29 January 2009
Interview with Celebrity Make- Up artist Ruby Hammer
So what's happening this week, I've just done an interview with Ruby Hammer - Channel 4's celebrity Make up artist and co founder of Ruby & Millie.
Babies are hot news at the moment with a woman in Southern California giving birth to octuplets - so this week we cover common fertility problems - why not read our guide or go to our parenting section for lots more information
Also this week we have Celebrity Chef's Top Tips for Great Italian Cuisine covering great ways to cook fantastic pasta & risotto.
More exciting articles coming soon - why not visit www.womenseverything.com
Babies are hot news at the moment with a woman in Southern California giving birth to octuplets - so this week we cover common fertility problems - why not read our guide or go to our parenting section for lots more information
Also this week we have Celebrity Chef's Top Tips for Great Italian Cuisine covering great ways to cook fantastic pasta & risotto.
More exciting articles coming soon - why not visit www.womenseverything.com
The East Coast Drive to Sydney
We were driving back to Sydney for New Years Eve with 5 stops along the route. We had a good flight and we had now our fourth time zone! We were staying at the very posh Palazzo Versace.
Although nothing special from the front it was lovely inside - set on a marina with a fantastic pool where we were shown to our room – really spacious with a large Jacuzzi bath, separate shower and toilet and a view over the pool and where we both received a bottle of Versace perfume and aftershave.
After a relaxing afternoon by the pool we showered and changed for a meal in the hotel.
Another hot day so after breakfast we went down to the pool to read and laze. By about 2pm it was still warm but it was trying to rain so we decide to go for a drive as hubby wanted to see where he had holidayed 20 years ago when he came with his Mum. We couldn’t believe it but we managed to find the hotel he stayed in - Beachcomber resort.
We had an early breakfast wanting to make the most of this lovely hot weath so headed down to the pool again by midday it was trying to rain so decided to have a wander round the marina found some great little shops next door.
We packed up and headed off to Bryon Bay a 1½ hour drive – we arrived there about midday and were given the keys to our room it was a lovely spacious studio apartment with double bed, wardrobe area, bathroom, lounge, and kitchen with washing machine as well as balconies with mozzie nets.
We quickly changed and headed to the pool for lunch.
The pool area was lovely with great loungers and a nice pool, so we chilled by the pool for the rest of the day.
We changed and then decided to have a drive and see some of the beaches we went to the fabulous Watego beach and had a wonderful evening meal at the famous Raes restaurant.
After another lazy day we were attending a carol singing evening hosted by the hotel which made it feel more like Christmas. Elle McPherson came to support the evening being very good friends of the owners.
On Christmas Eve we got up at about 6.00 am to have a walk down to the beach – it was beautiful a wide wild expanse of beach like many along the whole of the east coast.
Byron Bay is beautiful and defintely worth a visit especially if you take a drive out into the counry - why not call at Bangalow. With rolling green hills and trees you could be in the UK!!
It was really strange to spend Christmas day on the beach - espeically seeing Father Christmas.
We left on Boxing Day to go to Coffs Harbour a 3½ hour drive. The speed limits are really slow compared to the UK as most of the roads are like our B roads it takes ages to get anywhere, but I must admit you feel much more relaxed by the time you reach your destination.
We were about 20 minutes from our hotel so decided to stop and have a look at some of the beaches we had a look at Emerald beach and Moonee Beach which was beautiful with an estuary running into it.
We then had a drive up to Dorrigo National Park, the drive up was amazing with fantastic views across the rainforest – finally we got to the top where we had a walk along the sky walk to look over the forest.
We then stopped at Dangar Falls and headed back through a place called Belligen very similar to Bangalow.
We were up early today as we had a 5½ hour drive ahead of us. By 8.30 we had left our hotel on our way to Port Stephen. We made good progress and stopped at Port Macquarie for a pit stop by the beach.
We arrived at Port Stephen a gorgeous spot right on the marina overlooking the ocean.
A great must do is to go to the Tomaree National Park where we decided to climb to the summit for the headlands viewed a 1.0 kilometre climb definitely worth it as the views were magnificent – looking over the different bays at beautiful coves one after another all the way along the coast and in the whale season you can see the whales pass by.
We’d booked into the Point Restaurant at Soldier Point a lovely little restaurant over looking a small marina.
Today we'd booked to see the dolphins and boarded “Imagine” a large catamaran seating about 30 so not too crowded compared to some of the boats that were going out. We had good seats at the front of the boat – we managed to see a shoal of dolphin just off the coast and followed them for about 15 mins .
