Blue Mountains, Bondi, Bridge Climb...

We've done a good bit this week - that might explain the tiredness ;-) To start off with we are now staying in Farah's plush apartment - thanks Farah. We moved in there Sunday and it's lovely.

On Monday we went out to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains for a couple of days. The main attraction there is the Three Sisters Mountains (picture on the left is "borrowed" from a website as we haven't uploaded our photos yet). After viewing the Three Sisters we went for a 3 hour Bush walk along the cliff edge. There were some fantastic views and I really enjoyed it. That was until Jamie insisted that we climb down to see the Leura waterfalls. Nice to look at, but probably not worth the walk back up. We slept well that night!
The next day we went for another bush walk. The Giant Staircase, complete with 900 steps, was closed due to a landslide but lucky us, we were able to go down the next best thing - the Furber steps. People, if you are even considering this please ensure you have cast iron legs. I am grateful that there was a train to take us back up, as my legs were like jelly form constantly going down step after step after ste.... you get the picture.
The best bit about it was we got to get really close to the Katoomba falls, which provided for amazing views. The photos should be up in a couple days and you can see for yourselves.

Wednesday we slept in and when we finally got up we headed to Bondi beach. The weather was good and the beach is beautiful. Didn't go swimming but had a lovely walk in the soft sand and a little paddle - ah :-) We walked around the coast too and there are some smaller really cute beaches too. We didn't look around the Bondi area much but we did top the day off with ice cream - lovely!

Today, we climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In the organised way, rather than the get-on-the-9-o'clock-news way. I didn't think I would be as nervous as I was. I'm as afraid of heights as the average person and don't mind climbing too much. My problem is I hate climbing down. So coming down ladders is tough for me. There are 8 ladders on the bridge, 4 up and 4 down. I think it was going up the first set of ladders got me jittery. When you look down all you can see is the road with cars speeding passed and beyond that the river. Climbing the arch itself is good. It's very windy but the views you get are fantastic. They even take your picture so I have proof that I did make it to the top.
Actually that's the thing, once you start, because of how you're strapped on, there is no stopping. You have to go all the way up and come all the way down.
And the down bit... I nearly cried coming down those ladders. As I came down a train passed under me. Cos it's not cars under you on the other side it's trains. The whole bridge vibrates and the bars you're holding onto vibrate in your hand and the steps you're standing on send quivers up your legs. I was shaking like a leaf when I came off.
I'm glad I did it. I can't say I've overcome my problem with climbing down things but I'm proud of myself.
At least now I know I can never do a bungee jump or a Skydive - it's too hard.