Went for a walk with Jon around Bushy park and Hampton Court, which was beautiful, the Daffodils were amazing in the gardens of the palace. Spring is a wonderful time of year and I just loved walking around amongst the deer and sunshine. I phoned mum later in the afternoon to find out that Del wasn't doing so well so I went straight home. Mum called the doctors for the third time that week and we had a lovely doctor come round (whom was extremely good looking) he was appalled that Del had been sent home in the first place as he was still a very ill man. He called an Ambulance straight away as Del's calcium had got high again and he was showing the same signs as before. The ambulance came about 20mins later and we had a lovely couple of paramedics attend Del. I went in the ambulance with him and the female Paramedic, it was quite funny really as Del was laid on the bed whilst myself and the lady talked about firemen / any man in a uniform and good looking doctors which had us chatting like long lost friends all the way to the General Hospital!! Poor old Del having to listen to us waffle on.We arrived 20mis later and he was taken to his bed, we then had to wait for ages for a doctor who then took him down for some tests. Delphi and Rob had turned up by this time so I thought I should keep us all awake by telling funny stories from our travels. I unfortunately had them laughing quite loudly, which wasn't so good for the poor patients who were trying to get some sleep… oops

Came home quite late and emailed Toby to tell him what had happened.

Del was taken to the Southants Cancer unit for some tests today. My friend Tina, who had baby Max just after we left England, came over to see me today and we went out for lunch. It was fantastic to see them both, as I didn't think I would see Max until he was about 3yrs old. She left at about 3ish and we had lots of hugs and kisses goodbye.
Mum had picked up Nicky (my brother) in the morning (lots of hugs with him!!) then went to the hospital to see Del whilst I kept my eye on Nick; she came home quite late in the evening.

Well it was the funeral of Del's brother in Wales today which mum went to with Delphi and Rob. I stayed at home looking after Nick (he's Down syndrome encase your wandering…) Toby rang to say hello and I told him of what I had been doing the last few days. Was not as exciting as his last few days!! Mum came home really late but I had some dinner waiting for her which she was just what she needed after a long drive. She told me all about the day and how awful it was - very emotionally draining.

Went to work at the Tea Shop again today then came home a wonderful cooked dinner by my adoring mother I also found out that Del's bladder cancer has now gone to his bones - it's not the normal bone cancer but unfortunately a worse kind.

Went to work again at the teashop and had another good day's work in the kitchen.

Didn't sleep well but new It was a week today that I go back to Tobes so I was pleased about that.

Dad came and picked up Nick (my brother) to take him out for the day whilst I just did my own thing until 5.00pm when I then drove to Whitchurch to meet Danny for the evening. We had a quick drink in the Red House then went to Steve and Emma's house to congratulate them on their engagement - yep Steve and Emma whom we met up with and spent Christmas with have gone and got themselves engaged!! I'm really very very happy for them both.

Danny and I then drove to Andover and left my car at his house then went into the town centre for a few beverages. Ended up in a small pub with lots of atmosphere drinking lots of cocktails and getting quite drunk!

We watched a video of Danny in the morning of him diving which was really cool then I drove home and went out for some dinner with mum, nick and friends then spent the afternoon feeling a little tired …. Clare also rang and we chatted about Steve and Emma and how she has been asked to be a bridesmaid, she was really made up!

My lovely friend Alison came down from London way to see me today. I took her to the Teashop for some lunch and then went for a stroll around Romsey before going back home at 4ish. It was really nice to see her again as I do love my mate Alison and had a fantastic day.

Toby rang today and we had a good chat and how it won't be long before I see him again!! Wahey
Then watched the funeral of the Queen Mother, don't know why really as I'm not a royal lover but couldn't turn the TV off for some reason??
Anyway then spent a while getting all my things together then spent the afternoon drooling over my Bike Mag.

