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Wednesday, 21 October 2015
Monday, 19 October 2015
Turkey.....Day.....4......I think!
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Well....another day of hard work and no relaxation!
Sunday, 18 October 2015
Saturday, 17 October 2015
Friday, 16 October 2015
I'm off again.......Turkey in the sun?
Well.....I've escaped again.....for a sneaky, unexpected week away in Turkey!
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Thursday, 6 August 2015
Homeward Bound!
Well....the holiday has come and gone.....all we have to do now is board the plane and start the journey home! I'm at the airport....all safe and sound.....in the hand luggage! No first class, business class or even economy for me! I get hand baggage class! I ebpven have my passport....but that doesn't help!
It's been great.....I have seen all sorts....old and new.....and have really enjoyed it!
So in two days I will be sitting back on my little ledge at home thinking about where I will be off to next! Thanks for reading about my adventures......hopeful.y there will be none on the way home!
Aurevoir !!!
PS my suitcase is FULL of souvenirs! I can't wait to get home and let K see how much I packed in it!
The last day in Sydney!
So the last day to be out and about is here! Tomorrow they are off home again! So today was a day to do the last bit of being out and about in town!
Wednesday, 5 August 2015
Kookaburra .....in the old Gum Tree!
So.....only two days till we set off home!
Today....a quiet day to The Cumberland State Forest!
Cumberland State Forest
Today....a quiet day to The Cumberland State Forest!
Cumberland State Forest
Tuesday, 4 August 2015
Oot an Aboot Again!
Well, I had a day in the city again today! Botanical Gardens, again, Hyde Park, Hyde Park Barracks and Curcular Quay!
Read all aboot it!
Oot an Aboot!
Read all aboot it!
Oot an Aboot!
Monday, 3 August 2015
Yawn! Yawn! Pack, Pack!
Well....today I didn't make it out of the house! They went and.......and.......gulp........LEFT ME!
They went to Castle Towers for a short time for a wander and some lunch! Then they came back and started to sort out their stuff to get packed! They have packed once case.....and so they just have one more to go.....and two smaller bags.......oh and of course their hand luggage!
In the mean time my case is packed......with all my souvenirs......so I am ready to go.....but I better get out tomorrow! I have three days left to spend in Sydney.....so I don't want to to just let it slip away!
Look out tomorrow for a better update!
Sunday, 2 August 2015
Saturday, 1 August 2015
A day in The Blue Mountains
A Day in The Blue Mountains
Today, as it was Saturday, A was not at work so he and A & L went out for the day to The Blue Mountains. M stayed at home with N as he had not been feeling well.
It was chillier today and there were more clouds and so as they were going up to the mountains they dressed for a chillier day!
They all set off around 8.50am so they could make the most of the day while it was light! It was a bit of a run but it was up the motorway and seemed quite quick!
First stop was in Leura which is a town joined on to another town called Katoomba! They parked and found a nice cafe where they could have a late breakfast. The cafes all seemed busy as this is a popular drive for the weekend tourers from the city or because quite a lot of people might have a 'weekend house' up in the hills and they are making the most of their time!
After their breakfast they had a quick look up and down the Main Street at the shops! They cater for the visitor and there was a mix of tourist shops and gift shops and quite a few home living shops! For those there with a car they could pick up some nice things.....but for those having to fly half way round the world to get home you just had to look! That was a bit of a relief for one of the two!
From here they drove the short distance to Katoomba! Katoomba is famous for being the location of one of Australia's most recognisable spots.....The Three Sisters! These are three rocky outcrops that are located in one of the vast valleys that make up the Blue Mountains! Katoomba and Leura, and a few of the other towns in the area, are located on the flat mountain plateaus of The Blue Mountains. The result is that at a variety of view points in the area you are high up above the wooded valleys looking down into them and the stunning scenery! It looks a little like looking down on the 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here' set!
The Three Sisters are stunning outcrops of eroded rocks and you wonder if in years to come the tourist pull of this town is going to be lost if they erode away and crumble away!
As it was a Saturday the viewing area and tourist information centre was very busy! Not only were the weekend visitors out but there were quite a number of bus tour groups there! The end result was that people were vying for the best spots to get their photos taken! However, this time it is of people in jackets, scarves and hats as it was chillier!
After admiring the view they went for a walk down one of the designated paths that takes you right down to the viewing point just above the rock stacks! Not S many people made it here but it was a great way of getting. Closer up look at the huge towers of rock that draw the crowds.
After going to the shop they were off again! From Katoomba they drove further east to Blackheath! Here they stopped for lunch. They went to a cafe called The Victory Cafe on Govett Leap Road. This was a quaint cafe and again was very busy! Behind the cafe was a huge hall like building on two floors which was filled with lots of antique sellers selling their goods! Each area seemed to concentrate on different types of antiques and goods to sell! Some were genuine antiques while a lot of it was second hand goods and chattels and furniture! Some definitely were NOT antiques but were more like child hood memories! So surely they are not old enough to be called antiques!
