tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90990450995229686192024-02-07T13:07:31.232-08:00Time to travelNathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-4105878406339994992014-09-02T12:30:00.003-07:002014-09-02T12:30:54.344-07:00Strangers to friends<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Tuesday 17th june. Harrison, Maine<br />
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Wow days are so long here, i mean, they're filled with so many things, each day a saga, with internet and Facebook not playing any part. Freedom....real life. People are are slotting into roles, and bonds are forming. Last night we had a lecture on camp, a talk about all the directors, then watched the Fernwood Cove video...tears! We then had a talk about the 'Extraordinary World'. I love this bit, i love being there to go through it with the new people, watching their faces, predicting their thoughts. Some seemed over whelmed, like they had just joined a cult. It takes me to a new little world actually, its really feel good and refreshing. Doo good, work hard, feel good, make a difference to people's lives.<br />
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I had various meeting as I am head of studio arts! Then today has been lectures and team building exercises on the field. Serious name games, games where we had to make a machine out of our selves, we were a car wash.<br />
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I love this place. EXHAUSTED... 22.25 pm....up at 7. Good night.<br />
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-70558618126368115842014-09-02T12:23:00.000-07:002014-09-02T12:23:15.776-07:00Flying High<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
June 12th 2014<br />
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Well crying at the wonderfully majestic conclusion of in-flight movie Frozen was not my proudest moment. New goal: to find a gay best friend snowman.<br />
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A lot of things have changed since the last time i wrote, I'd say I've skipped about 10 chapters. This year I've completely got to know who I am and its a kind of high I didn't think possible. Life has changed, A LOT, a new kind of wonderful. Letting your self do things or admit thing that seem daunting seems to release a new compartment of soul...too deep? Theres not such thing anymore. Ive learnt opening up, letting your guard down, letting people know the real you is so liberating and brings you closer to every person you open up to.<br />
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Im sitting on a plane, somewhere over the Atlantic, window seat, reflecting on leaving Leeds behind. I was pretty chocked leaving this time, but I need to remind myself of how lucky I am to have a life that makes leaving so damn difficult. Kitchen disco's, weekly gigs, friends I regard as soal mates, friends that in a life completely single I would still have everything I need. To me, humans are life. People are what influence ideas, who teach you who you are, who inspire you to do and who open up your eyes to new things. Its never been so evident as it has recently, just how much I live my life in possibilities, and run the opposite direction to anything or anyone that creates limitations.<br />
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America here I come.<br />
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-35470283723475248002013-03-27T12:30:00.001-07:002013-03-27T12:39:21.174-07:00Long way home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Written 6th March 2023</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Soundtrack: Alt-j -Matilda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The date has arrived: March 6th. It's crazy how much your life can change in a day, to go from baking in the hot Melbourne sun, to arriving in white skyed London... 4°. Going home is so much more than just getting on a plane and seeing family again, it's the smell of England that once went unnoticed, the blue road signs, the familiar accents, the quaint pubs ( we do pubs best), the cups of tea and toast with lurpack, and adjusting to life without your trusty backpack. I'm excited about the simplest of things, like cardigan shopping, cuddling up with my cat, hugging mum, and being greeted by the neighbours. As you may tell I'm feeling quite nostalgic at the moment, with 14 hours thinking time before my next flight, to dwell on the amazing 5 months I just had, and how I may never be back to this country. But leaving somewhere is always difficult, and makes you think about your life and how, really, you can take it and live it anywhere in the world you wish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Highlights of Australia</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Fraser Island, our 4 wheel drive family, card games at the campsite, white sands and blue waters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Magnums night club, Airlie beach</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Whitsundays snorkelling, discovering a new world under sea level</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Skydiving mission beach</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">End of the world party fun with Damien, Kelly and Pappinbarra locals</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Christmas Eve BBQ and Christmas Day, sooo much cheeeeese!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sydney- New Year's Eve all day in the park</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Body boarding at Byron Bay</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Australia Day, and stumbling into an Elvis gig</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Melbourne city exploring; buskers, markets, street art and salsa</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Climbing Kings Canyon, and Uluru</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sunset and sunrise in the Outback, with beer and champagne and new friends</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Exploring the underground world of Cooper Pedi</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Les Miserables at the moonlight cinema, Melbourne Botanical Gardens. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I'm ready to go home, I just wish Clare, Laura, Hannah and Ray were coming with me!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Goodbye Australia. You did me proud</span></div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-66967738592148117132013-03-15T07:01:00.000-07:002013-03-15T07:01:33.360-07:00Off Outback<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Febuary 9th- 15th<br />
Soundtrack: Awake My Soul- Mumford & Sons<br />
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Miles of empty land, vast red grounds sprouting brittle yellow bush, and towering orange rocks claim most of Australia's central land, a space bigger than Europe. I said goodbye to Edward and Clare, and it was time to discover it for myself, by myself!<br />
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I was picked up from Alice Springs at 6.45 where I met tour Guide Julian and the first of my tour group Kim from Germany. Followed by Manon (Dutch), Alex (English), Facu ( Argentinian), Keimo (French), Liz ( French) and Jean from Canada. A lovely little collection of people and new friends to share the trip with! </div>
