A quieter day we thought. A nice wander around Sydney to see all the sights do some shopping and generally get to know the place. Well it again it was cold windy and wet with lots of heavy showers. Anyway we had to go and see the city and perhaps even attempt some geocaches. To be honest we really enjoyed the day. Sydney is a really nice place to see. It is quite compact and very easy to walk around. We left the hotel and walked through Hyde Park with its Anzac memorial and down Macqarie Street towards the Opera House. Because it had been recommended we decided to go across to Manly on the river ferry. Now we do believe that Manly is a very nice place but not when it is blowing a gale. ... read more

The overnight flight was OK and l survived Nancy’s wrath at another long 8 hour flight. We did not sleep very well but for no particular reason. On arrival at Sydney airport we met up the staff of the most badly organised airport we have ever met. Immigration was fine until we met up with the food police. Australia is apparently paranoid about importing disease. You are not allowed to bring in any food, animal or plant materials, and the Immigration people are very willing to impose heavy fines for those that break the rules. The checks created absolute chaos with no organisation to get through customs. It was every tourist for themselves, no lines or channels to go through. Every suitcase was checked and people were getting very angry. Anyway we managed eventually get into ... read more

Hi everybody. Woke up today after a good night's sleep - aided by of course - a good evening the night before. We know that we do go on a lot about our drinking habits but what else this there to do - and tell you about. Anyway l woke up and opened the window to our first view of Hong Kong. The view was of a lot of very high rise buildings and a group of local Chinese doing their Tai Chi excercises down below. It was really relaxing to watch but that was as far it went. Today we had organised an excursion. There was no time for breakfast as we had to at a different hotel for 8.15. By the by - did you know that all tour guides in Hong Kong are ... read more

After a long discussion over a nice cup of tea in the bar we decided to go ahead and visit Mount Vernon. For those interested they have a website mountvernon.org. Mount Vernon, George and Martha Washington's mansion and farm lies some 2 hours up I95 and close to Washington. Mount Vernon stands as a monument to its builder George and is situated on a commanding hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the low Maryland hills. The hilltop is crowned with trees, alongside the wide sweep of the river. The wooded shores beyond present a view of unchanged beauty. Like Monticello you have plenty of opportunites to take tours of the house, gardens and farm. Not as well organised but Mount Vernon is well worth a visit. Among the many exhibits there they have an orginal key ... read more

Monday morning - Must be time for breakfast with Martha Washington - of course she is the real person and wife of George Washington. Anyway we turn up at the Bar and Grill for breakfast at 8.15 am and sit down to a full English breakfast with lots of grits and things. We are then joined by Martha who tells us (in context) all about life in the 1770s. Their lifestyle, their living conditions etc. etc. After we have had a hearty breakfast we go back to Colonial Williamsburg. Yes l know that this is our 3rd visit but believe me there is so much to do and see. Its just the whole atmosphere of the place - the people who are really interesting to speak to. Its wall-to-wall history and you cannot help but to ... read more