Marianne came over today and invited myself, mum, Joy, and Spit over for a farewell dinner on Friday night, which was really nice of her. Clare Bear called today to see how things were and had a good chat with her. I went and picked up my sister Rebecca from college at lunchtime so that I could spend a couple of hours with her. We went down to Ocean Village for some Harry Ramsdon chips then drove into the forest to the Bell Inn Hotel which is where I used to work when I lived down south, had a couple of drinks then took her back home.
I went out with my lovely cousin Elizabeth for the evening and had a good old chat and a laugh and lots of big hugs.

My friend shellbo called and said goodbye …..

I went down into Romsey to buy a couple of things to take back with me i.e. horlicks and proper teabags!! Have already bought a huge pot of marmite to take back to Toby, as he is a Marmite freak… Vicky came over for a couple of hours in the afternoon for a coffee, she is the Vicky we spent Christmas with in Oz and is due to give birth in 2 weeks which is very exciting. We had a lovely afternoon chatting about the gang and Oz but it was soon time for her to make a move so it was more big hugs before she had to go. I had a phone call from Mum who was at the Hospital very upset as they had told them both he now had Bone cancer throughout his body and were going to stop treatment, he should then think about going into a hospice for the remainder of his now very short life. Mum had to phone Delphi, Del's daughter and tell her then think about telling his 94 yr old mum who had just lost her other son. I was supposed to be going out over to Sally's house for a girlie night but phone up and cancelled and then waited for mum to come home. She did not walk through the door until 8pm and was in floods of tears bless her; I just gave her a big hug and let her cry for a while. I then opened the bottle of white that I was going to have at Sally's and we sat and chatted for the rest of the evening and even got her to laugh a little.
She had planned to call Del's mum Friday night and arranged for the family to be with her when she tells her so that she is not on her own for the bad news.

Well I went down into Romsey again to purchase some bifday cards and have a mooch for a couple of hours before going back home to wait for mum. She came home at 2pm and we down to the hospital to see Del, he looked really bad and was now suffering from very bad dioreah as were all the patients in the ward, some of them were my age and younger which is always a awful thing to see. The nurse now told mum that they were not sure Del did have Bone cancer as the blood test had come back clear!! What are these people doing I ask myself, they had told Del he they were stopping treatment and was going to die in the next few days or weeks and then the next day told mum that he wasn't?? So we were back to square one again not knowing what was going on, he obviously has the Bladder and prostate cancer still but that can be treated giving him more of a chance to stay alive a lot longer, so he is still a very ill man.Delphi was mad as they are constantly messing things up; especially at the general hospital so her attitude is the NHS are shite. We all went and found the leading doctor to find out what was happening and apologised about the previous day but said he wasn't In so therefore wasn't his fault. He really does not think Del has the Bone Cancer and the talk of arranging a Hospice for him is too soon - have to wait and see.

Well came back out of hospital and mum rushed home to tell the family in Wales the news and to cancel the phone call to Del's mum telling her he only had days. Thank god, she didn't phone her the day before!!

Joy came and picked us up at 7.50pm to take us over to Marianne's and Clive's (Toby's mum and dad) we gave her a pressie and card which mum chose for an engagement gift. She started crying and giving us big hugs as only Joy would - such a kind and loving person you could ever wish to meet.
We had a wonderful evening, Marianne had cooked us a fantastic meal and we talked and laughed whilst drinking copious amounts of wine for a couple of hours, Gus (Toby's bro) was there as well. We stuffed ourselves senseless then headed for the lounge where watched some of the travel video's before heading home at midnight.

Oh forgot to mention that Clive has shaved his big ole moustache off and looks 10years younger (watch yourself Toby!!)

Well today is the day and I'm nervous again, packed my bags by lunchtime so it was just a case of waiting for Dad to come and pick me up and take me to the airport!!! It was quite a sad farewell but mum was very good for not crying even though she looked like she wanted to!!

I walked through the gates and went and bought some tobacco for Beau and some body shop shampoo for Clare, and then went and sat down near my gate and wait for my plane.

Met a lovely man called Goz who was originally from Richmond in London but now lived in Brisbane and had been in the UK for the same month as me.

