The winner is ... Sidd-er-ney

This truly is a fabulous city! We are staying in Neutral Bay with a view of the Harbour Bridge from our balcony... This morning in the shower, I opened the window and discovered that if I leant out far enough that I could see the Bridge from in there as well! I suspect the neighbours also had quite a view...

We were quite overwhelmed with our send-off from Adelaide airport yesterday. Quite a number of folk had planned an ambush and were there quite a while before we turned up. Walking down the ramp onto the tube, a woman behind me a little jealously said, "looks like half of Adelaide has come to see you leave." [read: 'make sure you leave'] ha

That famous old saying came to mind... A journey of a thousand miles begins at an airport!

We picked up a supersonic tailwind, so the flight over was less than an hour and a half. As soon as we were settled in our seats, Zoe [peering at the safety evacuation info] said, "Mum, where's the ordering sheet?" Might as well be first in line... ha

Zoe was very struck by the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, and counted for 2min25seconds at 80kmh through the Lane Cove Tunnel on the M2. Any of you maths boffins work out how long it is? Need to allow for inconsistent counting rhthym...

The friends we're visiting live up in Nth Sydney, and have leant us their car so we can get from our Neutral Bay flat to their house each morning and evening as it's far too cramped with 4 adults and 6 kids. We had a bbq and small fire out in the back yard last night [perhaps broke a few fire brigade laws] and the kids roasted marshmallows.

Being World Youth Day today, Jude and the kids have trundled off into the city on the train.. not to see the Pope, but friends of hers and the kids from school. They may look like devotees, but it's hard to keep up the ruse when you're going in the other direction.... I don't think Mr Onarope will miss them...

Jude and I lay in the first of many strange beds last night and marvelled at what a difference a day can make...

PS. Terry, as we were taxiing out from the terminal yesterday, we saw the signwriter's van pull up with our banner... just a few minutes too late... thanks for trying anyhow....