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At times I felt like I was discovering a new planet; a day trip to Mars, ( only.. with a lot more life!) Camels roamed around freely, wild horses dashed off at the sight of our vehicle, there were eagles, kangaroos, wallabies, spiders and brown snakes; the most poisonousness in Australia. And despite all these dangers we still came across 2 female hitch-hikers alone on a 10 hour stretch of road. It blows my mind how 'care-free' they were, when realistically the danger of them dehydrating was very real. Plus, any old crazy person could have picked them up! Luckily, we passed at the right time. That night we drove all drove to a camp-site near to Kings Canyon, shared Spaghetti Bolognaise and a crate of beers.</div>
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4 of the 5 nights, we slept in swags; a canvas sleeping bag on the ground, without cover or shelter from any of the creepy crawlies. The first night Facu climbed into his swag, and out crawled a hand sized centipede, 'aaah so many legsss!!' </div>
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The 4a.m starts were quite a struggle, and by day 4 I was ready to sleep for a week, but instead we just had pizza and got very drunk! On day 3 I woke in the middle of the night to find 4 dingoes circling our camping area, and somehow managed to tell my self to ignore it and go back to sleep. I seem to be a bit braver than I imagined!</div>
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Kings canyon, Uluru and Cooper Pedi were a highlight. Cooper Pedi is an Opal mining village, where a large portion of the residents live underground, to avoid heat and sand storms, it was like Hobbiton, but without the greenery!</div>
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Heat robs you of energy, and flies attack from all angles, so why do we actually pay to go there? This is why- </div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-43703223705287232392013-02-06T22:03:00.001-08:002013-02-06T22:03:27.116-08:00Markets, Shop Windows and Buskers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Discovery Melbourne. When we told people this is the hostel we're moving to they looked concerned, shared their negative stories and wished us luck. But I think they're mental; I love it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> To me, a factory of backpackers spells FUN! It's like Halls of Residence for travellers with its own bar and competitions, and me Clare and Becky have made so many friends! Scouser Jonny, Blind Date Dave, Chris, Liam, Dec, Jay and Isla to name a few. I will have fond memories of this hostel, and this 16 bed dorm, I know it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Yesterday me and Clare ventured out into the city with no actual aim, other than to explore aimlessly. What a day! We may not have a penny to spend but we have all the time in the world, and so, we strolled into every alluring shop, prodded things, imagined what we would use them for, looked at every food menu, 'fell' into a toy shop, watched a busker for 45 minutes, watched an outdoor salsa class, took photos with statues, 'fell' into a pic'n'mix sweet shop, took photos swinging from trees, and admired every pleasing view. I think it was my most perfect day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On Thursday we went to the hostel bar for free wine and cheese night, as soon as I saw they were hosting a competition to win free accommodation I marched over and signed my name up. (Even if it was Blind Date!) so me Clare and Bex went into the side room with our host and enjoyed (downed) a complimentary bottle of champagne and several free shots whilst planning our answers. If you were a film what would you be? ' Titanic, because if you let me down tonight I'll have that sinking feeling!' God it was embarrassing, but it seems i'll do anything for a freebie at the moment! We ended up with friends in a casino until 6 in the morning, and woke up around 6pm the next day. We partied until 6a.m the day after, then on the 4 th We enjoyed some goon on the top floor of Becky's hotel, sky top views of Melbourne whilst in a hot tub, then a free comedy night! Hello world!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tonight we went to mingle amongst the crowds of Brunswick Street, and the Night Market, and tomorrow we have a free Salsa class. I have a feeling there will be more women than men and I'll be left dancing with a possum or something. It was another lovely day, apart from when a homeless man told me I smell like shit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Living on this tiny amount of money is both challenging and rewarding (i can afford shower gel!) We spend $15 for 1 weeks food between us, we use Macdonald 'monopoly' vouchers for free burgers, free breakfast, and we never buy a single drink when we are out. ( I need to stop eating McDonald's before I actually die). We spend our days saying ''ah if only, ah it smells so good, oh I want that skirt, can we afford to share half a beer tonight, can I last until dinner time without eating?' I officially now hate every item of clothes i packed in october, </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and only want to eat what i can't have. But I'd say its </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">all character </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">building, and I know </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">when I do have money again, I will appreciate </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">every </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">last sausage! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy birthday BeckyBecky Smart!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'You know I said it's true, I can feel that love, can you feel it too? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I can feel it Ahhh aaah! '</span></div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-15024753273414197352013-02-05T17:40:00.000-08:002013-02-06T03:54:27.689-08:00Happy Australia Day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There's something about listening to this song that makes me all appreciative about life, it makes me all reflective and, well just completely happy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm excited about life. Excited that some of the best days of my life haven't happened yet, although one of them was lived yesterday. Clare, Becky, wine, botanical garden, picnic blanket, music; what an appealing little concoction and a recipe for a memorable Australia Day. The genius who brought a sound system along to the park in a shopping trolley needs to be knighted. Triple j's radio station played the top 100 tracks of the year as voted by the Australian public, what a relief that all the trashy chart songs were filtered out, leaving us with tasty selection. Happy ears=happy me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Getting lost added to the experience, how else could we have stumbled across an open door with music and cheering spilling out of it. We popped our heads round and next thing we know Elvis Presley takes us by the hand and we are dancing with locals at an Elvis impersonator gig. Getting lost and being nosey really benefit as a traveller, it allows </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">for spontaneity and a string of extra friends. Australia Day we partied, drank and socialised </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for over 12 hours, and didn't spend a single penny. A new habit, and I like it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Our week in St Arnauds, Melboirne has been most lovely, full of home comforts, a dog sized cat and 2 cat sized dogs- Sooty, Scruffy, and Princess. We had a chocolate powder fight, multiple backgammon games, read Green Mile in the park, sunbathed in Botanical Gardens, chased off a giant swan, ate Brumby bargains, had lots of film nights(the Hills have Eyes!), and sat on the balcony of our 6 bed dorm. </span><br />
