The 3 Sisters

The 3 Sisters
Originally uploaded by IainTodd.

Stu Martin and I have now spent 2 days in the Blue Mountains 2 Days in the Hunter Valley and just arrived on the coast at Port Macquarie.
The Blue Mountains were great if a little cold. We spent the fist day doing the tourist trails based at the Scenic World complex (http://www.scenicworld.com.au/).
This included a walk the 'Ruined Castle', approx 2.5hrs walk, including photo stops. We stopped halfway and sheltered for a short thunderstorm. We plodded on paused for lunch and then after a vertical climb made it to the top where the heavens opened for a thunderstorm 3 times as severe as we had experienced. We enede up sheltering in a cave with an Israeli guy we met on route.
2nd day was, we hoped going to be less dramatic. We set off to the 3 sisters, down the giant staircase (900ish steps) and then through the forest on the Federal Pass, until another vertical climb past the Katoomba Falls.
Guess what we did in the Hunter Valley, do you know what the area is well known for?, we went on a wine tasting tour, 5 Vineyards, 30 ish wines later we made it back to the camp site. A sober evening this evening for me, not stu he started on the stubbies.
We have just arrived at Port Macquarie, had a swim in the pool and shuffled our way to the internet cafe. Off to South West Rocks tomorrow afternoon, for those of you with a map, it's not far so we will explore the Port tomorrow before heading north.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge
Originally uploaded by IainTodd.

Taronga Zoo visited, Bridge Climb completed, Akubra hat bought, Local Hospital visited. Activity list for Sydney complete, (plus one not planned). My nephew Olly has been poorly for the last few days, we hope he can come home today.

Having been here before, a lot of my time has been spent with the family, especially Alex.

As stated above I did sneak out to do the bridge climb on Monday eve. We did the twilight tour, up in the daylight down in the dark. We had an excellent tour leader which added to the experience. You must all do it.

Izzy flies home tomorrow, and the boys start their road trip. I have spent the afternoon planning the route up to Byron Bay. Got the route planned not sure about the timescale, so don't know where we'll be when.

Off for a schooner or 2 tonight with a mate from Modin.

Not sure when the next posting will be so keep an eye out. I've added some more photo's with comments of where taken.

View from 'The Peak'

View from 'The Peak'
Originally uploaded by IainTodd.

Finally managed to find some time to post an entry about Hong Kong, we left there 3 days ago!

I found Hong Kong an interesting place, but not one I would like to spend a lot of time, but am glad I went.
However on the day we left we went to see the Big Buddah on Lantau Island. Lantau is a great place, very rural with loads of walks in green stuff.

I'll put a post up soon about Sydney, off to do the bridge climb now.

Not Long to Go

The farewell's started on Thursday with a meal at the Lemongrass Thai Restaurant. It was a surprise for Martin as he thought he was going out with just the Explorer Leaders. After several glasses of wine it was off to The Ship for Karaoke, and also job interview for Kath, I can't remember if she got the job, it's all a bit hazey. Then onto the Q club for late night drinking & dancing. Friday at work was entertaining. Photo's from the meal can be found at the link on the right 'Leave Meal'

Nightime glow

Nightime glow
Originally uploaded by IainTodd.

With 10 days to go I went camping with the Scouts for a practice cooking on fires, in readiness for my time on the road in Australia.

11 days to go

Well here goes. I'm going to try a blog for the first time, so anyone that cares can keep up with my travels, and i have a way of remembering what I did. I've also got a flickr account so hopefully i can also publish some photo's as well. Wish me luck.