn't get out of the house until midday.

We headed straight for Circular Quay again and snapped a few pictures of the Bridge and Opera House again (this time with a nice blue background) and spent the rest of the afternoon wandering round the botanical gardens.

All that was left was to go out that evening with Nic, Sandy, Craig and Carrie to what turned out to be an excellent bar that I had spotted during our walkabout earlier in the day. It was the home of the RedOak microbrewery and the beers that they produced were absolutely top notch.

It was great to catch up with old friends and share some new stories. It was also great to see Sydney again, but the one thing I will remember more than anything is seeing the amazing sights of Frank for the first time.