holiday 2011 Oz

At last we have managed to find some internet, our accommodation has no wireless connection!! So today I am sitting in the local library on free internet and will start blogging lol.

Thursday 17-3-11
Easy journey to Heathrow, underground OK arrived in plenty of time, dropped off bags having already checked in on line. Boarded at 9.20pm took off down runway when captain announced he had left a passenger so we had to return to bay, Eventually took off at 10.10pm for a somewhat bumpy flight, we were lucky enough to have four seats so spread out and managed to sleep for a few hours. On leaving airport we took a taxi/limosine to the Dorset Regency, it is a lovely hotel, we are on the 27th floor so hoping there is not earthquake here, the lift zips us up in no time at all. We settle in, shower and go out in search of food, we went to a restuarant named Shakura which has been recommended to Ken by someone online, have to say great meal,
20 pound for two with drinks. Walk back to hotel for an excellent well earned sleep.

18-3-11
Wake at 8am have a cuppa in room then down to a good buffet breakfast, fried eggs perfect, beef bacon...mmm..quite good actually, fruit, yoghurt, and danish pastries, full to bursting - will see us through to our meal tonight.,
Out onto streets now and walk to new shopping malls - not far from us a nice walk, its very hot but humidity not too bad. Bought watches for kids priced up other goods so we have an idea when we got to the market and chinatown tonight what the going rates are so we have a bartering price in our heads, love it.
Didn't need lunch but had a lovely coffee, was coerced by Ken to had a foot massage/reflexology, dont really like people touching my feet and I had to try hard to suppress my laughter when she first started, however I thought it was supposed to be relaxing but how can you relax when someone is pummelling your feet and legs and pulling your toes until they crack, then they charge you! It was 50 ringitts each for half an hour. Ken wants a neck, head and shoulder massage tomorrow, I'm not sure about that one the woman I was watching did not seem to be enjoying it judging by her facial expressions.
Walk back to hotel to freshen up, get taxi to Chinatown for night market and food. Buy a couple of bags and eat at a market stall, delicious food downed by a couple of drinks, met nice English couple from Warwickshire and spent time talking to them, got taxi back to hotel and so to bed.

Sat 19-3-11 Tys birthday
Woke early so went down for early breakfsat then walked into centre, Ken needed some new earplugs for his MP3 player and we bought some gifts for the kids. We are all walked out by 1pm oso on our 3way back to hotel stop to eat some satay chicken and rice downed by a cold drink. We are checking out later and being picked up at 5pm to go to airport. Very misty here this afternoon after being so hot and sunny, looks like heavy rain is coming so goodbye to Kuala Lumpar.

Flight left at 10.50pm for a seven hour flight to Sydney very full flight owing to sharing with KLM and Sri Lanka airways no spare seats, we had a young child who cried and screamed for five hours bless her she was knackered but wouldnt give in, felt for her Mum, but kept wishing she would give her some medicine lol. Breakfast on board was crap, yoghurt and choc muffin which was awful, fortunately we had taken some sandwiches on board so we ate them. Malaysia
Airlines (like them all I suppose) seem to have really cut back really did not like the food this time.

Sun 20-3-11 Rachels birthday
Arrived in Sydney airport at 9.20am had to wait for luggage then went to Hertz counter to pick up car, all went smoothly, go to car park where car is parked check it over, and off we go to Salamander Bay which is about two and half hours drive from Sydney, set up Sat nav and we are off. The rain is torrential, water lying on road very dangerous, traffic moving slowly, get out of Sydney very easily and settle in for a long drive, Ken is driving, so much rain and it is very misty at times. However the further we travel the better the weather is getting and as we arrive at our destination the weather is perfect, sunny and hot. Arrive at Baydreamer hideaway and it is beautiful, our own place, they place breakfrast every day. It is owned by a Canadian couple, who have looked after the wildlife in the area for many years, Kathy is particularly fond of the koalas and possums and she is very interesting to listen to having nursed many back to health after road injuries and bush fires. We have our own swimming pool and it is all very lovely, settle in and go into small town to buy a new Sim card for phone so that we can phone Rachel on her birthday and also check on how Paula is. Buy some rolls and ham etc for our lunch and take back to Hideaway, relax by pool with wine! It is time to ring Rachel which we do and have a nice chat with her and Leah, Owen not interested. Pleased she had a good morning and she was looking forward to her lunch out. Spoke to Paula and Isabelle also.
Out for meal at night to local pub great food, again this is a place where you have to eat fairly early as restaurants close early!

Monday 21-3-11
Had lie in this morning didn't get up until 8am although Ken up at 7.30pm which for him is a major lie in! We decide that as the weather is not going to be good we would drive to the Hunter valley and visit some wineries. Guess the Aussie weather forecasters are as good as ours as it turned out to be a fabulous and hot hot day. However we really enjoyed the wineries and also the brewery where you get six samples of different beers for 7 dollars and when you take back the sample rack empty they give you a glass of your chosen beer. Ken liked them all but as he was driving I had to finnish them off what with that and the wine was feeling a little light headed on the way back! Called in the cheese shop and chocolate factory, all very expensive. Arrived back at tea time, showered and out for a meal. Dawn is texting all the time lol.

Tuesdsay 22-3-11
Early breakfast enjoyed with doors open it really is a lovely spot to stay, decide to go to shops then to beach, Ken went for swim and convinced me to go in too, the water is lovely and warm, some of the waves were too high for me so I got out after 15 mins and being soaked and sat and read my book. We left the beach around 4pm and travelled back to Hideaway, calling in at Coles to buy some steak to barbecue, Ken enjoyed doing the cooking and we had a lovely dinner, then spent the evening relaxing and reading, lovely.

Weds 23-3-11
Early breakfast then to library to do blog will catch you later.