Jane taking in some rays.

Breakfast over and now heading out for the day. More later.

Went to Brick Bay Winery and Glasshouse restaurant. The walk through the sculpture park was fantastic. Walking through tropical forest interspersed with pieces of contempary art.

A piece of art set in a pond of lilies.

Finished the visit with lunch at the restaurant and a taste of the local wine/pale ale and lager. First taste of NZ lamb, albeit in burger form.

Went to Warkworth, a lovely little NZ town with a high street that reminds of early USA towns, covered walkways etc.

Replenished wine and beer supplies at the local supermarket (100% New Zealand owned and run and therefore the preferred supermarket for Mark and Duncan.

Back for a relax and swim and a lovely Indonesian meal made by Duncan and Mark.

Finished off the evening with a film in the home cinema.

The descent/ascent. (The picture does not reflect the steepness)

The gondola at rest. (400 kg max-perhaps there lies the problem)

The ascent was purgatory. Mark L, virtually sprinted up. I am going to take up yoga when I return home. I was sucking in the big ones. Take that as exercise for the day but at least it was the first swim in the South Pacific so worth the effort.

The sun is up and a fantastic day and we are on the way to a brewery. Whoohoo.

The sawmill brewery served up the best fish (flounder) and a great range of ales. Tried the IPAand the Pilnsner, finished off with a stout.

The Sawmill brewery beer menu. Jill, Jools and Mark L in background.

Not much left of the flounder. A Rick Stein shot if ever I saw one.

Then the into Leigh for ice cream and a tour of the harbours of the area. Stunning.

The Randiriri Hotel

Entrance to the cemetery at Randiriri.

Jools and me ready to go.

We got back to the hotel and immediately set off for a kayaking experience. Cock up of cock ups. After a round trip around the bay of plenty and a drive through some beautiful countryside, we arrived in the wrong place at the wrong time and had to rearrange for the next day.

We got back to Rotarua for drinks in the Pig and Whistle, the Irish Bar and took the opportunity to visit the night market. Lucky really, it was a good night out.

And it truly was like Jurassic Park-

We took a shuttle through the park and got on a cruise boat to take us round the lake, lucky to see a geyser blow.

I walked back from the last bus stop through the tropical forest, wishing I had taken the shuttle as I got back with half of my body fluids flowing from my head.

Went on then for lunch to Taupo and a walk along a lovely lake front and through their community gardens. The NZers love their sculpture and art and it is very pleasing to see them.

Lunch was squid and salad and beautiful.

The drive to Napier took us through the most fantastic mountain range with very little else on the road. It was shrouded in the clouds ( the weather has not been good)but it added to the atmosphere of the environment.

We arrived at M and M's place which is stunning (pictures to come) for a family meal of Lasagne and salad. Then to bed.

Then on to Jim and Joan's for bbq lunch. Lovely lamb, chicken, prawns and delicious salads. Loving the variety of salads, similar to those at Ti Point.

Mark and Jim at the bbq.

The group minus the big lads in the shadows at the back.

Part of the problem was getting the time delay to work.

There must be something wrong.

Travelled back through the harbour area and up to Bluff Hill lookout.

Views from Bluff Hill over the harbour and out into Hawkes Bay.

Then back to M and M's for relax and a tasty supper of pitta, salad and dahl.

Masonic hotel, my possible favourite.

Met with M and M, J and J for lunch at Chantal. Vegetarian but extremely tasty.i had Eastern Med Sandwich. Great flavours.

Back to M and M's for afternoon chill by the pool. Rita sat and chatted with us all and it was a lovely way to spend a few hours before going back down into town for fish and chips (gurnard) at HungaMunga and another walk along the prom and out to sea.

A clear night and the first real view of a starry Southern Hemisphere sky. Still haven't seen the Southern Cross.

A quick swim and chill listening to the sound of a freight train entering the dock area, one of those massive cargo trains carrying the timber to the dock side. The port apparently shifts a million tonnes of timber and a half million tonnes of wood pulp a year as well as significant amounts of container cargo.

Love this place. Napier is one hell of a town/city.

I have always been a lover of formal gardens and the sunken gardens are some of the best.

But it gets a lot better by night.

View from the Winery

At the Craggy Range winery.

Then up to Te Mata. Great views but the flies and midges were horrendous. Mark asked if I had fully wiped this morning as I got lost in a cloud of the little buggers.