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-63009249535565141232013-01-18T15:15:00.003-08:002013-01-18T15:15:17.784-08:00Cheer Up, Slow Down, Chill Out<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Friday 18th January </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The road sign upon entering Byron Bay was the first of a hundred things I love about this place. The 2nd thing I liked was the sign on the doorway of our hostel 'This Is Not A Public Walkway To The Beach'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">3rd- The first glimpse of a pool, picnic benches, hammocks and volley ball pitch</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4th- The wonderful lady on reception when my Visa card didn't work; 'No Drama's Darl! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">5th- The fact our 9 person dorm had enough floor space to rehearse a dance routine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">6th- Everyone that passed us smiled and said Hello</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">7th- The retired and overgrown railway track on route down to the beach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...Don't worry I'm not going to list 100, although I could. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Day one </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We claimed our beds within the room, and instantly made friends. Coincidentally it housed a girl from Wiltshire who also shared our room in our 14 bed dorm in Surfers Paradise. We spent the day at the beach and turned into children, we made 4 sand castles and a moat! We finished off the day by the pool before playing drinking games with our 5 litre box of wine, and partied the night away at Cheeky Monkeys. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Day 2 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What better way to get rid of a hangover than spending the day on the beach Body Boarding. Ah the thrill when you catch a wave! The first time I tried it I winded myself, it bloody hurt. Later we turned into prunes in the pool, Clare carried me around like a baby. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Today there were many instances where I looked around and thought, wow, life couldn't actually be any better. </span></div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-49716684340077990922013-01-18T15:04:00.000-08:002013-01-18T15:04:59.640-08:00Laura becomes an Auntie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">16th January</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Soundtrack: Go Shoppin' (feat. Eek- A- Mouse)- Bran Van 3000</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...a fabulous driving song, as introduced by my Dad!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The day Laura finally got the phone call! Welcome to the world Anneke Jane Miller!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Congratulations Clare and Greg!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We rented a car, and made our long trip up to Coffs Harbour and Surfers Paradise, whilst Hannah remains in Sydney with her new bar job. I like it here at Surfers Paradise, a lovely Majorcan style beach front, but framed by skyscrapers and a crazy night life! Today we spent the day by the pool, it's nice to have some sun again. The last week or 2 I haven't had a spot of sunshine due to laziness, being ill/ extremely dehydrated, and the pure hideous heat wave! 43 degrees makes breathing hard, never mind sunbathing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the evening we went down to the waters edge for a beverage or 3, and turned my Pub Quiz App into a drinking game. Then a few metres from us on the lake front some men turned up for band practise with a trumpet, guitars and bongos... I love moments like that. Coincidentally they were they live entertainment at the club we went to that evening!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I NEED SOME BONGOS!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On the drive up the coast we belted out music, had a sing along, and stopped off for a picnic. Tomorrow we drive to Byron Bay, a place I have only heard people rave about. Lets hope it doesn't disappoint!</span></div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-8241942745933810042013-01-18T14:37:00.002-08:002013-01-18T14:52:02.115-08:00Gleeeebe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">6th Jan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">YES this place suits me. A street, tailored to fit me like a nice little dress. Glebe point road hosts a perfect combination of Parisian-style flats with balconies, book shops with wine courtyards at the back, markets and restaurants with front gardens. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> We spent a good amount of time at Glebe Market on the Saturday morning, although the sun was too intense to be walking around in for too long...especially since loosing my hat on New Years Eve! Fried Brain! The rest of the day was spent walking through the botanical gardens, all 6 of us, and exploring the Sydney Opera house and Harbour Bridge. What a ' feel good' afternoon it was. The sky was deep blue without a cloud, there were live bands lining the streets, and the whole river embankment was bustling! Outdoor bars serving up </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ice buckets of champagne and Corona, a cruise ship ready to set sail, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">people in mexican hats; it was like London's South Bank on a Bank Holiday weekend and </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the hottest day of the year all at once. I love it when days just let off electric vibes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It's been a lovely 4 days, despite being poorly for some off it ( most of it). MUST DRINK MORE WATER!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Next stop: Maze Hostel, Sydney Centre</span></div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-1496786858534429102013-01-05T01:47:00.003-08:002013-01-05T01:47:40.775-08:00Pie Face, Pie Face, Pie Face<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sountrack: Joshua Radin- Paperweight</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Boxing Day we checked into 'Wake Up' hostel, a very clean, trendy, city hostel with its own bouncers. A really nice hostel, but a hostel where condoms are given out along side our room key just puts me off a little. We dragged our post christmas sleepy selves down to the bar for a glass of their promoted 'free champagne' with a live band. It turns out it was unlimited free champagne. 