Out on the train to Sintra, setting for some wonderful picturesque countryside dotted with gothic castles straight out of a Grimm fairy tale. The last kings of Portugal lived here until the country dispensed with such anachronistic practices just before World War One.

You would have thought they would have seen trouble coming from their perch on top of the hill as the views are stupendous. Well worth the long steep climb up from the valley below.

Part of the estate is an old Moorish castle, with its ramparts studies with a myriad of different flags from the region. Inside the estate at the top are the rooms where the royal family lived and where they entertained, left much the same as they were in 1910, complete with all mod cons such as a plumbed in bathroom.

At the bottom of the hill another palace full of antique treasure and noisy students.

Arrived in a bright sunny Lisbon. My second time in the area, but the first time out of the airport to enjoy the delights of the city. Had a wonderful view over the whole bay as we swept in.

Spent today exploring the hills and sights of the old town. And there certainly are hills. You come away either incredibly fit or in need to a knee replacement. One thing about the climb is that you are rewarded with some fantastic views over the city. The centre was all replaced in the 18th Century. Not because of good town planning , but because of a massive earthquake which levelled the area.

Visited the Sao Vicente de Flora, which contains a number of past Kings of Portugal. They are all stacked around the edges in a manor more reminiscent of an Ikea warehouse that a Royal Mausoleum.

Spending the last few hours in Australia enjoying the signts and sounds of the city.

Walked down to Bondi Beach, where he surfies were all out in force. There are some beautiful cliff walks down here, but for some bizarre reason the coast is dotted with various works of modern art, part of Sculpture by he Sea. I'm glad I found out as it was inwardly tutting about people dumping their rubbish on the beach.

Spending the last few days of my short holiday in Sydney, a city you really do have to love. Even in its rather smoggy state, thanks to the fires in the Blue Mountains, it is still a glorious place, full of energy and character.

Staying at Bondi Junction this time, a little way out from the centre but with a gorgeous view. Yesterday visited the Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour, which has some amazing vessels. One is a replica of James Cook's ship HM Bark Endeavour, the vessel he was traveling in when he landed in Australia and claimed it for George III. Its a tiny vessel, difficult to comprehend 90 people traveling on it for three years during that expedition.

Today took the ferry over to Manly and walked the Coastal way to Spit. Some great views and it gives you a real sense of the size of the harbour.

Took in the sites of the Capital region starting with a visit to the Parliament, built into a hill overlooking the city.

You can just go in and wander around, although security is tight. There are some interesting old objects in such a new building, ranging from a 1297 copy of the Magna Carta, to the desk Queen Victoria used to sign the Commonwealth of Australia into existence.

The Old Parliament Building, half way down the hill, now holds the Museum of Australian Democracy which is fascinating.

Today dropped back to the coast and stopped off at Botany Bay, where James Cook first landed in 1770. He was met by two natives how basically told him to go away. He didn't take much notice.

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Continued following the state line up the course of the river. Back into Victoria to pass the Hume Dam, now charged with regulating the level of the river annually. Funny being in a state full of Victorians. And not one in a frock coat or dressed in crinoline.

The terrain is very different here as I head up into the Australian Alps. Some impressive hydro electric plants on the way up. The water is piped through the mountains where it is used for electricity before being used to fill the reservoirs and irrigate large chunks of three states.

Eventually left the river and crossed the pass back into New South Wales. Some beautiful scenery with snow, appropriately enough, capping the Snowy Mountains. Finished the journey in the national capital Canberra.

Back to the course of the mighty River Murray. (It's compulsory to use the word mighty when mentioning the Murray).

Stopped off in Echuca, once the home to the rivers biggest fleet of paddle steamers. There are still quite few, now chugging up the river with cargos of tourists rather than bales of wool or logs.

The ships are original, and still powered by steam, so quite impressive that they are still working after a hundred years or so.

The city is also home to fleets of houseboats hired out for trips up and down the river. It was quite entertaining to sit on the river bank, watching the bucks parties loading up the tinnies, and launching themselves into the water.

Now in Aubury, just over the border in New South Wales.

Took a detour from the Murray to travel down to the goldfields and the city of Bendigo.

Stopped at Wycheproof where I climbed the local mountain. Not a big deal as it is a grand total of 49m high/ It does however stand out from the surrounding plains and provides a wonderful view of miles and miles of cornfields.

Went down a gold mine today, no free samples unlike the coal mines in the UK. Cheapskates. Very interesting and gives a flavour of life during the goldrush. The population went from 800 to 20,000 in 1851 with more gold found here in the 19th Century than anywhere else in the world.

Continued my voyage inland along the course of the River Murray, Australia's longest river. At 2,375 km it traverses a large part of the east of the continent and drains an awful lot of land.

The early settlers used the rivers to explore the interior and set up communities all along the river. Part of the joy of exploring new countries is to come across vibrant and thriving communities, living lives in places you never knew existed,

Such is the Riverland, a string of towns along a section of the Murray, each with their own character and purpose.

Now in a new state, Victoria, and the town at the top, Mildura. Some lovely old buildings. Popped across the border into Wentworth, located at the confluence of the Murray and Darling Rivers. They welcome people with a tractor on a pole. They like tractors up here.

Had a relaxing couple of days in Adelaide. Visited the botanic gardens and took in a couple of museums. The museum of immigration was particularly interesting as it detailed some of the stories of some of Australia's immigrants as well as the effect their arrival had on some already here.

Took a trip down to Geelong on the tram, for a refreshing walk by the sea. Didn't get as far a Brighton, but hit the outskirts of Hove.  Refreshing trip apart from the flies. I had forgotten how tenacious they are in Australia. Not like the polite flies in England, these ones are straight in your face, no holes bared.