29/5/09

So I am now in Eden, in the South of New South Wales, and I'm staying with my Dad's cousin Tricia and her husband Richard. They've recently bought a new house which they've completely done up and it has the most amazing views. You can see the glistening blue sea from practically every window! Arrived in the night last night so only discovered just how beautiful it was when I got up this morning. It was a long day of travelling yesterday. Got on a train from Sydney to Canberra, and boy do the trains move slowly - about the same pace as the District line at home! No wonder it was such a long journey! Then got on a coach from Canberra to Eden where I was met by Tricia. Was about 9hrs travelling in total. Australia's so big!

This afternoon we're heading of to their cabin that they have built in the Snowy mountains. Richard left this morning to go and sort a few things out and Tricia and I will drive up after lunch and after we've bought a few things like food and other such essentials. We'll be there until Sunday I think (I doubt there will be any form of communication there) then we'll return to Eden and maybe spend a day on their boat (which you can see from their house!) before driving up to Canberra where they will drop me at the airport where I'll be flying to Byron Bay. All very exciting stuff. Jumpers all packed for the trip to the snowy mountains! It's pretty chilly down south, but at least the sun is shining. Bye for now xxx

I've arrived!

So - I'm in Australia! Feels a bit weird, but pretty cool. Had a fun few weeks in London catching up with friends and family but it's excitng to get away again. This is more of the holiday part of my gap year! The flight was fine, long and boring but that was to be expected. They did that annoying thing of giving us breakfast at what felt like 1am because they were trying to get us onto Singapore time, then I got lunch on the next plane at about 5am. Strange. Slept most of the way from Singapore to Sydney though which was ok. Was met by Jason, friend of my godmother Lucy, who have very kindly agreed to have me to stay for my first few days in Sydney. They have a 2 year old, Maddie, and a 4month old, Charlotte - so cute! And a lil fluffy dog called Rastas. Was a very comfy first night's sleep! Today haven't done much except get myself sorted with an Australian SIM card and start getting in contact with people. Went to the shops a bit nearby with Lisa and the kids so it's been quite a relaxing first day which is good coz i'm still pretty tired. Tomorrow Maddie is going to day care in the centre so they're gonna drop me there and can pick me up when they pick up Maddie, unless I manage to find my way back here! So will have the chance to start investigating the delights of Sydney. Was gorgeously sunny today, lets hope it's the same tomorrow. I'll hopefully get to meet up with Sam, a second cousin of mine, who's at Uni but has exams coming up (otherwise I'd be staying with him) so I'm planning on spending more time in Sydney at the end of my trip when Sam's not so busy. So yea, I'm fine. It's exciting being at the beginning of a new adventure! Hope all's well...keep in touch! X