Next day we were off to Hunter Valley we had a good journey and arriving mid morning. we did a great tour of Tyrells winery.
Finally today is New Years Eve and we are off to Sydney for the celebrations.
We'd booked on to one of the Captain Cook Cruises. So at 7pm we made our way down to Circular Quay. What an amazing night - if you eve get the chance- DO IT!!
We had a lovely day just relaxing and doing a bit of shopping. We met one of my husbands colleagues who was also holidaying out there. We had a great meal at at Woolloomaloo Harbour.
Other Great things to do - Bridge Climb - Back Stage Tour Opera House, for great beaches Jervis Bay south of Sydney, Blue Mountains.
A great journey!!
Although nothing special from the front it was lovely inside - set on a marina with a fantastic pool where we were shown to our room – really spacious with a large Jacuzzi bath, separate shower and toilet and a view over the pool and where we both received a bottle of Versace perfume and aftershave.
After a relaxing afternoon by the pool we showered and changed for a meal in the hotel.
Another hot day so after breakfast we went down to the pool to read and laze. By about 2pm it was still warm but it was trying to rain so we decide to go for a drive as hubby wanted to see where he had holidayed 20 years ago when he came with his Mum. We couldn’t believe it but we managed to find the hotel he stayed in - Beachcomber resort.
We had an early breakfast wanting to make the most of this lovely hot weath so headed down to the pool again by midday it was trying to rain so decided to have a wander round the marina found some great little shops next door.
We packed up and headed off to Bryon Bay a 1½ hour drive – we arrived there about midday and were given the keys to our room it was a lovely spacious studio apartment with double bed, wardrobe area, bathroom, lounge, and kitchen with washing machine as well as balconies with mozzie nets.
We quickly changed and headed to the pool for lunch.
The pool area was lovely with great loungers and a nice pool, so we chilled by the pool for the rest of the day.
We changed and then decided to have a drive and see some of the beaches we went to the fabulous Watego beach and had a wonderful evening meal at the famous Raes restaurant.
After another lazy day we were attending a carol singing evening hosted by the hotel which made it feel more like Christmas. Elle McPherson came to support the evening being very good friends of the owners.
On Christmas Eve we got up at about 6.00 am to have a walk down to the beach – it was beautiful a wide wild expanse of beach like many along the whole of the east coast.
Byron Bay is beautiful and defintely worth a visit especially if you take a drive out into the counry - why not call at Bangalow. With rolling green hills and trees you could be in the UK!!
It was really strange to spend Christmas day on the beach - espeically seeing Father Christmas.
We left on Boxing Day to go to Coffs Harbour a 3½ hour drive. The speed limits are really slow compared to the UK as most of the roads are like our B roads it takes ages to get anywhere, but I must admit you feel much more relaxed by the time you reach your destination.
We were about 20 minutes from our hotel so decided to stop and have a look at some of the beaches we had a look at Emerald beach and Moonee Beach which was beautiful with an estuary running into it.
We then had a drive up to Dorrigo National Park, the drive up was amazing with fantastic views across the rainforest – finally we got to the top where we had a walk along the sky walk to look over the forest.
We then stopped at Dangar Falls and headed back through a place called Belligen very similar to Bangalow.
We were up early today as we had a 5½ hour drive ahead of us. By 8.30 we had left our hotel on our way to Port Stephen. We made good progress and stopped at Port Macquarie for a pit stop by the beach.
We arrived at Port Stephen a gorgeous spot right on the marina overlooking the ocean.
A great must do is to go to the Tomaree National Park where we decided to climb to the summit for the headlands viewed a 1.0 kilometre climb definitely worth it as the views were magnificent – looking over the different bays at beautiful coves one after another all the way along the coast and in the whale season you can see the whales pass by.
We’d booked into the Point Restaurant at Soldier Point a lovely little restaurant over looking a small marina.
Today we'd booked to see the dolphins and boarded “Imagine” a large catamaran seating about 30 so not too crowded compared to some of the boats that were going out. We had good seats at the front of the boat – we managed to see a shoal of dolphin just off the coast and followed them for about 15 mins .
Next day we were off to Hunter Valley we had a good journey and arriving mid morning. we did a great tour of Tyrells winery.
Finally today is New Years Eve and we are off to Sydney for the celebrations.
We'd booked on to one of the Captain Cook Cruises. So at 7pm we made our way down to Circular Quay. What an amazing night - if you eve get the chance- DO IT!!
We had a lovely day just relaxing and doing a bit of shopping. We met one of my husbands colleagues who was also holidaying out there. We had a great meal at at Woolloomaloo Harbour.
