Geo: -33.8671, 151.207Noon flight out of Melbourne. Met by the rudest airport coach driver imaginable which kept us passengers entertained! Dropped us off at what turns out to be the dingiest and noisiest hotel in the world..the Econolodge, described as lively on the net! Still, the plus is that if we fancy a cold beer and a bit of head banging at 1am, we only have to pop down to the bar directly below our room! On the bright side the hotel is walking distance to all the main sites so we walked to the Sydney Opera House, had a coffee overlooking Circular Quay (adjacent to the SOH) where all the ferries and harbour taxis depart from, then booked ourselves into the Travelodge from Sunday. Our evening was spent in the Rocks area which is the ... read more

Geo: -38.3855, 142.237FaceTimed Leanne at 9am (10pm on the 29th UK time) who turned her iPhone on Poppie to prove she is alive! Left for Port Fairy, the furthest planned destination on the Great Ocean Rd. Stopped at the London Bridge lookout (more sea rocks!) and despite regular signs advising kangaroos would be crossing, saw only one! Port Fairy was idyllic comprising a low level quiet high street and a river inlet with fishing boats. You could imagine Jessica Fletcher living there.....we agreed that this would be our retirement destination, we loved it...even though there would likely be a high murder rate! We stayed a bit too long before taking the long drive back through Lorne to Torquay (surfers paradise and home to Quick Silver and Ripcurl) and then back to Lara where we stayed with ... read more

Geo: -38.7484, 143.67Croissants from local bakers, window shopping in Apollo Bay which was completely deserted (shops don't open until 10 am) walked round the marina and back along beach. Only people out were dog walkers and 6 crazy Ozzie swimmers - weather overcast with rain predicted (I have a suitcase full of shorts and vest tops that haven't seen the light of day) Drove to Otway lighthouse - lots of wild koalas in the trees (beyond cute!) Travelled inland to Otway Fly for a walk in the treetop canopy. Saw a yellow breasted robin, a couple of Kookaburras and lots more parrots. Road signage gave hope of seeing kangaroos but none spotted. Carried on to two waterfalls (didn't see another soul until a few hours later from this point as whole area uninhabited with gravel tracks ... read more

Geo: -37.8143, 144.963Arrived Melbourne 07.20On the approach the pilot advised it's 10 degrees C in Melbourne. Surely he's been misinformed?! We came to the other side of the world for blue skies and sunshine! Picked up our hire car (Hyundai i20) and drove to Carol n Dens at Lara. Only got lost once which is an all time record. Arrived 09.30, had a cuppa and tour of house and garden, a spot of lunch, then C&D took us on a tour of Geelong - sunny but cool so forced in to a coffee shop (one of many planned visits) Stopped on way home to take a photo of 4 kangaroos in a field. Lack of sleep caught up with us so had quick nap before dinner. Carol cooked pork casserole (delicious) and we stayed up chatting ... read more

Geo: 51.5002, -0.126236Woo Hoo...It's a relief to be free of the office for 3weeks! Scott drove us at a very steady pace through the M25 and on to Heathrow. Although it took us twice the time it should have, we arrived in good time at T3. The rush hour traffic was a nightmare.After a sandwich (M & S) and a cup of tea julie disappeared to look at the shops. Just an hour to wait till the gate opens.... read more