Andy & Gillie's Big Adventure!: On The Road Again

Been a while, hasn’t it? Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and exciting new year. We certainly did!

Although we had three weeks living in someone else’s house, with only chickens to think about, we seem to have had a very busy time. Without going into the minutiae, we’d like to share some of the high-(and not so high)lights…

As the girls were busy partying (and in Holly’s case working her socks off) on Christmas eve, Gillie and I decided to treat ourselves to a curry In Bondi. Those familiar with our favourite Indian eatery – the Palace Tandoori in Denby Dale – cannot begin to imagine my horror when I was presented with a plate of tasteless pink gloop containing a small number of unidentifiable items, billed with some aplomb as a ‘fish curry’. Gillie’s Korma (what else?) was apparently ‘ok’. We won’t be searching out any more Indian restaurants in Australia.

Christmas Day started with a trip to the beach (of course) and proceeded onto a full Christmas dinner, followed by a huge dramatic Sydney storm. One minute warm sunshine, the next crashing thunder, sheet and forked lightning and monsoon winds and rains. Very dramatic, especially when watched from a third floor balcony with a glass of something.

Christmas moved sublimely towards new year, which we spent sitting on a beach at Rose Bay, a superb view of the bridge and fireworks, wonderful picnic and, in my case at least, rather a lot (too much??!!) to drink. Say no more, except it was magical spending it with the girls.

Beach again New Year’s day. Ho hum.

While we stayed in our house sit, we cleared Molly of all our baggage and bedding so that we could spruce her up before putting her on the market. A couple of days before we left, we started to put everything back. As we put the mattress back in place, I looked over Gillie’s shoulder to the frame of the sliding door and saw the biggest spider I have honestly ever seen in its natural environment. It Was Fucking Huge!!! (check the picture, if you don’t believe me). Showing considerable calm and presence of mind, I screamed at Gillie to get the f%$* away and, after much manouevring (sp?), swept it back to its rightful place in the garden. I surprised both of us with my bravery…

The day before we left to head north, We were treated to a brilliant Christmas present from Holly and Emily – a helicopter ride over Sydney Harbour and out to Bondi Beach. It was brilliant – an absolute thrill. Thanks again girls!

Last Wednesday (7^th) saw us back on the road again, staying our first night in a free spot by the river at a little place called Bulahdelah – great.

We’ve hammered north, covering 1895 km (about 1180 miles) since we set off, with only a two-day rest at Noosa Heads – a lovely place with crashing surf on the beach and calm estuary waters - before arriving yesterday (Monday) at Airlie Beach in the Whitsunday islands, where we have booked to go to the Great Barrier Reef and an island trip. We’re not on holiday though!

We plan a more sedate journey south, with tickets for the England v India 1-day international (cricket) at the legendary Woolloongabba cricket ground.

This thinkin’s making me hot, so I’ll sign off, wishing you all a super new year. Can’t pretend we’re missing the snow and storms, though. I understand that it’s not easy to comment on the blog, if you were so inclined, but believe it can be done if you sign up to a gmail account, or something. If not please leave any comments on Facebook. I’ll pass you over for a word from our sponsor now. Much love…

PS. Gillie here, wow! It ain’t ‘arf hot Mum!! It’s like being back in Darwin… We’re staying in a beautiful campsite with a lovely breeze and swaying palms. All we (Andy) need now are girls in grass skirts and we’ll think we’re in paradise. We’ve got ‘pensioners rates’ on our boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef tomorrow, as we need to remind ourselves that we shouldn’t really be doing this ‘on a pension!’ The only problem with tomorrow is that Andy keeps saying I’ll have to get my hair wet when we go snorkeling! Surely in 2015 there must be a way of avoiding this?? Answers on a postcard please...

As Andy has said Christmas and New Year were great and the lovely thing is that we are back in Sydney for 3 more weeks to spend even more time with the girls. Thanks so much to the people who sent us good wishes and greetings via the multitude of media that is available nowadays, it’s soooo lovely of you all to keep in touch. Bye for now as I’m off to invent a ‘hair water repellent’ device for tomorrow!! G xxxxxxx

PPS. If it's out yet and you are so inclined, try and catch Angelina Jolie's directorial debut - The Unbroken - about pre-WW2 Olympics. No idea whether it's any good or not, but you might just catch a glimpse of Emily as a Norwegian athlete warming up!!!!