7 champagnes later and the bar turned into a club and Hannah joined the live band as vocalist! Brilliant night, it's always the spontaneous ones that end up the best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The next morning was far from brilliant, 5 hung over girls, 5 backpacks and another 7 bags, and a couple of completely full buses... if the light at the end of the tunnel hadn't been Bondi Beach I would have sacked it all off! They say it's all about location, and I say the are completely right. Our week on Bondi beach has been fabulous, Me, Laura, Clare, Ray, Hannah and Becky Smart! Of course with 6 peoples luggage, not much of the interior of the house could be seen at any one point. I love Bondi, a busy town full of bars, shops and markets cradling a beach that improves your day simply by standing and looking at it. What a little treasure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Quote of the week- Becky went to the shop and was also grabbing some biscuits and snacks for Hannah so rang her when she got there. Becky calls Hannah and simply says 'I'm infront of the biscuits!' Only to realise it was instead another Hannah she barely knows. God knows what she though, but she hung up probably thinking it was some dodgy dealings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">New Years was a memorable day. 14 hours in a park reserving our view of the harbour bridge was spent trying to avoid the I tense sun, playing cards, drinking goon. The fireworks were amazing. I wish the were more events like New Year in Sydney that bring 5000 people and 1000 blankets together in one park for a day of carefree silliness. This blog seems to have involved a lot of pointless statistics. 8 in fact. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The change in year doesn't mean anything much to me, as long as it stays as happy, healthy and carefree as the rest of them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Cheeeers to you all! Xxx</span></div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-30950210296999302782012-12-23T20:01:00.000-08:002012-12-23T22:14:26.507-08:00How Things Change<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Soundtrack: ALT-J - Something Good</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Finally we have been reunited with Clare and Laura, back to a group of 5. The last month has been interesting. I have come out the other end a slightly changed person. Eventful and challenging indeed, but am I glad I did it? Of course, everything is a learning curve. Me, Hannah and Ray make good functional trio, no arguments, just giggles. Highlights include; abusing the confessions box at the end of the world party, the dogs, the steak, the koala park, the rowing boat, pear cider, Kelly and Damien, the peacock's dance and collecting bugs from the wall and naming them (Pet & Gwen).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So here we are back to being travellers again, back to living out of our backpack, and it feels like home. I craved the travellers life style after a month without it, and missed the simplest of things; boxed wine and playing cards, our plastic cutlery, our McDonald's sachets salt and peppers, cooking in a communal kitchen and sleeping in a dorm with young strangers who become friends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>Christmas Eve</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Life is perfect here at Amy's house in Newcastle. Sunshine, Christmas decorations, films, beach, board games and $300 dollars worth of food and alcohol. There are NINE different types of cheeses in the fridge waiting to destroy our bikini bodies, and I cannot wait! Clare </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">baked chocolate brownie and Hannah and Laura have baked politically incorrect </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">gingerbread, the best kind. We have a naked Santa, an elf with extremely large tits, and a hitler gingerbread. Ah back to normality! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Life's good on the beach... even at Christmas! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Time for a beer :)</span></div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-61883561218239112262012-12-23T19:33:00.001-08:002012-12-23T19:33:05.333-08:00It's the little things<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's those little things in life that make everything worth while!</div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-76096914600046992602012-11-28T00:27:00.001-08:002012-11-28T00:27:26.872-08:00Life in the Bush<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Days of the week and month mean nothing at the moment, there's no single day where im familar with the day of the week. So far from home in every sense of the word, but so comfortable and happy in our new country life in Pappinbarra.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22KtDupc34ot3l2zwjxVVgxCHx3c8Y1Hh7DDAXIh92ypqZI7f6UpFKr3UAckYMeKCuVyK5dTaQZlbweiknJWToVeoCSW4bVVU1XCeBJ4lDeQte0tGc4liid6ATVEvOY3dvIndVDxCXcYu/s1600/IMG_5684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22KtDupc34ot3l2zwjxVVgxCHx3c8Y1Hh7DDAXIh92ypqZI7f6UpFKr3UAckYMeKCuVyK5dTaQZlbweiknJWToVeoCSW4bVVU1XCeBJ4lDeQte0tGc4liid6ATVEvOY3dvIndVDxCXcYu/s320/IMG_5684.JPG" width="320" /></a> Free food, and free accomodation in exchange for about 3 hours work a day, and also the odd paid job. Out in the bush, our daily routine is as follows: get up at 7, feed the horses Barney and Belle, do a couple of hours house keeping, lunch around 11, then we are free to do as we wish until its time to cook dinner. We usually end the day with a film or a couple of hours reading. I bought the first Twilight book 4 days ago and finished it last night. Everything is so flexible here, 5 hours work one day means a day off the next. A full day to read, explore the local town or play with the dogs and sit in the sunshine (when the heat is bareable). I am so unbeleiveably grateful of how lovely our 'boss' is, I use the term boss but he is more 'owner of the house' and friend. Scott helped build this impressive house the last 10 years, a grand wooden design with more windows than wall built within 900 acres of land. He needs a hand getting it back to the palace it once was, and theres nothing more satifying than doing a good job for a good man.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taz</td></tr>
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The dogs need their own paragraph. Susie the mother, a shiny coated Rhodesian Ridgeback, a true lady. Willie, her checky pup with paws he is still growing in to. And Taz, loyal little Taz: no relation to the other two but the origional dog. She comes running to save you at one clap of your hands (those bulls can get pretty scary).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willie</td></tr>