Came down to meet Jim and co for a coffe at the Chalk and Cheese cheesery.

Then on to have a look at the old LeGrys homesteads with full and unexpurgated commentary from Mark ( tut tut, Jim),

Finally on to Strawberry patch, pick your own, orchard and shop where Jim's oldest daughter, Sarah, worked. Tried some fruit not tried before, nectarine cross breeds, Nashi pear and Julie bought some yellow watermelon to try later.

Back home for a rest up and to keep an eye on the weather. Will we get on the cycles this afternoon?

Can you imagine throwing yourself off from here?

Hawkes Bay from Te Mata.

After returning for a quick change it was back to town. Jools, Jill and me hired bikes and we had a lovely ride back towards the port and harbour. We stopped at Jandals for a lager and then back along the seafront.

A quick walk into town and the bank and then a bit of a run round to find a liquor store. Apparently supermarkets can sell win end beer but not spirits. Eventually found a liquor store to get Mark a bottle of gin for his 60th celebrations.

After a swim and shower, last meal of quiche and salad and a mash of sweet potato, butter beans, parsley and onion (lovely). Of course Rita was there to make it a special farewell.

Margaret does a lovely dessert of ice cream, nuts and salt chocolate sauce.

Margaret's Chocolate Sauce

2 tbs butter, brown sugar, water, cocoa, golden syrup, and a good grinding of salt and 1/2 tsp of vanilla essence. Boil up for a couple of minutes . Fridge for cold or serve hot.

Really a sad farewell as Rita left for her home.

The girls waiting patiently. Jane getting ready to repel boarders.

Cruiser in dock.

Last view of Wellington. Crowded sun deck.

From what we had heard Cook Strait can be difficult. The passage has been really calm but windy on deck.

Approaching Picton.

After picking up the new car (no problems) we set off for Kaikoura with Jill driving. I navigate but in a trip of 180km, you get the next instruction at 179km. Crazy, really. Navigating really involves saying go straight on.

After stopping for a late lunch at the Store on the Kaikoura coast. Fantastic views out to sea while we sat and ate filo salmon parcels.

After a change of drivers, I drove the short remaining distance to Kaikoura. With all the roadwork stoppages we realised that we were driving along the earthquake route and it was clear where mountains had collapsed, road and rail infrastructure disintegrated. The roadworks were frustrating but it was a very interesting drive.

Arrived at the lovely Kaikoura Boutique Hotel in time for drinks and a rest up before starting out for dinner.

The Kaikoura Boutique Hotel, closed for a year after the earthquake. Nicki, the manageress told us the tale of the owners celebrating the completion of the hotel on the evening when the earthquake struck and destroyed the work. Hard to imagine.

View from front of hotel. The rocks in the foreground were 2 metres below sea level before the quake. Land rose 2 metres.

Statue in wood in front of the hotel. New Zealanders like their art.

Tonight we ate at the Zephyr restaurant, just a short walk into town along the esplanade. The restaurant came highly recommended and didn't disappoint. Fish of the day, blue cod, duck fat roast potatoes and salad, followed by home baked cheesecake. To complete the evening, the chef gave us a lift back to the hotel in his pick up. Now that is service.

The headland where I walked returning over the back of the ridge.

Pictures to come.

What a fantastic experience, travelling through this river gorge at high speed, doing 360 degree turns. We loved it.

Then it was on for lunch to the Bealey Hotel, the original stopping off point for the coaches travelling east to west through the newly discovered Arthur's Pass. We later had an opportunity to see one of the Cobb Coaches that used the route at the AP visitor's centre.

The excursion took us then further into the pass and the opportunity to not only see stunning views but also to have some contact with the Kier (NZ Mountain Parrots). What birds. Intelligent and entertaining. A bit like my travelling companions (well at least true for half that previous statement).

After a visit to the church, with an open window framing a waterfall, (who needs stained glass), we walked back to the visitors' centre before boarding the TransAlpine express from Arthur's Pass back to Christchurch. It is one of the top 10 train journeys in the World and watching the passing scenery, crossing viaducts and going through tunnels, from the viewing platform is something which will be long remembered.

Back to Christchurch for a walk down New Regent Street and drinks and chilli and avocado dips at a street table.

And so to bed.

