Journey's End

Well that's it, it's done! All those mornings walking up the Strand after a 90 minute commute, dreaming through the windows of the various territories shop windows, looking at toy kangaroos, now I have seen them wild in the bush; looking at boomerangs and aboriginal people, now I have tried to throw a boomerang and have meet so many amazing aboriginal people. Then there were the photos of Sydney Bridge and Opera House. I can see me now, aged 18, cup of coffee in one hand, work bag in the other dreaming of visiting this far off land. Now I have, I have lived the dream totally.

Hong Kong was totally amazing. I had no preconceived thoughts about the place but boy it was totally amazing! The number of people, the shed volume of them, just like ants scurrying on their way. The smells, the colours and the bright lights. Most of all the smiles. I remember one evening getting some street food. The two so women cooking spoke no english, I speak no Cantonese, we just smiled at each other, as simple as that. A smile needs no language. I pointed to the food and they described what I was lol guts and tongue lol.

Then the bib Bhudda. Wow. Lighting some incense for my dad was so emotional, he got me hooked on Bhuddas. I wonderful moment. And Victoria Harbour, so beautiful. I would never get bored of looking at that.

Then on to Sydney and my tears of joy as the plane dipped it's wings and I could see the Opera House and Sydney Bridge. The tears just wouldn't stop lol. To sit each night at Sydney Harbour tapping into some free wi fi was wonderful. Watching the ferries come and go. Amazing. The Blue Mountains, breathtakingly beautiful. The air so clean you could taste it and the blue haze over the mountainous ridge. Then there's Meg my wombat lol. Another dream achieved to sit stroking her, to be so near lol. I still can't believe it.

Off then to Uluru, the heart of this amazing country. See see the sun rise over Uluru on what was my dad's birthday was so special. Seeing Valerie, the aboriginal woman, paint my painting. Ten the stars - wow. How small did I feel in this universe of ours! The night sky was astonishing, absolutely mind blowing.

I could happily move to Port Douglas tomorrow! It's like heaven on earth. So peaceful, so laid back, nothing is an issue. So warm, the tropics, rain and all. To see the rainforest and the wonderful greenery, amazing. Then Tilly the koala lol. All my maternal instincts clicked back in as I rocked her like a baby as she slowly closed her eyes, totally, totally amazing. Then more wombats lol, watching them being fed, so cute. I just love them!

Then I guess my nemeses, the sea. I was terrified, trying to be brave lol. Meeting Emma from Toronto helped as she thought I was mad and we just laughed and laughed. Getting into that bloody Lycra suit was so funny, then the flippers lol, mask and tube lol. The fear when I launched myself off the platform was soon replaced with sheer joy and childlike enthusiasm as I regulated my breathing and just went for it. The colours and shape of the coral and the gorgeous fish just swimming around me, arms distance, just swimming around. Totally, totally wonderful. Emma and I were snorkelling for two hours! We had no idea of the time. We were just like children in total awe of what we were seeing and doing. Like I said at one point I thought to myself, I am snorkelling in Australia at the Great Barrier Reef, lol how totally amazing is that. That day will be one that I will always remember. I did it, I conquered my fears, head on and it was amazing.

So here I am now, with a kangaroo on my plane lol on a huge A380 airbus making my way back to the UK! 35 hours of travelling and I don't care, I've done it, I have totally lived my dream and so much more. I left Manchester beaming and I haven't stopped, I can't stop smiling.

As most of you know my life is now on a completely different track and it's ok, it's all ok. I have my new house, Jude House to look forward to and I'm excited about it lol. I have more places to visit including Canada to see Emma lol, Uganda to see Ian lol, Vietnam to see the child I sponsor and who knows where else. There's a big wild world out there and like I have always said to Meg go and explore it and that's what I intend doing.

But for now it's back to England, to make my new home, to see my wonderful friends and family and most of all to see my Hetty and for us to be happy and safe in Jude House. Where, my friends, you are all welcome!

