WELCOME TO JOSIES PAGE (this is the most important part of the whole website! - if you’re reading this then I expect you to be either my friend, family, someone I know or have at least met or just totally nosy)

Hello everybody!! I am back. I think I’ve got about a month to update. And this time, I’m gonna try v. hard 2 do it ALL!!

So wish me luck (i’m gonna need as much as i can get ) and wait and see what hapeens.........

Sunday 9th February - Monday 15th March

Sun. 9th Feb.

OK, so here I am again. So from last time. If you can still remember it. If not, its all down there somewhere...... So, today we went shopping in Mildura. I’m not sure where or for what for but thats what my diary is  telling me. After the mystery shopping trip we went to a Gem mueseum. For a strange reason that i can not remember. Anyway, we spent about 1/2 an hour in Aladdins cave before going outside and stuffing ourselves with ice creams. We all then decided 2 go into a maze. After about an hour of getting lost and confused my mum and Hannah gave up (there was a give up gate 4 the ppl hoo were too lazy 2 do the maze properly) BUT, I am a champion!! I made it thru!!!! (even if i did pick the locks on the NO ENTRY gates and go thru them backwards) but nobody cares about that do they?? I mean at least i actually did it!!! So us 2 sat outside eating our icecreams while Sarah and Michael got themselves even more lost. I would have been very happy to leave them there, but unfortunately my mum didn’t quite share my idea and made us wait another thousand hours b4 they finally made their way 2 the exit! So after all that we went and drove 2 some place called Paringa and stayed there for the nite.

Tues. 10th

We left Paringa and drove all day to get to Adelaide. On the way we stopped at a Lock in a place called Blanchetown and had lunch. Yum yum. We then drove some more and arrived in Adelaide Shores campsite in time 4 T.

Wed. 11th

@ Adelaide Shores. Not a very interesting day today. We did a bit of skoolwork, tidyed up Charlie and did a bit of food shopping.

Thurs. 12th

We left Adelaide Shores and drove to Adelaide Airport to meet the mad irish one of the plane from the UK. Lots of kisses and hugs and 2 very happy parents. We then had a bit of brekkie @ the airport b4 driving to a place called Clare 4 the nite. We stayed in a motel for once, cos it was Daddiz 1st nite bk. Although i think Charlie is just as good!

Fri. 13th

uh oh, its an unlucky day!! But it was a pretty normal uneventful day in our family. We left Clare and went to Seven Hill Winery. It used to be a monastery or something like that anyway. We then did some more driving and had lunch in an old train that was converted into a restaurant, @ a place called Port Pirie. Then more driving b4 stopping and spending the nite @a campsite in Whyalla.

Sat. 14th. VALENTINES DAY

Left Whyalla. Was a very hot day toady. Drove to Port Lincoln and had lunch. Then spent the night @ Coffin Bay. We were going to spend the nite in the national park and had lots off fun having a mud fight. But then when we were covered in mud our water pump and electricity stopped working!! So we were left covered in mud! To make it worse swarms of bees started arriving and trying to steal our water. So we decided to give up and go and find the nearest campsite. Not exactly a very typical valentines day!

Sun. 15th

@ Coffin Bay. Had to get up REALLY early this morning. WE went on a 4 WD Tour round Coffin Bay and all of the area round it. It was fun. We played in the sand dunes and did loads of stuff and saw lots of stuff 2.

Mon. 16th

We left Coffin Bay and drove too a place called Elliston 4 lunch. We then drove to the Eyre Peninsula and to a place called Baird bay. It was tiny. The whole place is on the beach and there are only about 3 permanent families living there. We stayed in a beach house for the next few days.

Tues. 17th

@ Bairds Bay. Today we were going to go on a boat out to some sealions and dolphins but it was really rough and we had to cancel it. Instead we went to a place called Murphy’s Haystacks. There are a loads of big rocks in the middle of nowhere. Some guy called Murphy found them and though they looked like Haystacks, which they don’t! They look like big stones. But he was probably some crazy old coot and thats what he thought they were.

Wed. 18th

@ Bairds Bay. We decided to try again for the sealions and dolphins and luckily it was much calmer and the sky was blue with the sun shining. So, off we went in the boat. First we went to where all the sealions are. We then went off in 2 groups in a little tin boat to the sealions. When we got there we all jumped into the water. It was freezing!!!!!! Even tho we were wearing wetsuits it was xtremely cold! It was amzing tho. we all had on masks and snorkels and the sealions just swam right up to us and started playing with us. They were as interested in us as we were in them. I made friend with a very playful one and we spent hours just playing together. I could have stayed there all day if i had the chance to. It was amazing!!!!! Then we sailed out of the sealions pools and into the main bay. We were very lucky and spotted some dolphins. They came right up to the boat. We stopped and some of us (including me) got into the water with them. It was soooooooooo amazing. There were about  of them and they kept swimming under, around and through us. I was terrified a load of sharks were going to turn up but luckily they didn’t. I wouldn’t have wanted to end up as a shark sandwich.

When we got back to Bairds Bay, we had to pack up our stuff and leave. We drove to Ceduna. Which is the big surfing place round here. It has some of the biggest waves in Australia. We went to Cactus Beach and watched some of the surfers. The waves were pretty big! I think its gonna quite a few more years until i’m up 2 that standard!!

Thurs. 19th

We left Ceduna after brekkie. Traveled to a place called Fowlers Bay. We went and played on the big sand dunes. Michael and Daddy went fishing. And managed to catch lots of invisible fish. They had a great time.

Fri. 20th

We left Fowlers Bay after a last climb on the sand-dunes. And then started off for the Nullabor Plain. At lunch we stopped at the Nullarbor roadhouse which is the proper start of the nullarbor plain (i think!). We stopped @ the Bulla Cliffs and saw a group of about 50 dolphins!!! Pretty amazing! The drove some more b4 stopping @ Ecula 4 the night. @ Ecula there was a massive group of geese though and as soon as we arrived they ambushed us. They were quite funny first but then they started getting annoying so i decided to try and lure them away with old cereal. I jumped out the van and rattled the box at them to get their attention, but as soon as they heard me they all charged at me honking and squawking so i dropped the box and ran! They were scary! i tried to get the box back but they wouldn’t let me near it, so we ended up waiting for them to  get bored before my mum went and got it. Geese are big ducks with bad attitudes, keep away!!!

Sat. 21st

We left Ecula and the killer geese and drove all day. In the afternoon we arrived at a national park somewhere near Cocklebiddy. We waited 4 about an hour for a guy called ken to come and pick us up in his 4 WD to take us to the Eyre Bird Observatory, where - amazingly - there are lots of birds. We ended up spending the night there. The drive down was only 14kms but took us about 1.5 hrs cos of the track. It was sooo rocky and bumpy and on one Side of us there was jest a sheer cliff drop. Luckily he knew what he was doing.

Sun. 22nd

We left the bird place just after lunch and drove some more. We did the Caijuna which is a stretch if road that is completely straight for 90 miles!!!! We arrived in Balladonia when it was just starting to get dark and spent the night there.