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Me, Ray and Hannah are working well together, and I'm learning more about cooking than I did during my 3 years uni. Tonight me and Hannah watched the Green Mile, whilst Ray got an early night, and Scott visited a neighbour. Its quite scary being alone in a house at night in the middle of nowhere surrounded by massive windows revealing darkness. The kookaburras sound like they are cackling, my imagination needs no encouraging. No doubt it is safer than any house in the city, especially with a river to get through, an electric fence and 3 dogs guarding the place. <br />
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Scott is planning a treat outing for us, perhaps lunch and a visit to the koala sanctuary. We are also invited to a local party, bowling with the neigbours, and our own Christmas before the real thing. This is one of those day-to-day things you get on with, without thinking much about anything excepct the task at hand, then on reflection, it becomes apparent just how lucky we are to have found this little gem of a job. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Ray got stuck in a storm!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah and Donald/Daisy</td></tr>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-25852586387480250382012-11-22T18:07:00.004-08:002012-11-22T18:07:40.367-08:00Mission to Magnetic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Soundtrack: Red Rabbits- The Shins<br />
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Our last night in Mission Beach after the skydive, we headed down to the local (and only) bar with our new friends. There was a live reggae singer who passed the microphone to Clare for a sing along, who then passed it to me. All of a sudden Jamaican rap spilled out of my mouth and appeared to rhyme! I was MCing for about ten minutes with a surprisingly impressed audience. I dont quite know how it happened, but it was fun! 'Mi shoe is broke, because some bloke, he lost his track and he stood on da back. I don't know what im saying, i'm talking shite, but according to you It sounds alright AIGHT!'<br />
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The following day (Saturday 18th), a four hour Greyhound bus and a ferry lead us to Magnetic Island, just off the coast of Townsville. Named so due to Captain Cooks failing compass upon discovery. He figured it had an unusal magnetic field, we won't tell him he just bought a faulty compass hey. <br />
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The place is heaven, but the heat is hell. We stayed at Bungalow Bay YHA, a hostel that stands out as my favourite so far, attached to a koala, bird and lizard sanctuary. We made friends with a lovely Irish girl named Maria, who also shared our cabin. Me, Clarem Laura, Maria, a couple of cockraoches and a token possum who climbed the outskirts. I woke up in the middle of the night staring into his eyes! There were cockatoo's flying about, kookaburras, toads, possums and wallabies. We held 5 variations of lizard, a crocodile, a turtle, cuddled a baby Koala and saw a Wombat.<br />
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The next morning Lau and Clare departed to start their farm job south of Sydney. It was quite strange being alone after all this time with company. I felt a little needy and vulnerable for about 10 minutes and then I loved it. Its really quite wonderful being left to your own devices, it feels completely free. I explored the beach, re organised my backpack, had a coffee, and chatted for a whole hour in the pool with a lovely new friend Susan from America. The rest of the day was spent melting in hammocks, and down at the beach. That evening was Bingo! I was joined by Essex Dan from my room, Monike, Susan and a few others. I won bingo twice, one round won by a dance-off due to a tie round. I think my forward rolls won the audience over. I drank my winnings with my new little social group, played ring of fire, star gazed on the beach, played on kids swings, (got stopped by the police...i think they were bored!) then ventured back by 1 in the morning. A lovely evening with lovely company, i was sad to leave. <br />
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Next stop- Port Macquarie.<br />
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I made a good friend on the place, we had a giggle. She was 10 month old but who cares, age isn't an issue right?<br />
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Time to meet up with Hannah and Ray and start work helping an Australian fella with his land and animals: an exciting and unpredictable prospect. <br />
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A new chapter :)</div>
Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-8523834261011595402012-11-16T18:38:00.001-08:002012-11-16T20:31:28.706-08:00Mission Beach and Skydive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Me Laura and Clare found 3 inviting deck chairs on the beach, and I read to them out loud, a lovely afternoon! The heat here is intense! We have met some great people, Alice, Amber, Mika and Paddy, to name a few. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now to the highlight of the week; our skydive. Of course parachuting out of an aeroplane is going to be intense, but it was more insane than I could of ever imagined. We piled into an aircraft that looked like a toy, straddled seats strapped to a man behind us, and looked out the windows as we flew through clouds to a height that made Australia look like a satellite image. I was higher than I ever imagined. 'Don't look down' -we kept telling ourselves, but of course we did, the plane was like a green house! 14,000 feet and land was hardly visible, the idea of choosing to climb out of the aircraft seemed ridiculous. The door slid open. The first tandem pair approached the exit, sat on the edge of the plane, head up, back arched, and gone. They were swept away like a twig in a cyclone! It was terrifying to watch this 9 times before my turn. I remember Laura's face of determination, and Clare's watery eyes as she held her own face. Laura went, then Clare went, and I was last. We sat on the edge of the plane, I escaped my own mind, there's no other option really. My legs were being pulled by the wind, he lifted my chin back, I heard 'steady and go!' and I was falling like a tennis ball through the sky. It was literally insane! I remember it in stages, first i couldn't function or make sense of anything, it was just some kind of auto pilot, a manic existence. Then I realised the feeling in my body, the feeling of ultimate speed and butterfly's, like someone stealing my stomach and throwing it. It was a new league of adrenaline and excitement that nothing else in the world could create. I thought my ears were going to fly off, and my mouth was literally flapping in the wind. Everything I had been told to do with my arms and legs just flew out the window and apparently I was peddling a none existent bike. I was pleased to realise I could breathe, although it took a second or two to remember. The free fall went on for around 60 seconds, 10,000 feet, but the ground got no closer. Usually when you are falling, like on a roller coaster, there are handle bars, a few seconds when you have reached maximum speed, then it slows down, but this was continuous free fall with only your own arms to hold on to. We were flyyyyyyyying!