Happy New Year

First of all i am now finding it difficult to find things to occupy my time left in sydney. have new years eve and day to occupy, and there is nothing left for me to do. Can't believe that it's nearly 2009, and i am somewhere else ! I haven't celebrated new year for a while......... and i normally have friends around to enjoy it with ! So much is going on in sydney, particular places have lockouts at certain times during the day, which means you have to find a spot quite early in the day.Which means no one can leave or enter after that time. I just want to go and see the fireworks at midnight, not to bother with the hanging about waiting in the same spot..........
Happy New Year Everyone !
See you in 2009

Maxed Out

Sorry for long awaited blog but only just got round to remembering to update and have the use of cousins laptop. Since last blog, have actually maxed out on things to do around melbourne and now sydney. didn't really get upto much in melbourne for the 5days i was there after tasmania. Just wondered around, visited the museum of victoria again after 7yrs. hadn't changed much except for the fact that the Neighbours exhibition was in storage for some reason. When it is out, they have the layout of the Robinson Household, it's contents and Charlenes' Wedding dress hanging from the ceiling which i couldn't find last time. Bought a mobile phone so i could contact my friends & relatives in australia, so i wouldn't get a huge phonebill back home! Weather was still a mixture of showers and sun and hail !
Now in sydney, have been here for nearly 3weeks and have run out of things to do.Did the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb on Christmas Eve, which was scary at first but once at the top it was amazing. Thanks Mum ! Spent Christmas day with a friend of my sisters, was better than spending it on Bondi Beach with a thousands of lager louts ! Even had xmas Pud .......
and was good to spend it with familiar faces.
spent the day yesterday in the Hunter Valley with a tour group that is more sophisticated, aimed at those that appreciate wine and goes to the lesser known small family wineries. Visited 3 wineries as well as the well known McGuigans Cellar, had a cafe lunch which was an extra $16 to the basic price of $99. Fish & Chips. Also bought 2 bottles of wine, one from McGuigans and another from one of the family wineries.

If I wanted Rain I'd have stayed home

Well after a week in melbourne and nearly 4wks away from home, it's not exactly what i was hoping. Too much rain for me, although its good for australia. Who have been suffering from huge droughts over the past 10yrs.
Have seen pretty much all there is too see in melbourne, only a few places worth seeing but can wait till i come back for return flight.
off to sydney tomorrow by train, whole 11 hours passing through Victoria and NSW. it might as well rain !
and it's apparently cold in sydney too !
here's to a warm christmas ...............

Bed Bugs & No Cash

Well, back in Melbourne after a mixed 10days in tasmania. weather was either rain, sun or hail. saw breathtaking views., met some good friends including one from nottm. hostels have been inadequate half thentime,some with only tiny kitchens and not many bathrooms between hundred of people.
recieved bed bugs which are nearly gone, spent a day in Hobart with hardly any cash on me due to not being able to get money from atm. there is a big spate of fraud going on in oz and usa. and was just a precaution, to confirm that i was where i said i was going to be. anyway, will be in touch.............
miss you all !

Lovely Melbourne

Ten days into my holiday, suffered from sickness & a cold, had sunshine, warmth, rain & hail the size of minstrels ! Been on 3day tours, phillip island being the best day with little penguins waddling up the beach to their burrows. Hostel is ok, not the best. dorm of 6 and for the past 6nights have been sharing with all guys, most who snore ! Had my fix of fluffy pancakes and getting fresh juice nearly every day.
think i am getting too old for this .......................
off to tasmania tomorrow ( fri )

So excited

Am so excited, i just can't hide it. am about to lose control and i think i like it .......................
5days to go !
well what can i say now, except that i will be in touch !
Miss you all x

18days to go !

Really can't wait now, counting down the days ! Spent the weekend visiting mother & sister, had a rather good time pity about the weather. i am now sad that it is over, as i wont see them both now for a year at least, maybe less if sister comes over to visit .....................
I am pretty much set, just a few thing that need sorting but will have to wait until i am out there, ie change date of return flight.
Good things come to those who wait................

5weeks to go !

With 5 weeks to go before i get on that plane to the other side of the world, as far away from this life as one can get, one still has bits to do.............................my head is spinning with ideas and yet i have no clue on what to do arrrrgggggggggggggggggggggggggg.
and as the date draws nearer, the aussie dollar is getting stronger 2.4 to the £. woo hoo !
someone help me ...........................

8weeks to go !

