So we're in Sydney at the mo and have been since the 10th of Feb. The flight from Christchurch was only three hours, so a nice quick one. Although James wasn't happy about the turbulance!!

We checked into our hotel in the city when we arrived, which was a birthday treat for me for two days - very nice too! 5 minutes walk into The Rocks and Circular Quay- for those that don't know this is where the Harbour bridge and Opera house are.

I had a great birthday on the 11th - thanks so much for all the messages on here, facebook and the texts some of you sent. Dad, thanks so much for the phonecalls and flowers (although they didn't arrive in the end? - bloody florists! Anyway, it's the thought that counts and the hostel we've been in for the last two nights would have been a no go for delivery- you'll have to email me a photo!!)

I had one of the best birthdays ever - we took a bus to Coogee, where I used to live. Had a beer in the CBH (Coogee Bay Hotel) and The Palace (two of my old haunts!) and then relaxed sunbathing on the beach, before heading to Gordons Bay where me and Debbie used to love going to chill and swim. It's still as beautiful!! Afterwards we went back to the hotel, got showered and went for a lovely meal at The restaurant above The Orient Hotel at The Rocks - we had Champers, Kangaroo and a T.Bone steak!! Knocked socks of usual backpacker meals and the meat was cooked properly!! Yum!

Our plan had been to pick up a hire car on the 12th and drive to Melbourne to get there for the 14th but it turned out the cheapest car we could find would have been $550 for two days! Our budget gone! We decided to stay in Coogee at a hostel called Beachside for two nights and fly to melbourne (flights are only $79 each! Far cheaper than driving and we got to hang out in Coogee for a bit longer so no complaints from us!)

The weather has been terrible for the last two days though, but we've managed to entertain ourselves with walking, sightseeing and a few beers here and there and yesterday James went for it and had the tattoo he's been harping on about for the last few years!! I can't believe he actually did it! Apparently he went for one of the most painful areas to have it, but I'll keep you all guessing where that may have been . . . . I still think a picture of Woody was a bit OTT but there you go, I guess it's clear who he loves more . . . Happy Valentines to Woody from James xx

We're about to fly to Melbourne in a couple of hours and we're staying in an apartment with Jody, Kon and Lou, so it will be great to catch up with them and to see some familiar faces!

Catch up soon and hope you're all well! More messages so we know who's reading this would appreciated!! Thanks ;-)