Flew from Sydney up to Prosperine and then a short ride into Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Islands. Spent the night over in Airlie Beach and departed the next day for a sailing adventure. We spent 3 nights and 4 days on a 135ft tall ship - The Solway Lass - originally built in Denmark in 1902, has been sunk twice and used by the Germans in WWII. It has been restored and is a fantastic ship. 11 sails but no keel - one of it previous jobs was an ice breaker - she has a lead bow and doesn't need the weight of an actual keel. We sailed through the Whitsunday islands, under no particular charted route and hit many beaches - Longford Island being of particular interest because of the impact of tides on the surrounding beaches and you could get stranded. Many hours of snorkeling amongst the deadly jellyfish - mandatory to wear stinger suits - both Jean and I did get a small sting but no issues so far - felt like a needle piercing the skin - albeit it is described as a sting, but for me it felt more like a 5 minute needle prick. Both Matt and Jack saw some big ones but didn't get stung.

We met some great people from Germany, Denmark, Wales, Thailand, Belgium and Spain. It was a unique experience because we were able to help out sailing the ship...10.3 knots was where we got her to.

Food was excellent and the rope swing and the dolphins at night where a great added touch.

We took the tilt train from Airlie Beach up to Cairns - fantastic train system - first class travel conditions with very high tech trains - they have our planes beat hands down. We had our first little oops with my wallet...sitting comfortably 15 minutes into our train ride (these things can hit 160km/hr) getting settled in when the train conductor asks if there are any Canadians on our car??? We respond...he approaches and says I have your wallet sir - I say...NO, I think you are mistaken, I have my wallet in my bag...no sir... I will have your wallet in a few minutes it was found on a transfer bus...I grab my bag to check - my wallet is missing!!! Holy - - - -! He then tells me that he will have my wallet back to me - great (not really expecting to see it anytime real soon)...at this point I really don't know what the hell was going on...how did my wallet get out of my bag and how did they know where to find me and how are they going to get my wallet back to me...the train has already left the station and we are on route...the train actually stops - in the middle of a field - beside a gravel road crossing...the conductor then comes to my seat with my wallet. They stopped the train!!!!!!!!...the bus driver hired a courier to run the train down...I really don't know how all the communication worked but I am writing a letter to the rail and transit authority to thank them. The best thing I can do is keep telling the story to spread the word about how great Australians are...I really don't believe this would have happened the same way at home.

Write again soon...

World Masters...

Well...we missed the medal round by one game...I can say that we both were disappointed that we did not play to the level of our abilities but had a great time...Chris my partner had been traveling with his family for 2 months prior and we hadn't played together for quite some time...yah yah excuses excuses. The matches were only to 15 points and the bird definitely floated much heavier here! It was an experience that we are going to do again at the Masters Games in Turin Italy in 2013. Met some awesome players from all over the world. It was a professional experience.

We are leaving Sydney tomorrow to fly up to Arlie Beach and go sailing for 4 days on a 140 ft tall ship around the Whitsunday islands and then we take a cool train up to Cairns and Port Douglas, Yorkey's Knob area for scuba diving The Great Barrier Reef.

See you all soon...only 12 days left...arghhh!!!!!!

Cheers

Sydney City

Trying to get relaxed in Sydney - what a city - very hilly and full of life and love of 7 Million.People are extremely social and wanting to help. First question we have been getting is..."what state are you from"?...uhmmm we are Canadian - "Oh we love Canadians...sorry for calling you American - that probably is an insult "- ha ha - we just laugh. It is funny because they do assume we are American first and then we get a very different level of service when they realize we are actually Canadian!!!

One of the pleasures I love anywhere I am in the world is an early morning Espresso or Latte - it has been fabulous here because they get up so early to go surfing...I have been getting up at 6am every morning...grab a Latte and go for an adventurous walk until 8am when the rest of the family gets up. New Latte place every morning...had a very very good one downtown Sydney - Uno Espresso - he was kinda like the soup nazi on seinfeld...you felt privileged to get one...if he said $10 bucks I probably would have paid it and ran...AND felt good about it...By the way it was $3...cheapest one so far!

Tour day around Sydney...Museum and Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife World...The Aquarium was spectacular - see pics. Saw 4 of the worlds deadliest snakes - Within 3 metres - a little un nerving being so close - the snake expert was like Austin Stephens...al ittle older but had some great stories about being bit and death at the door.

Hope eveyone is doing well - we love you all and dont miss the snow.

No worries!

The J's

We just arrived back in Sydney. We have a place right across from the famous Bondi Beach. We stopped in Port Macquarie on the way back down from Yamba and places. Spent 2 nights...weather wasnt great. We did some hiking and went to visit a Koala Hospital - very neat place - no government funding. Well looked after facility - has an association with the University of Sydney. There is only about 800 koala's in that region - most are killed and or injured by dogs and cars. We cant quite figure out why there isnt more of an effort to save these little guys. We found 3 Koala's on our hike through the city and thousands of sleeping bats - a little spooky and a number of bearded dragons - no snakes that day (not ones in cages anyway).

Competition starts in 2 days - cannot wait.

Cheers.

We seem to be stuck in Yamba…fantastic place… many beaches and hikes within a short walk…there is also a little boutique hotel for sale next to one of the main beaches – any takers with us????.... Matt and I had a private surf lesson with Australian surfing champ Jeremy Walters – we were 9 for 10 in the ‘green waves’ we caught – only 2 memorable tumbles that cleaned the pipes out! We went on a little tour with the owner of the youth hostile - Jean managed to get a little scare from an Australian Red Belly snake…just missed with the camera. We also ran into a large carpet python on the walking path to the fresh water cliffs – see picture attached. The cliffs were great – 40ft jump…the climb was actually the scary part. These pools were part of a quarry project that unearthed a natural spring – they are 200 ft deep of fresh water with a couple of Bass that were introduced a few years ago. One of the girls that came with us blew her shorts apart on the plunge – sat a little too far back on the jump. Jack and Matt have been body boarding and surfing everyday for hours…Jack had to be rescued from a rip on Back Beach – myself and a couple of surfers pulled him from hitting the rocks – a little excitement and a new respect for the ocean.

I am getting excited about the up coming World Masters Games – I start my play on the 14^th. There are 28,000 participants from 95 countries in 28 events…2000 Canadians will be here. I am playing with Chris Guiffre in mens doubles 35 and 40+ events…Chris and family have been traveling as well and we will meet up with them at Bondi Beach – both of us are staying there.

Cheers.

Brian

Well,

here we are in Yamba, NSW. It was raining for the 1st 3 days so we started to drive north and landed here by chance. WOW! Its been voted the best town an the best surf in Australia. The weather is perfect and there are about 8 beaches around this tiny town. We are staying at a youth hostel-boutique hostel more like it. Jack doesn't want to go and thinks this is the best place ever. Spent the day yesterday at the beach, just playing and hanging and boogie boarding.

We've explored the tide pools and seen 2 octopus. Very cool.

Lots of kangaroos along the highway. Have yet to see a koala.

Travels continue...fresh fish at Nabucca Heads and Tattoe rocks - cool... we have landed in Yamba - Home of the legendary Billabong brand - haven't met 'Gordon' yet but will be on the look out for him. Yamba is a very cool surf town...we have decided to stay for 3 days...the weather has finally cooperated...sand in our toes and have almost forgotten about home...the Aussies are just great!