Mon. 23rd

Left Balladonia. Last bit of Nullabor!! We drove the last bit and stopped in Norseman for lunch. When we were in a bookshop a lady who is the local C.A.L.M.  officer for that area spotted us and asked us if we wanted to come over and help her feed her 7 baby kangaroos. So, we did! Her house was a mad house tho. As well as the roos she had 10 Chihuahuas, 5 of which were pregnant; an orphan wattle bird; about 200 budgies, in the house; as well as a whole lot more outside; fluffy chooks, doves and millions of other birds; oh, and two cats! So, after we had left the madhouse we drove into Esperance and stayed in an apartment. It was really nice, but it was only until my dad went home. (typical!)

Tues. 24th

@ Esperance apartments. We spent most of the day just exploring Esperance and the beaches. We went to some Tearooms near the harbor too, which had very yummy food!

Wed. 25th

@ Esperance apartments. We got up v. early and went on ‘Mackenzie Island Cruises’ for half of the day. We saw loads of seals (aus & NZ), sealions, and some dolphins too!! Bout half way we went to a place called woody island. We went on a glass bottom boat around part of the island and then had T & coffee & cake before heading back to Esperance, where we spent the rest of the day.

Thurs. 26th

@ Esperance apartments. we had to get up v. early (again!) to go on an Aussie bight 4 WD tour. We drove up and down loads of really steep sand dunes in a massive 4 WD van. I was great. We then stopped for an hour and went sand boarding down the dunes. It was great fun, apart from when i skidded, toppled over and ended up doing the rest of the dune on my tummy. I ended up with sand everywhere!! including my nose, ears and even my tummy button!! So, after the sand boarding we drove along the beaches.  We then stopped at a place called lucky bay where we all went swimming. It was gorgeous! The sand was completely white and squeaked! (which was cool but got pretty annoying after a while), the sea and sky were clear and blue. Postcard picture kinda thing. We  all and a great time swimming apart from when a guy called David who was about Michael age got too close to the rocks. The rip got him and pulled him out and battering him against the rocks. it was pretty scary and in the end his dad dived in and pulled him out onto the rocks. They both ended up with loads of painful looking cuts all over them because of all the barnacles on the rocks! After that we all had a T, coffee and biccies to calm down and get sorted. Then we drove back along the beaches until we stopped at one with a massive, really steep rock near it. Frank (the guy doing the tour) told us that he was going to drive up it! Everyone was a bit scared about that idea and he did say that anyone who wanted to could get out and wait for us if they wanted to. But everyone refused. So,, he reversed all the way down the beach to the water and went full speed at the rock for his run up! But then he suddenly stopped right at the bottom of the rock and said, “Only joking!” at which everyone breathed a sigh of relief, “we don’t need a run-up to get up here” at which everyone paniked again! He did actually drive up the rock and although hit WA s scary it was pretty amazing, and fun too! The way down was more fun tho and we all practicably fell out our seats. And he didn’t stop at the bottom either, as soon as he got there he reversed back up it again! And, after all that excitement we drove back to town!

After all that we went to the Tearooms at the Harbour to eat and  then back to the apartments.

Fri. 27th

We left the apartments and drove to Frank (the Aussie bight guy) and Mary (his wife) ‘s house. To talk about us maybe going on a trip with them in their 4 WD thru the desert up to Ayers rock and Alice springs. (Which we are by the way gonna do.) We then went to the beach (11 mile) and then to the west beach deli for lunch. Before going to Crokers caravan park out of the town centre.

Sat. 28th

@ Crokers Park (ESP.) We drove to Esperance airport, for my dad to go home again. My mum and dad were so sweet, trying not to look at each other cos neither of them wanted to cry, even though both of them ended up crying in the end. So, everyone was sad. But we all soon cheered up and went to the tearooms for lunch and then did a bit of shopping. Nothing exciting tho, only food. And then back to the park 4 the night.

Sun. 29th

@ Crokers Park (ESP.) At 9am we went to a local C of E church with mary (franks wife). It was ok, afterwards it was one of the little kids birthday so there was a party with lows’ of sweets and cake and stuff. Yum! Then afterwards we went to twilight beach which is one of those gorgeous postard picture beaches. Ha d a great time!! Lots of b/boarding cos the wave were massive and i got some really good ones. Spent ages at the beach and had a great time. Then wen to the West Beach Deli for lunch and then back to Crokers.

Mon. 1st March

@ Crokers. It was soooooooooo HOT today so we spent the day @ Crokers just swimming and mum made us do skool work. About 4 we went 2 frank and mary’s house for a barbie. it rained though so it ended up being inside.

Tues. 2nd

@ Crokers. spent most of the mornin just doing stuff in Esperance. we tried to get charlie fixed up and then went to esp. aquarium which was tiny but surprisingly good 4 a little town one. so had lunch and then went to  Frank and marys again!!!!

Wed. 3rd

@ Crokers. Didn’t do much today. In the arvo we went to frank and mary’s again! To see some horse thing. Thats bout it i think.

Thurs. 4th

@ Crokers. we went to twilight beach again and then went to see frank and mary and co. AGAIN!!! i have worked out that since the day we met them we have seen them every single day apart from the day my dad left! crazy! we could practicaly move in with them!

Fri. 5th

 Left Esperance today! We drove 9okms of gravel and got lost (although my mum won’t admit it). Arrived in Hopetoun eventually and stayed in a campsite there. we also had enormous ice cream sundaes! I had a triple chocolate one with peppermint sauce. Yummy, apart from the fact that the peppermint sauce tasted like old toothpaste! At the c/site we all went down to the beach which was tiny. I tried to go swimming but it was freezing! and didn’t get deep enough either. I ended up swimming with my tummy touching the sand!

Sat. 6th

Left Hopetoun. Spent the night in Jerramungup (bit of a mouthful) national park, at the stirling range retreat. There was a BIG pool which was like 3 m deep and vv cold! there were supposed to be possums around somewhere too but i think that as soonas they saw us arrive they fled.

Sun 7th.

We left the national park and drove to Albany. We stayed in Middleton beach caravan park. It was very cold, wet and rainy and i wore trousers and socks for tthe first time in months!!!!!! I actually ended up having o dig my jumpers out to stop myself freezing.

Mon. 8th

@ albany. We wen on a River Cruise thingy down the kalgan river on qboat called the kalgan queen. we saw loads of eagles and other flying watsits, they all kept swooping and getting fish that theguy threw out. went fir a walk ans then he gave us milo and damper (which was ok but the fish ate most of mine).

Tues 9th.

@ albany. Had to get up really early to go and collect our bug cousin Marian, i mean big but it sounds just as good. she is staying with us 4 about 4 weks. but, her luggage had been los and all she had was a toothbrush! Anyway, firs we drove to a place with abeach that i can’tremeber the name of. then we went to the gap which was aazing, look at the pics! The naural bridge was there too. We then went to this plac ecalled whale world whch is where all the whalers used to kill, chop up and boil up and cook the whales that theycaught. Not very nice! But luckili they don’t anymore. Then we all went and had lunch and then went to the c/site.

WAIT!!! Before you give up! I have updated!!! Do not, say ‘Yeah Right!’ It is true!!! I apologise if this extreme shock has made you faint with shock. But when you have rcovered, PLEASE, read this page!

Saturday 8th Feburary

(from sunday 14th dec.)

