Goodbye New Zealand, hello Australia!

Hi Folks

We are now in Sydney having left New Zealand on the 6th April. We had a fantastic time in NZ which we hope we have conveyed in our previous blogs from there. So many happy memories, not least is the people we met. Everybody has been so kind. Complete strangers who invited us to their house to eat. Old friends and colleagues and new friends. They have all been wonderful and there is no doubt that we will keep in touch with many of them. Of course the scenery and wildlife have been outstanding. Too much to mention here but a real favourite was the Pukeko featured to the left. A wonderful and delicate bird with real attitude, apparently much loathed by the locals but as a foreigner I have the luxury of not having to deal with them on a day to day basis. The food and wine have also been a real treat and the wine of course is cheap compared to prices of the same in UK. Fruit and fresh veg very tasty. It is an amazing country with so many positive aspects to it. The cultural diversity is exciting and its history, whilst short, is facinating. We have learnt so much from so many people. So whilst we were sorry to say good bye to New Zealand we are excited by what lies ahead in Australia and beyond. Over to Phileas now.

I was very sad to say goodbye to a country that has felt like home for the last 4 months. My newly discovered cousin Jude was in Auckland on the day we left and came to wave us goodbye, or as her husband Alan put it 'to make sure they left' !! Typical!! As Fogg has said we have left behind many new friends and also have caught up with old ones. But it wasn't just friends and relatives who were so wonderful, all the people we met in shops and restaurants seemed genuinely pleased to serve us. For me the wildlife and trees were absolutely fantastic, an 'A' Level biology lesson round every corner! So thank you to everyone we have met, I can't name you all, you have reinforced for me the importance of family and friends.

Now we are in a very exciting city as you can see from Fogg's photos. Apparently the population of Sydney is the same as the whole of NZ. So this is a very different experience. However no less interesting; sharp eyed Fogg spotted a fruit bat last night and we have had two sightings of Ibis in the park by the harbour. As always we have hit the streets running and are exhausted but exhilerated (and slightly sunburnt). Very excited at getting hold of tickets for Swan Lake at The Opera House (what an amazing building), more on that later. Brilliant cruise round the Harbour this morning in the most glorious and hot sunshine.

Enough from me now, Fogg champing at the bit. Thank you NZ, we love you.

Phileas


The Opera House is fantastic. Allegedly inspired by the architect peeling an orange one day it is all it is cracked up to be. As we were cruising in the harbour I noticed that the span of the bridge echoed the shapes of the OH, hence the photo above to illustrate that. Sydney is a very exciting city and we are lucky enough to be in a hotel right in the middle. Eighteen stories high with a swimming pool on the 19th! I am trying to encourage Phileas to take a dip! On Saturday we take the Indian Pacific train to Perth on the west coast. So this is Fogg signing off. My love and very best wishes to you all Fogg xx