Friday 12th January 2007. Sydney. NSW.

Took myself off on the bus to Mona Vale to spend the day with Ros and John McCririck (old friends of Sandra and Nigel).

Starting at Mona Vale beach I learned that all along the Northern Beaches there is a stabilisation process in place for the sandhills as the prevailing winds move and erode the sand.

Up Bushrangers Hill where I learned that myth has it that this name is derived from the fact that this narrow pass leading on to the Peninsula was where people coming out from the city were often stopped and robbed. On to Newport Beach and then to Bilgola Beach and North Bilgola Lookout.

Over to Pittwater and Clareville Beach before we head up to Palm Beach and Governor Phillip Park. Our key destination this morning is Barrenjoey Head where we are to climb Barrenjoey Headland to visit the lighthouse. This area is part of Ku-ring-gai Chase.

Barrenjoey lighthouse, in use since 1881, is built of locally quarried sandstone from the headland and it was designed by the colonial architect James Barnet with the almost obligatory convict-built walking trail.

The tourist highlight is a visit to SUMMER BAY. North Palm Beach is after all the location home of Home and Away. After visiting the surf club we head on to Palm Beach before returning to Carmel's by the Sea for lunch.

Back via Whale Beach, where naturally the whalers were based, to Mona Vale, before heading out to the McCririck home at Church Point for afternoon tea. From McCarrs Creek Road we head to John and Ros's old house in Bay View Heights...that was before they took their yacht and sailed around the world for over four years...people are simply amazing aren't they???

After John returns from the labours of a GP's day we head off to the Ku-ring-gai National Park along McCarrs Creek. This national park is mainly sandstone base and as well as being very well drained it was once at the floor of the sea. The traditional home of the Guringai people this is the second oldest national park (1894) in New South Wales.

We are very lucky and I see four wallabies in the wild enroute to West Head. From here there is a wonderful view over to Barrenjoey and a stunning view of Lion Island which is so-named because of its similarity to the sphinx. Free from feral animals such as foxes the eight hectares of the island are a haven for migratory birds and native animals.

Tonight I dine in the wonderful setting of John and Ros's home. I have been so very lucky to share my time with such wonderful people here in Sydney.

I spoke twice tonight with my family at home in Scotland and to round off this perfect trip Sandra, Nigel and I enjoy a wee dram (a wonderfully aged malt to be exact) to celebrate the continued success of the project.