We arrived at Cairns on Thursday late afternoon and were taken by minibus to Lakes Resort. We have a lovely apartment on a complex of 18 three storey blocks. There are 4 swimming pools, some with sandy beaches and also lagoons with fish and waterlilies. Friday we had a chill-out day and spent time around the pool and catching up with washing. We went into Cairns by bus to have a mooch around and do some shopping. The Cairns churches put on a free international co...

Have had an awesome time at Alice Springs and Uluru. In Alice Springs we had a coach trip into the bush which included a couple of gorge walks followed by bill tea and sandwiches. We also visited the Flying Doctor Service and School of the Airways. Don't know how families manage to live miles out in the bush. The scenery was amazing as we moved from Alice to Uluru. I would have said it changed every turn, but the road had few bends!! We passed through cattle sta...

We left Perth Airport at midday heading north-east to Alice Springs for a four day stay in the centre of Australia.

We are now at Perth Airport heading off to Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock) for a three day tour. We have had a great time with John and Norma. Norma is Maureen's 3rd cousin. Maureen's grandfather's sister, Alice Louisa, set off for Australia in December 1911. Last weekend we were able to meet a number of the extended family at Rod and Liz's home. Louise Cottam, daughter of Alice, aged 95, was there too. She is Norma's mother. This past week we have toured t...

Arrived in Perth on Sunday afternoon and met Maureen's cousin, Norma and her husband John. On Monday, Norma and John took us to a local shopping mall on the way to Auntie Louisa Cottam's for lunch. We then visited the Perth Mint and Kings Park. On Tuesday we visited Freemantle, paddled in the Indian Ocean at Cottesloe Beach and enjoyed local fish and chips for lunch. We also visited the Round Tower, originally a prison. The past two days we have been up north v...