The crazy woman has gone and done it!

With thanks to Jamie for the post title - I think he means it in a nice way.

Yes I did it. I jumped from 14000ft on a tandem skydive this morning. It's something I've always wanted to do and I'm sure that the gorgeous Sunshine Coast was the ideal place to do it. The view was absolutely amazing. I did the jump from the heighest I possibly could so that I could have the longest freefall. I had about a minute freefall. It's quite hard to explain the experience, but I'll give it a try... It didn't really feel like falling, except when you first leave the plane. Then it was absolutely freezing (-10 degrees!), I could feel my face being pummelled and the pressure was starting to hurt my ears (I still haven't totally recovered my hearing yet). But apart from that it was fab. When the guy released the parachute, I felt a jerk and it felt so serene just floating slowly down. And I actually landed on my feet on the beach (that has to be a first for me!).

To be honest, the most frightening part for me was when the plane was taxiing and as it was taking off, I was sat right by the door and it was still open! After that I tried to stay as far away from that door as I possibly could... until I had to jump obviously. By the time we got to 14000ft, somehow the view below didn't look real, more like a map - so that's how I got round the old vertigo!!

Me (looking a wee bit tense) with my tandem guy about to take the plunge.

The green splodge is me!

Touch down on the beach.

Monkeys Diary - Post 9

HEAVEN!!!!!
I am there - just very small in comparison to the beautiful food.


I've been stalking these two from neighbours for weeks now. (well someone has to!). There is also some random kid invading the picture too.



I don't even like pineapple.


This is my new friend, Simon COwl.
We are keeping warm beside the fire in the 'Wee Hoose'. It owned by scottish people, duh!

I just though i'd say hello to my younger bro Master Monkey and his parner in crime Connie. Hope you are looking after him little miss.

Big Things - Part 1

On our journey around Australia we have found a few big things for you to look at.

The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour.

The Big Prawn in Ballina

The Big Pinaeapple in Nambour. (Cheeky monkey mooning.)

Australian people just like big things, weirdos!!

On to Brisbane and beyond

Once we left Coffs Harbour we drove up to Brisbane. We didn't do much although we did go out for beer, that probably didn't help either having hangovers the next day. When we finally got out to do stuff we went for a wee drive around and saw a beach and a waterfall. We also saw a big thing - see the next post.

Diggars beach, north of Coffs. (it was still fairly cold.)

Dangar Falls.

Once in Brisbane, we met up again with Kate's mum and Pauline. The first day we went to Australia Zoo, Crikey! As it says the home of the crocodile hunter, or not because he's no longer with us. It was a good day but not worth the money we paid. In 18 months its gone up from $30 to $50. We think they are cashing in on Steve Irwins death, a bit sick really. Anyway here some pics of our day there.


I'm touching a baby croc


Edna feeding an elephant.


Some guy thinking he is Steve Irwin at the show.

(I've got a small video that i'll put on at some point).


Tie me kangaroo down sport.


Kate stroking the koala bum.
(Comment by Kate: We were told to touch it there so that we didn't annoy it.)


The Barking Owl - It does bark like a dog. Kate found this really funny for some reason.

The next day we went up to Mount Coot-tha where there is a lookout over Brisbane.


Brisbane in all its glory.

We have now moved onto a place called Cooroy just west of Noosa which is on the sunshine coast north of Brisbane. We are staying in a small cottage owned by a couple of family friends of Kates. We will probably stay here for a couple of weeks exploring the area.

Monkey'sDiary - Post 8

Guess who's back, Monkeys back, Guess whos back, guess whos back, guess whos back, na na na nah! (sing like Eminem).

I've got nothing to say to you lot. Just check out my sweet ass!

Chillin' at Kings Canyon.

I knew it wasn't the rock.

Chillin' on Kate's head at the rock at sunset. I didn't do sunrise because I don't get up before midday!

I'm at the Olgas, stupid!

We have left Sydney. Hooray!

Yes, we finally did it. We have left Sydney until December. We have bought a car to get us round. We had a few teething problems with it at first, but it all got sort before we left Sydney, so hopefully no more issues.

