Final preparations

We are under way with the final preparations for the last leg of the journey home.

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More Clarkes Quay

Clarkes Quay

Nice evening in Singapore. Seems to be the in place. Bars and restaurants galore.

The bridal team

Vicky with bridesmaids, Louise and Leeann.

Sydney Opera House

Taken by Robert from the Manly ferry.

Singapore

We have landed in Singapore where the temperature is 30 deg.

We are checked in to the hotel and just chilling out.

We will pop out this evening and then try to get a good nights sleep before we embark on the 13 hour flight to London.

The plane from Sydney was not full. The food and service was excellent as we have come to expect now.

More updates this evening when we get back from Chinatown.

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Homeward Bound

It is 06:25 in Sydney and we are checked in and cleared security ready for the flight to Singapore.

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Journey update

We are about to enter into the final stages of this mammoth journey.

It is now 18:45 in Sydney on Tuesday 21st August.

Very early tomorrow morning, we shall be on a flight to Singapore on the first leg of our journey home.

We shall have an overnight stop in Singapore before heading back to London.

We shall be at the hotel in Singapore about 16:00 on Wednesday evening and we shall be back at the airport around 10:30 on Thursday morning. Singapore is 7 hours ahead of UK time.

The next planned update will come tomorrow from Singapore.

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More Bondi Beach

Bondi Beach

We had a wonderful day today, Tuesday. We bought MultiPass tickets which allowed us unlimited travel on trains, boats and buses.

We went on train and bus to Bondi Beach.

Then we took the Manly ferry from Sydney to Manly, where we stopped for lunch.

We then came back to Sudney and took the train back and forth across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

What a day, and to top it all, by sheer accident, we bumped into Daryl in the centre of Sydney. Totally unplanned.

Sydney Harbour

View from the Manly ferry.

Problems uploading to blog tonight

Check me out on facebook for updates.

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Mahjongg

Margaret playing on her ipad at the hoyel in Sydney

Quick update

Very quick updates. We are using hotel complementary wifi which is valid for 30 mins only.

Tomorrows plan is to buy one day rover tickets and travel on train and boat to:

Manly
Bondi Beach
Across the harbour bridge

Then it'll be packing to head to Singapore on Wednesday morning.

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Sydney

We had a good flight down from Brisbane this morning. We flew with Qantas and I liked it. The flight took just 1 hour.

Because it was an internal flight we didn't have to mess about with any immigration or customs.

We got a taxi to the hotel and saved $8 on the shuttle bus price. Weird.

We got straight into our room which was nice. We then went straight out to the station and down into town.

Spent the afternoon down at the Opera House and on the quay looking across to the harbour bridge. Right at the end of the Opera House was a big event with the Australian Olympics team. Margaret tool a few photos while trying to look discrete.

Did a few shops and walked the main street to the Town Hall and caught the train back. Now it's chillax time.

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Sydney Harbour Bridge

The sun was in the wrong direction for taking photos. We hope to get some better ones tomorrow.

Sydney Opera House

We made it down to the Sydney Opera House. Was lovely and sunny but turned cool once fhe sun went down.

Upcoming updates

As we fly to Sydney in the next few hours, updates will depend on the availability of spme free WiFi.

We shall be in Sydney for one and a half days and I know that the hotel does not have WiFi but I might be able to find an internet cafe.

We have an overnight stop in Singapore mid-week and the hotel does have free WiFi so there maybe a radio blackout for a couple of days.

Please note that all photo's posted are taken with my iPhone and then reduced in size for the upload to this blog. This allows quick and easy photo uploading although quality may not be top notch.

Right. It's 03:30 on Monday morning and I have to be up at 07:00 to get to the airport, so signing off for now.

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Chilli and Pickle will miss us

Nice doggie

Robert and Chilli

Dog sleeping

Goodbyes

I am so pleased that Louise, Leeann and Martin were able to drop by today so that we could say our goodbyes.

I don't know when we shall be back this way again. Hopefully not too long.

Thank you for everything and for being the best bridesmaids ever!

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Bbq time

It's really quite chilly this evening. We have had to turn on the patio heater at 17:00. Still, the bbq is smelling great and I am peckish verging on starving

Afternoon BBQ

It's Sunday afternoon already. Where has the time gone.

Louise came round this morning to say goodbye. It's a shame that she wasn't able to stay longer.

We went to the Sunday Market for a mooch around. It's a bit of a cross between a farmers market and a car boot sale.

We're getting ready for a BBQ now.

The sky clouded over earlier but the sun is out again now.

Cases are packed. The journey home begins tomorrow morning. We have had a wonderful time.

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Sunday morning update

It is Sunday morning and our time in Brisbane is drawing to a close.

We are supposed to be going to a local Sunday market early this morning but nobody is up yet.

