Wednesday 9th So, my last full day in Australia! Really looking forward to New Zealand tomorrow now, but feel like I haven't finished with Australia (not saying anyone does, but feel like am going to be back at some stage!l). This is a horribly early start - am collected by the shuttle bus 3.55am, and the electrical storm is still going... Make it to the airport in more than enough time, easy through security, then try and keep myself awake... And then see the flight has been delayed for 40 minutes.... Flight takes off at revised time - quite bumpy for the first hour - still lots of rain around, but a safe and easy flight. For some reason the TV works too (only supposed to if you pay for it) - so I channel flick ... read more

Canberra, chance to catch up with Sam! Wednesday 2nd What is it with my bag - some days it closes easily, sometimes it's just hard work! Today is a hard-work day, but at least I don't have any extra bags for once! 8am start, breakfast, pack and by 930 I'm in the internet café... Soon after there are queues for the computers so glad I've not left it any later! 2.5 hours later have caught up on some stuff, but not all - and have found out trip have been trying to book in Cairns is full so need to rework those plans. Not sure what is happening with my South America trip either, but that'll have to wait a bit. Today is the day I finally try the famous Greyhound bus. It's often been cheaper ... read more

Happy Christmas from Australia Feet planted firmly on the board, I'm riding the wave into the beach! Finally! My previous wave ride in was 3 days ago and distinctly wobbly. This one felt good! I arrived at 'Surfari Central', near Kempsey/Crescent Head, on the Christmas Eve afternoon, after a long bus ride from Sydney (full of getting to know you conversations and some surf DVDs). We were out in the water by about 4pm, having had little time to unpack - well, what more did we need than 'bathers' and a board. A brief lesson and we spend most of the session paddling out - hard work! We've got a load to learn about the boards/ocean, but let's just get familiar! Christmas Day, after I've opened my present from Justine (thanks!), we go to Limeburners Creek ... read more

Friday 21st Drag myself out in time to be packed/out for 10am, get to train station to find train went 5 minutes ago and is another hour + for the next one, but I just find a seat and read my book. Onto the double decker train - love these (and the seats move to face different directions too - woo-hoo), and arrive in Katoomba 2 hours later having been through some beautiful countryside en route. Get my guidebook (I've bought a 3 day train/bus pass), and make way to the YHA (quicker than waiting for the bus). Can definitely see the 1930s influence here all along the main-street and to the award-winning/restored YHA building. Easy check-in, find a bottom bunk, open the card which is waiting from my Mum! Go for a bit of a ... read more

Mmm, smell that port! I'm stood in a big shed full of litres and litres of 10 years aged port, and the smell is amazing! We're partway through a historic tour of the Seppelt Winery (founded in the 1800s) and this is a great all-round sensory experience! Karen and I ensured we were on the road by 10, and headed for the Barossa. Karen's not driven round here too much and we don't have a map, but as family lives round here she's got a vague idea! Some beautiful sweeping scenery, acres of corn, and some great cloud formations. We head for Tanunda, but first find ourselves in Nuriootpa (not much thanks to the road signs), where we stop to take a photo of someone's crazy front garden, and stop at the Penfold's winery. Bit of ... read more