Hi! Cath here. Finally got a turn. Just to confirm Julian is definitely with us, but as he is Editor in Chief he is not allowing any photos of himself on the blog. He's so shy! I'll get Rachel to help me sneak one on sometime... Meanwhile, been a tiring day! Shame to leave Sydney as we were just getting the feel there. Perfect blue sky, not too hot, even the sand at Manly was great for sandcastles! But then in the real world, newspaper headlines complaining about failing schools and swine flu! Taxi driver telling us how bad public transport [View Full Entry]

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A tour of the inside of the opera house We had a guided tour of the opera house today. They do an hours tour inside,but unfortunately the two main stages were occupied so we couldn't see them. We did get to see two of the smaller stages, various parts around the inside and outside of it, and some of the special rooms. They have a clever system where everyone gets a headphone and receiver, and the guide has a microphone and radio transmitter, so you can hear her clearly in all locations. We also had our photos taken and made into [View Full Entry]

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A ferry trip out to Manly in the afternoon. Despite it being winter the sun was quite strong. We took the ferry to Manly, and got off. We walked through the town and found a brass band playing - how strange! Then we carried on to the beach where the children got wet eventually as the tide came in! [View Full Entry]

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The last night in Sydney we went out to the aquarium. We were all rather tired at this point, but decided to do it anyway. There was a handy ferry from the circular quay to the aquarium and as we had all day rover tickets (funday sunday!) we went. There was quite a lot to see, but we were all rather tired, so didn't really give it the attention it deserved. Onwards now to New Zealand. [View Full Entry]

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The Blue Mountains So today we went on a tour to the blue mountains. We had to have an early breakfast and then get ready for an 8:30 pick-up. We were driven out of Sydney in a coach with lots of other people to a wildlife park. It had only native Australian animals and had kangaroos and Emu roaming free that you could stroke. They also had Koala which you could have your photo taken with. They also had lots of other animals. We each had a passport which you could put stamps in when you had seen the animals. After [View Full Entry]

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Today we went to the Taronga zoo. To get to the zoo we had to go on a ferry across Sydney harbour. Our ferry was called Sirius. We sat outside on the top at the back and it took 12 minutes. When we got to the other side we went on a bus to the zoo. We went and saw lots of animals such as platypus (the plural of platypus is platypus not platypii according to the keeper), echidnas, kangaroos, wallabys, crocodiles, deer and lots of reptiles and nocturnal creatures. We also saw an elephant being trained. One of its tricks [View Full Entry]

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On Thursday evening we went to Sydney Opera house in the dark. We had to walk all the way around the quay, past the ferry boats and other things. On the way there was a firework display from next to the bridge. Then we went right up to the opera house where they were getting ready for a concert. [View Full Entry]

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We are finally here! The 14 hour flight from Dubai to Sydney was too long. They did have some good games and movies though. We had three meals on the plane and they came on trays sealed in plastic containers. When we got to Sydney we couldn't get off the plane because a passenger had to have an ambulance crew come and help them. We took a taxi to the Old Sydney hotel which is where we are now. They have a swimming pool and a jacuzzi on the roof from where you can see the opera house and Sydney harbour [View Full Entry]

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The taxi arrived, and we piled all the luggage in. Our neighbours came out to wave us off. They were wearing particularly appropriate outfits. We arrived at Birmingham Airport, in plenty of time. We checked in our cases and went for a meal at Frankie and Bennies. Then through security where we had to unpack all our liquids and the laptop and all the other things they make you do these days. The flight was a long seven hours without much sleep. We arrived in Dubai where it is extremely hot 36C, and it is only 7:00 in the morning. Goodness [View Full Entry]

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Tommorow we start. It was my last day at school today. I said goodbye to all my friends. Simon went into his class and said goodbye to his friends as well. Tommorow we have a taxi coming to us to pick up our luggage and take us to the airport. We are flying from Birmingham and stopping at Dubai which will take 7 hours. Then we change planes on to an Airbus A380 (a double decker plane) for 14 hours before landing in Sydney(see map). Mum is dreading it!! [View Full Entry]

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