 Sunday 14th Dec.

I haven’t done this 4 so long that i have forgotten what we did today. And. its not even in the diary cos it was last year. Must go and dig up my old 1 from last year, will be just a minute............ Have just returned from the depths of the van, with not only my diary, but a packet of salt & vinegar crisps! Yum Yum. Anyway.... Today (2 months ago,ish) We went to some caves (dunno wat they were called) but there were lots of them and they were very big. In the afternoon, we went to some carols in a cave by candle-light. There was a choir there, they were ok singers but some of their actions ‘n dances just made you cringe. Like they did chiken dances around the stage, flapping their arms and squaking! I think you get what i mean.

Mon. 15th

We left the wine place we were staying. It was called Kunara, Penola. (or something like that). We stayed near the Murray River@ the Murray Rvr. Bridge Motel. Wasn’t that amazing. It was soooooo hot though ‘n luckily they had a pool.

Tues. 16th

Left Murray Rvr. Bridge and drove to Adelaide. Stayed @ the Adelaide Shores campsite. It was really nice, had 2 pools which was a v. good thing cos it was boiling!!! There were lots of boys there too! Hee Hee! Before we arrived we went around the city looking @ some old stuff that is somehow distantly connected to us. and then i did some v. important shopping!!! Then in the evening we met up with a friend called Sara Cobbolds, she has 3 kids callled, Kim, Peter and Hana.

Wed. 17th

Still @ Adelaide Shores. Today we went to lunch @ my Granny ‘n Grandads friends, Bob and Betty. After lunch with Bob and Betty we went back into Adelaide and went....... SHOPPING!!! But unfortunately this time it wasn’t for me cos it was Chrimbo shopping!

Thurs. 18th

@ Adelaide Shores. Went to the Adeliade Art Muesem to look @ some old drawings that were drawn my some1 and my great-granny ended up having. My grandad found them and gave them to the muesem. So we spent a bit looking at them and then went round the rest of the gallery 2. Then we went next door 2 another art muesem but this one was of skateboards! There was absolutely everything possiblr to do with skateboards. the history, the different types,decks, trucks, wheels, video games, famous ppls boards etc. It was pretty cool. And then, after the skate mueseum, we went................................................................................................ .......... and did MORE SHOPPING!!!!

Fri. 19th

Leave Adelaide Shores, but not before I had done some v. important last minute SHOPPING!!!!! We then drove to and stayed @ ??????????! Sorry, i dunno what this place was called, or where we stayed.

Sat. 20th

Leave ?????????? Travel to Victor Harbour. We stayed @ a motel in Victor Harbour. We then went over to Granite Island for the middle of the day. I’m not actually so sure whats so great about it but thats what it says here in my diary. I you really are desperate to know about the mysterious Granite Island the you better flik over to my mums page. But, remember to come back!!

So, you’re back. After Granite Island, which i am sure you are an expert on now, we went back to Victor Harbour, and went to the motel the motel for a swim. Afer swimming we went out onto the street to watch the christmas parade.  The only problem was that i couldn’t see anything, and was practicaly blind thanks to whatever they put in the swimming pool. So, i just eneded up walking along the street squinting and bumping into everybody. Then in the evening we went to a candlelight carols in the park. By then i could almost see again! But theres one thing i don’t get about Aussies. Whats the point of singing ‘Winter Wonderland’ when it is 40 degrees and mid-summer!!!

Sun. 21st

Leave Victor Island. I was forced to wake up at 6am this morning!!!! So that we could catch the early ferry to Kangaroo Island. Of course, there was another one at 10 o’clock but, why have a nice ly-in in a nice soft cosy bed, when you can be woken up, half way through a lovely dream, forced out of bed, into a cold shower and outside into a campervan to travel for 2 hours with screaming little brother ‘n sisters to the ferry. Ahhh, i can see you saying, now i see your logic, why opt for the ly-in???????! So, anyway when we finally arrived at the ferry, we were early!!!!!! I was not pleased, they made me get out of bed so that i could wait for a ferry that we were early for!!!!!!! So when we eventually arrived at Kangaroo Islnad we found out that it was too early for us to go to our little cottage (surprise, surprise) so we went and got some brekkie @ a little cafe. And then wandered around the town for a few hours (not that there was much to see). So, when we arrived @ Ulonga Lodge you wiil be pleased to hear that both my mum and dad were still in one piece (just!).

So after evryone had calmed down and we had all unpacked we started decorating the place. We even had a christmas tree! So what if it was only 12” tall. at least it was a tree. So by the end of the day the cottage was looking festive and so were we.

Mon. 22nd

@ Ulonga Logde. We spent the morning @ the house sorting and wrapping up pressies! After they had been done, the tree was hardly visible at all, apart from the little star on the top. Then in the afternoon, we drove to seal bay on the other side of th island. There are lots of sea-lions there and we went to see them. But all they did, was sleep and lie on the sand in big groups. But, they did also sleep and lie on the sand in big groups and at one time they even, slept and lay on the sand in big groups!!! And then, this is the really exciting, get yourself prepared, one of the sea lions.................opened its eyes and rolled over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, such excitment!

Tues. 23rd

Today, we went to some caves called the Kelly Hill Caves. Its something to do with a dead horse. Anyway, we went on some tours around the caves in the morning, and then in the arvo me, dadio ‘n my little bro (a.k.a. mickey mouse) all went adventure caving. Adventure caving includes strapping  a highly fashionable yellow builders stlye helmet and torch to your head; then crawling around on your hands and knees in the dark. Also, climbing down underground cliffs; picking up old bones and crawling commando stlye on your tummy through very low and narrow passages. I think i probably ended up with more than half the caves down my pants! But, despite all that, it was fun and I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!! I may seem crazy (and i probably am) but it was great!!!!

CHRISTMAS EVE (santa claus is coming to town)

It is Christmas Eve,and do you know what that means. It means it is Christmas tomorrow, it also means that a very old, very fat pensioner, dressed in a red suit, will be coming down your chimmney (with your parents full permission); scoffing all your best grub and in exchange leaving behind a sack full of half the top-shop!!!!! Pretty exciting really.

Anyway, today we didn’t do much. It was very hot so we went to the beach. I got very burnt and am now a walking tomato. But hopefully Santa won’t mistake me for a cherry and try to eat me.It would not be a pleasent experience for either of us.

THE BIG DAY: CHRISTMAS

 Hurray, i am still alive. Santa has been and he did not try to eat me! But he has left me lots of goodies, especially the edidble kind. Oh dear, what will i do, i know i will scoff the lot!!! Its OK though, cos its christmas, the all time greatest stuff-your-face-full time. So nobody will mind. Anyway this was our aussie xmas:

5.00am: This is the time at which my 2 little sisters wake me up with ‘Josie, Josie, wake up! Its christmas!!!! And Santas been!!’ Of course i am glad that it is xmas but acctualy prefer to wait another 5 hurs before joining in the festivities.

6.30am: No such luck, we all end up in my mumand dads room, tipping the cntents of our stockings all over the floor. The room soon resembles a toy-shop.

8.00am: By now everyone is up and dressed and all tucking into a yummy fried breakfast of sausages, bacon,eggs, beans and pancakes!! Yum Yum!!

