As the weeks went on in Airlie I began to fall in love with the place. It really was beautiful and very picturesque with the boats in the harbour and out at sea. The weather was incredible, in fact about 30 degrees I think, it was gorgeous. I ended up staying in Airlie for about 5 weeks. It was a great way to spend the rest of my time in Australia. I met some incredible people who I was extremely sad to say goodbye too. It was also a really small place so I made a new family for myself there.

I decided to go to back to Cairns and use the flight I had already paid for to go to Brisbane. I spent a couple of days in Cairns, obviously in a different hostel, visiting some old friends before I left to head down to Brisbane. At this point I felt very ready to leave Cairns, I think I have overdone Cairns for now; It's still a great place and no doubt I will go back but for now it was good to leave.

On my way to the airport I met 2 girls on the airport shuttle bus and it turned out we were all on the same flight. We are all travellers and all got on pretty well so stuck together in the airport whilst we waited for our flight. We also agreed to catch a taxi from the airport and into the city together. It made it a little bit cheaper doing that than getting the train. We agreed to meet up in Brisbane as well which was really nice as we had each other in a new city. Well, for me, more or less my home as I have lived in Brisbane before. I decided to go and stay at one of the hostels with one of the girls rather than hanging around for my friends who worked out near the Gold Coast who I was originally going to stay with. It was easier as well rather than putting them out with extra bedding etc.

So we had an awesome couple of days together; I fell in love with Brisbane all over again and we had a laugh. We went to Southbank where the lagoon is and the man-made beach, we went to Max Brenner to have a taste of chocolate heaven and went to the cinema. We got on well with all the people staying in the hostel as well. I also met up with my friends, Glenn and Amanda, who I originally met in Cairns and then also met them again in Airlie Beach, so again we had a nice meet up in Brisbane.

Unfortunately my visit to Brisbane was very short and I had a flight booked to Melbourne for a couple days later, so off I went, more sad goodbyes in Brisbane, and I went to catch my plane to Melbourne. When I landed in Melbourne I did not want to get off the plane; I could feel the cold a mile off!!! It was at least 8 degrees if not less. I was freeeezing. Stacey does not do cold.

I have now been in Melbourne 4 days and I am wearing hoodies, double layered socks and leggings. Its official to say I think I'm losing my tan L

On the up side, I met up with a friend a couple of days ago who I haven't seen in about a year and a half, someone I met when I first got to Australia, so we had a lot to catch up on. She's from the Netherlands and had been home in between so it was great we finally got to catch up. Tomorrow, I hope to catch up with another friend who I also met in Cairns and Airlie Beach. Travellers tend to take the same routes down or up the coast so it's pretty cool when you get to see your friends again in another place.

I am staying at the Menashe's house, for those of you who know them, otherwise known as family friends. They have a gorgeous new addition to the family, Cinnamon, the family dog. She is a gorgeous puppy always wanting lots of attention, so more or less, another child.

It's a bit of a shock to the system staying in a family home; I have been so used to hostels and having people my age around me all the time. I really like it and right now it feels a bit lonely and did I mention very cold!! I am heading home (back to the UK) in 3 days which has come around soo quickly. It will be awesome to see everybody as I have been away for a year and a half (crazy) but it will only be a short visit.

I have my best friend's wedding to attend, a few new babies to meet and introduce to the family/world and of course, to see all your wonderful faces too. It will be an exciting and busy 3 weeks for me, but then I plan to come back to Australia, Brisbane, to be precise, and work as hard as I can to get a job and a sponsorship. What more could you want, hot weather, a great job and living the Aussie Dream. Not sure for how much longer but right now this is what I want.

Can't wait to see you all next week, lots of love xxx