AUSTRALIA DAY. TUESDAY THE 26TH OF JAN.

Traditionally Australia Day in Oz, is when everyone

hits the beach, fire up the BBQ and get pissed.

Thousands of drunk people, fighting on the beach

was the reason why we headed for the hills,

the mountains actually. The Blue Mountains.

Claire finished work on and Monday, and came

down to meet me at my office.

It was about 7.30 and we said... "

Shall we go out for a drink? or shall we go home,

chuck a few things in a bag and drive to the

Blue Mountains?"

We did the second one. And 2 1/2 hours later,

we were trying to find a Motel in the dark in

Richmond which is at the base of the Blue Mountains,

A few hours north of Sydney.

Lets get the roof down and into the Blue Mountains.

Breakfast on the road.

The open road....

We're going to get burnt.

Just miles and miles of bush. Awesome.

Time for the Zig Zag Railway. Up (and down)

the mountain.

Return tickets.

Awesome views.

Ahh what a lovely couple (oh it's us).

"Do not put anything out of the window you

don't want to lose."

We're going into a tunnel.

It's so beautiful.

Our friendly driver (Claire made friends with all of them).

Man on a rock.

Woman on a track.

WOman standing under (and on) a rock.

So beautiful. (The scenery isn't bad either.)

A lovely waterfall.

Why is there a giant Koala bear with Christmas

decorations at the end of January?

The Three Sisters.

A beautiful lady and a sister.

An amazing un-spoilt world.

So amazing.

Having a convertible does have one draw back.

And 23 hours after we left, back to Sydney we go.

Escape the crowds. Run away on a Monday night

and back on Tuesday.

What a wicked Australia Day.

THE MELBOURNE OPEN.

So one of the clients I work on is V Australia.

And they are sponsors of the Australian Open.

So I got a ticket.

They were evening session tickets but during the

day you can try to get on to one of the show courts.

It's a totally different experience being sober.

I saw more tennis in the first 10 minutes here

than I have in the past 3 years at Wimbledon.

We found Mr Murray on one of the

outside courts warming up.

Straight into the net.

scoop that one up.

Hopefully this one will go over.

Finally in our seats. Hewitt V's Baghdatis.

An epic 5 set'er awaits.

Hewitt smashes the first set 6-Luv.

Then at 2-1 in the second set......

He pulls out because his shoulder hurts.

Or was it because he was losing?

It's exactly what Jay would do (well they are twins).

NEW YEARS DAY: SPACE.

Ok I maybe 34 and Wilko maybe 31 but it doesn't

mean we can't go to an Ibiza party after only

4 hours sleep. (I should have brought my slippers.)

The battle of the hats.

NYE ON THE HARBOUR AT WOLSELEY GARDENS.

It's NYE 2009/10 which means it's another

excuse fro a party.So we got 30 or so mates

round to join in the fun.

Kelv and his lot joined in.

Wouldn't be the same without Pitty and Matt.

Claire not hugging me.

Sparklers. (Oh and Gaz and Cand.)

Ooooo Ahhhhh fireworks.

More and more.

Why don't we jump in the water fully clothed.

That's a good idea. Sharks?

Changed and back down to the party.

Cousin Catherine getting in on the act.

And the famous Ollie. Strange fellow but nice.

Same again Next Year?

DANGAR ISLAND.

We'd had a few days of rain (making it feel like

Christmas back at home). But the rain never

lasts long in Oz so when the sun came out we

jumped up and drove up to the Hawksbury river.

One place in particular.... Dangar Island.

Claire had a few Christmas texts to catch up on.

The worst sign in the world. on the ferry across.

And the view as we go.

Awesome houses.

I want this one.

And we arrive at Dangar.

All the houses on the island have swings.

Butlers beach.

And our new friend Lassy.

I still don't like dogs.

It's so peaceful.

Our little booklet.

Another view of the escape bridge.

Nice bag.

A tree with a plaster.

After walking round the path 3 times we finally

found the path up to the Aboriginal Engravings.

And they were worth it (well sort of).

Ahh doesn't she look beautiful.

Give us a twirl.

Round....

...and round she goes,

Result.......... a busted flip-flop.

Made getting back down the path a lot harder.

Gulp.

Here she comes.

And we saw the cave. It was worth the trek.

Until next time Dangar. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.