10.00am: pressie time!! the swapping of lots of goodies. then all the goodies are ripped pen and soon (to soon) they are all gone. so, after a few seconds of nt knwing what to do everyone is up, trying out and on everything at once.

12.30am: Lunch time. Instead of a roast dinner or BBQ we eat all thhose yummy thungs that are there on xmas day but you never have tim tio enjoy properly. So we had, pavlola, brandy snaps, mince pies, and fruit salad. All smothered in cream, ice cream and chocolate. One of the best christmas dinners ever!!!

2.oopm: We all decide to pack up our stuff and head to the beach. We then spend the afternoon, swimming, sunbathing and building sand-castles.

6.00pm: We return to the cottage, for a big everning dinner. This time we have the full, proper, traditional roast dinner. And, we even eat it all.

8.oopm: By now you would think we were all feeling pretty sick, but that doesn’t stop us all from stuffinh our faces with all those leftover goodies from lunch and all the sweets that santa left for us.

10.00pm: Time for some christmas TV before bed.

11.30pm: All in bed, off on adventures in the land of nod.

Friday 26th Dec.: BOXING DAY

We left the cottage in the morning, but it took us forever 2 get packed up and ready to leave. but after we had, we drove to the remarkable rocks. Which amazingly are a big pile of..............ROCKS! They are all in really wierd shapes but i wouldn’t exactly call then reamrkable. More like, a freak of nature, and although you are allowwed to climb on them, even big pieces of stone get boring. Yes, really!! We then went to Admirals arch, which is where a whole load of seals live. Luckily they were a lot more intresting than the sea lions and were actually worth watching. They played in the water, had play fights, did running leaps of the rocks into the sea, but most of them just, slept! Then after the amazing sleeping seals we went to Flinders Chase Carava park firthe night.

Saturday 27th Dec.

We left Flinders chase. First we went to see more of the incredible sleeping seals and then had something 2 eat. We had proper devonshire tea with scones and everything.it was very yummy. Then we went to catch the ferry at 4pm. Luckily fir my parents it was in the afternoon because if it had been another early morning one they would probably still be recovering from it! Anyway when we had arrived back on the mainland we drove to Victor harbour. we had T with Trish hoo is Bob and Betty’s daughter. (you’ll know hoo they are if you have bin paying attention). Also there, were her husband, niece, daughter and son, and also (briefly) her sister and baby grandaughter. We stayed at a campsite for the night.

Sunday 28th Dec.

Left Victor Harbour. It was boilinh hot and i hadto travel for 8 hours with my screaming little sisters and mickey mouse. they were all luckily to be allive by the time we arrived at Hay. (Especially the mouse)

Monday 29th Dec.

Left Hay. More travelling with sis’ and the mouse. On the way we stopped at Shear outback. A sheep shearind demo n history kind of place. There was a shepp shearing demo. I felt sorry for the poor sheep cos it kept wriggling and kicking at him cos he cut it so much.It had big cuts all over it by the end. I had the biggest iced chocolate there ever and felt soooooooooooooo sick afterwards! We then had more travelling ang then spend the nite at a campsite in Yas.

Tuesday 30th Dec.

Today is the day before New Years Eve so that makes it, New Years Eve Eve. If you see what i meen. We arrived in Sydney today nad went to the airport. Luckily for all of my uk buddies we weren’t buying tickets for home but sorting out our tickets for NewZealand in May. We then went to a hotel in the Northen Beaches, @ a place called Mona Vale.

Wednesday 31st Dec. NEW YEARS EVE

Left Mona Vale. Arrived city centre. We stayed at the Radisson which is a really, really posh; really, really big hotel. They have Valet parking and wanted to park our big truck for us but when we arrived and they saw us they ‘kindly’ let my dad drive it instead. But it would have been pretty funny to watch a guy in a smart black and white striped tux driving our truck round the city to theur private car park. But it wasalmost as funny watching him walk down the sudney streets guiding us. I mean you don’t seemany guys waling aroung town in the middle of the day dressed like that! So we ended up havi9ng a pretty lazy morning just lying aroung and watching TV. So after lunch we all started to get ready to go out for New Years Eve. We went to our friends house (the Annans) for New Years Eve. We had a great time, and everybody (even Sarah) managed to stay up for the midnight fireworks! They were amazing!!!!

WELCOME TO 2004!!!!!!

Thursday Ist Jan. 04 NEW YEARS DAY

After getting back to our hotel @ 2am(ish) we all collapsed into bed and very soon were all asleep. We all managed to sleep until about midday. Then we all got up and out and drove to see our good mates the Summers’! They live in the UK like us but were on Hols in Aussie. We spent the rest of the day with them. It was very hot so we just had a barbie and then went swimming, b4 getting a film and takeaway in the evening.

Friday 2nd Jan.

This morn, we went into Darling Harbour; had a bit of a wander around; and then caught a water taxi to the Annans. We spent the morning there jumping off the jetty into the water. It was very hot and there were a lot of ppl there, mostly ones i ha met on New Years Eve. The Crowleys (from NZ), the Glennys (from aus) plus the Annans, us and some others too. So we all had fun. Then, somebody realised that we (us + crowleys) were supposed to be in Darling Harbour to go to the theatre. So we had to jump out of the pool, dry off, and get changed n stuff in less than 3 minutes!! (A physical impossibility for me, that all of you who know me will know for sure!!) But amazingly i managed it (there’s always a 1st time for everything!) And then we all jumped into the water taxi that was waiting for us and zoomed off into the harbour. We managed to arrive in time too, we went to see a performance of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. It was pretty good and all the non’humans things were done using puppets. Unfortuantely, for the rest of the day (and most of the week) Hannah, Sarah and Michael ended up mimicking all the ‘funny’ bits. Which by the end of the week were not funny at all!!!

Saturday 3rd Jan.

Today we left Sydney city centre. We drove to the airport to sayBye! Bye! to my dad, who was flying back to the Uk, for buisness stuff. There were lots of hugs, kisses and tears when he had to gom even though we all knew that the mad irish one would be returning a few weeks later. So, after leaving the airport and my Dad behind me, my mum, and the other 3 all drove off in Charlie. We spent the night in Sans Sousi @ a campsite.

Sunday 4th Jan.

Left Sans Sousi. We drove to Baulkham Hills, to go to Hillsongs Church but insteasd ended up driving aroundin circles forhours looking for it. In the end, we didn’t find it and gave up and went to get a coffee. We then drove back to Sydney and up to the Northen Beaches. We stayed in a hotel up in Mona Vale.

Monday 5th Jan.

@ Mona Vale. Woke up very excited this morn. Today is my 1st day of Surf School. We drove to Bilgola Beach for the lesson. There we met Rogerand Eddie (our intructors) as well as everybody else. The sea was pretty rough and as i had never done it before ended up getting very dumped. But i did get a few waves (lying down) but as it was my first day i thought i did OK. I also met 2 girls called Hayley and Alicia. Me and Alicia ended up sitting on the beach together cos we kept getting dumped.

Tues. 6th.

@ Mona vale. Surf School @ Warriewood beach. It was pretty rough and i kept getting dumped. I even managed to surf a wave in backwards for about 50 metres (it was by accident but still pretty cool!!)