With only 8weeks to go i am pretty much set and raring to go..........
Just got to sort out my return flight to NZ, need to decide where i am flying to ! Sort out what i am doing for the rest of my stay in OZ, but need to wait until my sister has sorted what she is doing ................
Regarding plans for xmas, i will be doing the sydney harbour bridge climb in the evening of xmas eve. Which my mother has kindly given to me as a part birthday & part xmas present. http://www.bridgeclimb.com
And then whatever plans the hostel has for xmas day etc. Or maybe do my own thing !
Who Knows.......................

10weeks to go !

4 weeks to go till my big 30 !
6weeks to go till i leave work !
10 weeks to go and counting till i leave this country.....................
Weather is getting worse, it must be autumn now ?????
I just can't wait !

82days to go............

Spent more money towards my travels, this time on 3 day tours.
1- Grampians NP
2- Phillip Island
3- Bottom of the World ( Bottom of Tasmania )

and also booked my sydney harbour bridge climb for the evening on christmas eve !

Can't wait.......... am slowly counting the months, weeks and days till i leave this sorry state of affairs country !

I know it's a bit early ..............

...............but do you know what you will be doing Christmas day ?
Coz i think i do...............
I will have a more definate answer in 2weeks!

Time

Don't you just hate it when you have something to look forward, ie holiday and you feel the time is ticking away soooo slowly ! You know the day for you to take off will be here in no time at all, but part of you just thinks that time is not on your side. Being at work constantly helps, especially when you have plenty to do, but not everyday does. Many a day goes by when i have too much time to think about what i plan to do in my first week of my long awaited holiday down under !

My 1st summer of the year

It has now been summer for at least a week, i mean a proper summer ! Hot Sun Rays beating down on a crowd of girls, old and young as we get ready to do the Race For Life at Holme pierrepoint, Nottingham. All for a good cause ! Walked it in 50mins.....
Compared to the majority of the world we don't get a full blown summer season and even if we do it doesn't last long ! But shortly i will be able to make up for lack of sun as i head of down under in a few months. To experience Christmas during the aussie summer..............................
With both my tours booked, ( one of Tasmania, the other of W.Australia ), the majority of my accomodation booked for the 3months i will be spending in Oz and having bought a new travel bag, i am almost on that plane! It is just a matter of time now........
Oh, how i wish time would travel quicker. Damn u clocks!

4months to go...........

Time is ticking by but i am almost ready. would say about 85/90% done.
Slowly counting down the weeks till i leave work, although it could be anytime soon as the shop is up for sale and have had actually viewings of the premises. and at the same time counting down the weeks till i leave sad old england. It's not exactly the best place to be right now................. If you have seen/heard the news lately you will understand why !
Get paid on friday so can do more travel shopping, and then i will be fully completed after augusts pay date. Wa hey ! so till next month, cheerio x

Loveable Quotes

Travelling is not just seeing the new; it is also leaving behind. Not just opening doors; also closing them behind you, never to return.
But the place you have left forever is always there for you to see whenever you shut your eyes.
jan Myrdal


I have wandered all my life and i have travelled; the difference between the two is this :
we wander for distraction but we travel for fulfillment.
Hillaire Belloc


If you actually look like your passport photo, you aren't well enough to travel.
Sir Vivian Fuchs

So little time............

Since buying my ticket to australia over 2months ago, have been planning and putting deposits down for tours and volunteer work while out there. Time is fast approaching and still have lots to do. I know its 7months away but as i only get paid monthly it doesn't give me much time as such..........As i can only spend certain amounts between each pay day, leaving me enough to live on till next month..........
this is the bit that i hate having to do, why can't things just fall into place! As i am going at a time when other brits are going, will be summer in Oz, places ie hostels, book up quick. Having to plan in advance is good as you save later and don't have to worry about what to do next. But at the same time can be stressful with planning arrival dates, hostel accomodation and timing of travel in between towns, cities.
Of course all these panic attacks will subside once everything is sorted & i finally arrive Down Under..................

Time for a summer " Down Under "

Now all i have to do is wait for the next 8months to pass away as soon as possible for i have finally booked my next travel expo. And this time will be going for an aussie summer, experiencing christmas & new year, all on my own & far away from home, family & friends !
Leaving england on 16th November for Melbourne, spending time in australia visiting family & friends before going off to New Zealand in search of work to fund further travel & to experience the quality of work out there.
For the search of a new beginnning, a new career, experience the lifestyles of a better place, to do some good in a more rewarding & in a location where i would prefer to be !!!

Race For Life 2008