We stopped for something to eat, pie and mash all round, at Arrowhead. This was a busy old gold mining town, with all the original buildings recreated and/or preserved. For Jools and I, it was just what we wanted to see as a living picture of the book we have recently read, The Luminaires, about the New Zealand gold rush. We walked through the town to the China Town area and the back to miners' cottages, where we had a final cup of tea, before the last few miles to Queenstown.

What a great apartment at Peppers Beacon with views to the lake. Tonight is about getting organised, doing the washing and resting up with a takeaway and some "home" entertainment.

For some reason nobody wants to trail the town tonight.

View from the balcony 1

View from balcony 2

(Yes, that is why nobody wants to move out)

All set to go

The route

Setting off

The action on the lake, a 360 turn.

Then it was off to the airport for the trip to Milford Sound. Flying in a Cessna Camper, we took off over Queenstown and over the snow capped mountain tops to the Sound. The views were breathtaking, spiritual. It was emotional. Seeing glaciers, tarns and lakes of size, up close, was something to remember.

The landscape was the inspiration and the site for Isengard in the Lord of the Rings.

Our pilot was Hank, the owner and founder of the company, safe hands. However after a steep bank, the computer started to bleep with Hank obviously trying to see why. The plane was the newest in the fleet so was having a few glitches (less than a 100 flying hours). Jill did get a little concerned as we conducted a Christian revival meeting on the plane. After landing at Milford Sound we boarded a cruiser for a trip down the sound, accompanied by dolphins at one point. Towering cliffs and mountains, stunning waterfalls and basking seals. What a journey.

The return flight was through the southern part of Fjordland back over the lake to Queenstown, equally rewarding.

After landing we were dropped off in town for an Italian at Farrellis. Wild mushroom pappardelle was a good choice.

Returned to the hotel but I continued along the lake front to get some exercise and see the last of the light.

Australia tomorrow so back to sort suitcases.

Our second and last Toyota RAV4 Automatic.

North Island 1213 km

South Island 895 km

Total 2108 km (1308 miles) (it is 838 miles by road from John O'Groats to Lands End)

However first thing after breakfast is to walk to town with Jill and watch her 15 minute, Shark Attack, thrill ride. Jill enjoyed it and currently the ride is unique to Queenstown and NZ but is apparently due to be launched in Docklands in London.

We then make our way through and to the back of the town to the Gondola. The gondola takes us up for a towering view of Queenstown. It is up here where we watch the Bungy jump, watch being the key word. We wanted to club together for Jane but she wasn't interested.

Returning to town we strolled back to the Quayside and our favourite place Eichardts for tapas and wine.

Then it is the short drive to the airport where, after waiting to get to check in, we find that I can book on but the three girls are found to be persona non grata.

Their surnames are registered on the visas as Hails-Wilson, Perkins and Long respectively so don't match the passports. It takes some sorting and we are the last through. The trip was uneventful until we arrived at Sydney to be picked up by "Bazza McKenzie". The driver is sexist, misogynist and unfunny. The drive to the hotel interesting in other ways.

Jools and I go out to Darling harbour and Cockle Bay for a couple of drinks, a chicken wrap and a soak up of the atmosphere. The harbour is bright and lively. We like it.

It is from this harbour we will depart for our first views of the bridge and opera house.

First view of the Opera House, and the bridge.

We continued a walk into the Rocks, along a market lined street area. Soon had to say goodbye to the shoppers and take in a pint at the Mercantile Hotel.

The beer is good, very good.

Just had to walk under the bridge and remind anybody that will listen that it was manufactured by the banks of the Tees, just like me. Teesside built the world and people need to be reminded that it is the poor who did it and the rich who just benefitted.

St James Metro, lunch stop and a chance to watch some outdoor chess and to guess what the birds are.

Funny looking bird but what is this?

Then on to the Cathedral, the largest ecclesiastical building in Australia.

After visiting the Cathedral it was a slow amble through the park to the ANZAC memorial.

With an opportunity to get a shot of Captain Cook.

Note, born in Marton , Yorkshire (before Middlesbrough existed but now part of the Boro).

A fellow Teessider, but with more hair. (Note to self. Are powdered wigs still available).

Back to the hotel for shower and get ready for the Opera House.

Tonight, after drinks at the hotel bar on 12th floor, very swish and great views, it was off to Sydney Opera House. There was a strange notice on the bar entrance board, no tank tops, no thongs. I thought if they are drawing the line there, what will they allow. Very encouraging. Then remembered that thongs are flip flops. Wonder what they call thongs?