Louise, one of the bridesmaids is expected to pop in at some stage today.

Otherwise, it will be a case of trying to pack everything into our suitcases whilst staying within the allowable limit. It is gonna be tough. It will be an early start tomorrow, Monday.

We shall be having a BBQ later today which will be nice. Nothing fancy.

I'm laying in bed and I can see the early morning sun streaming through the blinds. Looks like another gorgeous day. Spring is on the way it won't be quite so warm in Sydney, just a cool 18 deg.

At the moment we plan to visit:
- Sydney Opera House
- Botanical Gardens
- Sydney Harbour Bridge
- Ferry trip across to Manly

We had better try to make the most of the remaining time we have here before we start the very long journey home. I am not looking forward to that at all

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Time for bed

It's been another long day but the weather has been good to us. Plenty of walking and eating.

Tomorrow, Sunday, we start packing to leave on an early flight to Sydney on Monday morning.

Had a great evening outside playing Trivial Pursuit. Was a laugh.

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More Raby Bay Marina

Raby Bay Marina

Saturday

We went for a walk around Oyster Point and then on to Raby Bay Marina for lunch. Naturally, we went to the Hog's Breath Cafe. After that, we went for a large ice cream. Very nice.

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Oh Robert

This was Robert, on the train into Brisbane today. Too much Tequila last night I rhink.

Brisbane

Brisbane skyline

Brisbane day out

Been a long afternoon in Brisbane. The train takes about an hour (17 stops).

We left the rest of the troupe in town. They are off to see Brisbane Bronco's lose to Melbourne Storm this evening.

We caught the train back to Wellington Point but it is a very rural station. There are no taxis or buses. Mind you, station car parking is free!

The two phone numbers that Vicky gave me for a taxi at Wello Point were both incorrect so Margaret and I walked.

I did tell her the number was missing a code but she would 't have it.

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Morning after the night before

Margaret and I are awake, showered and about but the house is silent.

This is the scene on the patio.

No wonder Robert was plastered. But who were his comrades? Vicky for sure because I heard her giggling and our bedroom is at the front of the house. I bet Simon and Gary were there too

Robert's had a few drinks

Oh dear. Robert is wandering around the house in the middle of the night singing to himself. I can only guess that he's been at the Tequila again with Vicky, Gary and Simon.

Scarey thing is that as I went to the loo, he was coming out of the garage.

I doubt whether he, or the others, will be up very early tomorrow.

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Thursday update

We have had a super day today at Australia Zoo. The weather has been glorious.

We saw the birds, crocodile and tiger shows.

We held and cuddled a Koala. Picture to follow. We also fed the kangeroos. Robert & Margaret really got into it.

We have loads of camera photos to bring back. Get ready Costco.

We are collecting everybody's photos before we leave so that we can write then to a dvd.

Starting to think about packing now. The days are going so fast

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Nice kangeroo

Cheeky Koala

Robert feeding 2 kangeroos

Margaret feeding Kangeroo

Getting up for the Zoo

It is 06:11 on Thursday morning and I will be up in time for an early start. We are leaving for Australia Zoo really early. It's about 90 minutes away.

It's a whacking $87 to get in and if you want to cuddle a Koala then it's an extra $40. About £80 in total - per person!

I'm skint, get me outta here.

It is hugely expensive here. That goes for just about everything.

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Robert's fish

I can confirm that we have a photo of Robert with the fish he caught the other day.

We're having to enlarge the picture so that you can actually see the fish :-)

As soon as I have it, i'll post it.

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Chilli sleeps

Gekko update

The Gekko wasn't getting much out in the open so he has moved into a shadowed area. Now we can't see him either.

Everything in this country is poisonous, bites or both!

We are sitting here scratching our bites. We have more lotions and potions than you can throw a stick at.

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Chilli changes

Robert's out of favour and Mar Mar is in!

Robert and Chilli

Rob & Chilli are becoming good friends

Didgeridoo

Jack bought a Didgeridoo today.

What a mistake-a to make-a.

I'm sure glad he's not on my flights going home.

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Rainforest walk

We did a long rainforest walk today followed by a further walk on the "Skywalk".

A guest this evening

We have a small guest this evening. He seems to be eyeing up the flies attracted by the light. We're just waiting to see him pounce.

Tamborine Mountains

Another lovely day today. Been up to Tamborine Mountains.

Robert & Chilli

Robert has a new friend, Chilli.

Crabs claw

Another view of Robert's crab. See the size of that claw. That's the claw that nipped Gary's finger.

Robert's crab

Well. Just received this photo from Robert. It is a vicious looking monster.

Tuesday's update

Funny day today.

I have been at work at the Brisbane Refinery.

The girls went shopping and the boys went fishing.

