Carins to Magnectic Island

We have been going down the coast from beach to island to beach to island. Its tough! After exploring Cairns - and finding Nemo on the barrier reef plus making friends with the locals (well Melbourne...) we headed down the coast to Mission Beach. Here we stayed in a hostel named the Treehouse which was pretty much as the name suggest a treehouse in the rainforest. Unfortunately as we were in the rainforest we did encountered a spot....well alot of rain. Jo even said I would quite like the sun to be out. Im telling you she has changed!!

After Mission Beach we headed to Townsville and then onto another island - Magnectic Island, apparently it is Magnectic!!. The sun is now out here - and Jo has said im not quite sure I like the sun being out. Ok - so she hasnt changed that much!!

In Townsville we met up with two fellow travellers (the sister of someone I work with in Bristol). We spent the night exchanging our travelling stories and eating steak. Good steak. We have eaten alot of steak!! Good luck finding another job and deciding your next move Phil and Nicola!! :-)

We think we are going to spend 2 nights here on the islands (well thats if the sun stays out) but it might be more....so watch this space.

Hope all is well back in England

Charlie and Jo xx

And so to Australia

We are now in Australia - gud day to ya all!!

We had abit of an interesting start to the journey here - firstly Jo not having a visa, very odd when she did have one but apparently it didnt show on the computer. We then got one but then they put her birthday as the day she got her passport issued. She looks old for a 3year!! Anyway after all that drama we managed to board our the plane to Syndey and then another onto Cairns where we are now starting the Aussie leg.

We did spend some time exploring Sydney - we wander over the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera house and the Rocks area very nice. Also found a few chinese markets - well alot...so much so we thought we had landed in another country!

We are now in Cairns where the average temperature seems to be 27 degrees. Tomorrow we board a boat to explore the Great Barrier Reef :-) Im on the lookout for Nemos!

Hope you are all well

Charlie and Jo xx

A taste of the south island - and more on Flickr (eventually)

Here is just a taste of the many many photos we have taken from our trip around the South Island.....

See more on

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49802755@N06/sets/72157624499036090/

xx

So goodbye New Zealand - its been emotional!!

We are now back in Auckland - after a bit of niffy driving by Jo to catch our flight from Christchurch to Auckland. We both thought the flight was tomorrow (being Friday) and our flight to Sydney was on Saturday, anyho after a last night check we realized we had no time to explore Lake Tekapo. Well except to see the sunrise over it - yes I practiced my new photographic skills!! I'm not quite a pro yet but the pro that taught us only picked up his camera at 28 years old. There is hope for me yet.....

So we now leave NZ, which is sad. We have had some v good high points but also some low points (draw a line and all that) but this does me that we definitely need to return to explore more (there is still lots to see) and rest any demons that may have arisen!!

Thanks go to our host in Queenstown. It was great to see the Blackford clan again :-) The week spent there felt like a mini holiday within our extended trip so was a good time to stay in one place and recharge the batteries - oh yeah and ski..and jump off a bridge, and play frisbee golf, and go on a boat trip.....

Anyho next stop is Sydney where we then board a flight to Cairns to make our way down the east coast back to Syndey. Busy busy!!

Watch this space for Aussie tails.

Hope you are all well back in sunny England

Charlie and Jo xx

P.S Ernie also says sweet as, hey bro thanks for driving me fun places!!

The end of New Zealand is near........

So only 1 week left of New Zealand .....boooooooo!

We said good bye to Cazoline this morning as she makes her way to Uk (via Mount Cook, Christchurch, Auckland, Sydney and Singapore!!!) Ernie is already missing her as dont think He or CHarlie likes my driving that much!! Dont worry Dad i am being sensible! Safe travels Miss Meads!

You will all be please to know that Caroline and Charlie can now take perfect photos after going on a 5 hour photography course yesterday! Apparently it is all about putting it on manual and choosing the right setting .....it is going to be a long 3 months!!!!! tehe

At the moment we are being put up by one of Charlies childhood sweethearts! It is very good to have a bed and proper house to go back to.....thank you Alex and Shel! We will repay the favour when you visit Bristol, although cant promise a 4 bedroom house!!

You will all be please to know that Caroline has found true love.....Rex the dog is still pinning at the window for you! ;0)

Looking to hit the slopes in the next fews days....snowboarding in July.....crazy! Will let you all know how it goes!!

love Jo and Charlie xx