Hey All,

Well guess what we've been up to since you last had a little peek!! Well firstly, there's a whole load of new photos up there of the first couple of weeks in the campervan, so have a little look. 18 in total I think, so don't think you get away with a short trip, get yourselves a cuppa!

So we arrived in Coffs Harbour with one thing on our minds...... sharks! We had always planned to get underneath the big wide ocean, and D-Day had arrived, for me anyway. Rich already has his dive certificate from his last globetrot. So I was back off to school for some very intense learning, a lot of mickey taking and a little bit of fear. We went to a company called Jetty Dive which was really great. All the people there were fab and we had a good laugh with the staff. After a school day, we both had a half day in a swimming pool all geared up and doing the practical stuff. Then day three was a 3 minute (!) boat trip out to Muttonbird Island and guess who got seasick! How ridiculous? I blame the very tight fitting wetsuit, 21lbs of weights around my middle (don't wanna float eh!) and having to focus on setting up your kit while the boat is (slightly) swaying! Still was fine in the water and managed not to panic too much. Oh except when i sunk a bit too much and nearly landed on my bum in the coral. For those who don't know they can sting and you don't want that on your behind. Hyperventilation is not the word! Saw a couple of Port Jackson sharks, some sand rays and what are known as LST's in the biz (little stripey things). The next day we both went to the Solitary Islands Marine Park (seasick tablets ingested, with full effect, hoorah!) and did two dives where we saw Wobbygong Sharks, a turtle (wow!), big blue groupers, lots of LST's and Nemo's, Dory's and Gills for those who like a bit of Finding Nemo! The visibility (apparently) wasn't great that day so we could have seen more, but having put myself through the course, I don't intend to give it up now. So, maybe next time! But as a little treat afterwards a pod of Humpback Whales gave us a real show on the way home, jumping up and spinning the kids in the air (no, really). Have a look at the photo's and your welcome to laugh at me, I don't care cos I'm a certified Diver!!!!

So there you go, that's what we've been up to. It's nice to give the brain a rest and actually sleep through the night without doing dive preparation in our sleep! But we will definately do some more diving soon.

We're now in Byron Bay, which seems to be a very nice little place. Spent today walking up to a lighthouse and visited Australia's most easterly point (not that we mind!). Again, we have been treated to a show from the whales migrating south, but this time some dolphins put in an appearance too which was cool. Some crazy big lizard tried to stop us in our path but we made it passed. Again no idea what it was, but took some photo's for the ever increasing album.

So, that's all for now (folks!). Hope you are all well as ever. Take care

ScubaKate and ScubaRich (flip flip!)