Berry, Australia

Berry - "is a small Australian town in the Shoalhaven region of the NSW South Coast in the state of New South Wales, located 145 km (90 mi) south of the state capital, Sydney."

Whilst we were staying in Gerringong (Christmas 2013), we did some sightseeing and one of the towns we visited was Berry, before driving up into the surrounding mountains.  Every time we visit Australia, we always take a drive to Berry, one of our favourite towns. It's atmosphere is so inviting. Little shops filled with so much.

Happy to be home

I'm back from the Sleep DownUnder 2016 conference in Adelaide, Australia. I'm so happy to be home and sleeping in my own bed, surrounded by my family.

Sydney/Currarong, Australia

Who knew I could be such a poop?!

Sydney visit

I am flying out to Sydney tomorrow for five days.  Unfortunately Greg won't be coming with me due to work committments.

The numerology of life

These past three years have been rather stressful. I'd almost liken it to the "dark night of the soul"...but having been through many of those, I'm not sure it qualifies...or maybe it does in a different way.

Our Travels

Greg and I love travelling and exploring.

We are both are South African, but have been living in the UK for 17 years. We have found it a very central location.

I felt the need to document these travels – whether short day trips or epic holidays and encompasses Greg’s recent passion for photography, as well as my love of flora, our combined delight in fauna and the world around us…oh and of course…each other.

Our earliest travels were on a very tight budget, so much of our early holidays with two children in tow, were spent in tents, our faithful ‘old banger’ (with a cheerful backfire or two!) piled high always managing to get us where we needed to be. Despite the budget restrictions, we had fabulous times.

A little bit of the Med in Sydney

We discovered a little bit of the Meditteranean in Paddington - a quaint suburb of Sydney. The houses are Victorian but the outdoor profusion of plants and potted plants reminded us of France.

Our return trip

Our return trip to the UK was an interesting (although very long) one.

We flew direct from London to Sydney, not sure what quantifies the difference between a "direct" and "indirect" flight as we had to get off the plane in Dubai, go through security search (again for the 100th time!) and then sit for an hour waiting to board again. Same as all the other "indirect" flights...and you pay for the privilege, lol.

The first half of the flight from Sydney to Dubai I sat next to an 81 year old, very brave blind woman who was on her way to visit her ill brother in the UK. According to her, she has done this trip several times.

Mothering Sunday fun

After eating a late lunch, Jordan and Meghan discovered the children's skateboards/scooters.

We all decided to give them a try.

Lol...who knew that being scared witless to could be so much fun?!

Scenic World in the Blue Mountains

Skyway

I unintentionally seem to have conquerred my fear of heights.

For someone with this kind of phobia, Scenic World is not a place to be, but we headed there last week, not thinking further than it being something to experience.

Jervis Bay and surrounds

Restaurant on Kiama harbour where we had a delicious lunch

On Friday Greg and I drove down towards Jervis Bay where we would be spending the weekend with our family.

Leeches

We went away this past weekend to Jervis Bay. Greg and I left early on Friday and drove around sightseeing. We were meeting family on Saturday to drive to the rental house.

In the afternoon I was sitting in the car whilst Greg took a few photos. I looked down and saw, what I initially thought was a worm. Within a few seconds I recognised it for what it really was...a leech.

I've seen them used in the hospital and am familiar with their movement.

Yurt farm weekend

Two of the yurts we stayed in

The first weekend we spent at a Yurt farm just outside Goulburn Back to Basics with friends and family in three yurts. We were the only ones there.

Visiting Australia

Here we are for a third time in Australia.

We arrived in the midst of the worst storm that Sydney had seen for (according to the news) a decade (although I did hear someone somewhere saying 100 years).

Today, the sunshine is finally taking a peak through the clouds.

Nan Tien Temple, Australia

Nan Tien Temple - "Nan Tien Temple known as “Southern Paradise” is the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. The temple focuses on the exchange of eastern and western cultures; the interchange of the traditional and the modern; and also the adaptation with the local communities."

Gerringong/Werri Beach, Christmas 2013

Gerringong - "This hilltop village overlooks a great swathe of blue ocean that promises long days of sport and sunshine. Stay around town a while and you'll discover this atmospheric town also has a taste for the finer things in life, including wines, great fishing and golf. There are seven courses in close proximity to Gerringong. Gerringong is also within easy reach of Sydney - less than a two-hour drive away;€“ yet it might as well be another world."

Sydney Botanical Gardens, Hyde Park and Woolloomoolloo

January 2014

We walked Sydney city centre from top to bottom. It is a very pretty city.

Rodd Point, Sydney, Australia Christmas 2013/2014

Rodd Point - "is a suburb in the Inner West^[1] of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is 9 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Canada Bay. Rodd Point sits on Iron Cove, on the Parramatta River. Rodd Point is adjacent to the suburbs of Five Dock and Russell Lea. Rodd Island is a small island in Iron Cove, just off Rodd Point. The Rodd Point memorial sits in Rodd Park, beside the Dobroyd Aquatic Club. Rodd Park is also colloquially known as "Point". The Bay Run passes beside Rodd Park and is popular with joggers, walkers and cyclists."

Kiama, Australia 2013/2014

Kiama - "Kiama /kaɪˈæmə/ is a township 120 kilometres south of Sydney in the Illawarra, New South Wales, Australia in the Municipality of Kiama. At the 2006 census, Kiama had a population of 12,286 people.^[1] One of the main tourist attractions is the Kiama Blowhole. The seaside town features several popular surfing beaches, caravan parks and numerous alfresco cafes and restaurants. Its proximity to the south of Sydney makes it an attractive destination for a large number of day trippers.^[2]"

Whilst we spent Christmas in Gerringong - we did some sightseeing and Christmas shopping in Kiama.

Illawara Fly Treetop Walk, Australia

Illawara Fly Treetop Walk - "The award winning Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk is one of Australia’s premier treetop walk  experiences. The only walk of its kind in NSW and one of only a handful of elevated steel treeop walks in the world, the ‘Fly’ is an immersive nature experience. The gentle 1.5km return walk takes in native rainforest, the steel walkway which features two gently swaying cantilevered arms, and a central tower raised nearly 50 metres from the forest floor. Positioned 710 metres above sea level, the stunning views take in everything from the rainforest floor into the canopy and out to the Pacific Ocean."