Wed. 7th.

@ Mona Vale. More Surf School @ Warriewood. Today was better, i am improving slowly. But nearly evry1 else in the class is better than me.

Thurs. 8th.

@ Mona Vale. More Surf School @ Warriewood. Today was very calm and my last day for the week. I got a few waves and actually managed to half stand. We then went to Warriewdood cinema to see Brother Bear. Not my personal choice but I’m sure Hannah amd Sarah though it was great. It was actually pretty good for a cartoon film.

Fri. 9th.

@ Mona Vale. Today we spent most of the day just at our hotel swimming and mucking around.

Sat. 10th.

@ Mona Vale. Spent the day at Mona Vale beach. It was very hot!!!

Sun. 11th.

@ Mona Vale. We drove to Baulkham Hills to try and find Hillsongs again. This time we were more lucky. We found teh church, went to the service and then went to the next door shoping centre for lunch.

Mon. 12th

@ Mona Vale. More Surf School @ Warriewood. This was a new week of surfing and different ppl too. I was better than last week and managed tp get up and standing the first time. i met a lot more ppl too. Most of them had never done it b4 so i was pretty good compared to  them. After surfing we went to a cafe up the top. We went there every day last week and now it is like our routine. Then got back to the hotel and went swimming.

Tues. 13th

@ Mona Vale. More Surf School @ Warriewood. Surfing, Cafe, swimming. 

Wed. 14th

@ Mona Vale. More Surf School @ Warriewood. Surfing, Cafe, swimming.

Thurs. 15th

@ Mona Vale. More Surf School @ Warriewood. Surfing, Cafe, swimming. Another week of surfing finished, I am loads better now and manged to stand up nearly every time. Afterthe usual routine we went to Warruewood cinema to see Cheaper By The Dozen. Starring the gorgeous Tom Welling and of cousre Ashton!!!!!!

Fri. 16th

@ Mona Vale. No surfing today so we drove into Sydney city centre. We went to centre Point tower but as it was such awful weather (it rained all day) all that we could see was a grey, white blob of clouds! Fantastic!!! So we spent most of the day getting wet. We also went to the aquarium too though. I was very dissapointed though because my mum banned me fromany shops because i didn’t have any money!!!!!! So. wahts the big deal!!!!

Sat. 17th

@ Mona Vale. Today we went to Palm Beach. The beach where Home and Away was filmed. It was pretty fun! The waves were massive though and when i tried bodysurfing them i nearll lost my bikini top quite a few times!!!!!!

Sun. 18th

@ Mona Vale. Went to Hillsongs Church again. Then in the evening our friends Judy & Les, and their daughter Kate, & her husband Darren, came round for dinner.

Mon. 19th

@ Mona Vale. Yet more surfing (Warriewood). 3rd and final week. Met loads more people, the i was the only girl and the rest of the class was boys. appartfrom from 1 9 yr old girl. Made mates with aguy called sam and him broter Jack as well as 3 others. They were all really nice. Hadload sof fun surfing and mucking around with them. After  surfing we had brunch and then i had my first haircut for 4 months!!! Then went bk 2 teh hotel and went swimming.

Tues. 20th

@ Mona Vale. Surfing (Warriewood). Then met up with our mates the blacks on the beach. We mucked around on the beach, then wentand had brunch, b4 going back 2 the hotel  swim. We had lots of fun. It was v hot 2day.

Wed. 21st

@ mona Vale. Surfing (Warriewood) with Sam, Jack and Co. Lots of Fun. After surfing, the usual routine.

Thurs. 22nd

@ Mona Vale. There was no surfing today so we just had a very lazy day around the hotel.

Fri. 23rd.

@ Mona Vale. Last day of Surfing!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh No!!!! We all had a great time, although i didn’t do too much surfing cos i was too busy chatting and mucking around. We did some party waves and stuff liek taht 4 the camera and all ahd a great time!!!!!!! Said goodbyeto everyone soooo many times but i really didn’t want to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :( Unfortunately we had to rush off cos we were going to Circus Oz in the city. It was relly good!! It was one of the ones with no animals.

Sat. 24th

@ Mona Vale. Today was really hot so we went to Mona Vale beach for the morning. It was v fun. Then went to a BBQ lunch at the Hallidays, Michael, Barbara,rory and Oliver. Also went swimming in their pool.

Sun. 25th

@ Mona Vale. Hillsongs in the morning. Then went to the Blacks (Wendy, Andy, Alex, Ben and Jack) House for another BBQ and swim. We all had loads of fun muking around in the pool. Sarah and Hannah became vicious animals and attacked Ben and Alex. They ended up with red scratches all over them!! And H & S didn’t seem at all sorry they thought it was v funny.

Mon. 26th AUSTRALIA DAY

Our last day @ Mona Vale. We went into Sydney and had lunch with the Marples (Don, Janet, Harry, Jack and Rory) and the Glennys (Guy, Debbie, Katie and Alex). Spent the sfternoon there and then we caught the ferry into Darling Harbour for the Australia Day celebrations. In Darling Harbour we met up with the Blacks again. it was v lucky. Alex manged to spot Hannahs hair in the middle of the crowd. We spent the rest of the evening with them. The fireworks and otherdisplays were amazing. We had a fab time and it was probably more than NY Eve!!!! We didn’t get back until at least 1.30am, and amazingly evrybody lasted the night.

Tues. 27th

We left Mona vale!!!!!!! Seemed a bit strange cos we’d been there for te past 3 weeks and it seemed a bit like home. We drove north to a place called Umina......... 2 B Continued.

Hello, back again, it is now 2nd March!!!!!!! So I’ve still got miles to go!

Well from last time.......... When we got to Umina it was boiling!!!! So we all decided to go swimming. At the pool I met 2 guys. They were locals and v. friendly. I hung around with them for the rest of the day, around the site n at the beach. They were called Jez ‘n Wayde. Then we all went into town 4 T.

Wed. 28th

@ Umina. A pretty lazy day. Spent day round campsite and at the beach. The beach was right next to the campsite and you could just walk off the beach into the campsite. We went swimmingin the sea and it was frezzing!!!

Thurs. 29th

@ Umina. In the morning we went to Avoca Beach. It was about an hour away. Then in the afternoon we were at the campsite again. Met up with Jez ‘n Wayde again 2.

Fri. 30th

@ Umina. Another lazy day. Arvo, met up with Jez ‘n Wayde again. Also met their mate Jake (i think thats what his name was but i’mnot really sure) and another guy staying @ the campsite, Mitchell. We hung around at the pool ans spa 4 most of the evening.

Sat. 31st

@ Umina. See Jez ‘n Wayde again. Also met 2 other guys called Shane and Nathan. When J + W went I hung around with them cos they were staying at the campsite. In the evening we all watched the Italian Job on a big screen set up in the barn.

Sun. 1st Feburary. A NEW MONTH

@ Umina. Didn’t do much today. Was our last day at Umina. We went to the Australian Reptile Park. It had all the usual aussie animlas as well as a 5 metre croc called Eric, who tried to eat his keepers.