He had been home to visit his mum who was getting married but then died a week later of cancer. She was feeling ill but the doctors hadn't diagnosed cancer until the very end which was of course too late......... we both thought it strange we both had been home for nearly the same things and that we lived in t he same area in London.

The rest of the flight is a blur of crap films and vague dreams.

Got into Singapore at some point and had to wait at the airport for 4hrs which was extremely boring - I ate the marmite crisps that Joy had given me to give to Toby..... well I was hungry and I had no money.......... I did save one packet for him!

Crikey it's time to land at last and I'm getting really exciting imagining all the scenarios at the airport when I walk through the arrivals door!! hugs and tears and lots of noise.

Grabbed my bags and then declared the huge pot of marmite and some instant horlicks I had bought with me - bastards took my horlicks but thank the gods above the didn't take the Mamite.

Well this was it - I was walking through the doors and I felt like a contestant on stars in their eye's ......... and no one was waiting for me. I looked around thinking they were playing silly buggers but, no they weren't at the airport.

I went and found a quiet corner and sat on my trolley waiting for them, thinking all these awful things - they have been in an accident or I had given them the wrong arrival time. 20mins later Toby walks in but by this time the excitement and anticipation had all gone, I stood up and gave him a big hug and he just kept apologising explaining the traffic had been really bad.

A few minutes late Beau and Clare walked in with large banners all rolled up and some of my favourite popcorn. I gave them more big hugs and they showed me the banners they had made for me obviously disappointed not to have been waiting for me with them on show, they had gone to so much work bless them.

They all then took me back to where Toby was staying with Damien and Declan and had a cooked b'fast courtesy of Tobes

Clare and Beau left so that I could get some sleep - feeling very dozy now

I couldn't sleep all afternoon as my eyes would not stay shut but felt awful and frustrated. I met Damo and Declan later on that evening for a sleepy hello before heading off for bed.

Had a really bad nights sleep for some reason as was awake at 3am.

Caught the bus into Brisbane town for a look around and I really like the place - we then hired out a car until Friday. I decided to cook dinner for the evening for the 4 of us but it ended up with 6 people in the end - good job I cook in large quantities!! had a really good evening and was started to feel a little better but still a bit disoriented.

We had decided to head down to the Gold Coast for a couple of days but would stop off on the way at DreamWorld theme park. Fantastic place and had a huge rides called the the Giant Drop and Tower of Terror which I was really looking forward to going on!

We left at 9am and went round to see Clare for a cup of tea and a catch up before heading on to the park. We parked up about 50mins later only to be confronted with the tallest ride I have ever seen - 38stories high to be precise and you could just make out the little car thing at the top where the people were sat only to be dropped a few mins later at a death deifying speed to the ground........ mmmmm was now having second thoughts about this.

We got our tickets and headed straight for the tower, as we wanted to get this over and done with straight away. We only had a short while to wait before being strapped in and told to keep our heads back when coming down, then we were going up and up and up and up oh and up some more., I couldn't believe how high this thing went. It felt very strange to be sat at the top of this thing with nothing around you and just you little legs swinging freely in the wind - the worst bit was waiting for the car to drop as they kept you up there for a couple of minutes to get the tension high, I had a dry mouth and just couldn't swallow - infact I was shitting my pants. Oh my god we were then free falling into the ground. Well I couldn't even scream as my stomach and my arse were in my mouth and it was all I could do to breath!! It was very quick but one of the scariest things I've done (so far) We undid our harness thing and stumbled out of the exit all really hyped up and wabbly - I bloody loved it. ( Click here to view video (222 kb))We then went on the Tower of terror which was a car thing that went very very fast along a track and then shooted up the side of the same tower before falling backwards - fantastic.

Spent the rest of the day walking around the park going on the most fabiest rides, didn't like the fact they had a tiger park bit with the most beautiful tigers in amongst all the tack and noise of a theme park - don't like seeing animals enclosed.

We headed down towards the Gold Coast a few hours later feeling great and found ourselves a lovely hotel before heading out for the crapiest Mexican meal I have ever had - service was dire

Slept better at last so was beginning to feel a bit more with it.

