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March 29th 2007

A night of luxuryA night of luxury
A night of luxury

Waking up to a swim and jacuzzi on the roof top of a swish hotel in Sydney makes a very pleasant change from our usual hostel mornings. Thanks for the birthday pressie.
Christine and I have now been in Australia for over two weeks. Five days in Sydney allowed us to rest and to see the sights. After a luxurious night in a beautiful hotel, paid for by my two kids as a birthday present, we moved to a hostel in Manly. This meant that we travelled to the city each day on probably the best ferry journey in the world (Number 30 out of 45 in the 'Rough Guide's Must Do list). Visited the wonderful Botanic Gardens, climbed over the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the week of its 75th birthday, joined a yacht crew to race around the harbour (completely free if you turn up at a yacht club and offer your services as ballast) and spent sunday afternoon with Sydneysiders on Bondi Beach. All terrific fun. Sydney is such a liveable city.
We hired a car and drove down to Melbourne to stay with Labrini and Jeff Ooi, two young people who we befriended when they worked at Trinity with me. We were made so welcome, although Jeff failed miserably to prove to me that there is such a thing as good Aussie beer. (He did try hard though) Melbourne
Sydney Botanical GardensSydney Botanical Gardens
Sydney Botanical Gardens

Simply wonderful, although the thousands of huge tree bats hanging above us were a surprise.
is a very vibrant city with so much going on. While we were there the Formula 1 Grand Prix (which we caught glimpses of for free) and the swimming World Championships took place. We did a tour of the MCG which is just the most wonderful stadium. Playing cricket there must be terrifying if you are English.
Our ride down the Great Ocean Road was not as spectacular as we had hoped but still saw some amazing and beautiful sights and beaches. Managed to see some penguins coming in from the sea at 12 apostles beach at dusk. We are now in Adelaide which has its annual mad March, a fringe festival and lots of street entertainers in the Garden of Unearthly Delights (I joke not). We catch the Ghan train in a few hours up into the red centre (my favourite colour). By tomorrow lunch time we shall be in Alice Springs. Then we go on a camping expedition to Uluru. Looking forward to it all so much.



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Jim Gilligan
Tell us a bit about yourself... this information will appear on your page. I am a deputy Head Teacher at a terrific school in Hulme, central Manchester. Having spent thirty five years in urban comprehensives, I think I deserve a break, so my wife, Christine and I are taking six months out from education to go round the world for the first time. We head off on January 15, first stop San Francisco. I know we should have done this thirty years ago, but, hey, better late than never.... full info
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Aboriginal settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia about 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession in the name...more info

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Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour
Sydney Harbour

It's everything you think you know it will be. Bridge climb itself was so much fun.
In the sunshine againIn the sunshine again
In the sunshine again

Sydney Botanical Gardens
On the Manly FerryOn the Manly Ferry
On the Manly Ferry

Is this the best ferry ride in the world?
Three Sisters Rocks, Blue MountainsThree Sisters Rocks, Blue Mountains
Three Sisters Rocks, Blue Mountains

Hard to believe this is all just an hour from Sydney. A fantastic morning with mist hanging in the rainforest valley.
Kangaroo EncounterKangaroo Encounter
Kangaroo Encounter

Christine encounters our first kangaroos in the wild. Pebbly Beach, New South Wales.
Nice Picnic SpotNice Picnic Spot
Nice Picnic Spot

Kiama Beach, New South Wales.
Press Box at the MCGPress Box at the MCG
Press Box at the MCG

This is a wonderfully atmospheric stadium.
Sunset on the Great Ocean RoadSunset on the Great Ocean Road
Sunset on the Great Ocean Road

Beach side sunset at Sheerwater River Beach, South Australia.
Bondi BeachBondi Beach
Bondi Beach

Looking for a surf board. Sunday on Bondi Beach.
Eat your heart out David AttenboroughEat your heart out David Attenborough
Eat your heart out David Attenborough

Kangaroos on Pebbly Beach.
Melbourne Beach SideMelbourne Beach Side
Melbourne Beach Side

Just around the corner from Jeff and Labrini's place in Ellwood.





Comments
Date: 25th March 2007

G'day you bludgers
Hi there you two. You continue to look like you are having a total mare and have obviously made the wrong decision. That forced grin on Jim's face is the give away. Come back home now and get a job. This is no way for a pair of adults to behave. What about graft? What about commitment? What about misery? Good old fashioned values. I'm very, very jealous. It looks so fantastic and you both look like you are having the time of your life. Keep going. You deserve it. On a personal issue, I went for an interview for Deputy Head at Audenshaw School and got the post!! I'll start there in September!! Don't know if you know, but Paul Gildea got an Assistant Head post at Tarporley High, starting in September too. All very exciting and very nerve recking too! Anyway, you enjoy yourselves and don't rush back to Blighty. Simon

From Blog: Hello Australia
Date: 28th March 2007


I'm lost for words! It looks fantastic. Great photos, you're having some amazing experiences. Can't wait for the next instalment! Take care xx

From Blog: Hello Australia
Date: 30th March 2007

Not jealous
Just so not jealous and so unable to face the truth.

From Blog: Hello Australia
Date: 3rd April 2007

A challenge...
...Dad, just wear the United cap in every photo, you appear to want to!

From Blog: Hello Australia
Date: 4th April 2007

Enjoying following your trip
Wow! you are having such a fantastic time. Beats teaching any day. Lovely weather here in the UK. Everywhere very spring-like. Keep having fun!

From Blog: Hello Australia




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