I hope you have enjoyed my blog. Apologies for the typing errors, but the iPhone screen can be small, coupled with tiredness and too much Chardonnay or too many cocktails. I've enjoyed sharing my trip with you all and have felt your love and kindness thought my trip. Not once have I thought I was on my own, not once. So all that remains is for me to say thank you for being there for me and continuing to do so as I start a whole new chapter of my life. As Guy Garvey sings ........ I love you mates xx

Free Willy - oh it's Karen in a Lycra wetsuit lol lol!

I don't know where to start. This morning I made it known to a few of you that I was absolutely terrified of today. One of you, and you know who you are Lee lol, told me to think of Mark Webber in his tux lol. So with that thought in my mind I was off.

I got to the check in place and was given my boarding card and wetsuit, yes I know lol, ticket. I started walking to the massive catermaran and started talking to another woman on her own. We hit it off straight away. Her name us Emma and she's from Toronto. It was terrible weather even I had two ginger sea sick tablets. We sat outside and we were just laughing. Lots of dishes if the day girls lol. We started speaking to a couple of women also from Toronto lol and all four of us were laughing away.

The crew come round to introduce themselves and we were off lol. A guy calked Bevan an Australian guy took a shine to us we had a right old laugh, so funny.

When we got to the pontoon we decided to go first on the glass sided boat. To be honest we were both a but nervous of getting in the water. Our friend Bevan did the commentary lol and he called us trouble, me as if lol.

We then had some lunch then the time had come to do it; to face my fears. First of all the dreaded wetsuit lol. Oh it was so funny just trying to get it on lol. Yes, there are pictures and these are for you Sue, I hope they make you feel better but I do believe that they may make others ill. Emma and I couldn't stop laughing.

Then we went for it! I was in. But lol I didn't realise you had to put the whole thing in your mouth. I had remembered the spitting in your goggles but lol but didn't hear the rest as we were laughing too much lol. Emma said use it as a mouth guard. Well that was it, I was off and I loved it! I can't believe it. Once I had regulated my breathing that was it.

The coral and fish were totally amazing. The fish, all sizes, come right up to you and their colours were breathtaking. At one point I actually said 'shit, I'm snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef' lol I know crazy but true. We were in the sea for two hours lol! It seemed like five minutes. We were one if the last to get out and we were still laughing as we were totally amazed that we had done it!

On the way blackout friend Bevan come and sat wit us and couldn't believe that Emma and I had only just met that morning, he thought we were travelling together lol. So we had more pictures lol as you do and two kisses lol! He said that I have the most infectious laugh and amazing smile! Me smiling again, how wonderful that is.

I bought a photo they took if Emma and I and will get it copied for her. As we hit off the catermaran the crew lined each side to say goodbye, that was so lovely. Yes, I got Bevan again lol another kiss lol. Bloody typical he says how long are you here for lol as I go home tomorrow.

Emma and I sat on the coach together and I was the first to be dropped off. He hugged and kissed each other goodbye. I can't tell you how well we got on and we will keep in touch. Which means Canada is now on the to do list lol.

I grabbed a coffee and sat outside the reception area to use the wi fi and I am not ashamed to say I cried. Not sad tears, far from it, but happy, so happy tears. I had the most amazing day if my life (apart from giving birth to my Megan). I had faced my fears full on and had the time of my life, I can't tell you guys how much. I am just so happy. I have had the most fantastic time, far better than I could have dreamt and today was absolutely brilliant.

OK less if the emotional stuff I know you just want to see the wetsuit! Open with care and not on a full stomach.

Love you guys xxxx

PS I look like Pingu lol lol😊

My boomerang didn't come back! 😕

Wow what a day I've had. First of all I went to an aboriginal Alton Towers lol and learnt all about more aboriginal culture. Really, really interesting. Then the fun begins lol. Boomerang throwing! Now anyone who really knows me will know what a dozy cow I can be and how I have no hand eye connection. So here I am with this aboriginal guy trying to throw a boomerang. Plop it hits the ground. Second attempt, plop it hits the ground. All of a sudden from the corner of my left eye I see this boomerang heading straight towards me! Off course it is! This is the woman who got hit by a puck, I said puck, at ice hockey. The aboriginal guy had to push me out if the way and he cleverly intercepted it with his boomerang! It was a bloody American guy doing the throwing!

