Too much to update on so far so I'll give a brief commentary. I saw in the New Year in North Sydney where we had a perfect view of the harbour, bridge and opera house while guzzling goon by the gallon. 'Goon' is the backpackers wine sold in boxes of 4 litres and containing traces of fish guts! I am not lying, I have even read the small print!

Having been a bit bored of sydney city and with the weather being a little too cloudy to continue visiting beaches, I decided to embark on a 2 day camping trip up the blue mountains with Nicki, Michelle, Chris (mate from back home who I bumped into a couple of days beforehand, neither of us had any idea the other was in Sydney and we were staying only two doors away from each other!) and his mate Nick. We had such a giggle. The boys had already booked a camper van and invited us to join them on one proviso, we all had to wear hats. In my quest for a suitable hat, I found an attractive mask instead (see photos). On arrival we tried to find a campsite but unluckily we had picked the same weeked as a christian convention and everywhere was booked out so we ended up camping in the outback. Thankfully, the scariest encouter there was just the toilet! It was a bottomless pit that stank to high heaven! We also got chatting to some local, native aussies who were really, really friendly. Very different to the anti-tourist Londoners we would normally find at home.

I arrived back from the blue mountains on Monday and made my way to Coogee beach to start Ozintro and I haven't looked back since. On Monday we went on a jet boat around the harbour, Tuesday we went to the Aquarium at Darling Harbour, yesterday we went surfing and today we went on a coastal walk between bondi and coogee beaches and played some volleyball. It has been brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed surfing, especially when I caught my own wave and I'll never forget our banquet of sand and suncream sandwiches hmmmm. I can't wait to try it again, especially when I go to Newquay next.

I have booked a private pole dancing lesson on Monday and also a cheap hostel for a few night so looks like I'll be staying in Sydney for a bit longer. Depending on how the pole lesson goes and if there is any work available in Sydney I may even stay here for a few weeks to build up money before I venture on. But watch this space because typically, my mind changes every five minutes!

XxX