us and the Bridge

"beam us up, Scotty" Designer gear for the bridge climb.
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Well, me and computer, not a good match, I have done this one once, and it's gone. So I'll try and remember what we have done as we are now in N.Z. We got a taxi from the airport a driver of far eastern persuasion, who asked us which way to go. Good start, and as it was rush hour we ended up getting ripped off, 55 dollars. never mind. Hotel was good and we strolled down to Circular Quay in 40 degrees and I got my head burnt, serves me right.

Following day we walked the Botanical Gardens among  the Greater Sulphur Crested cockatoos and fruit bats, and Babsie came over poorly and nearly passed out as we were talking to some people from Eastbourne, ( and NO, she hadn't had a drink) all ended well, I think it was still a bit of jet lag.

we couldn't have missed it

Babs at Summer Bay. Filming location for Home & Away
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Now the Bridge Climb, amazing, we called around to book it and they were great, sat us down and talked us through, as to our concerns with Bab's hip, and next morning at 9.05 we set off, all geared up with radios and very "stylish" suits, we both think the first bit is the scariest, when the walkway is only about 2 foot wide, but you are attached to a line and then you climb through the frame work and up 4 near vertical ladders each about 12 feet and then it's out on to the bridge, and it is fantastic. A nice steady climb to the top with plenty of stops to admire the views, and photos taken by our guide, Brett.  We couldn't have missed this.

Sand sculpture at Manly Beach
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In the after noon we caught a ferry to Manly, and then two buses up to Palm Beach, probably known to you as Summer Bay, where Home & Away is filmed. A fantastic beach, and the Surf Club is there, and also some beautiful homes for the mega rich. We asked a couple where the bus stop was for the return to Manly and they insisted on taking us the 30 miles in their car, great people.

Australia Day 2008, amazing, ferry races on the harbour and so many people around, in the evening we dined at Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour, where there were 150,000 people, terrific atmosphere, no drunks, and the fire works were stunning, and they had a visual display showing their pride in their nation. On our last day we caught a ferry to Watson's Bay and walked up to the Gap with great views of the Pacific Ocean, we just chilled out there for a few hours and returned for our last night in Aus before jetting off to New Zealand.

Ferry race on Australia Day
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We are now in Auckland, Definitely picked the wrong hotel here, The Duxton, (remember it if you come here) Fire station at the top of the road and ambulance and police on the other and the dustcart calls at 4.00 am. New Zealand is a different country to Aus in more ways than one, but the people are just as friendly,had a meal last night in a real old fashioned pub,  we have been across to Devonport, rode to the top of the Sky Tower,(the lift has a glass floor) fed the sparrows in Albert Park, and tomorrow,---the journey begins, so ---watch this space