Other Great things to do - Bridge Climb - Back Stage Tour Opera House, for great beaches Jervis Bay south of Sydney, Blue Mountains.
A great journey!!
Kangaroo Island and Phillip Island
We arrived at Seal Bay and it was just amazing to up close to these amazing animals from the young pups to full grown adults. We were just a few metres away from them.
After lunch and a visit to a bird of prey santuary we headed to the coast to see seals, hundreds of them in fact.
Next day we flew to Melbourne and toured the city. After an early breakfast we set off for Phillip Island - it's about an hour and a half from the city our first main stop was at the Koala park. We took the helicopter ride over the island and had a great view of where we were going to see the penguins later that evening.
After spectacular views of the island we arrived at the Koala sanctuary. Finally we had our fist sighting – they were just gorgeous so cute and most of them were just lodged in the trees fast asleep – we were both wowed by them.
Our next stop was the Penguin Parade to see Fairy penguins the smallest penguin– and the driver took us round the hills were you could see all there burrows and it was here we saw a couple of baby ones we also spotted some black tail wallabies.
When we arrived we had booked a tour with one of the Rangers who took us down on to the beach to see our fist penguins coming out of the sea. They don’t come out until dust for fear of predators and even then if one gets spooked the group all run back into the sea – its so funny to see this happening!
We then went up to the walk way and here you are inches away here you can see their beautiful feathers – they were so determined in their walk – some of them it can take from the time the leave the sea to get to their burrows about 2 hours all up hills.
Finally it was time to go – and so at 10pm we were on our way back to Melbourne. It was a good 2 hours back – luckily this time we were the fist drop – and we just collapsed into bed.
Today we fancied a lazy day and so just did a bit of shopping.
We awoke to rain - the weatehr so far had been mainly overcast and even cold so we were glad to be catching a flight to Coolangata about an hour from Brisbane on the east coast.
After lunch and a visit to a bird of prey santuary we headed to the coast to see seals, hundreds of them in fact.
Next day we flew to Melbourne and toured the city. After an early breakfast we set off for Phillip Island - it's about an hour and a half from the city our first main stop was at the Koala park. We took the helicopter ride over the island and had a great view of where we were going to see the penguins later that evening.
After spectacular views of the island we arrived at the Koala sanctuary. Finally we had our fist sighting – they were just gorgeous so cute and most of them were just lodged in the trees fast asleep – we were both wowed by them.
Our next stop was the Penguin Parade to see Fairy penguins the smallest penguin– and the driver took us round the hills were you could see all there burrows and it was here we saw a couple of baby ones we also spotted some black tail wallabies.
When we arrived we had booked a tour with one of the Rangers who took us down on to the beach to see our fist penguins coming out of the sea. They don’t come out until dust for fear of predators and even then if one gets spooked the group all run back into the sea – its so funny to see this happening!
We then went up to the walk way and here you are inches away here you can see their beautiful feathers – they were so determined in their walk – some of them it can take from the time the leave the sea to get to their burrows about 2 hours all up hills.
Finally it was time to go – and so at 10pm we were on our way back to Melbourne. It was a good 2 hours back – luckily this time we were the fist drop – and we just collapsed into bed.
Today we fancied a lazy day and so just did a bit of shopping.
We awoke to rain - the weatehr so far had been mainly overcast and even cold so we were glad to be catching a flight to Coolangata about an hour from Brisbane on the east coast.
Our Journey Continued:
The airport was a bit of disappointment scruffy and disorganised but we managed to get through quite quickly somehow managing to avoid the trauma of quarantine.
The day wearrived was a lovely hot day so we dumped our bags at the hotel had a quick shower and decided the best way to see the city was to jump on their hop on hop off bus which gave 1 ½ hour tour of the city. It was great and over view of the sights - such as the sky tower, woolllommoo harbour, museums, darling harbour the mono rail the QVB shopping building etc.
After being on the bus for well over an hour we jumped off at the monorail so we could have a ride – 15 minutes later we’d gone round and decide to jump off at the QVB for some lunch. What a gorgeous shopping centre – bit like the Victoria quarter in Leeds a restored old building with some beautiful shops.
Our next stop was the sky tower with amazing views over Sydney.
Showered and changed we had a lovely meal at the hotel. That’s when I noticed we had visitors of the insect kind – there on the wooden pier were the cockroaches – urgh – now that’s what I wasn’t used to seeing!!!
We had a great night’s sleep making up for our disturbed nights in Singapore where we couldn’t get our body clocks sorted.
Today we decided to go to Watsons bay on the Captain Cook explorer ticket. We had a great Ozey lady who gave brilliant commentary about what we were seeing – although we did take a slight detour to view the nudist beach.