Mon. 2nd

We left Umina. We stopped at Glenworth Valley and went trail riding. There were 200 hoorses and they owned a whole valley, I rode a horse called Dior who was great. I had a great time once I got going. He was prettty stubborn 1st and for the 1st houir all i did was yell and kick him. But, somewhere along the way he got the message and i actually got a few decent canters out of him. We then drove for a bit and spent the night at a campsite in Goulburn. Pretty uneventful night apart from the massive huntsman spider that tried to help me and Hannah with the washing up!!

Tues. 3rd

Left Goulburn. We went on our way to the Jackos. We arrived in Cooma for lunchtime and then managed to arrive at the Jacksons house around 3pm. In the evening, me, my mum,Verity and some of her friends went out to Jindabyne to see Love Actually at the cinema. It was great. One ofthe best films I’ve seen for a long time!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wed. 4th

@ the Jackos. Just did some skoolwork (V. V. V. V. V. V. boring and soooooooo pointless!!!) and then some shopping in Jindabyne (not so boring and pointless, in fact extremely necessary, well, kind of).

Thurs. 5th

Leave the Jacckos. We travelled through the snowy mts. and amazing there was actually snow still on the top of them (yes, really!). It was very ‘scenic’ but it took us more thqn 3 and a half hours!!!!!!!!!! So by the time we arrived in Ebden for the night it was already T’-time. In Ebden, Verity joined us. She was gonna travel with us for a couple of days.

Fri. 6th

Left Ebden. We then drove to Verity’s friend Ree’s house. We went swimming in their pool and then had a barbie. We spent the night outsid ein Charlie.

Sat. 7th

Morning swim and brekkie @ Rees before leaving her and Verity. Did more travelling and spent the nightat a campsite in Moama, on the Murray river. But, we didn’t exactly get much sleep thank to the drunken morons camping nxt to us. In fact all through the night all you heard was drunk blokes shouting and laughing and acting like down right mopheads. Which in the morning they probably all felt like! Serves them right!!!

Sun. 8th

Left Mooma and the beer soaked mopheads. We the traveeld some more (woo hoo!) and arrived in mildura for the night. It was sooooooo hot and we spent most of the time in the pool. The rest of the time the girls galloped around the campsite being horses! Also cos it wa so hot we weren’t exactly hungry and by the time we wanted food, my mum just couldn’t be bothered! So guess who ended up making dinner??? Well done, it was me!

   Saturday 13th December

(from 7th November)

Hello agin everyone! Sorry, but as we get busier and busier the gaps on my page seem to get bigger and bigger. We’ve done a lot since last time so here we go.............

Friday 7th: My dad arrived back from the Uk today. We drove to Philip Island which is about 2 hours away from Melbourne. On the way we stopped at a Wildlife Park. There was the usual aussie animals as well as a giant worm exhibit! (it wasn’t the most thrilling thing that i’ve ever done). When we got to Philip Island we got set up at the camp site and stuff. Then in the evening we drove to one of the beaches to see the penguin parade.  We sat on the beach and waited until it got dark. When it was dark fairy penguins started to come onto the beach from the sea. The were prett scared of us tho, so the kept running in and out of the water beforew waddling uo the beach tro theor burrows. They were so small and afdorable. Then we walked back along a board wqalk. THer walk was along the path that the penguins took back to their burrows so you could walk alongside them. They were so sweet.

Saturday 8th: Today we drove back to Melbourne.  To see our friends the Dempseys. They are called Josie and Gerad. The have 4 sons 2. Thhe ey are called Will (17), Ted (14), Lawrence (10) and Henry (7). On the way to their house we stopped at the Melbourne Cup for thhe races. nMy mumm and dad only decided that ,orning and didn’t tell us until we werer practically there. IU felt soooooo under-dressed cos everyone wos so dresed up and i was just in jeans and a -shirt. Our friend Louie had a horse in on of the races and it won!!! We celebrated woth him in one of the reall smart posh bits upstairs. It was soooo smart!

Sunday 9th: Today was quiter. I wos woken up at 7 by the younger ones yelling and shouting (they were playing the ‘Jump on and Kill each other’ game). We went  to churcgh with the Dempseys and then we had a roast lunch.

Monday 10th: Today we went to Healsville Snctuary with the Dempseys. There was all th eusual animals like dingoes, kangaroos, wombats, koalas - that kind of stuff. It was really hot!

Tuesday 11th: Today we went into Melbourne city centre. First we met up with our friends Liz and Pete Jones. They live in our village back home but were over here for Pete’s work. We met up for lunch snd then said goodbye. Next we went to Melbourne aquarium. It was good. Before we went into the actual aquarium we went with a guide ito the staff quarters and got showed around. It stank of fish!!! Then we went on a small glass bottom boat over the top of the shark tank. there were loads of sharks and rays and fish. My dad had to help the guy with changing the ropes and when he leaned over and was changing thee clip from one rope to another a diver came up and grabbed his hand. It really scared him cos he thought he was being attacked by a shark or something. Then the diver came up thinking that he had grabbed the guides hand, but when he realised it was my dads he seemed pretty embarresd. Then only a couple of minutes later we saw a turtle in the corner of the tank and we all leaned over to look at it and my mobile somehow jumped out of my hand and into the water all by itself (well maybe i had a little bit to do with it). Anyway the guide tried to catch it but he was too late and it sunk to the bottom. When it had sunk a huge ray saw it and went to try and eat it. Luckily it didn’t. The guide saiid that he’d get some divers to go and look for it. So, we went back into the aquarium for the rest of the day. And i could just make out my mobile in the shark tank. After we had seen everything we went to the desk and asked if they had my fone yet........ they didn’t. We ended up waiting for another 2 hours, before the aquarim said that they still hadn’t found it andthat they would call us when they did. So we went to a friends on the subarbs. We left Chloe’s and went back to the Dempseys. And within 5 minutes, thanks to Hannah and Sarah, evryone knew about what had happened. What a busy day!

Wednesday 12th: Today we left the Dempseys and set off for the Great Ocean Road. We drove for about 3 hours and stoppe at a place called Anglesea. We tayed in a cabin nearthe beach. It was really windy but sunny too. It was fun. Also , the aquarium phoned today!! But, they still can’t find my mobiile and thinnk that it has either drifted away or one of their sharks  has eaten it!

Thursday 13th: Today we went and had a day at the beach with a picnic. I fell asleep sunbathing and got a very red back and backs of legs. It is sore but hopefully it should turn tanned soon.

Friday 14th: We left Anglesea today and drove to the Cumberland River.We stayedd at a campsite with out anypower. When we got organised we decieded to go on a walk along the river. When we got to a place called Jebbs Pool me, mummy and michael all went swimming. It was freezing but fun. We walked for about 2 hours nd then went back to the campsite for lunck. After lunck we went to the beach for a few hours. On the way back we decided to walk next to the river.Instead of walking me and Michael deciced to walk back in the river. It was a very silly thing to do because it got really deepand i had to take my skirt of and put it on top of my head! Thankfully no one had a camera. I was ok until i saw a yabby, it was right next to me and i nearly trod on it.When i screamed everyone thought it was hilarious (everyone apart from me). I didn’t think it was funny, yabbies are horrid and i wanted to keep all my toes.I’m sure that they eat toes,they look perfectly capable of it.And by the way,i really don’t see what people find funny about a girl chest high in water; with her skirt attached to the top of her head; squealing becauses he is scared that yabbies are going to eat her toes???????!