Headed down to some b'fast which was very nice and then walked around the shops for a bit to buy some Mosquito cream - that was something I didn't miss being in the UK I am now making up for lost time, or should I say the mossies are! We stopped off at a weird place called Infinity so we thought we would give it a go, it was like a big maze place which had different rooms in all filled with lasers, lights, bouncy floors and mirrors etc, special effect that tricked the eye and brain - really very funny and very clever. Had alot of fun in their for 1/2 an hour before heading back to the car and back into Brisbane.

We stopped off at a wonderful place called Burleigh Heads which was a lovely little beach with crystal clear water. We both put our sunscreen on (factor 30) which turned us into the living dead, the stuff was very very thick and would not rub in.

Later that evening Damien checked his answer machine and found a message from my mum telling me that Del had died in the early hours of the morning.....

Really didn't know how to feel apart from a little shocked, I knew he would wait until I had left England silly bugger. I phoned mum straight away and she told me not to feel bad about coming back to Oz as I had been in England with her when she needed me most, but I couldn't help feeling I should have stayed a little longer but what's done is done. Everyone around me were really sweet but I felt a little detached from everything.

Woke up feeling quite low today and sad - strange really as I had had such a bad history with my step father but he had been a part of my life since I was 15yrs old and we had buried the nasty bits in the last couple of years.

Toby took me up to Mount Coot-tha which is a lovely look out point overlooking Brisbane, absolutely beautiful. We had lunch up there as Toby had told me they did the best Potato Wedges in Oz and the chicken salad wasn't bad! It was a very hot sunny day so we went on to Brisbane town centre for me to have a look around at the false beach they have made next to the river, all very nice apart from a very strange man who was line dancing to some Country and Western music trying to attract the females- they were pissing there selves laughing!! ( click here to view video (928 kb))

We then went to the cinema to be entertained by a very bad film ' Time Machine' which I didn't find that bad, Toby found it unbearable.

Later in the evening Toby went over to Robyn's house with Declan to help fill out an application form for the Fire Service for him . Damo was out playing football so I had the house to myself so I sat and read my book for a few hours. I couldn't stop thinking of mum at home even though I knew she had friends staying with her and was getting alot of support from everyone. I had a few tears for Del wishing things had been different between us and regretting some of the things I had said to him in the past and hoping he was now in a better place (that hopefully didn't have a Thresher's off-licence!!)

Ick Dick Red Balloon............rest in peace you daft bugger

Well what a funny old morning, we had all decided to go camping for the weekend - me, Toby, Damien, Declan, Robyn and her son Chris, Jody and her friend Zara. It was really funny watching the boys try and get themselves sorted out with everything - very funny.

We eventually got away at lunchtime in two cars on our way to Noosa Heads where Chris had said was a great campsite. We arrived later that afternoon and found a cool place by a huge lake, looked all very nice until jumping out of the van and being swarmed with billions of mosquito's who ate everyone alive - Bastards We all covered ourselves with repellent and I then got changed quickly into my fatigues and net hat much to everyone's amusement!! they bit us through our clothes though.

We set up the tents then the men went gathering wood, taking the 4wd with them as they obviously couldn't carry wood for any distance..... the girls tucked into the beer whilst preparing the food we had purchased on the way there. It was dark by the time the men came back with the wood so we weren't best pleased especially when we saw all the wood in tied bundles, obviously been bought from the farmer bloke!!

The evening was a great success - beer drinking, belching and farting etc and that was just the girls! had some great nosh then went to bed with my ear plugs as the others stayed up for most of the night.

I got up early to find Chris sitting in the sun reading his book, so I got dressed and joined him. I was reading a fantastic thriller that I was coming to the end of and just couldn't put down, Silence of the Lambs kind of thing. I then sat there for a couple of hours whilst everyone worked around me making b'fast etc - I had to finish the book but felt bad for not helping.... oh well, finished the book though and I was bloody right all along about who the killer was!!

