We have enjoyed about a week here in Sydney, some relaxing days and others filled with sight seeing activities. The Aussies are as friendly as their reputation and very helpful when we got lost! Jeff does a great job driving on the wrong side of the road, and we mastered the public transportation system of buses, subway and ferries. All very new and efficient because of the Olympics a few years back. The harbour development Is quite beautiful and a combination of new and old British architecture is evident In the city. We enjoyed walking from Bronte beach (where we were staying) along the picturesque shore to bondo beach--one of the top ten in the world. Beautiful craggy shoreline with homes up the cliffs. It looks like the French Riviera that I imagine. Also went to the top of the sky tower that commanded a magnificent panorama of the city, Madame Toussaud's wax Museum that was so much better than I anticipated, the Tarunga zoo, an aquarium, the Sydney museum, and swam often at the beach ( well everyone else did-- it was a little too cold and rough for me, or the pool was closed). So hopefully next week will be good beach weather!!!

This is a world class city with all the top named stores making their presence felt. A clean and beautiful city with huge parks everywhere. Lauren enjoyed a riding lesson and was very stoic and braved the hot temps- about 30 that day. The weather has been changeable sunny 20's to the 30's. A few showers that don't last too long, and a few good downpours. It is the start of the typhoon season we are told.

Enjoyed a scrumptious lamb burger at Grills, a place specializing in burgers only and of course an Aussie beer along with it.

Tomorrow we fly about 1 1/2 hours north to a beach house on the sunshine coast. Friends of M & J have rented it to us. We may not have wi fi, so communication may be sparse!!!

I am finally caught up with the blog, not without many frustrations to say the least, but with Meredith's help and patience I may have finally got it. One app for the blog and another one for the pics that have to be done one by one!!!! But I won!!!! For now anyway!!!!!

Love and miss everyone. Keeps the emails and comments coming!!!!

Bye for now

and G'day mate!!!!!