Robert caught the most. One small fish and a vicious crab that almost took Gary's finger off.

Gary caught a fish. And that was it. The live bait was bigger than the fish they caught.

We have sitting out again this evening. Thank goodness for the patio heater.

We are definitely getting through some beer.

Last night, after everyone had retired, Robert was raised from his bed for a midnight tequila party. Naturally, Robert didn't decline. He is getting quite a name for himself here.

He and Simon spent some late nights in dubious bars in Surfers.

@Karen, you will need to take him in hand, I think.

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Great day

We have had another lovely day today. Two long walks and a BBQ. Lance, one of Gary's local mates joined us for the evening. What a character. He should have his own TV show. He is supposed to be flying up north tomorrow for work but he got drunk at the wedding, climbed onto a jet ski on the back of a Land Rover, promptly fell off and as we learned today has broken his hand and will be plastered up for 6 weeks. He is coming over to London in 6 weeks for the first time. Should get Kris and Rob to go see him for a drink, if they dare!

Vicky on the beach

She was our official photographer at the beach today. It was so hot, well, for us Brits it was.

Looking for shells

Mum and Vicky walking across the sands towards the island. They are looking for shells, coral and hermit crabs, which are all plentiful.

Koala safari

We all went out on a local Koala safari. There is a park just a 15 minute walk away where there are wild Koala's.

We saw two Koalas. They were both quite high up and i needed my Zoom lens to get even close.

Could have done with Kris and his lenses.

Weird birds!

How different are these two.

On the island

We walked the half a mile or so to the island. The sands were lovely and soft and the sun was blazing down. It's quite a hideaway when you get to the island. You need to get back to shore before the tide comes in.

Blue crab

I think that they were looking for crabs ans jellyfish. Simon found a live blue crab.

At the beach

Now Mummy and Vicky are searching for weird things on the beach

At Wellington Point

Looks like Robbie has found something interesting. But, what is it.

Another sunny day

It's Monday morning and the sun is streaming in throigh the bedroom window so another day of whacking on the sun cream I guess.

You are able to add your own comments to any of the blog posts so don't be shy. Constructive comments always welcome.

It must be Sunday evening in UK so I expect that the Olympics are coming to a close. Isn't the closing ceremony on Sundsy evening? Have fun.

Outrigger

This is the Outrigger hotel where we stayed over the last couple of days for the wedding. It is a great hotel with some lovely views, especially from the 16th floor where Margaret and I were.

Thoughtful pose

This was Margaret on the ferry boat heading back to Fishermans Wharf from the wedding venue, Island Hideaway. Any guesses what she is thinking?

Email me at rccook@btinternet.com and I may post the printable ones.

Monday's Plan

The plan for today, Monday 13.08.12 is to go up to Wello Point (Wellington Point) and walk across to the island, which is accessible at low tide. The trick will be not to get caught out by the tide and have to wade through water on the way back. The water does contain some nasty critters, jellyfish, sharks etc so best not to get caught.

Stuff it. I might just sit in the Cafe and drink beer and watch the others do it.

By the way. It seems quite a few words get shortened here.

Wello Point = Wellington Point
Servo = service station
Fisho = fishmonger

We saw some signs on the way back from Surfer's yesterday:

"Fisho at BP servo"

Nighto from me (Richard not Rob)

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Confusion

Hi peeps,

It has come to my attention that some readers think this is Robert's blog.

This is probably due to the fact that there are a few pictures of Robert. These are there for benefit of Karen, Robbies wife, who is back in the UK.

I can confirm to you all that this blog is Richard's blog alone. :-)

Also, the pictures posted here are coming exclusively from my iPhone 4 camera and are reduced in size, and quality, prior to posting. It's much easier to post photos direct from my iPhone than having to download them from my camera.

A full set of hi res pics from my camera will be available, on request, when we get back to the UK.

And yes, I am posting this at 02:21 local time.

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Wedding cards

We have just been through the cards and gifts. It is now Sunday evening at 21:25. Everyone is shattered after a busy weekend and I'm signing out for the day.

Will post more photos and news tomorrow. Feel free to respond with feedback. Email me at
rccook@btinternet.com

Wedding cake

This is Robert having a sneaky piece of wedding cake. Funny how he is the first one to get any. We're still waiting.

Beer and pasta

We are sitting outside as usual. We went out and bought a patio heater as it does get cool once the sun goes down.

Robert, of course, has to sit right under the patio heater. He dors love his Aus sweatshirt.

We are waiting for the gekko to come out. He hasn't shown his face for a few nights.

Robert has gone Australian

The official photographer

This is Vicky with the official photographer, Diana. We couldn't afford to fly Andrew out to Brisbane

Breakfast

Now then. This is a good old "beachy breakfast". Fair dinkum!