One of the things we wanted to achieve in our simpler life was to be less dependent on the car so we have been exploring the minefield that is the folding electric bike market. We finally decided on the ones we wanted and took a trip down to Sydney to pick them up. The car had to come with us this time but we have discovered we can take the train off peak to Sydney Central for $5 (about £2.50) this is excellent as it is about as far as Birmingham is from London.

I am keen to get to know Sydney so Ian has been set the challenge of deciding where the good places are to visit. We started off at Haberfield where we visited the fantastic dog park. All the dogs are off lead and there is a cafe where the humans sit and have a coffee while the dogs enjoy a Pupaccino or just hang out with the other dogs.

I saw some worryingly funnel shaped webs in a tree on the way back to the car but didn't hang about to meet their occupants. We then set off for Parramatta where we bought the bikes and carried on to Balmain.

Well, what a lovely place! It used to be a cheaper part of the city but not any more, Balmain has gone through its up and coming phase and has definitely arrived. It is full of beautiful terraced houses and very nice independent shops. Then, when you get to the end of the main street you are confronted by a magnificent view of Sydney harbour.

We finished up with a drink at the Oaks Hotel in my sister Gill's old stamping ground, Neutral Bay.