The flight to Brisbane was full but we were away on time. They have a really easy and speedy automated check in at the Sydney Domestic terminal. We flew up the east coast in glorious clear skies with the surf breaking on the beaches almost uninterrupted all the way to Brisbane. However we had to circle for 1/2 an hour due to "air traffic issues." Temperatures in the low 20's on arrival and locals almost looked chilly. The only point of interest being the approx 3 mile tunnel to enter the city. ... read more

Our studio apartment in Woolahara was approximately 1/2 mile from the Allianz Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground and a 1/4 mile from the shops at Bondi Junction. Well arranged Sue:) However we were slightly disappointed with it as it was functional at best; we expected better. We agreed it was like a newly painted student flat before the freshers get at it! Several issues were fixed by the landlords maintenance man over the next 24 hours. After a couple of hours kip we staggered into Bondi Junction like 3 zombies and did the usual British traveller activity, shopping! Rotisserie chicken, salad and French stick and wine for Sue. Note from Sue: all the wines she recognised and believe me she can recognise a lot, are more expensive than that famous wine cellar, Tesco, Eastville!! To ... read more

Bristol to Heathrow by bus, 1/2 mile walk to the gate and 3 mile taxi to the runway, felt as we had done most of the trip before leaving the ground! We travelled with Valerie, a friend of Sue's from Cashmoor Nursery school who wanted company to fly out to Sydney to visit her daughter. After a 10 hour flight we arrived to high heat and humidity in Hong Kong. Quite impressed with Cathay Pacific, new plane and good service. HKG International is an impressive and efficient terminal if not architecturally noteworthy. The taxi ride into HK was interesting, I spent most of the trip watching the rear view mirror to see if our luggage was falling out of the boot! Suitcases for the four of us were piled high and strapped down with a bungee. ... read more

Well, one day to go and very excited now! Dave, Sue (The Derricks) and I have been planning this trip for a year. Sue has been fantastic at all the arrangements and bookings for the trip. We're doing a part package with HSBC, flights there and back and match tickets. Internal travel and accommodation we've done ourselves. It would seem we've saved ourselves a good wedge so more beer tokens to spend:) The adventure starts tomorrow night with the Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong . Two days sightseeing then on to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, three provincial games and the three Tests against the Wallabies. I'll try and Blog as regularly as possible.... read more

A quiet start to the week, pottering around the house, in and out to PA, drinkies down the Fish & Duck. Shock, horror! IT RAINED!! Not much, a bit of occasional drizzle Sunday night, Monday and Tuesday. It didn't get cold though and it dawned a nice day Wednesday when we went on a one night road trip to Campbell River on the Inside Passage coast. This was recommended by my old mate Rik who was there last year with Angie; they went kayaking in the rain! - Well I think they did. He mentioned kayaking and rain in the same sentance. In fact he mentioned rain in most sentances about that holiday :( I'm sure he thinks I've gone to a different Vancouver Island as until this week we've had great sunny weather. It's about ... read more