If you get a chance, go and see 'Lost in Translation'.
A very funny film, at one stage I had tears in my eyes from laughing. Bit slow towards the end, but a great way to while-a-way some spare hours.

The four days I spent in Airlie over Christmas have whizzed by. I had a great time, thanks to the Paterson Clan and it was nice to catch up with everyone.
Boxing Day A cricket match at Andrea's and Brians with temps in the high 30's made an interesting afternoon. I think I lost about 95% of my body fluid, but 400 litres of Diet Coke soon sorted that out. The lunch was very nice, and then back at Caths in time for 'World Idol' (Come on Will, you're better than the fro!)
Dec 27th 2003 With blue skies and temps pushing for the 40's we all went to Bowen, a small seaside town, about 45 minutes north of Airlie to visit on of Caths friends. Twas a hot, hot day and I caught a bit of sun when taking some photo's on the beach, but hopefully you'll like them
On the day I flew back to Sydney the blue had gone and replaced with stormy skies. I was at the front of the plane (thanks for the top-tip Ivan, got fed first!) and the hostess sat opposite. She was telling us, as we were taking off, that they had aborted one landing on the way in to Airlie because of the storm, NOT the kind of thing you want to hear as you are taking off. But we had a smooth ride all the way to Sydney.
Sydney was a very pleasant 22c when we landed, nice and cool. I think we have rising temps, back into the 30's forecast for the start of the week, with a chance of a storm on New Years Eve.
STILL not sorted out New Year, but as long as I see the fireworks I don't really mind. I'm more looking forward to 'The Lion King' on the 1st Jan.

19 New Photos: / 0312 Australia/ 031225 Christmas Day 2003
18 New Photos: / 0312 Australia/ 031226 Boxing Day 2003
14 New Photos: / 0312 Australia/ 031227 Bowen Beach
02 New Photos: / My Family

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I have been truly spoilt this year. It's just coming up to 6pm on Christmas night and my tummy is fit to burst!
I arrived in Airlie Beach yesterday, the flight was delayed, but twas less than an hour late, so no big worries there.
Cath and Ivan's house is amazing. I have my own 'addy flat' downstairs, massive place, bigger than some flats I've stayed in! Huge TV in the corner, almost as tall as me and my own bathroom, so I might just move in!
Tori, the daughter of the house, is great fun and got a big pink bike from Santa. She was so excited and taken aback by it all that she lost the power of speech. I've never seen a toddler so quiet. Seven month old Luke has massive blue eye's and is so well behaved (famous last words!).
I bought Cath and Ivan a webcam for Christmas because I know Cath has a lot of family back in England that will love to see the kids 'live'. Both Cath and Ivan are, let's say, 'technically challenged' so I knew they wouldn't have one! Problem was, when Cath opened the pressie this morning, she had in her hand the chocolates intended for Ivan's mum (who was hosting Christmas dinner). That meant the WebCam had been in the fridge all night, to stop it 'melting' and the liquefied chocolates had sat under the tree! Ooops - oh well. Squishy chocolate anyone?

Elva and John's house is beautiful, on top of a hill over looking the bay and some of the Islands of the Whitsundays. We had massive BBQ prawns, scallops and lot's of great food. The company was lovely and the best thing about it was, on the opposite side of the world I managed to have a great family Christmas.

We are going to Andrea and Brian's tomorrow for lunch and then I have just one more whole day before jetting back to Sydney.

I'm just about to start phoning home now, but at this time of night on Christmas evening all the international lines are busy. The last Christmas I was in Australia it was taking up to 40 minutes for a dial tone. So if I don't get through I'll catch up with you tomorrow.

Have a great chrsitmas, wherever you are in the world.

We had a VERY smooth ride over the Tasman from Auckland to Sydney. Coming in to land, however, all was fine until the pilot thought "sod it" and slam-dunked the plane onto the tarmac, at least we knew we had landed.

Auckland 21c - Sydney 35c - Slight difference! It is very nice to go out at night in shorts and a t-shirt and know the only time you will be cold is on the air-conditioned bus.

Narelle, Bob and family are, as always, proving they are Australia's best hosts. Nic met me at the airport and, as always with Sydney, within five minutes of landing I felt right at home.

Today, I've had a walk around the opera house (just to let it sink in that I am back in Sydney) and tried to battle five billion people who keep getting in my way when I am trying to do some last minute shopping. Bah-humbug!
This is the first chance I've had to catch up on my emails since leaving work (now I have to pay for internet access you might not hear from me quite so often!), so if you're still waiting for a reply, I am trying to work my way down the pile.

After I had given a presentation to the MD, my colleague Ritchie said to me 'I couldn't tell if you were nervous as most people talk a lot when they are, but you do anyway'

Cheers Ritchie, been a pleasure working with you.

You have the 'All Blacks'and the 'Black Caps' as the nicknames for the Kiwi Rugby and Cricket teams, so we decided to call our little gang of backpackers in New Zealand the 'BlackPacks'

I've now finished working for EDS/Telecom. Christmas and New Year will be very busy as I'm travelling to Australia. Not much time to pack etc. Can't wait to see the Aussie Gang! The time has gone so fast in Auckland, eleven months in the blink of an eye, and I've met some amazing people here.
In the last week we have said goodbye to four of the main 'blackpack' gang. Safe travel home and say hello to England for me.

I have started emailing a school in Argentina, that offers two week intensive training courses whilst you stay with an Argentinian family. I'm hoping I will be able to start on Monday 8th March. This will be six days after I get off the boat from Antarctica which will still be at the start of my South America trip and will come in most handy for the rest of my travels