What a surprise when we discovered we had tickets to see Carmen in the Joan Sutherland auditorium. What a treat, the production was spectacular, great choreography and the voices, as you would expect, were sensational. The tenor playing Don Jose was particularly good.

Too soon it was all over and not a fat lady in sight. Sydney looks great at night with the bridge bathed in a red light for Chinese New Year.

Early start tomorrow.

Jools feeding the wallabies.

Koalas. Wouldn't want to touch one.

Then it was back on the road for a scenic tour of the Blue Mountains. Well it would have been if the weather had not closed in and effectively turned an Australian Summer day into a North Yorks Moors winter one. One of the sights should have been the three sisters. No chance of seeing it today. But, I had three sisters that I could photograph as willing stand-ins.

The Three Sisters (as we should have seen them)

The Three Sisters.(As I saw them)

The sisters getting ready for lunch in the Boiler House, part of the Hydro Majestic Pavilion, once the famous Hydro Majestic Hotel.

And the view that made it famous.....

Good eh?

We had a lovely lunch of pasta and pie and mash. Then it was back in the tourer for a visit to the Blue Mountain Park, where we saw some wild kangaroo and various bird types. The park is effectively acre on acre of eucalyptus. Our guide was knowledgable on bush craft and ways, persuading us to clear our sinuses by crushing eucalyptus leaves and shoving them up our noses. It seemed to work but there is a lingering doubt that he was winning a bet back at his office by getting a group of tourists to drink champers with leaves sticking up their noses. We will never know.

Returned to Sydney by the Olympic Park and via Anzac Bridge for a change before drinks in the bar, then out into Cockle Bay for Steaks at Hunter and Barrel, coffee and liqueurs at Nicks.

Back to room to repack yet again and watch news and weather. There seems to be strange things happening in this part of the world weatherwise at the moment. It is fingers crossed from now on.

On the way to Cairns.

Great flight and wonderful views coming into Cairns. What could possibly go wrong.

The old joke; lunch in Sydney, dinner in Caitns, luggage in Melbourne. Unfortunately, it came true. Jane's case failed to arrive. She is left with what she stands up in, a blue handbag, courtesy of my extenders, and whatever was in the hand luggage. At least she can get dressed from Jools and Jills' cases. If it had been mine that went missing I would have had to go out looking like " The Danish Girl".

The ShangriLa Hotel is amazing. After drinks in the bar it was out for a seafood supper at the boat in the harbour just beneath our room balcony.

We ate on the boats lit up below tonight.

We shared a seafood platter of prawns and bugs ( a cross between lobster and prawn), delicious.

Returning to the hotel between tropical storms, and amazed by the bats flying about, we sat on the balcony itch coffee and watched the light show.

Photographs never do justice to what you actually see.

What an evening!

After breakfast at the hotel we were picked up and transported to the Skyrail Terminal and took the gondola ride 7.5 Km over the forest canopy. With two stops on the way, the views of the tropical forest were stunning, but it was very hot and close in the gondola.

The trip. (Photos to be added)

On arrival at Karanda, we walked up into the town stopping at the Karanda Hotel for a beer. The hotel was an old colonial style building with very little changed. The beer of choice is becoming one fifty lashes.

Then it was a walk along a walkway into town, stopping at the various tourist shops, passing didgeridoo players and aboriginal art shops. Lunch was taken at the Tropical View restaurant where the views were good but the food distinctly average. However, I had the chance to try crocodile in a salad. Chewy chicken/fish combo. It was ok but I would prefer chicken or fish. A little tough with the texture of octopus. Still you have to try these things.

After a slow walk down to Karanda Station, lovely old colonial station and outbuildings, we boarded the Karanda Scenic train for the journey back to Freshwater. What a trip. You marvelled at the scenery which was truly stunning, but marvelled even more at the feat of engineering incorporating tunnels, bridges and an infrastructure built by immigrants ( English, Scottish, Italian, Chinese and the Irish, of course) with picks and shovels and no modern sir.veying equipment. Incredible.

On return to the hotel it was down to the pool for an hour before having to, once again, suffer drinks and canapés. It's a hard life and the weight is slowly going on.

Walked along the esplanade at Cairns, lit up and looking so good, trees uplit, fruit bats flying around and the public swimming area full of kids enjoying themselves. Ate at a seafood restaurant where we tried Baramundi for the first time. Great.

