Friday night was a kind of non-event really proving we are all absolutely useless at partying. We didn't even manage a game of cards and, after watching the rugby on TV, had an early night in preperation of the campervan-picking-up morning ahead.

Arriving at Britz Rentals (ironically a German firm) we saw an assortment of campervans from brank spanking new to old and knackered, some looking like the one of that backpacker that was murdered a few years back. Obviously preparing for the worst we signed our papers and were pleasantly surprised, nay amazed, when we received a brand spanking new Mercedes with only 15,000 miles on the clock. After fannying around for about half an hour putting things in cupboards and the like Pat voluteered for the first drive of the day - Sydney to Byron Bay and then onto Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. The good news is that I got to sit up front as navigator, and after hitting a curb a couple of times we arrived at the place where Cook discovered Australia some 250-odd years ago. If you're wondering why it was good to sit up front...a) I didn't get abuse from people in cars with reference to my brothers driving....one particularly amusing bus driver signaled to the other three that they would need a drink or two and should stop at a nearby pub, and b) I got to play Championship Manager for a full 2 hours as Pat has bought a cable that converts cigarette lighters into mains plugs - amazing eh?

Byron Bay was a bit of a non-event really given that we didn't manage to find the memorial or the historic landing site. We did find a fish and chip shop called Danny's though so it wasn't all bad. The trip to Katoomba was pretty uneventful, only one obscene hand signal from another driver, and no accidents. I'll stop at this juncture to describe the van...well it's kinda great, we've got all the amenities you need, shower, bog, toaster, fridge et al...and we've even got a heater that we found we needed last night as it's bloody freezing here. Katoomba is the gateway to the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are supposed to be one of the most spectacular areas of natural beauty in Aus (other than Kylie's backside of course). I say suppose because we have been surrounded in fog since arriving. To be honest we don't know if the mountains are there - let alone if they are blue. Nethertheless, invigored by a great big Mum-esque casserole last night we are doing the typical Brit abroad thing by not letting the weather affect us so we're off on a hill-walk today. There is also talk of a cable car and train at some point...

Katoomba itself is similar to any number of resort villages in the Lake District, with a good mix of tourist and local amenities and we have to keep reminding ourselves where we are - it feels just like home. Bizarrely enough, to emphasis this my brother stated 'We could be in Norfolk' this morning....well quite. Tomorrow we're off up to the wine-making districts of the Hunter Valley after an early start.

One other slightly bizarre note of interest - last nights card game (round 2) ending in a victory for Tricky Dicky, with Jen last (Helen won before with Pat last). Technically speaking, and due to the name of the game Jen is now the 'Shithead', and Pat is relieved of those duties...please don't ask.