We spent a couple of nights in the Blue Mountains where they are having a 'Yulefest'. Basically they are celebrating Christmas in July! We had christmas dinner at the YHA and Kate won a bottle of wine, which was useful as we had just finished off one. After a dedicated search for mulled wine, we couldn't find any. Apperently the Aussies don't know what it is, shocking! We continued drinking in a local pub as it is our 1st anniversary!! We also went to the Jenolan Caves and had a guided tour around one of the 9 caves open to the public.


Kate looking a little worse for wear (she wasn't feeling too good, but not caused by alcohol this time).



Bishop rock in the Lucas cave.

We have now moved up to the Hunter Valley stocking up on our favourite wine. Then we are off to Coffs Harbour for 2 days and then up to Brisbane. Lots of driving ahead!

Birthday Thanks

Just wanted to say a huge thanks to everyone who sent me birthday cards, presents and messages. Much appreciated!!

The Red Centre. Part 4: The West MacDonnell Ranges

Once we had dropped Edna and Pauline off at Ayers Rock airport so they could continue their hols in Cairns. We (or just me) had another 5 hour drive back to Alice Springs. Once back, we spent our final full day exploring the West MacDonnell Ranges. A series of mountains west (no surprises there) of Alice. We started from the furthest point the sealed road went which was Glen Helen. Then worked our way back towards Alice visiting the gorges, gaps (amazingly enough its a gap in the mountain!) and other things of this area.

(Comment by Kate: Jamie is on top sarky form this evening.)

A Mountain (can't remember at the mo. I'll look it up in the guide book).

Glen Helen with a pool which forms a part of the Finke river when it flows. Apparently its one of the oldest rivers in the world.

Kate at the lookout over Ormiston gorge.

In the gorge with the water holes.

The Ochre pits. This is where the aborigines get their face paint from.

Kate at Simpsons Gap. There were two girls swimming in it (Look behind Kates head). We may have been in the desert but it was pretty cold and the water was freezing!

Spot the rock wallaby.

The Red Centre. Part 3: Kings Canyon, Ayers Rock and The Olgas.

After a 5 hour drive we finally arrive at Kings Canyon Resort. Expensive but not too bad a place.

Kings Canyon

A short drive from the resort is the canyon itself. We did two separate walks in the area. the first was a short walk up the dry creek bed to a lookout. The other was the rim walk which took about 4.5 hours to complete.


Me, Kate and Pauline at the lookout. Edna taking pic.


View from the lookout


Me with the 'Garden of Eden' below.


Me being artistic with the camera.


The shear cliffs of the canyon.


They told me to jump. I think I must have been annoying them.
(kate: you? never!)


A birdy.


Me being attacked by the flies.


Edna and Kate trying to pose.


Don't look down!

Ayers Rock (Uluru).

From Kings Canyon its a 3.5 hour drive to reach Yulara, the resort that we stayed at near to Ayers. Ayers is a further 20km beyond the resort.

The resort itself is a big rip off, charging what they like for rooms, food and drinks. If you ever go be prepared to spend big bucks for a decent room.

Pics below.

can you guess what it is yet?









Wrong!

Its Mount Conner. Edna and Pauline made the same mistake


This is the rock at sunset.


This is the rock at with the sun nearly gone.


The rock at sunrise with the moon still out.


Its too early to be up.


People climbing the rock. We didn't do as the full day we were there it was too windy (this picture is from the day we were leaving so we didn't have time). the local aboriginal tribe ask you not to climb it as it is sacred to them.

We could have put more picture of the rock on, but I don't think 60 or so picture of the same thing would be very interesting.

The Olgas

50 km from Ayers are The Olgas (Kata Tjuta, the aboriginal name meaning 'many heads').
Before we got to them we went to a lookout where it became ATTACK OF THE FLIES!!! We love our fake B movies. Once we arrived we went for a small 7.4km walk on a trail called 'The Valley of the Winds'. The walk wasn't too difficult but god was it windy! (Comment by Kate: Jamie felt right at home). Pics below.


View of The Olgas from the lookout.


The flies liked Edna A LOT!


Can you see the face winking at you?


The group at the top of the valley (very windy here, look at Pauline's hair).


More on part 4 soon (I think monkey is going to write something too, if he can be bothered. He's such a lazy git these days).