On landing at Watsons bay we made out way to Doyles for their famous fish and chips over looking the beach. I had something called flathead and Darren had Barramundi – great tasting local fish in batter with chips.
After a few days in Sydney we headed out to the Blue Mountains but it was clouded in mist so we couln't see a thing we were glad to be staying at the beautiful Lilianfels Hotel at Katacoomba and so weathered the storm in the gorgeous lounge with afternoon tea.
We got up early this morning as the sun was shinning so we wandered to Echo Point to see the most incredible views of the 3 sisters – the mist was just rising off the tops of the trees in the valley set against the sun on the far hills – breathtaking!
Back at the hotel over breakfast we were looking forward to our journey on the Indian Pacific later that day to Adelaide.
Sitting in our own cabin on the train we started our journey through the mountains moving slowly towards the outback - the scenery is unbelievable - mile after mile of wilderness which is totally mesmorising – you just can’t take in the vastness.
We had a great nights sleep the beds turned out to be really comfortable the train rocking you to sleep – totally brilliant!!
We’d booked a tour of Broken Hill - a real outback a mining town. So washed and showered at 6am we were ready for a quick breakfast – our cabin attendant Daniel announced that there had been a problem the driver had hit a herd of cattle which had smashed the windscreen and so had to send for a replacement locomotive. At this point we were about 4 – 5 hours behind schedule so they had to cancel the tour. However, we still had the chance to stretch our legs at Broken Hill whilst the train took on water and new passengers.
Finally at 11.30 am we left Broken Hill and it took another 7 hours before we reached Adelaide. So over 24 hours later we had reached our destination.
The next morning we left early to catch a 20 minute flight to Kangaroo Island.
The day wearrived was a lovely hot day so we dumped our bags at the hotel had a quick shower and decided the best way to see the city was to jump on their hop on hop off bus which gave 1 ½ hour tour of the city. It was great and over view of the sights - such as the sky tower, woolllommoo harbour, museums, darling harbour the mono rail the QVB shopping building etc.
After being on the bus for well over an hour we jumped off at the monorail so we could have a ride – 15 minutes later we’d gone round and decide to jump off at the QVB for some lunch. What a gorgeous shopping centre – bit like the Victoria quarter in Leeds a restored old building with some beautiful shops.
Our next stop was the sky tower with amazing views over Sydney.
Showered and changed we had a lovely meal at the hotel. That’s when I noticed we had visitors of the insect kind – there on the wooden pier were the cockroaches – urgh – now that’s what I wasn’t used to seeing!!!
We had a great night’s sleep making up for our disturbed nights in Singapore where we couldn’t get our body clocks sorted.
Today we decided to go to Watsons bay on the Captain Cook explorer ticket. We had a great Ozey lady who gave brilliant commentary about what we were seeing – although we did take a slight detour to view the nudist beach.
On landing at Watsons bay we made out way to Doyles for their famous fish and chips over looking the beach. I had something called flathead and Darren had Barramundi – great tasting local fish in batter with chips.
After a few days in Sydney we headed out to the Blue Mountains but it was clouded in mist so we couln't see a thing we were glad to be staying at the beautiful Lilianfels Hotel at Katacoomba and so weathered the storm in the gorgeous lounge with afternoon tea.
We got up early this morning as the sun was shinning so we wandered to Echo Point to see the most incredible views of the 3 sisters – the mist was just rising off the tops of the trees in the valley set against the sun on the far hills – breathtaking!
Back at the hotel over breakfast we were looking forward to our journey on the Indian Pacific later that day to Adelaide.
Sitting in our own cabin on the train we started our journey through the mountains moving slowly towards the outback - the scenery is unbelievable - mile after mile of wilderness which is totally mesmorising – you just can’t take in the vastness.
We had a great nights sleep the beds turned out to be really comfortable the train rocking you to sleep – totally brilliant!!
We’d booked a tour of Broken Hill - a real outback a mining town. So washed and showered at 6am we were ready for a quick breakfast – our cabin attendant Daniel announced that there had been a problem the driver had hit a herd of cattle which had smashed the windscreen and so had to send for a replacement locomotive. At this point we were about 4 – 5 hours behind schedule so they had to cancel the tour. However, we still had the chance to stretch our legs at Broken Hill whilst the train took on water and new passengers.
Finally at 11.30 am we left Broken Hill and it took another 7 hours before we reached Adelaide. So over 24 hours later we had reached our destination.
The next morning we left early to catch a 20 minute flight to Kangaroo Island.
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