Wednesday, our first full day in Sydney, was rather relaxing. Maja was so excited by our arrival the night before that she took the day off work and the two of went went to the beach in Manly and did some grocery shopping. Having woken up at 4:30am, I was a bit spacey but pretty darn content. Shaney stayed home all day to recover from a dodgy airplane food experience. We have officially decided to take a page out of SarahKate and Andy's book and bring our own food on flights going forward. I had made a secret appointment with Maja's [View Full Entry]

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We're grouping days 6 & 7 together as it really was one long, uncomfortable day. We're in Sydney!! We stayed in the T5 Sofitel at LHR on Sunday night (so lovely) and took off Monday morning for Oz, arriving last night on Shane's birthday (23 hour flight). It was really not a fun birthday for him as we were stuck on a plane for most of it, so we're going to be celebrating today (Wednesday). We're really sorry for basically lying to all our family, friends and workmates for the last couple of months. It's been really tough! Our "UK Driving [View Full Entry]

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We awoke to more suspected drilling… I was beginning to think there was a dental surgery located in the building. That aside we packed and went to breakfast remembering the camera to take pictures of the Uncle Bill friendly section. If I was a cartoon character a giant light bulb would turned on right above my head as I discovered the “drilling” was in fact the whirring of Italian coffee machine. We then walked to train station. I think all of us were secretly hopping to find a gelato shop open at 10am on a Sunday. We did not find one. [View Full Entry]

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The day started like an ordinary day. We awoke to what we thought was drilling on a nearby construction site?(to be confirmed) Breakfast was tasty. We also discovered our hotel to have a large Uncle Bill friendly section (picture in tomorrow's blog). I question why Jane, Kim and myself feel the need to punish ourselves with a quick 1 hour hike up the mountainside, but am told we must earn our wine, gelato, food and even beach rest for that afternoon. The walk started with our daily routine of getting to the park entrance and realising that someone in the group [View Full Entry]

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Well, the 3 of us did it and it was brilliant. We walked from Monterosso where we’re staying to Riomaggiore, starting with the 2 hard walks and ending with the easiest, Via della Amore. In a nutshell, a great workout, absolutely beautiful scenery, and crazy tourists getting in our way. Who can do that hike in the middle of July with million more people? We had an amazing lunch of seafood salad (so fresh!), regular “ensalada mista” and salmon ravioli. No Ta Frenc ravioli (the restaurant we got married at) but very yummy just the same. We must take pictures of [View Full Entry]

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We left the Holiday Inn Malpensa Airport (clean and decent hotel) and made our way into Milano Centrale, where we hopped a train to Levanto. Walked out of Monterosso train station in Cinque Terre around 15:30 to a stunning view of the sea, beaches and high hills. We made our way to Hotel Marguerita on Via Roma. We’re in a fabulously large, disabled room with 2 big beds, perfect for us and Janie. We went for a long walk and a tasty lunch on the sea consisting of Panini and bruschetta. We’re finding the people here efficient but not overly friendly [View Full Entry]

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Yes, we were at the airport too early to do the bag drop. All of you who know Shane well will understand. We've just had dinner at the Gordon Ramsey "Plane Food" restaurant at T5 and a lovely bottle of wine. We might finally be feeling relaxed for the first time in weeks. Janie has just texted to say she's waiting at the airport in Paris, as well be meeting her later tonight at the Milan Malpensa Airport Hotel. And then off to Cinque Terre tomorrow for 4 days of hiking and eating! Not sure that we realize quite yet that [View Full Entry]

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