Saturday 15th: Today we left Cumberland River and drove to Forrest. On the way we stoppped at Eirskine Falls. To be continued .................

NEW UPDATE!!!!!!!!

Hello, I’m back again. ...........

Saturday 15th (cont.):After Erkskine Falls we arrived at a guest house in Forrest. We had a late lunck and early T, and then drove to a lake where you are supposed 2 B able 2 C platypus. We went on atour around the lake in a canoe with a guy called Russell. We had 2 B v. quiet (a major challenge 4 Sarah - we spent the hole evening going Shhhhh! or Shut Up Sarah!). I think the platypus obviously new we were coming because in the 3 hours we were on the lake we didn’t C a single 1!!! (altho Sarah might have had sumthing  2 do with that). But it wasn’t a total faliure because on the way back in the pitch black the forest was lit up by glowworms, it was like fairyland.

Sunday 16th: Today we went to a small church next to the guest house in Forrest. Afterwards we left Forrest and drove to Apollo Bay and stayed at Marengo Reef. We stayed in a cabin for a week.

Monday 17th: Today we were forced 2 do sum skool work by our mum (oh no). After this terrible interuption 2 our day we walked along and played on the beach. It was gorgeous.

Tuesday 18th: Today we drove to a small rainforest called Maits rest. We stopped 4 a ccoupe of hours here on our way to the Otway Fly. The Fly is a huge ariel walkway among the treetops in a rainforest. I dunno if any of u saw ‘I’m a Celebrity get Me Out Of Here’ but if you did you’ll probably know what i meen, if not - look at the fotos. Anyway we went on the walkway (25 metres up) and then up the viewing tower (47 metres). On the walkway there was a lady whoo was terrified of heights and so to comfort her we stampeded along the walkwas makin it rock as much as possible. Aren’;t we lovely children. On the way back from the Fly we stopped at Hope Town Falls. Everyone but me decided to walk down the massive hill to look at the waterfalls, (I couldn’t be bothered and I felt sick - after all it is only water. If they want me to look at water i’ll go and buy myself a glass of it!)

Wednesday 19th: Today we went Trail-Riding at Wild Dog. It was great, we rode on the beach and didi lots of cantering. The people doing were pretty ‘cowboyish’ if you get what i mean. I was really fun! In the afternoon we went to the Otway Lighthouse, there were mueseums and old wartime stuff (boring!), the lighthouse (tall!), and - the highlight of the  day - the coffee shop (yum yum!).

Thursday 20th: Today we went to the 12 apostles (12 old bits of rock stuck in the middle of the sea for some unknown reason). It wasn’t exactly thrilling but its one of those kind of things that you just have to see when touring Australia.

Friday 21st: Today we went out in Ocean Kayaks with a guy called Travis. He took us out to Marengo Reef where there is a seal colony. I was sharing a Kayak with my Mum and she was steering. We were dead before we even got out there. It was wicked. The kayak got lots of air when you went over a wace and came doen with a bump! It was quite windy and you  had to work hard to stay in one place. We all got tired easily so in the end Travis ended up towing both of our kayaks as well as having to paddle his own. Luckily he has represented Aussie so he was ok. The seals reeked!!! We smelt them before we saw them. They all came into the water and swam around us, they were amazing. After we had seen the seals and travis had filled our heads with as much seal info as they could hold we paddled back. Then we surfed in on the waves, it was sooooo fun! Me and Mummy managed to capsise 3 times, but it just made it better, you alwas have more fun when you’re soaking wet and dressed in a wetsuit, life jacket and yellow ‘bob the builder’ helmet. You also feel like you are a fashion queen making the fashion Statement of the Century.

Saturday 22nd: Today we left Apollo bay and drove to the Goldfields at Ballarat. We stayed in Charlie (The campervan) at a holiday park. We are staying here for 3 nights. Today is RWC MATCH FINAL day today so we are all very excited. We watched the match in the Holiday Park TV Room expecting to be surrounded by a vunch of Aussies. But intstead of Aussies we were joined by another English couple, 1 aussie and a French or german couple. We were all so exciited and did lots of yelling and covering our eyes.  But thanks 2 te gorgeous Jonny Wilkinson WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON, WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON,WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday 23rd: Today we spent the morning walking around Ballarat trying to find a church. we ended up going to a catholic cathedral and having to stand up at the back beacuse there weren’t enuf seats. Afterwards we went and had brunch at a nice cafe nearby. afer brunch we walked around the shops but didn’t buy much.

Monday 24th: Today we walked to Sovereign Hill. Sovereign Hill is an old gold mine which has been reconstrucuted to make it seem like the 1800s. Everyone was dressed up and spoke old fashioned. there were old fashioned shops too. Sweet shops, bakeries, clothes shops, a cafe. It was done really well. There were people driving around in carigges and riding around on horse back too. There were also performances on the streets as well as shootings too. We saw lots od demonstrations, had our pictures taken with people, ate in the cafe, shopped in the shops, and went on a tour of the old mine. We were there the whole day and afterwards went to the gold museum next door. In the evening we came back for a sound and light show of the Eureka rebellion. t was all done with sound and light and there were no people in it at all. It was really good.

Tuesday 25th: Today we left Ballarat and travelled to Echuca on the Murray River. We stayed in the paddlewhell Motel for 3 nights. When we arrived it was boiling so we went swimming in the motel pool and then went down to the river for dinner. We had dinner at a riverside restaurant. Afterwards we explored the old port and waalked by the river.

Wednesday 26th: Today we didn’t do much. we had a big late breakfast, did a bit of shopping aand just lounged around the motel swimming pool.

Thursday 27th: Today we went on a steampaddle boat cruise down the Murray River. iT was 3 hours. We also went to a B.Y.L. Espresso for Iced Coffees and Chocolates. We then bought a whole load of food for the next three days and did a bit of shopping too.

Friday 28th: We have rented out a houseboat for three days. We sailed down the river, stopping at places to go swimming nad for lunck. We just lazed around. We also got attacked by mossies in the evening. They are evil creatures.

Saturday 29th: Another lazy day on the boat.

Sunday 30th: And another.

Monday 1st December: (1st day of Advent, its nearly Christmas.......Yay!!!!!)                        Today we had to take the houseboat back to Echuca. Because we didn’t have anywhere to stay tonight we were allowed to stay another night on the boat for free. We went out for dinner in the evening but didn’t do much else.

Tuesday 2nd: We wandered around Echuca in the morning, before setting off for Halls Gap in the Grampians (mountains). We stayed in the Colonial Motel for 4 nights. It was really hot and there waqs an ear-splitting noise made by some 2 inche flying bugs called sycaters (si-car-tars). They didn’t stop the whole time we were there.

Wednesday 3rd: Toady was a preety lazy day. we went swimming at the motel swimming pool. Because it was hot we walked up to some rockpools called the venus baths, but it was mega crowded and we didn’t have our swimming stuff so we decided to wait until tomorrow.  For lunck we went to a cafe calle dthe Flying Emu and for T we went to a restaurant called ‘A Toast To Us’. it was very yummmy.