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The parachute opened after 10,000 feet and we jolted and flew up in the air. I checked my ears were attached. At this point it was relaxing, and we could hear each other talk. I invented numerous swear words at this point, 'JESUS MOTHERING ACTUAL CHRIST' and got stuck on repeat. It's all I could say. He must have thought I was either highly religious or just suffering from some form of Tourette's syndrome. But he laughed. Goggles off, and we sailed down through clouds with our own shadow projecting onto the cloud below with a rainbow ring around it. Paradise! I looked up and saw Clare and looked down and saw Laura, they looked like birds. 8 or so minutes later and we landed on the beach one by one, i ran around screaming to burn some of my adrenaline. It was incredible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It took a good few hours to come back down to earth, we were re living parts for hours, and laughing hysterically at our wobbling air filled cheeks from the DVD. I take my hat off to those skydiver instructors, who throw them selves off a plane 9 times a day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What a day. </span></div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-19949572886236446122012-11-11T23:22:00.001-08:002012-11-11T23:22:39.288-08:00Whitsundays<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sound track: Sam and the Womp- Bom Bom<br />
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Just to explain, the song I list at the beginning of each blog entry is a song that was most listened to, or reminds me of the past week. I always write with my headphones in, there's nothing like a bit of music to fuel a thought! Sam and the Womp is not my usual creative thought soundtrack, and perhaps the Austalians outdated cheesy dance music choice is rubbing off on me a little, but this song was played at the hostel club all week and we belted out during our pre drinking shenanigans. This week has been party week! Airlie Beach has grown on us a little more each day, now we can't walk 2 minutes from the hostel without seeing someone we know, I like that. </div>
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Something that striked me ths week is how well us 5 go together. We are all different, but it like 5 different ingredients making a tasty little cake! Where else could I belt out songs from Buffy the Musical without being judged? </div>
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Our 2 nights on board the Habibi sailing round the Whitsunday islands were 2 days to remember. There were 21 other people on board, plus 3 crew; Liam and Ryan, and Captain Bluie! The first day we sailed for the best part of 3 hours whilst absorbing the sun and the turquoise views whilst Ryan and Liam cooked for us; sausages, stake, pasta, bread and salad. Due to sea sickness i only managed bread, I might have eaten some sausage if i hadn't of rolled it onto the floor along with my fork. If there were a sport in cutlery dropping I would be world champ. That evening after a few glasses of wine, ( by glasses I mean plastic cups, and by wine I mean goon) we were rocked to sleep in our cabins. The cabins downstairs looked like they were build for an anorexic version of the 7 dwarfs, walking down the corridor I made the most of feeling like a tall person , for what will be the only time in my life. </div>
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The next day was brilliant! The bell rung at 6.30 a.m for breakfast and a cup of tea, then we went to Whitehaven beach and took some stereotypical mid air jump photos. If that's the second best beach in the world I can't imagine the beach holding first prize. After sailing and lunch aboard, it was time to snorkel the coral reef, and my nervous butterflies took off. Stinger suits on, flippers attached, snorkel sucking our eyes out, ready to go! We lowered ourselves into the sea, Hannah latched onto ray and I latched onto Clare. I bobbed around in tow, scrunched up in a ball so the metre sized fish didn't engulf me. But as soon as I lowered my head and looked underwater the fear swam off! A new world! We followed a docile looking turtle as he munched on plankton, we found nemo, and swam through schools of illuminous fish. Whilst I was so happy to have conquered my fear I was relieved to get back to the safety of the boat. </div>
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We were treated to spaghetti bolognaise and garlic bread that evening, and the crew introduced us to a drinking game. 4 boxes of Goon later, we fell asleep under the stars.</div>
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Back in Airlie beach we joined our new boat friends for free pizza and drinks and we took part in another club competition (jelly wrestling). Of course we won again ($300) Well done Ray!) Which brings our weekly winnings at $800...not bad. </div>
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Next stop: Mission Beach</div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-46122343117983457922012-11-04T19:58:00.001-08:002012-11-04T19:58:13.166-08:00So over super noodles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Soundtrack: Of Monsters and Men- Little Talks</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This song reminds us 5 of the past few weeks in Australia, although none of us actually recall hearing it. Our subconscious minds must have noted it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We have spent the last 5 days at Magnum's hotel in Airlie Beach. The 14 hour greyhound was a breeze, we managed to spend 10 hours of it snoozing, yet still needed sleep when arrived. I think we have all had a bit of travellers 'freshens flu' this week. Sore throats, coughs, achy limbs and the ability to have a lengthy nap after a decent nights sleep. We did a weeks worth of food shopping for £10 each and incorporated a fields worth of veg into every dish. I am SO over super noodles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Saturday night we partied hard. WHAT A NIGHT. We challenged ourselves to get drunk enough to take part in a cheeky dance competition in the night club, simply because the winner got $ 500 cash. We all made a pact to share the money if any of us won. So when Hannah won the competition we turned into screaming mad girls. $500 is a LOT of money to backpackers. It was one of those nights out that just seemed to go on for hours, it almost had chapters! We also got given $50, 2 vodka red bulls, a jug of beer, 3 glasses of champagne ( and a free T-Shirt ;) ) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In 2 days we are going on a 3 day boat trip round the Whitsunday Islands, which includes snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef! Now for someone who panics swimming over a fish tile in a swimming pool I'm not sure I can go ahead with the snorkelling part but i am going to try very very hard to push my self to the limit. We shall see...</span></div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-27292707403958180712012-10-29T18:08:00.004-07:002012-11-04T19:46:21.127-08:003 days on Fraser Island<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So all I knew about Fraser Island was that it is a 'must see' island of white sands and turquoise water, but it was so much more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">6.30 we prised ourselves out of bed, free pancakes, a lost (then found) room key, a lecture on 4 wheel driving, dingo safety and sea dangers and we were ready to go. We were put in a group of 10, the only group to be driven by a tour guide, with 4 others groups following in convoy. Team ARF-ur!