After b'fast of half a pig we packed the tents away and headed down a wonderful beach in Noosa where the rest of them stripped off and went for a swim, I went for a walk around the town and listened to some live music. The sea looked a bit rough for me and I hate walking around in a bikini with lots of people around. I came back from my walk to find them cooking yet more bacon on the Public BBQ's they always have everywhere - Toby and Damo ate 1/2 a kilo of bacon between them - I'm sure Toby has worms as his appetite has got huge since I left him last.......

We were all tired after that so headed back home to find Debbie and Gail at the house. They were friends of Damo's and had arranged to stay with him for a while whilst they travel around. We had McDonalds for dinner and once again Toby surprised me with the amount of dinner he had after saying he wasn't hungry .......... mmmmm I think a poo test is coming on again.

Woke up early and read my book for a couple of hours whilst Toby went and had his back done again. Waited all morning to ring my mum but couldn't wait any longer and called her at 5.45am UK time to wish her a happy birthday- little tike had already opened my card and pressie that I had left in the draw for her - after a rendition of happy birthday from the both of us I had a quick chat with her to find out how things were.

I then spent the day sorting out my stuff and packing ready to be on the road again the next day! The four amigo's are hitting the road travelling up North for some more fun and laughs and I was really looking forward to spending some time with Clare Bear as we hadn't even caught up since being back in Oz.

Damo and Declan came back from work early so that they could get themselves ready for the dinner we had planned for the evening, a meal at an Indian restaurant for all both sets of parties. Beau and Clare were coming over to the house so we could load the van up with our stuff and say hello to the two boys. We were late down the restaurant as but we all made it in the end!! It was nice to get Clare and Beau's mates (Kath and Adam) to meet our lot, they all got on really. Damo presented us both with a bottle of champagne and then Jodie gave us a pressie and card which was really very kind of them, it should have been the other way around!

It was a lovely meal and before long it was time to say our goodbye's, so it was hugs and kisses all round and off we went with Kathy back to her house for the night. Toby was really upset about leaving his mate bless him.

Woke up early ready to pack up the van and get on the road we said out goodbyes to Kath and Adam. She had packed us some lunch for the day which was really very sweet, then we were on the road. First stop - Australian Zoo which is home to Steve Irwin and his wife and daughter. Had a great day wondering around watching crocodile demo's and touching huge snakes. They had quite a few different variety of animals and birds as well but one of the best bits was the kangaroo's which hopped around that you could touch and pet as they were rescue one's and the' kids zoo' which had little baby pigies and baby cow's and baby goats and sheep. All of which you could feed and touch - this was obviously for the kids so that they could get to touch and pet the animals but I pushed them all of the way so that I could scratch the ickle piggies tummies which they seemed to love - I want one!!!!

After winging for a few mins about the necessity of having a pig we carried on with the rest of the Zoo. We saw the biggest snake we have every seen in our lives in one of the cages that had to be 10feet long had a girth of a medium sized tree.

We were on the road again in the afternoon and found a lovely little campsite on the sea front. Us girls left the men to set the tent up whilst we went to the supermarket to bye some BBQ food and general bits. Beau and Clare then did some exercises with the weights they had bought with them from Kath's house before settling down to some good tucker.

Packed the van up and were on the road for 6am which was pretty damn good and headed off for Rockhampton which we estimated taking 10hrs. I did the first 2hr shift then stopped for some coffee and Toby ate a massive b'fast before swapping drivers and heading off again. It only took about 8hrs not including the stop's for food which was really good going, we found a campsite for that evening which seemed quite nice.......... We all got completely bitten to death by sand fly's - evil little bastards that are the size of a pin head but the jaws of a lion! We went and found a local swimming pool which was really very nice and Beau and Clare taught me how to swim properly. I have never been a good or confident swimmer and have always wanted to do the breast stroke and front crawl properly. So I spent a good hour just learning how to breath out under the water and timing my breathing. We went back to the campsite only to be bitten even more by the fly's, Clare and Beau did some weights before going to bed.

Oh dear we all notice some nasty red patches all over us and we informed they will soon come out into nasty bites!!