Thursday 4th: Another lazy day today. We went back to the Venus Baths. Toda it was just ud and we went swimming.  It was freezing so i did sunbathing instead. A few other people came for a while but nobody stayed long. Then a group of about 20-25 guys turned up. i think they were on a school trip. We were practically surrounded by 14/15 yr old guys. But then their teacher turned up and seeing us said that they would come back later and give us some peace and quiet. About 20 minutes later another group turned up (a different one) and this time they stayed. They were very friendly.

Friday 5th:   Today we had to get up raelly early to go on a 4WD  tour around the Grampians. Our guide was called Noel. We  saw loads of aussie wildlife and scenery. We stopped for morning T, a BBQ lunck, and afternoon T. It was really good and we saw loads. We almost ran over a snake, 2 lizards and too many kangaroos and wallabies 2 count.

Saturday 6th: Toda we left Halls Gap and drtove to Port Fairy. we stayed at a campsite in charlie. We explored the town. There was not muchapart from coffee shops, and water (and a bit of sand). We ate in and then went for an evening walk on the beach until about 9.30pm.  

Sunday 7th: We found a small church and then went for breakfast in Rebecca’s Cafe. We went around the town and looked around the shops, didn’t buy anything tho. In the evening we had fich and chips on the beach and then waited for about an hour to see some Muttonbiords fly in from the seas to their burrows. they appeared out of nowhere.

Monday 8th: We left Port Fairy and drove to  Portland. We stayed in a house in Cape Bridgewater for 3 nights. When we arrived at 3pm we went on a speedboat out to the seal colony. They were amazing and really friendly. We drove  into a cave where they live and it absolutely stinked!!!! The boat ride was really fun too, altho Sarah nearly lost her shoes (but she was having 2 much fun2 notice).

Tuesday 9th: Today we went down to the beach. We rented out 2 boards and had lot of fun surfing the waves all day. it is wicked!!!! We spent all day at the beach. There was a kiosk next to the beach. It is the only shop in the whole of Cape Bridgewater.

Wedesday 10th: We spent another day at the beach. In the afternoon we went to the Cape Bridgewater Fresh water Lakes and Discovery bay. We also went to the Petrified Forest  - a forest that was buried in a sand dune and slowly turned to rock over the years.

Thursday 11th: We left Cape Bridgewater and drove to the Glenelg River. We went on boat down the river to the Princess Margaret Rose Caves. we went on a tour inthe caves. It was amazing and there were lots of stalagmites and stalagtites and helictites, in lots of different and amazing formations. We stayed at Mount Gambier near the Blue lake. It(amazingly) is a blue coloured lake, it is bright blue! We had dinner at the motel restaurant and halfway through the meal a man came up to us and asked if he could take our picture for the local newspaper. I bet i look liked a right prat in it cos he didn’t say when he was taking it. It was pretty embarassing havingto pose in this restaurant with half eaten food on our plates.

Friday 12th: We left mt. Gambier and drove to Penola. We are staying at Coonawarra, in a place called Kunara Cottage. it is really nice. We went to a local winery for dinner.Penola is famous for having lots of wineries.  

Saturday 13th (TODAY): Today we went to the Naracoore caves. They were quite amazing, and go on for miles, there is still lots that hasn’t been discovered. there were fossils discovered there too, of extinct animals that lived around half a million years ago. We spent half the day there. We had lunck, went on a cave tour and then left. On the way back to Coonawarra Hannah and Sarah went riding at a riding place nearby. We then went back to the cottage and had T. I am now sitting typing this at 10pm, so you better have read this far because i have spent almost 3 hours typing this out today. I am now bored,tired and fed up so night! night! :)                     

Thursday 6th November

Hiya everybody. Sorry it has been soooooooooo long since i last wrote. i just haven’t seemed to be able to find the time to up date. So from last time here we go.........
 

Friday (24th Oct): This was our last day at Pambula. We left at 10am and drove to the Jackson’s. On the way we stopped at Yellow Pinch Park. A native Australian wildlife park. We fed the kangaroos and wallabies; stroked wombats, dingoes and koalas; and also held pythons and lizards.

Saturday(25th): Went shopping in Jindabyne. I bought 3 tops. It rained loads.

Sunday (26th): Today we did a lot of cattle herding. We helped Jacko to round up his cows from all over his 1000 acre farm so that they could be squirted and injected with some cow medicine stuff. We got pretty mucky but it was fun. We also had to find an orphan calf who’s mother had died. Hannah named him Louie.

Monday (27th): A very uneventful day, with schoolwork, walking and rain. (Michael also had some boys round. They spent the afternoon chasing each other with water-pistols).

Tuesday (28th): It rained a lot in the morning. We were supposed to be going trail riding at a ranch (Yarramba) that afternoon so we didn’t know whether to cancel or not. We decided to go anyway and on the way the rained stopped and the sun came out. Yay! The riding was fun, i rode a horse called Turbo (easy to guess how she got her name). She was pretty bosy but i soon showed her that i was in charge.

Wednesday (29th): Today we went into Cooma (a nearby town). We went shopping, had lunch and in the afternoon we went swimming at the local pool. It was outside, 4m deep, and freezing!!

Thursday (30th): We went riding at Yarramba again today. It didn’’t rain and was really fun. I rode Turbo again while Michael rode a horse called ‘Bopgirl’, my mum rode a horse called ‘TwinkleToes’, and Hannah and Sarah rode 2 shetlands called ‘Squiggly’ and ‘Greg’.

Friday (31st): Although it was Halloween today we did absolutely nothing to do with it. It rained a lot so all we did was schoolwork and watch TV

Saturday (1st No): We went to Jindabyne again today. we met up with some friends and Michael went off with their sons and their 2 friends. The rest of us went walking round Jindabyne and ate lunch out in Jindabyne too.

Sunday (2nd): Today was another cattle moving day. This time to separate all the young females from the rest of the herd so that they couldn’t get near the bull when he was put in with the rest.

Monday (3rd): We went to Thredbo. The local major ski centre. Although skiing season ended a few weeks ago we got a chair lift to the top of the mountain. There was loads of snow and the sun was really bright. Mostly the snow was knee deep but in some places it was thigh deep! (i got stick in one of these particularly deep places and had to be pulled out by Michael!!). After walking to the top me and Michael decided to slide back down the slopes (this resulted in an extremely painful ‘num-bum’!) When we had come back down we went and had lunch in a bakery back down at the bottom of the mountain. Today was v. fun!

Tuesday (4th): We left The Jacksons and had a 5 hour drive south to Lakes Entrance. (We stopped here over night on our way down to Melbourne).

Wednesday (5th): We spent the day at Lakes Entrance on the beach and by the lake. It was really hot but the sea was ice cold. Instead of swimming we decided to hire paddle-boats before going to get ice-creams.

Thursday (6th, TODAY!!!): We are now in Melbourne. We spent another 5 hours travelling south from Lakes Entrance. My Dad gets back at 2am tomorrow morning into Melbourne airport. (In 3 hours time!).

Goodnight everyone, it is11pm and i am tired. Cya soon, xxx~Josie~xxx

j

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