The Tropics!

Next morning by train, back to Sydney again,

for step three and on to a plane.

A flight to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef

is almost something beyond our belief.

Sue goes snorkelling with fish in the sea, 

a helicopter flight Is the thing for me.

Fantastic trip not one to miss

to see living coral and aquarium fish.

A sub aqua trip was done as well

with sights that my words cannot tell,

turtles and fish, coral and squid

definitatley worth that few extra quid.

We survived our couple of days in the tropics, the temperature was only in the mid 30's but with high humidity it felt much hotter. It was certainly difficult walking around, and all we felt like eating was lettuce! Although we did eat curry one night, how did 

that happen? 

The trip to the Barrier Reef was spectacular, but so difficult to photograph, would need a snazzy underwater camera which we didn't have. 

I have to say, I was very proud of myself, it was my very first time snorkelling, I wasn't exactly adventurous, it took a while to actually get my head underwater! Added to the experience was wearing a very fetching "stinger suit" recommend as it was stinger season, fortunately I didn't see any box jelly fish!!!😳

The Blue Mountains

Just two hours by train from Sydney and we were in the Blue Mountains for a couple of nights in a guest house:

Next on our A list is,

a trip to the three sisters

to Katoomba, 

where there's a cable car,

many little shops and cafés too,

it's like a film set from 1922.

The b&b was quaint and not smelly,

and we had lunch in the hippie Yellow Deli.

Then a wonderful find 

a real treat for your mind

A restaurant and bar 

that's by a mile so far

topped every other one, 

a place called the Paragon.

Art Deco for sure but so wonderfully real,

add to that an excellent meal.

The guest house was in fact much better than "not smelly" it was delightful... authentic 1920's with thoughtful owners, providing a lovely breakfast, afternoon tea with homemade cakes and biscuits available all afternooon and evening, and port to drink in the evening. The lounge was full of gorgeous books all about the local area.

2014 starts with...

Well that was the latest we'd stayed up for new year in a long time. After the fireworks we had a long walk back to the hotel, we shared the streets of Sydney with the million others, 1 in the morning was like a Saturday afternoon. Back at the hotel we watched the fireworks again on YouTube!

New Years day and beyond:

So a trip on the ferry amongst many small ships,

to Watson's Bay to sample their chips.

Toes and feet dipped in the sea,

any deeper? Not for me!

A bus ride back via Bondi Beach

plenty of people with a surf board each.

Looking for tentacles and fins

I'm not going in beyond my shins!!

An evening to remember on the second of January

after forty years we met John and Kerry.

A drink in the Marble Bar, then up the Sydney Sky Tower

stunning views as you rotate once an hour.

While John and I discussed times of old,

Kerry and Sue start with the new.

We all have a lovely meal and a chat

what in the world is better than that.

New Year's Eve

We were in Sydney for New Year's Eve, along with at least a million other people!!

So from ten in the morning until half past one,

we stood in a field in the blazing sun.

We then try and find a spot with a view,

amongst thousands of others, that's not easy to do!

Ooh finally a space that's okay, 

it's so busy here, but we didn't have to pay!

Now sit and wait the show starts at nine.

Toilets or food? Then wait in line!

Glad we decided to make it here,

to soak up the wonderful atmosphere.

It's a bit of a blow, 

that our view of the show,

was blocked by trees 

so I guess that explains the lack of fees.

Hong Kong to Sydney

Well just as predicted these posts are not at all regular! Mainly due to lack of wifi, but also we've been a little tired after busy days. 

We're in Melbourne now for a few days...let's see if we can catch up!

Next installment of Dave's ramblings:

Eleven hours journey time,

from here to Hong Kong,

well blimey, 

that didn't take long!

A walk round the airport 

and maybe a bite,

then get ready for the next flight.

Just time for a ciggy and a drink,

then onto the plane

for the next travel link.

Arrive in Australia at 7.08

and to be honest in not too

bad a state!

Dumped the bags

and both had showers,

then down to the harbour 

for a couple of hours.

Sydney opera house 

and the bridge 

WOW, now it's time 

for a drink from the fridge.

Then off to bed 

to get ready for tomorrow...

seeing in the new year

with the firework show.

Off We Go!

Welcome to the Moore's blog...

We were unsure about whether a blog was really appropriate, well Dave certainly was! "Why do we need to? Isn't Facebook just as good? Who would read it anyway? Will we have time?

It seems time will be an issue after all, we've been away a week already and this is the first post!

We're not sure if many will want to follow our adventure down under, but for those who do we thought we'd go ahead. 

We're not promising to post on a regular basis, that's clearly going to be a problem for us, but would like to add some pictures of where we are and the odd poem from Dave! (We do mean odd, don't expect Ted Hughes!)

So our trip begins with a lift to the station,

our heads full of anticipation.

A journey to Aus and NZ

Who knows when we will next see a bed!

The Megabus to London and on to Heathrow

at least there was no threat of snow

Checked in on line with Cathay Pacific

Sue gets an isle seat, now that's terrific!