Jools and I walked back through the night market before having a coffee and brandy at the wharf, sitting out on deckchairs and howling at the moon. The heat and humidity made it just a tad uncomfortable. Jools has given up on her hair while I look like I have just come out of the shower. Back to the hotel for bit of air conditioning.

Our transport for the day. (Early morning cloud will disappear, fingers crossed, because it is getting very warm),

Our departure with ShangriLa in view. Our room is in the top right turret on the top floor.

Our first stop was Green Island. We allied the length of the island through the forest canopy, stopping at the sandy beaches. While the girls went to Crocodile World, I took the opportunity to don the Lycra and go snorkelling. What a joy being able to see so much marine life, but the highlight was to see a giant turtle go sailing past.

I followed for about 10 seconds as it headed ever faster out to sea. After a quick drink we changed boats to travel to the reef pontoon. On came the Lycra again and this time it was the Great Barrier Reef that we were snorkelling above. Jools and I went over the most stunning of corals with all variety of fish feeding around the reef.

Back on the pontoon lunch was served. A lunch of curry and rice, some prawns and lovely vegetables, followed by fresh fruit.

After lunch Jools went on the submersible while Jill and I went snorkelling. I had been in the water a few minutes, having problems with a leaking mask when a reef shark swam by. Fantastic.

Jill, Jane and I took our turn on the submersible while Jools snorkelled solo.

Once again, the variety of corals and marine life was extensive and we were lucky enough to see another turtle.

The trip back via Green Island was a little rougher as we faced the wind from the top level of the boat. Watched the tropical storm clouds gathering over Cairns as we sped back. Returned to Cairns to find that indeed we had missed a major tropical storm.

So, it was back to the hotel for drinks and canapés. And we ate at the hotel at their North restaurant, the food being excellent. For me half dozen oysters followed by chicken salad.

So to bed with Melbourne the destination in the morning.

The Esplanade is a great place to walk but the weather is close and uncomfortable. You know the storm will arrive in the afternoon when we will be on the other end of Australia.

The bats are smelly and noisy but compelling to watch. They are massive.

Look closely, there are hundreds of bats in the tree top.

A last walk along the wharf area, past the cruise ship and the terminal and back to the hotel for breakfast.

Goodbye Cairns. You've been great.

What a relief, no airport problems. Cases arrived, no excess weight problems and everything on time, except the pick up at Melbourne. We waited an hour for the pick up because of traffic delays. Once we got started the trip in was interesting and gave us the first chance to see the city skyline.

The hotel is massive, we are on the 35th floor with a view out to the MCG and the tennis complex where Australian open is played.

Walked out tonight to get accustomed to the immediate area which is surrounded by shops and restaurants. With a wide choice, we picked an Italian, which was not very good. The walk back to the hotel took us past the Cathedral and several other interesting buildings.

Time to explore tomorrow. Can't wait.

Our view. MCG on the left. Rod Laver arena centre,the river to the right and the coast in the distance. Marvellous,as Richie Benaud would say.

Walked out to breakfast in Degraves Street. A busy little alley where I had French toast, bacon and banana, maple syrup. Must recreate at home.

This was followed by a brief walk to Flinders Street Station where we took the FREE tram on a circular round the CBD (central business district). The tram took us through Docklands and Wharf areas and then upto the Victoria Market, after a short stroll through one of the many Melbourne parks.

Victoria Market.

Jools walking through the fruit and veg market, before the meat, fish, general markets. There was a fantastic guitar duo we watched busking before I got a brief chance to do a Rick Stein with a film crew recording a piece for an Australian food programme. I am not in it but it was a chance to pose for some photographs.

It was then back on the 35 for another run to Parliament area.

We had a light lunch at the Hyatt Park Hotel, sitting in their very tidy outside area.

Note Jools' fringe. She had just had it cut.

After lunch we visited Saint Patrick's Cathedral and Oz's NT building, before taking a stroll past the government buildings, through Treasury Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens, to visit, first the conservatory and then Captain Cook's cottage, removed brick by brick from Great Ayton to Melbourne in the 1930s.

We had a great time chatting to the volunteers and dressing up.

After a cup of tea, it was a short stroll back through the parks to get ready for a night in Chinatown. Jill insisted we went back via a model village which was presented by the people of Lambeth as thanks for the food sent by the State of Victoria after the Second World War. A bizarre thing to give, really.

Tudor houses; why do we mock 'em?

