Topsy Turvy!!!

Today, I am going to talk about ... The events of today. However, I will apologise in advance because  I am also going to disrupt the chronological fluidity by regaling some experiences from New Years Eve. It has been far too traumatic and upsetting to even think about it until now but I feel that as each day passes, I am getting stronger and more hardened to the embarrassments that must be endured by the novice traveller. I also take some comfort from the fact that you may all learn from my mistakes and avoid looking a complete idiot when you travel across the world, transcending culture as well as time.

We had packed and repacked the cases the day we were due to leave, ensuring that our cases did not exceed the 30 kg weight and that our hand luggage did not exceed the 7kg weight allowed. Packing your life into cases which are limited by weight (and various other irritating dimensions!) is pretty stressful as it is. I had also scrutinised the airline websites for the rules re LAG in hand luggage - (that's liquid, aerosols, gels to those of you who aren't familiar with the jargon) to ensure that I was not breaking any rules. All toiletries in 100ml packets. All in clear resealable 20cm bags.

However, I was stopped at Heathrow and scanned. Hair cutting scissors can be lethal when used in a threatening manner! They were confiscated and I was mortified and embarrassed. No scissors over 6cm long allowed!!!

Most of you are already familiar with the puking pains of dear Becky on the flights so I'll not bore you with that again - suffice to say that she used up her quota and everybody else's quota of brown paper bags!!!! It's actually quite impressive, the weight those things can withstand!

In Singapore, as we checked through the hand luggage, I was pulled aside again. A stern faced guard took me by the arm and walked me over to another area. He asked me to open my hand luggage. Oh God! Fear overtook embarrassment at this point. Hot flushes, the lot! Apparently, nail scissors can be quite lethal when used inappropriately, even if they are smaller than 6cm. They were confiscated and I received a naughty stamp and had to sign something - why me?????

Anyway, back to today. We went into Sydney to sort out a bankers cheque to pay for the car tomorrow. While we were in the bank, we also managed to sort out car insurance. It includes full roadside assistance etc etc and reasonably priced too!  The bloke in the bank was lovely, like all of the Aussies we have met so far, incredibly friendly and helpful and brilliant at hiding his amusement at our ignorance. How they stifle their laughter is beyond me. Perhaps the lopsided smile is a slight give away. No, seriously, we have been truly blessed with the help and advice we have been given.

After  this, Nath and the girls were hungry. Because, don't forget, jet lag causes burger urges. It was off to Hungry Jacks for lunch (that's Burger King) to you!
I kid you not ...
Nath and the girls had a Hungry Jacks for lunch on Sunday (I had a strawberry and honey smoothie), Monday saw my kids and beloved chomping on a Macdonalds, Tuesday the pattern continued with a Macdonalds and today......it was Hungry Jacks again. Well, if you can't beat them, join them. I also partook in the absolute filth that is the burger. Yes, I do feel absolute shame! Worryingly, they do not!!

We navigated the train system very well today. We even smiled smugly to ourselves as we watched tourists desperately try to locate a seat that faced forward. Oh small things!!!

We visited Sydney opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour. We took a ferry across the harbour and visited Sydney's Madam Tussauds. Well, lets face it, it's the only way I'm ever going to get my photo taken with the beautiful Leonardo di Caprio, Jonny Depp and Mr Die Hard!!! Nathan, well, he put his arm around Einstein!
...... OK, geek he may be, he also had time to see Nicole Kidman and Marilyn Monroe.