THURS 1ST APRIL BONDI BEACH

Got to be quick here the battery is about to go on computer,had a lovely walk this morning starting at Bondi beach and following the coastal path visiting Clovelly beach ,Bronte etc.picking up camper van tomorrow will have to see how we get on with Internet connection when we are mobile(could be having a few MC Donald's)happy Easter,bonne paque Betty and Brian xx

AUSTRALIA WELCOMES ZENA

Well the anniversary meal went well at the Indian restaurant,the food was lovely and the service was great the only problem was when the food arrived it was on tinfoil plates!(Bet wasn`t amused but we soon sorted it).She found her happy face the next morning when she had her hair doo (she made sure that cost me).So after the hairdressers we made our way to Darling harbour and the weather started to pick up,we had our lunch on the quayside and then made our way through the Chinese quarter and to Paddy's market.I did take Betty to look at the camper vans that we could be hiring(see photo) i don`t think she was impressed with the bottom of the range!.Then it was back to the hotel for a shower and change before we met up with Zena and Andy,now this was a big day for Zena because today is the day that she receives her Australian citizenship and a lovely ceremony it was.There was about 40 people receiving their certificates,the mayor was there to conduct the ceremony and we all had drinks and canapes afterwards,then the four of us went for a meal at a Portuguese restaurant and a good time was had by all.After saying goodbye to Zena and Andy we took a train back to central station and had a nice walk back to the hotel.goodnight Betty and Brian xx

RAINY DAY IN SYDNEY

OK so today started off with rain and it looks like its finishing with rain.Down to breakfast early (that was a bonus didn`t` realise that we had that) and it was ok.So off we went with our umbrellas and soon found ourselves in the salvation army charity shop looking for a kagool for me.No luck with that but Betty

came away with a nice skirt and a pair of black trousers.I managed to find a lonely planet guide of Australia and a good map and things to do in Queensland, which we will need after Friday when we pick up the camper van.While we were in the charity shop Zena rang and we have arranged to see her Wednesday evening and looking forward to that.Then it was a walk through Hyde park and a visit to the parliament building of new south wales,that was interesting.After that we had a walk into the botanical gardens where we heard such a noise coming from the trees,we thought it was birds but no hanging from the branches were hundreds of flying foxes(and they are not small).But the gardens are lovely and we will go back there on a finer day.We walked then down to the opera house and viewed the bridge(didn`t post any pictures of these we need a nice day) had a sandwich and drink at circular quay and then returned home .So now we are in the Sydney library where we have a great internet connection and when we have finished this post we are going to eat and celebrate our anniversary. bon appetite Betty and Brian xx

ARRIVED IN SYDNEY

Hello! oh you don`t know how much trouble we have gone to to get this blog done today. No wi-fi at the hotel so we went to McDonald's on George St and that was hopeless. Anyway we have found a bar and at last were connected only to find it was so slow! I know Jo will tell me off because she said not to spend to much time on the Internet but it`s such a shame if we give up. I am a bit worried as to how we will get on when were in the camper van. Anyway we are becoming a couple of winging poms!

Lorraine had got tictets for the Western Bulldogs against Collingwood in the Australian Rules Football League at their new Etihad Stadium. Brian said there were nearly 50 thosand people which created a brilliant atmosphere. Unfortunately they lost but a great day was had by all. I had a shopping trip with Jodie and Bethany to High Point ,it`s a bit like Merry Hill.Had to get some t shirts for the sunny weather we are expecting! then had to send the winter clothes to local charity shop.

Well after 4 weeks without a decent curry Paul suggested we tried the local Indian cuisine in Sunshine Melbourne. It was Delicious and enjoyed the company of Paul`s friends Debbie and Richie and of course Jodie. All had plenty of vino as usual but no bad heads.

It was up early in the morning and had to say our goodbyes to Paul and Lorraine. It was tearful but had had a great time. We will miss Lorraine and our water bed. Bri kept dreaming he had been ship wrecked on a desert island until I got in and he thought there was a tsunami ! he`s no lightweight after all this travelling.