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">All the roads on Fraser Island are sand dunes so we were all thrown around in the car like clothes in a tumble dryer, a fast track to getting close to those we shared our 4WD with. One slight rock and your sat on the person next to you! Looking back, I miss the bumpy driving conditions, and every journey to and from the campsite. But every single thing that happened on Fraser Island added to the experience. The night I wore 6 flip flops, watching out for sharks in the waves, the journey holding Hannah's sick bag, finishing off bags of goon then using the wine bag as a pillow, cutting my face getting too close to the limbo stick, our driver Darren, loosing my shoes on a 2 hour trek through a forrest in the WRONG direction, the many dark walks to the toilet armed with a dingo stick, the card games with goon, a campsite with 68 young backpackers, making it up a scary sand hill and waiting for the cars in convoy to make it (or not, in most cases), the hand sized spider, the fantastic weather, the times I collapsed laughing, the eagles, the birds with cocktail stick legs, making friends in the shower line, giving mouth to mouth to my finger puppet Notorious P.I.G, the creaking trees, irish people, getting lost in snake/dingo </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">territory, getting my hair caught in the tend zip, losing most of my belongings, then </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">finding them...all! And then all the wonderful trips we had at Lake Wabby, Lake Mackenzie, Champagne Pools, the natural lazy river, and the evenings cooking dinner in our groups.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The campsite: K'Gari, (Paradise) is owned by Aboriginals, and so followed 2 strict spiritual rules. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1. No spitting into fire.... Reasonable, and easy to follow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2. No whistling...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> The evil spirits are definitely out to get me now. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> To me, a whistle ban is harder than a talking ban! Whistle just leaks from my mouth subconsciously most seconds of my existence, and so of course I got told off a lot. It was so strange to follow such a foreign rule, to be banned from doing something that I see as harmless and uplifting. But, I tried! :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> I walked so hard my legs ceased up, and laughed so hard my stomach muscles </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">cramped. And we have made some fabulous friends... Miss Power and Miss Fleming, to name just a couple. The thing I loved most is how a room full of complete strangers from all over the world, can turn into a family during a 3 day camping trip, even our tour guide noticed- 'the best Fraser trip to date'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I can't do a day to day diary log of my 3 days on the island, because just too much happened and it would take too long. All I can say is...when I have a child, I'm calling him Fraser!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Next stop: Airlie Beach</span></div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-6424204556410449422012-10-29T05:06:00.000-07:002012-10-29T05:06:30.915-07:00On the road<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 24px;">Written Thursday 25th October</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Soundtrack: Mumford & Sons- Below my Feet</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">'Keep the earth below my feet</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">From i swear my blood runs weak</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me learn from where I have been</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Keep my eyes to serve... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My hands to learn'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">On the greyhound bus, with Mumford accompanying the ever changing canvas the windows have to offer. Every now and again I think 'this is Australia!'. It's hard sometimes matching a word with so many associations,to the place you are seeing with your own eyes. Parts of the countryside look like Yorkshire, followed by an area of dark orange rock, a turquoise lake and a koala road sign. That's when I remember where I am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We are heading north to Rainbow Beach, where I picture the sands to resemble those old school holiday souvenir jars filled with multicoloured sand. An unrealistic expectation waiting to be dashed! Every time we move from one place to another it's like the start of a new holiday. What beds will we sleep on? What will be our local shop? Who will we meet?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We're very excited for our 3 day Fraser Island camping trip starting from Rainbow Beach tomorrow, and also a little scared. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have my rape alarm incase a Dingo tries to kiss me! (Or a snake, or a Jelly Fish, or an eagle, or a shark, or a huntsman spider... )</span></div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-17502097644499572202012-10-23T05:25:00.000-07:002012-10-23T05:25:14.119-07:00Life on the Sunshine Coast...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">...lives up to its name. Mostly because Becky Smart is a resident here, and also because it has names like Mooloolaba, and a lot because the sun shines every day! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Thursday, our last night in Brisbane at 'Somewhere to Stay' was messy; 2 boxes of goon, karaoke, and spontaneous busking. Laura got thrown out of the bar for doing not much at all, (spilling some alcholic beverage over a sound system). But it worked out in our favour as Hannah became 'joint vocalist' with a late night busker with a crowd of drunken appreciative Aussies dancing to the beat. Film footage to follow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The next morning we dragged our hungover limbs to Brisbane train station to meet Amy Atkin....at last the Atkin sisters reunited!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Next stop: Sunshine Coast.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We stayed at Mooloolaba Backpackers, a lovely clean hostel with crisp white linen and an appealing pool out the front. The first night we met up with my long lost uni friend Becky, and had a cheeky Thai meal. Amy covered the bill, what an absolute treat! How lovely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The next few days me Hannah and Laura stayed at Beckys lovely beach front apartment whilst the others stayed at the backpackers. We spent days flat out on the beach, days by the pool, a drunken evening in a fabulous sweaty Irish bar, and sober evenings watching films and having a bbq on the beach. Tomorrow we are hoping to go kayaking, and rent a bike from the hostel, then Fraser Island is on the cards!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I love this life style. The feeling of being completely free from any task, any routine and any job. Free to go wherever we want, and do what ever we want to do in the sunshine with like minded people. The only chore involved in backpacking is getting that damn rucksack on our backs in between hostels. It's like trying to give a piggy back to the worlds fattest man in the hottest country ever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Is a good job it's worth it!</span></div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-53520294635320581932012-10-16T03:39:00.002-07:002012-10-16T04:02:37.726-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Soundtrack: Bon Iver- Tower</div>
