A Top Time Down Under

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G'day possums, hope you're all fair dimkum. Here's all our news from Sydney, Australia.....

What other way is there to start a trip to Oz than with a good ol' family BBQ. No sooner had we walked through the front door of Auntie Rose's and Uncle Ken had the meat and prawns sizzlin' away. In true Italian/Australian style the whole family came to feast and we swapped stories with cousins Amanda, Anthony and Melissa until the last shrimp was gone.

On our first day in the city we headed for the harbourside to check out the magnificent Harbour Bridge & Opera House. It was an awesome sight and inspired us to do the 3 hour Bridge Climb later in our stay. Check out the jumpsuits below......

There were also some beautiful beach areas around Sydney that we caught the ferry to, in particular Manly and Bondi. Both had fantastic beaches and walks that were perfect for the Austrailian outdoor, surfer lifestyle. Our favourite beach was Byron Bay, on the Gold Coast, where we spent 3 days mostly (other than the occasional jog) chilling out on the sands and eating fish 'n' chips. Ripper.

While in Queensland we also went to the Currumbin Wildlife Santuary where we got to see many a great Aussie symbol. Dingoes, Wallabies, Wombats, we even fed the Kangaroos and Anna got to hold a Koala (ahhhh!).

Another great outing was our road trip to the Blue Mountains where we caught glimpse of the infamous 'Three Sisters' and explored the Jenolan caves.

Throughout the 2 weeks we had some fabulous nights out in Sydney with family and friends. Lisa & Liam showed us a good time in Bondi; Loz & Amy took us for some top notch Vietnamese food; we cooked our own meat at a steakhouse with Amanda & Emma; DJ Gadget (Anthony) spun us his favorite tunes; Melissa coaxed Anna into downing more shots and we gambled our last dollars away at the Star City Casino!!

As we head on to South East Asia we just want to say a big thank you to Auntie Rose & Uncle Ken, cousins and friends for all their hospitality and we hope its not long until we can repay the compliment back in England.

Well we're halfway through now folks and so only another 3 months to go. We miss you all lots and can't wait to see everyone soon.

Lots of love Nath & Anna XXXXXX

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Photos

Koala & Anna
Careful where you put your left hand mate!!!

Bondi Babes
Anna & Lisa posing on the beach!!! (nice haircut)

Thanks for the Memories
Big Smiles before Constable Goddard escorted us to our plane.

Comments

[Anna & Salv]

Hi Honies
Wow! You look as though you are having the best time ever... Are you sure that you wanna come home? The last 3 months of updates and the places you have seen look truly amazing. We are sure that you'll love the next 3 months too - Just keep snapping away and filling us in on all the exciting news. Here all is well. Anna, your nieces and nephews are adorable. We got to see Davide and Noemi when they came over and bless them they are gorgeous! Fabio and Elisa are still as cheeky as ever and we love it! Lo is missing you, as we all are so though we want you to have a fantastic time... Hurry home too. Lots of love to you both and keep safe. Anna and Salv xx

[Lo & Joe]

I want a Koala!!!!!
Ahhhh, they look soooooo cute!!!!!! I love these photos and mum too was so pleased to see you both and the ones of Aunty Rose and Co. Everybody looks really well! The BBQ's sounded awesome - one day we too will have the delights of Uncle Ken and Aunty Rose's BBQ's..... Elisa and Fabio are now wanting you to send them a Koala pet..... Fabio loved the finger puppets and has come up with some really crazy story lines about Zia Anna and Zio Nathan so you have that to look forward to when you come back..... something was mentioned about your extra facial hair Nathan...... Missing you guys so much - enjoy the next three months - it may go by too soon for you but not soon enough for us..... Love you and speak to you soon, Lo, Joe, Elisa and Fabio xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Jane Cuva]

G'day
Hi guys, Bet it was lovely seeing family over there- I've got an aunty in Sydney too (!) and it has really made me think I should go over there (can't face it yet though - I would rather spend 24 hours in a chinese torture chamber rather than 24 hours in a plane with a toddler!) . You both looked very tanned and happy - I love the koala bear;I would LOVE to cuddle one of those!!! We have had our FIRST warm weekend over here and we are all so grateful for it you'd think it was a complete freak of nature to actually be able to sit out in the garden in a t-shirt! Went out on Sunday with Lori, Joe, Fabio and Elisa to have lunch at Pizza Metro which was lovely. I am very lucky to have such a lovely friend living so close by. Speak soon, Jane

[Johnnie D]

Sold on Byron
The pics look stunning and you clearly having a ball! Enjoy it all.. I was sold on the Byron Bay picture.. absolutely sensational!! Did you go surfing? Do you need a bag carrier? ;) JD