We once again got up early and were on the road for Airlie Beach at the Whitsunday's. Wasn't such a long drive today but Toby had another one of his giant b'fasts - porker. Arrived just after lunch to the most wonderful and pretty town I had seen in Oz, we parked up and walked around the town for a good old look around. It is extremely tropical - palm trees, crystal water, white yachts, blue sky, lush greenery. We booked up a 3 day/2nights trip on a yacht for a trip around the islands, snorkelling included.

We then found a wonderful campsite situated in the town and set up the tent, whilst doing this though I noticed a huge lizard thing walking around amongst the vans etc - couldn't believe the size of the thing!! I phoned my mum to see how she was, it was the funeral today.

We went off exploring and found a lagoon situated by the sea which is bloody wonderful, you can't swim in the sea because of the box jelly fish that are around this time of year. It is all open to the public and has all the facilities you need out in the open - showers and changing rooms etc. I couldn't believe how darn lovely everything is and how it's just open to everyone........

We went out in the evening to have a drink as a little remembrance for Del - maybe not a good choice of remembrance as he was an alcoholic which in turn caused the cancer - where's the irony in that then..........but it did make me smile a little.

Toby and I went for a early morning swim in the lagoon and I practiced my new swimming technique for an hour before getting some yummy stuff from the bakers for b'fast. Poor old Clare now looked like a freak as she was covered in massive bites - 160 on the last count mostly on her legs but quite a few were on her face, she looked like she had chicken pox.

Toby went off to get some bits for Betty whilst the 3 of us went and sat down by the lagoon and I had another swim, I then went shopping for some pretty things to wear instead of the travel gear I always have on and found a really pretty skirt.

We booked up for a full moon party for the next evening, Beau didn't want to come. I went shopping again as I wanted a new top now to go with my pretty skirt....... Me and Tobes had something to eat before went out on the town and watched people run around doing games to win prizes, I really think I'm getting old - looking around me watching people getting drunk and making fools of themselves just doesn't appeal to me! we were all ready for our beds by 9.30pm!

I once again went shopping as I hadn't found a pretty top but after a morning of looking I found a rather expensive one which I just happen to purchase, oops.

I then went swimming with my man and came back to get ready for our big night out. I wore my new pretty things and we headed down to the pick up point and taken to the boat which was to transport us to the party island. The boat trip under the full moon and warm air was lovely but the rest of the night was a bit crap for me, either I'm getting too old or people are becoming more immature - mostly men! my god blokes are such cocks. They strutt around like peacocks then get pissed and grope anything that moves then just do stupid dares and act like kids. The Ozy men in particular I find the most unappealing as they are so cocky and brash, anyway it wasn't all bad and we did have a dance and a laugh, Clare even did some limboing which was funny. We make friends with a bloke whom I thought was called Craig but Clare had been calling him Ray and Toby had been calling Gregg all night! must have thought we were right arses but he was quite drunk so hopefully didn't notice.

We were all pleased when it was time to head back to the boat- we didn't get back to our tent until 4.30am and were all knackered.

Went for a swim with Clare in the lagoon for a couple of hours practising my new swimming technique then sorted out our things for the sailing trip.We also put our valuables in a safe for a few days.

Packed up our gear double quick and then couldn't get Betty started so after a big push from us we jump started her out of the caravan park - thank god it was only a flat battery....

We waited at the Marina Cafe and had a bacon butty with large coffee thinking this would calm my nerves as I'm not a great lover of being on the sea thanks to the marine life waiting with glee to eat me as soon as I place my toe in the water - or so I fear...

Anyway we were finally taken to our 54ft schooner thing which looked like something from an old classic pirate film that didn't look like it should be on the water. Beau thought it was absolutely wonderful and kept telling us girls how lucky we were to be on a classic boat rather than one of the white sleek beautiful boats we were parked next to. Clare and I just looked at eachother and were not convinced especially when we were shown our bunks and the rather small lavatory. After waiting for an hour with Matt, a lovely young man who had an uncanny resemblance to a mutual friend of ours - Keith Godfrey.

