We have arrived!

We're at the end of our second day here in Sydney.... Thank you to Alice's wonderful Aunt & Uncle Toby & Marianne we have the most beautiful house and pool to stay in .... It's fabulous!

We arrived at 7.30 yesterday morning, and after a gentle day .....and some swimming! we enjoyed a fantastic meal and wine with AD & Alice & and an early night - some of us less hard core members of the family didn't quite make it to bed before falling asleep bless them!!

Sunday 29th ......

Today we ventured into Sydney - the girls in one car, boys in another .... The girlies may have got a little distracted on the way with a little coffee shop & a spot of sunglasses shopping!!  

Alice then took us to a superb secret spot,  which had the most amazing vista and not many tourists (which is always a bonus)

We eventually made it to the Opera house to meet the boys in the 'Opera Bar' (aptly named!) for a cheeky beer & cider .... and the let the  gratuitous sightseeing commence!!!!

Lunch at Caminetto Italian Restaurant .... In the Rocks area of Sydney hmmmmmm

Then back to the house & pool for a cool down and a Pimms - with a little festive cheer thrown in for good measure!!!   

After spending only a day and a half with his Godfather, William has already identified that AD & Mark both have the same hilarious sense of humour .... as when he was telling AD about his friend Herbie at school, AD asked .... Does he go bananas??  at which point William responded suitably unimpressed 'no .... That's what my daddy said too!' 

Hong Kong International Airport

... Half way there, a little jaded but a good opportunity to stretch our legs!!  Mark and William have decided on buying a Ferrari apparently!!!   

... as if they haven't watched enough TV already!!!

Our journey begins!!!

Bets are on ..... How many times are we going to hear "are we nearly there yet?" In the next 24 hours!! 

Bye bye cold Christmassy England ...

We're on out way to the airport!!!!!!! 

Aussie Xmas .... From James & Steph in Melbourne

...... Getting excited!!

Christmas all wrapped up!

Its official - all Xmas presents bought, wrapped and ready to roll!  Organisation is definitely the name of the game this Christmas!!!!  Heading to our parents on 22nd December then flying on Boxing Day doesn't leave much time to get organised!!!!!  

Very modest decorations around the house, just enough to sprinkle some festive cheer, but nice and quick to whip down on Boxing Day!!!!!!! 

I have discovered however that it is currently impossible to buy a swimming costume or flip flops in any shop in the Country, so looks like we'll be hitting the shops when we arrive in Sydney!!! Oh well!!!!!

The Planning Phase!

We have finally worked out our itinerary for the trip .... 

Flying out to Sydney on Boxing Day - to stay with the lovely Robins family .... So excited to catch up with them all - we haven't met little Charlie yet, so really looking forward to that!

On the 5th Jan, flying to Melbourne to see 'The Coles' .... James & Steph, and our Godchildren Imogen and Felix .....

(photo taken at Williams Christening August 2007)

-  a 2 day trip along the Great Ocean Road for a momentous road trip!

..... then on the 6th January flying to Hamilton Island .... For 6 nights of luxury at the Reef View Hotel, incorporating Williams 7th Birthday celebrations.

..... and One final night in the centre of Sydney in a 'Sky View' apartment then heading home to cold, dark England!  Going to be a bit of a shock to the system!!!!!

Our Australian Adventure

We have decided to create a blog to allow us to record and to share with friends and family our Australian Adventure... Kicking off on Boxing Day 2014.....

Mark has always wanted to go to Australia for for his 40th Birthday.  This is the final part of a four phase celebration to acknowledge my husbands entry into his 40's!!  We've had a great party with friends at home, a lovely lunch with family (complete with Wii Dance-off ) and on the day in question .... A day out in London, just the two of us - with a walk over the o2 and the worlds most amazing curry at Veeraswamy.

Greenwich Park