To start the evening we stayed in-house going to Bar 35 (on the 35th floor obviously) for drinks. Our driver to the hotel had told us to go to the toilets for the best view of Melbourne (apparently the hotel is known as "the loo with the view"). It was good advice; the toilet had a floor to ceiling window with a discreet cloth screen to hide the urinal-yes there were apartment blocks that could see in, although in my case it would certainly have required a good telescope and a desperation difficult to imagine.

We walked past the Windsor Hotel and Parliament building to get to a very busy and colourful Chinatown. We decided to go to Ginza Teppanyaki, rather than to a Chinese. Best decision of the holiday as we were fed and entertained, watching the chef prepare prawn, chicken, steak, bean sprouts and fried rice, interspersed with games, catching bowls, catching bowls of rice, trying to catch pieces of omelette in the mouth. We have never been to a restaurant where there was such laughter and theatre. Fantastic, although a flask of sake may have helped.

Early to bed for a 7.00 start tomorrow.

Opposite the early morning parliament building.

Waiting for the pick up.

Long journey of out from Melbourne via Westgate Bridge (highest bridge in Australia, thanks to the flagpoles) to the first stop, Torquay, for coffee and cake. Travelled across a wide expanse of plains, interspersed with small towns and bits of infrastructure, depots and distribution points.

The Torquay stop for coffee was unusual, al fresco, and the great weather was a bonus. Coffee looking out over the Bass Strait.

The start of the Great Coast Road and the centre of the surfing world.

Jill and Jane, plastic mugs in hand; Jill getting back to her youth.

Underway on the Great Ocean Road.

On the GOR stopped at the only one remaining original sign and the monument to the workers who built it.

And me under the sign (not literally; that would be ridiculous)

Really there are so many scenic stops, you could take a photograph from anywhere along the route.

Including this one.

Another quick stop for some koala spotting at a campsite. Saw two koalas, one parrot and numerous caravans.

Spot the koala.

Next stop, Apollo Beach for a bizarre lunch. My combination of chicken dinner with hot vegetables and potatoes with a side of green salad and cold potatoes was strange.. It was suggested it could be taken to the beach to eat; true, if you were an Olympic sprinter. The beach in this lovely resort was a long way from the Main Street along a winding Boardwalk. Had to satisfy myself with a walk along the shop front while Jools bought some sunglasses. Well, it wouldn't be a holiday without a sunglasses purchase.

Next inland through rolling hills and forest, (reminiscent of parts of NZ and England), to our next stop and a walk through tropical forest).

Such a good walk past tropical plants and giant eucalyptus, allegedly the tallest flowering tree. A quick walk, could have spent hours, past trees that have fallen and provided the base for ferns a and other plants.

Intrepid explorers.

What's that at your feet, Jill?

Continuing the drive through the inland area of GCR, through the countryside to the "Shipwreck" coast.

Went to see the Twelve Apostles.

Saw them, came back. (Actually there are only 10).

The other two apostles heading for the tea kiosk.

A few km down the road we came to Loch Ard Gorge and spent some time walking down to the beach. It really was a stunning beach. Pity about all the visitors. It was back on top when we saw a rare sight. An Echidna, the only other egg laying mammal, with the platypus, in the world. Very lucky to see one in the wild.

We then went on a few more km to Gibson's Steps. A brief visit with the challenge of getting down and back up in 15 minutes. Took up the challenge to get a few photos. By the time I got back up I was sucking in the big ones.

A long journey back through extensive cattle and sheep farms with a final stop at Colac, a strange little place but probably a typical Aussie farming town. The places for a coffee were limited, and in the main condemnable. Jane's Guardian Angel was smiling down when we took refuge in a McDonalds.

Finally back in Melbourne we just stepped of the bus and into the Cricketers at the Windsor Hotel, more of an English type bar with cricket memorabilia around the wall including a picture of Richie.

My choice was chicken parmigiana, effectively a parmo with a layer of ham. I think Teesside must have nicked it because the waitress, no spring chicken, reckoned she had it as a child.

Tired and so to bed.

What a view. We crossed the bridge ahead and took breakfast in a riverside cafe. Continuing the walk we went past the boathouses and beautiful gardens, before doing a turn around to visit an art market near the national gallery.

After a coffee we went to the gallery to see a small portion of the current exhibition, Triennial. The exhibit that was most enjoyable was Japanese, a flower house where each visitor placed a flower. Great fun.