We have now left melbourne and arrived in Sydney and looking forward to having a good look round tomorrow.

PENGUINS PARADE AT PHILLIP ISLAND

Ok so we are back online,it`s difficult to get a connection to the internet while we are at Lorraines.Where she lives is a retirement village and she has got everything to hand,there is a community centre (with a bar),lovely swimming pool and plunge pool,bowling green,little putting green,restaurant and dining room if she wants,and all the residents live in bungalows.

So the only way we can get on to the internet is by walking up to Mc Donalds and getting a couple of cups of coffee and hooking on to their free wi-fi.

It was great speaking to you last night mom and Pat.

Well yesterday (Saturday)we had a great day out with Paul,after first walking up to Lorraines local shops in the morning and then having breakfast Paul picked us up at about 11am and after packing a picnic (and flask)we set off for a day trip to Philip Island .

Now this island is about 70 miles out of Melbourne so we had to pass through the city ,now this took us no time at all,they have a tunnel which literally goes from one side of the Yarra river to the other,all three lanes so that was pretty quick.

We stopped on route at a little place called fisherman's cove for a quick cup of tea and then just before going on to the island we stopped again for our picnic at a village called San Remo,which was very nice.

So then on to Philip Island and our first port of call was the Koala and Wallaby sanctuary which was a great visit,now these little bears sleep for 20 hours a day(Betty's very jealous they are beating her by 2 hours) and they sleep up in the trees in very precarious positions.

There is a nice walk throughout the sanctuary in amongst the gumtrees where you can find wallaby's hopping around ,kookaburras in the trees and many other forms of wildlife (Betty was really excited about seeing the Koalas)but still haven`t seen a kangaroo yet.

After this it was time for evening meal and we found an Italian restaurant in Cowes where we all had a good meal and some of us had a glass of wine.Now time was getting on into the evening but the highlight of the day was to come at about 8pm when it started to get dark.Now what happens is that all the penguins that have been out in the ocean all day ,probably covering about 50 kilometres would be returning home,so we all took a seat and sure enough they all started to pop out of the water.Now they wouldn`t` attempt the walk up the beach until they had waited for their mates to arrive,so when they were formed into groups of about 15 they started to waddle up the beach and back to their chicks in the nest.This is where we managed to get a closer look because they were in touching distance.It is called the penguin parade and it is amazing.It was a shame but no photographs were allowed for this event.So it was back to the car and our return to Lorraine's where we arrived at about 11pm.A good day was had by all and a big thank you to Paul. love Betty and Brian xx

THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD DAY 2

When we left the Motel it was cloudy and as we drove through the rain forest it started to rain. The scenery was fantastic and we stopped off at all the view points. These were The Twelve Apostle's,The Loch Ard Gorge,we lunched at Port Campbell (very short due to weather) then had a lovely view of Port Campbell made our way to the Arch and onto London bridge (that has fallen down!) and finally The Grotto. It was along trip home but a great day. We are now having a lovely Chinese Meal at Jodie's house .

BETHANYS BIRTHDAY AND GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Well after a good day around Melbourne we all met up at Lorraines for Bethanys 12th birthday party and a good night it was with Bethany and Tiahni entertaining us with a Turkish belly dance,they have lessons with their mom Jodie.

They certainly are lovely girls and great company,we had a birthday cake and all sang happy birthday.

Next day was an early start because we were off up the Great Ocean Road ,Lorraine prepared the picnic and off went.First stop was Geelong where we ate and decided to have a cup of tea but when we came to make the tea no thermos flask!.Next stop was Anglesea Golf Club and the promise of seeing lots of kangaroos but i think they must have all been hiding because we never saw one!.After that we visited Lorne where there was a beautiful beach where school children were having surf lessons (not bad for a school lesson).Now this ride all along this coast was fantastic ,the weather was brilliant and the scenery great.So we made our way to Apollo Bay by which time it was 5pm and booked in to a lovely motel which was just across the road from the sea with 2 bedrooms and all self contained,we went round to the local supermarket and got some meat and salad for the evening meal,and after a stroll along the beach and off to bed.