A Mountain, A Man and A Mouse

The short flight to Christchurch has taken us to a country very different to Australia although I had always thought of them as being similar. New Zealand is smaller and the people are friendlier. The Australians were not rude but did not seem to go in much for conversation whereas here the locals seem to just enjoy finding out where you are from and proudly talking about their town and the local attractions. There is a quality of having time to take which is a luxury we lost years ago.

Our camper van is basic (and looks very small compared to some of the luxury beasts on the road) but it is big enough for the two of us to sleep comfortably and make an all important cup of tea. But size is not important when it comes to camping sites and even the most basis are equipped with indoor kitchens, tables and toilets. Our first night was a spontaneous stop at a site in the mountains at Arthurs Pass run by the national park which cost the equivalent of £3 per night each and was an ideal spot for a first bit of mountain walking in New Zealand.

But mountains here are different and I had not appreciated how much bigger they were (confusion between metres and feet) and I am now a beaten man. I went up Avalanche Peak a man and came down a mouse! It was not just the 1300m up which was relentless and without enough zig zags for me, it was the really scary ridge (with quite stunning views) towards the top and I confess that my wobbly legs and mind gave up 150m short of the peak. Liz was not amused as her shorter legs had had to travel twice the distance. The walk back down was very quiet!

I am sure we will get over this and go on to have more adventures together. Might have to rethink the Franz Josef glacier experience though.

Hello and Goodbye to Sydney

So back to Sydney where we started our Australian tour.
We bought a day tripper ticket to travel on buses, trains and ferries. (just like a red rover).
We took the train and bus to Bondi beach and body surfed. The surf rescuers were a bit of a disappointment Andy and I decided not to get rescued. We took the bus back to Sydney and ran across Sydney Harbour bridge which was one of those goosebumping experiences. After a shower and change of clothes we got a ferry from Sydney Harbour to Darling Harbour. By this time it was dark this is one that should be in the guide books you get the most amazing view of the bridge and Opera House in the sunset.

Our last day in Sydney was declared a Public Holiday. Australia Day Sydney was the place to be free concerts everywhere so much going on all day everyone so proud to be Australian. I even saw Leo Sayer sing (still the same songs). It finished with the most fantastic fireworks what an end to our Australia visit.

Trouble in Paradise

The idyllic hut on the white sandy beach fringed by cocunut palms. Ellis Beach in tropical North Queensland. It started off well but then Cyclone Neville came to visit and brought his two close friends wind and rain! Well at least the rain was hot. We took the opportunity of the cooling rain to run along the beach but nearly got cut off - not by the tide but by a wide, deep and swift river that grew from nothing in a matter of minutes as the rain from the nearby hills found the shortest route downhill to the sea and cut a huge channel in the beach. But fear not dear reader we lived to record the tale!

Yorkey's Knob (yes really) and Great Barrier Reef

A place of great contrast - beautiful long sandy beaches with the Coral Sea on one side and the tropical rain forest bordering the beach on the other. The rain forest is never quiet and a trip up the mountains gave some tremendous views of clouds in the trees. The sea looks quite normal but comes with a number of warnings of jelly fish and crocodiles and there are special areas protected by nets where you are allowed to swim. Visiting the Great Barrier Reef also requires precautions in the form of "stinger suits"that you wear to go snorkelling over the coral reef - just like adult babygrows! No pictures of the reef yet as they are on an underwater camera that we need to get developed.

A Town Called Alice

Arrived at Alice Spings in the heart of the Australian outback - the flight from Melbourne just went over miles and miles of nothing that really brought home the huge size of the country. The largest ranch in the area is the size of Belguim! It had rained before we arrived but as can be seen from the photo of the Todd River it had not made even a dent on the dry riverbed. It was 38 degrees in the shade. Visiting Alice Springs was an experience and see the Royal Flying Doctors visitors centre and museum was quite nostalgic as it was just like the childhood memories of the TV programme of the same name from our childhood. However, the town had an overall air of futility and quiet desperation - a bit of a one horse town apart from the tourist spots. It must be the heat and sheer distance from anywhere else that wears peoples spirits down. Did the required trip to Ayres Rock which from one angle looks just like Homer Simpson lying down. Again very hot and also an 1100 kilometre round road trip from Alice Springs but had to be done.

Apollo Bay and the Great Ocean Road

Quantas don't really understand budget flights 1 hour flight to Melbourne and Andy had room for his legs and we had food and drink plus entertainment.
After a scenic drive from Melbourne we are staying in a Motel in Apollo Bay it feels like we are in the set of Home and Away. I finally feel like we are in Australia everything is bigger here. (There was a headline in the Melbourne Age newspaper that reminded us of home and the complaints that occur when public transport fails during extremes of weather - however this was because it was too hot rather than our more recent experience of snow and ice). The beaches are bigger than I've seen before. We have walked in the rain forest where the silver birch (sure thats what they were) were bigger than I had ever imagined and ferns with leaves bigger than Andy. Spiders are the size nightmares are made of.
Apollo Bay is like going back in time lots of eating places only open for lunch and dinner so no late lunch for us confused brits. No drunken bars it seems most shut at 11pm and its the height of summer here. We saw the new Sherlock Holmes at the cinema last night. As you can see from the picture it was a bit like sitting in the village hall we weren't sure if we should stack the seats afterwards!!
We have seen our first Koala sitting in a tree by the roadside having a nap - yes we really are in Australia.

Sydney Australia

We've arrived in Australia!!!! Just a bit jet lagged I need to eat at all the wrong times feels like I've just finished nights manged to wait until 11am for lunch. Everything seems so familiar here it seems like home apart from almost everyone speaks English.
cant believe I've now seen Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. We took a ferry out of Sydney Harbour to Manly great ride lovely beach. Transport system brilliant and good value.
Next stop Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road.

Thailand

Arrived safe and well in Bangkok and have done the palace and temple thing. Very hot and humid walking round the city which becomes manic at nights with lights, sounds and smells!

Well we are now on our way - Departures at Heathrow (not an advert for Costa).