I left Newcastle Airport on the 4th May via Heathrow to head for Sydney. At Singapore we left the aircraft for 2hrs to refuel. At 7.30pm on the 5th May I arrived at Sydney airport to be greeted by my daughter who with her family moved to Sydney in January.

My first impression was Wow!! Lovely place, big houses, very impressive. We drove to their house in the West Pennant Hills area to be greeted by my two grandsons and their daddy. On the first day of my trip we took a picnic to Clontof Beach where the boys went hunting in the sea for crabs. My eldest grandson Kieran attends St. Bernadette's school from 8.30 till 2.45 while the youngest Luke attends Binnowee Nursery from 9 till 2.30. Both boys aged 5 & 4 have settled really well and now speak with an Australian accent..

My 2nd Sunday was Mother's Day ( two in one year )I was privileged. My son-in-law had booked a surprise lunch at the top of Sydney Tower in the revolving restraunt from where the sights were breathtaking.

They all lead busy lives, my son-in-law works in the city, the boys go swimming and play football on a Saturday morning, "Aussie rules"

We visited Bondi Beach ( but didn't surf ) Watson's Bay and spent a weekend in the blue Mountains, where we travelled on the steepest railway in the world. Every weekend something had been arranged for me. Manly Beach was a trip where a wine and food festival were taking place, which was very busy. Another highlight was a walk in a Koala park where we saw Emus, Roos and wallabies. I was enjoying a ham sandwich when much to the fun for the boys and onlookers the Emu, Ernie snatched it as I ate!

The 1st June was the first day of winter, as cool as our summers. The birds still visited the garden regularly. There were Kookaburras, Lorakeets, Crested pigeons and Galaahs.

The school doesn't break for the summer till one week before Christmas returning in February.

A lot of shopping was done and of course coffee to refresh.

I left Sydney on the 27th June again via Singapore where we left the plane for 1/2hr to refuel and then onto Heathrow arriving back in Newcastle on the 28th June.

I know there are many places to visit so I look forward to a return trip.

Margaret Edwards.