A short walk back to Flinders Street station allowed us to get the free tram to the Melbourne Library and then a short walk to Melbourne Old Gaol. A very entertaining two hours with a guide taking us through the history of the place and the Ned Kelly story. It was here where he was repaired in hospital, after arrest, tried, condemned, held and finally hung.

We then had the experience of being arrested. The "guard" was superb, funny and, for some reason, taking Jools and her bag on. She could obviously spot the troublemaker.

It was then a tram ride back to Collins Street and drinks and snacks before getting the pick up to the airport and a last chance to see this wonderful city.

Of course the wait in the Emirates Lounge was as tiresome as ever, having numerous goodies forced down our throats.

Travelling Business Class is a little bit unreal. I now understand why people want money but it really is ridiculous.

For example, the hand drier in the gent's toilets. He was telling me he was on more than the minimum wage. Ridiculous. Unfortunately the bum wiper was having a day off.

Singapore, here we come.

Dodgy looking character in the Melbourne jailhouse.

The girls are not impressed with the latest hotel room. Jane is taking photographs to send to Angela Rippon on Ripoff Britain, Holiday Special.

Having a lie down in the National Gallery.

Read the label and say no more.

Jools and me, Merlion, symbol of Singapore in the background.

Then a quick taxi ride to the stunning views from the floor of a most incredible three element construction.

The building in the background with its roof garden from the Bay Gardens.

Stunning view from the rooftop, our hotel on the waterfront, middle, displaying colonial roots.

Then a walk through the bay gardens to "Satay on the bay" for satays, rice and noodles, street food, and a walk back through the gardens past the amazing sculptures, art works and the incredible "trees".

At this point we split up. Jane and Jill heading for the Mall, while Jools and I headed for the Chinatown, another original looking part of historic Singapore and the temple complex. Bizarre, but plenty of people at prayer and in contemplation, so who knows.

Arty temple picture.

It was then a ride to The Raffles Hotel, currently undergoing restoration so closed and covered with tarps. However, we did have a Singapore Sling in the pop up bar, just so we could say we had a Sling at Raffles.

Then a short walk to the department store on three levels at Bogis Street. Not impressed, full of tat. So, we headed back to our hotel, recognised as a National Monument in 2015, and just chilled by the pool with a Tiger or two.

Not a bad little poolside view.

We took our drinks at the top of the hotel at the Lighthouse Bar, named because they have installed one of the early lighthouse fixtures on the roof. Sipped away while watching the light and water display, played out over the Marina below.

The show was repeated while we sat in a little Japanese restaurant a short walk from the hotel. I would say we watched it again, but you couldn't take your eyes off a number of Chinese (?), they were in the way anyway, watch the show through their telephone camera lenses, then watch the whole show again on the small screens of their devices. The world is going mad.

The food was decent, noodles and seafood but overpriced. So annoyed we had to go and have drinks and coffee at another overpriced waterfront place a few yards away.

Last day tomorrow, but, after a panic about times, realised we depart at 1.20 the next morning, giving us a full day in this fantastic place.

How to spend it?

A lovely walk that continued past the Cathedral, people at prayer already, and back to the hotel for breakfast.

Jools was inspired to suggest we go to Changi to see the museum and chapel of the poor people of Singapore, treated so badly by the Japanese. It was a diverting, if not disturbing couple of hours. It beggars belief what man can do.

The simple reconstructed chapel from Changi POW camp. The cross made from shell casing and bits and pieces including part of an umbrella.

A long climb to the top.

But worth it to see Raffles House...

And the signs of fortification.....

Including the bunker.

It was then a pleasant stroll through the parliament area back to the hotel for a swim and a steam, and preparation for the return home.

The last couple of hours were spent in the hotel, pizza and beer in the lobby with the sound of a talented trio playing swing music in the background. It was a chance for a final chill but also the opportunity to look a little more closely at the hotel and visit its history exhibition. The hotel is iconic but also has played a part in the history of Singapore, the first PM delivering rally speeches from just outside the entrance to the place. The link was that it was formerly the GPO (with the longest counter in the world) and the future first PM was an employee.

The trip to the airport was smooth, trouble free and gave the last chance to see Singapore at night. What a sight. We will remember it for a long time.

Now just the long trip home. Chris has already texted to remind us that the adventure is over and it is back to reality. If I didn't know his parenthood, I would swear he's a ba*****.