Australia 2012 Kevin Bell
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Sat 18th Feb

Up early and taxi to Avis. Picked up car and set off to Blue Mountains. Quite busy on roads for a fair way and the Highway was not as good as those in Melbourne. Arrived before we could check in so dropped off cases and went into Leura, a designer tourist town - although it does have a Woolworths, which was a food supermarket and liquor shop, not the Woolies that we knew. Good breakfast/lunch at Lily Pad Cafe then back to Fairmont Resort.

Checked in - although a nice enough room, no balcony and not what I thought we'd paid for - a 'superior' room. Also lights weren't working. While maintenance were fixing lights, I looked in brochure and became convinced we were being short changed ie downgraded! So went to reception to ask (ok, complain). They claimed brochure 'out of date' 'new ones coming next week' and we were in 'superior' room. Anyway deal struck - upgraded to a very, very nice suite -v large lounge, big bedroom, both with large TVs, covered balcony with super views, bathroom with large spa bath and separate shower room for half the price upgrade should be - worth it, just have to go easy with the spending next month when this goes on the credit card!

Weather forecast was thunder storms but it was beautiful sunshine this morning. Although the girl in Woolworths did say that that was the pattern - sunshine in the morning, thunder in the afternoon then fine again. It was hard to believe given the blue skies but sure enough - out on the balcony now with lightening flashing and thunder roaring as the rain pours down over the trees and the cloud has come down obliterating the distant blue, yes they really are blue, mountains.

Well that woke me up!! Just been in bed for 10 mins or so and the fire alarm went off with a speaker repeatedly telling fire wardens to go to their posts. Hurriedly pulled clothes on, remembering the Marriott at Preston just before Jeff & Helen's wedding. Down the fire stairs and out to nowhere at the back of the hotel with another couple. Walked along the back - its a very long hotel - and could see people just sitting in the bar. Eventually found some steps so we went up and knocked on a door - waiting staff had no idea there was an alarm! But they let us in - we went to reception and the fire brigade arrived. Alarm only in our wing but very poor organisation. Apparently it was someone smoking in their room.

Sun 19th Feb

Quick swim then breakfast on the balcony - nut bar and a drink! - no breakfast booked here and don't want to pay silly prices for something we aren't bothered about. K tried to hire a bike but once again the brochure was out of date and they don't offer them anymore. But chatted to the lovely young concierge, he remembered meeting us last night when his role was on reception in the health club. He outlined all walking routes around sights in Leura so K went for walk and I went to the pool in the sunshine. Met for lunch in the bar, then quiet afternoon. Young concierge came up with new brochure, they must have got fed up of us using the old one! Then another swim for me and a sit in outdoor jacuzzi. I timed it well because I was not long back in the room before the late afternoon thunderstorm. The girl in Woolworths was right about the pattern of weather.

Wow what a storm - I have never seen rain as hard before and that's saying something coming from Manchester! K sat out on balcony in his Paramo - he has now justified bringing it!

Mon 20th Feb

Woke up and skies were fairly clear but within 15 mins the clouds had rolled in and we could only see about 50 m so K went to the gym and I went for a good swim and a sit in the outdoor jacuzzi.

The cloud cleared quite quickly and we went to Scenic World. A cable car with a glass bottom took us over the valley, passing Orphan Rock and across Katoomba Falls - spectacular - with view of the Three Sisters with cloud below. Several more boxes ticked - I think they are the last!! A trip on a cablecar down over the trees into the valley and back followed by a lovely buffet lunch at on revolving floor so views were changing.

Funny watching one group of people - they obviously didn't realise Pavlova is a dessert, it was at the beginning of the buffet, so they put it on their plates along with the salad, potatoes, veg and whatever else they had for main meal. A mouthful of that with satay chicken would make them question Australian cuisine! Another group hadn't taken account of the revolving floor and all went back to the wrong table until one suddenly realised. People watching can be such fun!

Tues 21st Feb

What a foggy start to the day, thick cloud all round. As it didn't look like it was going far vey quickly we had a lie in then went down to the health club and outdoor jacuzzi for an hour or so. Came back to find missed calls from the Alarm Monitoring Company - blasted power off again. Texted Helen - what an angel, she said she will sort on her way to work. Thank you again, Helen! xxxxxxx

The sun was starting to burn off the cloud so we went into Leura for some supplies then to Wentworth Falls - oh no, a box we had missed - but it's ticked now! Some more superb views across the valley with sheer rock faces rising out of the rainforest and another spectacular waterfall.

Decided to treat ourselves - we will BOTH have 24hours internet - so immune are we now to Aussie prices!

................ Hurumph! Got internet access - don't know who the provider is - but my emails don't work and some of K's are patchy. Never mind I will just have to wait until Melbourne.

I don't think we will be getting an upgrade on our flight to Diamond class again as Etihad rang to offer us one at a cut dowrate of £830. I declined. I think £830 will be better spent getting a new, less sensitive fuse box at home!

Wed 22nd Feb

Lovely day today -warm and sunny. K went for walk near Gordon Falls - down into the valley and up again while I went for a swim and read. Went into Leura for late lunch then back to relax.

Thurs 23rd Feb

Another sunny day. K went for walk across the Valley of the Waters and up to Edinburgh Castle Rock and back - while I again had a good swim, with the pool to myself for much of the time and then sat by the outdoor pool with the paper and my ipad. Late lunch in the bar then back to start thinking about packing ready to move tomorrow.

Fri 24th Feb

Not a bad drive to the airport, although lots of roadworks along the Western Highway reduced traffic to one lane, but as we were early (that's us!) we weren't in a hurry. Got to the airport by 11am so switched flight to 1pm rather than 4 pm at no extra cost, so that was good. 35* and very sunny when we landed. Room ok but not as good as the Sydney Medina - more of a studio but it looks like the Tep works here! Tep worked so checked the room descriptions and what we have paid for - we had got a studio not an apartment so deja vu. Anyway sorted straight away so moved - although did have to wait for the wash load I'd put in to finish!

Met Steve in the evening - great to be out in St Kilda with Ste on a Friday night - seemed unreal! St Kilda certainly lives up to its reputation - absolutely buzzing with all the bars on the streets full. Ste full of tales as usual and now seems to be really happy, doing well and settled - moving on 1st April to place of his own - rented off his boss so no worries about bonds etc. Only got his lost passport to sort out ! Had many drinks, super meal and more drinks. 10 000 miles away and Ste still wanting to compete with Jeff - wants Jeff to do online IQ test - as you can guess, he scored highly! We are only short walk away from Neptune Street so 'too easy' for Ste to get home. Great night!