Next we moved on to spear throwing. Needless to say I gave it a rest lol. Then I, yes me, went on a cable car, on my own. How brave is that. It took us up into the rain forest which was truly breathtaking. It was so warm I was dripping wet - I'm saying no more I will let my friends from Buddies draw their own conclusions from that statement!

I then arrived in the little town and went straight to the zoo there, I had enough of culture by then and also there were too many shops to tempt me. Oh what a lovely zoo it was, very small but so friendly. I fed a wallaby by hand, how cool is that. I saw them feeding the crocodiles, gruesome! Then, oh I was so excited I met Polly and Pugsy the two wombats! Oh they were adorable. I stood there ages watching them. Then I went and had my photo taken with Tilly the koala. Koala is an aboriginal word which means one that doesn't drink, as koalas don't, they get all the moisture from the eucalyptus. Oh and they are not bears either!

Oh she was lovely. I started rocking her like a baby lol and she was falling asleep in my arms, so sweet. They let me hold her for ages, it was brilliant.

I then caught the train down the rainforest. It's a small 1920 type train. I must have thought I was commuting again as I fell asleep lol! I was shattered when I got back but what a day. I am so lucky as I have done all and more of what I wanted to do. However, tomorrow is the big one. The Great Barrier Reef. I am trying not to panic about:

A. Me in a swimming costume
B. Me in a Lycra wetsuit thing
C. Me in the sea, the big sea
D. Drowning because I don't know how to breath through that pole thing
E. stingrays
F. Jelly fish lol the real ones. That would be my luck, death by jelly fish lol lol
G. Oh yes sharks lol

Apart from that, really looking forward to it lol. I'm sure I'm going to be just fine. If not at least I died happy and yes Andy you can have my iPhone and iPad lol.

So I'm sitting outside the reception bar in the warm it's 9.00pm here and I have a large glass of Sauvignon mmmm very good. If you can make it sunny for me from Thursday guys I would appreciate it lol.
Yes I know you don't spell moron like that but I thought it was funny lol

Port Douglas - Sunday

At the Sunday market here at PD. Plenty of crap to buy lol. I've been good to date only bought a wind dangly thing for the garden, it is pretty cool!

I bought a day ticket for the bus so I will come back here tonight to have a look around. The occasional drench today but warm, sunny and blue skies. 30 degrees and sea is 27 degrees. Just been to the Quicksilver office to confirm my barrier reef trip and to tell them of my fears of stingrays lol. I said that I didn't expect them to sweep the ocean clear for me and that I knew they were trouble before Steve Irwin; but what were the chances of seeing one. She was laughing her head of as I did say that you lot thought I would be bitten by a snake or spider by now. Anyway, yes they are out there but the chances of seeing on is low as they tend to keep away. I assured her that the sea will be riddled with them come Tuesday. She did say she wished she was working on Tuesday lol. I've got to have a wet suit which is so not a good look lol! So not worrying about stingrays or any jelly fish lol just the bloody wet suit thing lol.

Lovely meal this evening ....... Need to get back to the gym lol! Plenty of time for that when I'm in my new home.

OK bedtime now I have am early start for the rain forest tomorrow.

Love and hugs xxx

Priscilla Queen of the desert now by the sea

G'day you snowy people, of course I'm laughing lol!

Just had a big breakfast to keep me going and waiting for the bus into town. So here are some random photos to make you smile! Lee don't look at the photos lol x

I'm certainly not a celebrity, so just leave me here please!