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Today I have been exploring Brisbane's West End on my own with the sole purpose of Finding a nice bookshop it's a good life! I always need the right combination of social time and solo time to get the best out of myself, and life. One without the other and I'm just not on top form! Laura, Hannah, Clare and Ray have gone to explore the Brisbane Botanical gardens. </div>
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I have bought a book called 'all that I am' by Anne Funder, and I bought a cheeky travellers treat... A caffe latte! </div>
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So now I'm lying in the sunshine on a patch of grass with music in my ears. Aah it's<br />
crazy how bloody fabulous music and people watching is, I think soundtracks to life </div>
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should just be pumped out of tree's!<br />
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Update- 8.30pm<br />
This evening we made the most of $4.95 dominos pizza night, and bought a 12 pack of Oranjeboom beer! In the alcohol shop whilst discussing our funds the shop keeper asked if we needed any help. Without thinking Clare replied 'We're just having a mass- debate!' Awkward...<br />
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Pizza, beer, and cards in our new hostel. That's my sort of evening!<br />
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-38058816327299088962012-10-14T14:29:00.001-07:002012-10-16T04:01:08.239-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Time to leave our first hostel, and head to the next! It keeps you on your toes not knowing where you will be living and sleeping from one day to the next. Brisbane's inner city lagoon seems to have adopted the role of 'favourite hang out spot' for us at the moment. And it was a great place to nurse yesterday's hangover! Ok, the Lagoon is man-made... but so is Art!<br />
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I'm looking forward to the next few days in our new hostel just across the river, $23 Aussie dollars per night, swimming pool included- HELLO! The count down is on until Wednesday 17th when we are seeing Mumford & Sons live at the Brisbane Riverstage. </div>
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GET ME THEREEEEE!</div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-32889204309410386952012-10-13T19:04:00.002-07:002012-10-13T19:45:10.512-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We find our selves in some kind of early evening coma, and wide awake in the middle of the night having to keep ourselves silent so not to wake the others. I woke up to find a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">certain ( anonymous) lady scouting the floor for her water bottle at about 3 a.m, trying so hard not to wake anyone in the process. Then she let out an almighty trump which made us and HERSELF jump, and she scrambled into the corner of the room trying to contain her giggles. Quality moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This morning me, Ray, and Hannah are awake waiting for Laura and Clare to WAKE UP. Why is it always the silent moments when giggles are more appealing. Hannah crunching on a raw carrot is breaking the silence in quite a comical way, especially as she laughs after every crunch! Water, carrots, cereal, pasta and rice noodles is our diet for this week. With a bit of pasta sauce and soy sauce thrown in when necessary! (...and crisps vodka and wine).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After a frustrating evening last night fighting with Yorkshire bank's incapability to transfer money to a foreign account, today we are having a relaxing day at Brisbane lagoon. We have our first bag of Goon for this evening (a cheap box of Australian wine), and Hannah has her bottle of vodka. So <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">tonight</a> will be our first drinking sesh. </span><br />
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Watch out Brisbane!</div>
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Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9099045099522968619.post-23824920175310702202012-10-11T07:49:00.000-07:002012-10-11T07:58:07.028-07:00Quite a long way to go!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Saying goodbye.<br />
I hate it! So I make it brief and unsentimental, shake off the emotion, then dwell on it later. There were about 11 friends and neighbours on the terrace to wave us off to Heathrow, touching to say the least.<br />
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The flights were all very smooth and hassle free, we got fed 2 days worth of food in the space of 12 hours, I really didn't plan on fattening my self up before a season of bikini wearing. Apart from the Chicken sausage (who does that!?) the food was awesome!<br />
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Me and Hannah walked out of Brisbane airport to find the train station, and despite the lack of awareness due to extreme exhaustion we still managed to appreciate the heated air and tropical smell.<br />
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First stop: Chill backpackers hostel, Brisbane.<br />
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We arrived into a dark room of 7 sleeping males, we had to scramble for a head torch whilst trying to figure out which beds didn't have a sleeping person in, it felt like we were disturbing some boys sleep over party or something! Hannah recalls snores in the night, followed by someone scrambling over to the snoring culprit, and smacking him across the face. He sat up abruptly, acting on some kind of subconscious instinct, then went back to sleep. Job done!<br />
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The next morning, October 11th, we were reunited with a very sleepy trio. Clare, Ray and Laura.. It was nice to be complete! 'Ooh is that the moon?' -'No Ray, thats the plane's wing light!' After a quick swap of journey stories, and a little treat (in the form of a KFC) we decided to have a little nap. 'Just like 3 hours or something yeh? Who's going to set their alarm?'<br />
... Nearly 8 hours later we woke up.<br />
I have no idea of what time or day it is, but it appears to be night time!<br />
Tomorrow is when it all begins :)</div>
Nathalie Cummingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03444929201098435011noreply@blogger.com3