There were 12 people altogether including the skipper, Laurie and his helper, Matt.

Laurie was a man of the sea, he had been on it all his life and had sailed around the world, twice! once in the very boat he had built himself and were now on ourselves.

. It was then we realised we were on a very special boat and soon settled down for our first sail of the day. The weather wasn't very good so the sea was a bit rough and windy which meant we all started feeling icky in the first hour... the poor Israeli girl who was the washing up person in exchange for 3 days free sailing was actually the only one who actually sick for the whole day which we all thought quite funny. We stopped off for a wonderful lunch that was rustled up Matt in some calmer waters before heading off to the first island - Whithaven Beach. Nearly everyone put on the stinger suits provided, as the jellyfish were out and about, we were then transported over to the beach by dingy. Toby decided to swim all the way trying to look like something out of a James Bond movie but ended up looking like a half drowned rat crawling onto the beach to join me......

The beach was wonderful but the sand was the finest sand I have ever seen - it was 99% silicone and was like sitting on flour. We stayed on the beach for a while taking in the scenery and watching the sun go down before Laurie came and picked us back up and took us back to the boat for a wonderful dinner of steak and salad with jacket potatoes, yummy. Everyone seemed to get on quite well even though I made no effort to talk to anyone and left them all playing cards whilst I went up on deck to look at the stars and drink some beer.

Cripes what a night! a big old storm came in the night and was rocking the boat up right onto it's side and pounding up with rain which leaked through the port holes. Matt cooked up a fab b'fast which everyone devoured with gusty whilst I just had some fruit and played safe........... We then headed off to our next island called Border Island, the weather was really poo so the waves were bloody horrendous we were all hanging on to something for fear of falling in. I was sat at the back and watched as the dingy we were towing would be higher than the boat at one moment then you couldn't see it the next as it was so far below us because the waves were so big. Clare was sat to the left of me clutching a bag as she felt so bad and I had the dishwashing girl sat to the right of me chucking up for all of in another bag. We soon made it to Border Island where we dropped our anchor and decided to do some snorkelling in the bay where the water was a little quieter I thought I would give it a go again even though I was shitting a brick again! and was soon fitted in my stinger suit and some snorkel gear headed off for the reef. Matt had told us about the resident fish called, George who lived in that vicinity which completely put the poo in me as he was supposed to be HUGE!

He dropped me off in some calmer water away from George and in I jumped feeling very apprehensive but determined. Well I did my bit swimming around looking at lots of small and pretty fish and some stunning coral, I kept swallowing a huge amount of sea water and started to feel a little sick so asked to be put back on the dingy. Matt hauled me on very un-lady like and we waited for all the others to finish doing there snorkelling. After about 10mins we picked up everyone else and headed back towards the boat, but trouble came upon us when the dingy ran out of petrol about 40metres away and we were told to jump and swim for it before the dingy was swept out to sea on the tide. Well of course I bloody jumped as did most of the others around me and before I knew it I was swimming in the sea and not very well! It was quite rough and the waves were coming over my head, I unfortunately swallowed some water and started coughing which completely panicked me. Luckily I looked up and Beau had turned around and come back for me, put me on his shoulders and swam me back to the boat. I don't think I have ever been more pleased to see someone in my life and as far as I'm concerned he saved my life as I would not have made it back to the boat on my own. Toby was waiting on deck ready to hall me up on board, I was shaking all over and felt very emotional. I was angry at Toby for leaving me and swimming off knowing I wasn't a very good swimmer and couldn't believe he just jumped off the dingy without seeing what I was going to do first! I gave Beau a huge hug and thanked him from the bottom of my heart as this was the second time he had helped me out in the water and I was immensely grateful. As for
Toby he skulked off to the other end of the boat and stayed there for a few hours feeling very bad.........I wasn't very angry with him just surprised as it was so unlike him to leave me in that kind of situation, I wouldn't have dreamt of leaving him on his own if the roles had been reversed.

AUSTRALIA MAY 2002 >