Just loving this apartment. Made first major mistake of living in the tropics. I left a bag of mints and some sealed crackers out on your work top. Got back from my little exploration to find a few ants showing an interest. It says on the blurb from the hotel, empty bins daily and cover all food! Oh well.

It turns out that the monsoon is in fact a cyclone! No idea what that is, wet and windy I guess. A rather nice guy in one of the shops I went in was telling me. He says he's been tracking it on the radar (as you do) and the wind is not moving it. But by all accounts it should start improving tomorrow. I couldn't care less, it's rain, warm rain. You get wet, you dry out again!

Port Douglas is lovely, my type of place. For you Cornwall girlies it's like there. Very laid back, nothing is too much trouble - I love it. I have bought so much 'stuff' today lol. It has to be done. Found a nice surfers style cafe and had a mixed fruit cocktail, delicious. Then more shopping for more toot (translation: a southern expression for crap lol) to take home. Believe me, I could have bought a lot more if I could have carried it all lol.

Went food shopping, I love doing that in a different country. The fresh fish and seafood is amazing. Didn't take any pictures as that is a bit sad standing in the middle of Australia's Sainsbury's clicking away on your iPad lol. The supermarkets don't sell alcohol here you have to go to a Bottle Shop. I didn't bother, I couldn't carry any more. Anyway it's happy hour back at the hotel and they do cocktails lol.

So I'm back at my lovely apartment. Food all our away from the bloody ants and I'm sitting out on the patio in my swimming costume listening and watching the rain. Every now and then you hear a cuckoo borough (I don't know how you spell it but you know what I mean) laughing in the trees. No sign of anything else there though, but I bet there's something lurking lol. That guy Stan from HK was telling me when we met that two of his sisters dogs got attacked, whilst they were protecting her children, by a cobra. They died, the dogs not the children lol. All I've seen are flies, ants and a gecko lol.

It's funny to think that you are all sound asleep ( I can hear some of you snoring lol) as it's 5.30am there and 3.30pm here. I can't really work that out says Chicky Lickie. And what is it so warm and sticky here and there's no sun? OK Nikki I know, I'm thinking too much.

OK just checked happy hour is 4-6 so happy two hours yay. Better go and put one clothes on then. Mmmmmmm I do like cocktails lol. I'm still beaming and I'm so happy x

Port Douglas - Day One

G'day! Well I'm hearing that you guys have a bit of snow over there! Ha ha ha ha ha! I hate the snow. If it makes you feel any better it is raining here. It's the tail end if a triopical storm. However, it's 30 degrees and I'm sitting on one of my three patios/verandas typing this and my glasses are steaming up because of the rain!

The flight from Ayre's Rock to Cairns was good. I bagged a window seat again and at the emergency exit so loads of leg room. It was dark when I arrived and wet, but first impressions of Cairns were that it reminded me of Florida. The heat in HK was like the UK. The heat in Sydney - and I still have burns, seriously - was like the med. The heat in Ayre's Rock was intense a dry heat. Here at Port Douglas, even though it's like a monsoon at the moment is very, very warm and sticky. It's lovely just sitting here, in shorts typing this and watching the rain just drench everything. It just smells delicious.

It's a good job I met Meg the wombat in Sydney as the zoo I was going to visit is miles away, so not going to bother. There is a bus service into town so will catch that later. I did nothing yesterday just sat in the shade reading, I was so tired. I'm really getting good at relaxing again.

Just checked e mails and the solicitor informs me that the move is on for Thursday 4 April. So all help needed over Easter. I am going to hit the ground running but hey it's all going to be fine; I like my new life!

The first picture is the view from my apartment. I am living in a two bedroom apartment. I want to stay here forever! It has two showers, two toilets, cooker, dishwasher, oven, tumble dryer (as if you need it), washing machine so doing all my washing lol. Two tvs, stereo with I pod docking lol, table, chairs sofa lol, utility room. Here are some photos! Why I've got such a huge place I don't know, I've checked twice lol as I get free breakfast too and I wasn't expecting that either. OK off to explore. Sleep well, love you xxx