From here they took a short drive to 'Govett's Leap' which was another stunning viewpoint out across the valleys and once again you were standing on top of the rocky cliffs looking down into the vast valleys which are just totally covered in dense forest! This view point had a great view over to a waterfall which dropped hundreds of feet into the valley below! A told them that there was a path round to the waterfall and asked if A and L wanted to go round! So they said yes.....and A promptly said, 'Ok, I will wait here and see you when you come back!'
He must have known what he was doing as it as a walk with very many steps which went down and down - meaning that on the way back they would have to climb back up them! Well, for every great view there is a cost.....and this would be climbing back up all these steps!
The walk was well worth it....and the view from the lookout was stunning! I got some photos again and then they thought.....we better start the walk back! It wasn't too bad but it was quite hard going!
From here they set off back to Sydney and took the scenic route via Mount Tomah and along to Kurrajong! This road used to be the old main road but the freeway replaced it! However, this road goes along the top of the plateau and at Kurrajong you got great views down over the lowlands all the way to Sydney which was away in the distance! It was probably about 50km's to Sydney and you could just make out the skyline!
From here they hit the road again and it was back to Dural just getting home before it got dark!
This was a good outing and it was great to be back to see the 'Old Sisters'!
Friday, 31 July 2015
Shops.......shops......shops!
Well.....today was shopping day! I went....but they kept me in the bag ALL day and I didn't really see much!
Today they went to The Macquarie Shopping Centre......one of the big shopping malls in the city! Again it was a Westfield but it didn't feel quite as glitzy as the other two main ones....which was good as the shops were a lot better!
They took a bus around 10am and got there around 11am! First order was to look about to get their bearings! This centre was huge.....and over five levels.....but as you walk round you spiral up or down from one level to another and so you can easily find yourself on another level without really knowing about it! So after having a loom about it was coffee time again! Then they decided to look round all the shops before deciding on any purchases...which meant by the end of the day they had really been round the centre at least twice!
Lunch was in the food court....where as ever there was a massive range of outlets offering everything .......except mince and tatties!!! Then they sat for a while and watched the skaters in the ice rink which forms part of the centre.....along with the ten pin bowling centre and the cinema multiplex! This is really party central!
So by the time they had had lunch and then had wandered round buying g up the items they had spotted it was suddenly time for tea! They had decided to have their tea out and again they hit the food court before it closed for the day! After this it was back to find the bus and the journey back home!
After two days walking the beaches and coves of the North and South of The Heads they had walked over 18000 steps on each day! Here they had spent the day in a shopping centre.....and managed to rack up 15000 steps over the day!
Tomorrow is Saturday and they might be heading out to the hills or into the city again!
Thursday, 30 July 2015
Bondi, Bronte and Tamarama Beaches.....and a Cemetry!
Great day to Bondi Beach today! Quite a journey.......bus......train.....and a bus.....then a long walk!
Bondi Beach!
Bondi Beach!
Wednesday, 29 July 2015
Tuesday, 28 July 2015
Monday, 27 July 2015
Sunday, 26 July 2015
Day 23 - Palm Beach..........Home & Away!
Today's blog entry.......my trip to Palm Beach.......the one from that soap!!
Home and Away.......Palm Beach!
Home and Away.......Palm Beach!
Saturday, 25 July 2015
Friday, 24 July 2015
Day 21 - Part 2 - The Bridge Climb
What an end to the day....a climb up Sydney Harbour Bridge at night!
It was stunning!
Day 21 Part 2 The Bridge Climb
It was stunning!
Day 21 Part 2 The Bridge Climb
Day 21 - Part 1 Watson's Bay
Today was a great day......trains, ferries and climbing bridges!
Click on the link below for Part 1 of today's blog!
Watson's Bay - Part 1
Click on the link below for Part 1 of today's blog!
Watson's Bay - Part 1
Wednesday, 22 July 2015
Day 20 - A Down Day - In the Bag!
Well.....today was the quietest day of the holiday too date! I had it 'in the bag'!!
Tuesday, 21 July 2015
Day 18.....Sydney or the shops!
Wel....today was their first 'down' kind of day of any sort since leaving! They got up late.....about 8am and were out by 9.15...... But all they did today was visit two, yes TWO, shopping centres ALL day! Come on.....I'm not used to this!
So...first of all they got dropped at Castle Towers....the local shopping centre! Well..this place is like
Union Square, The Bon Accord Centre and the St Nicholas Centre...all rolled in to one...along with some supermarkets thrown on at the side!
Then...they were picked up at 1pm and went to Hornsby Shopping Centre which was .....well.....just like the first .
Anyway, I tried Dim Sum for lunch.....had some nice cookies at two different places and I got my passport stamped....at Immigration section of Build-A-Bear in Castle Towers! A had to go in and ask if the passport could be stamped.....and of course it was! I feel a bit bad....as I'm not officially a 'B-A-B' bear....I'm more upmarket than that...but hey ho......sometimes you just have to rough it and go with the flow!
Tomorrow...hopefully normal service will be resumed and I once again will be posting pics from the centre of town again!
Monday, 20 July 2015
Day 17 - Sydney or the Bush!!
So....after two weeks on the road I made it to Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay and i saw the two iconic sights I had been waiting for.....the bridge and the Opera House!
However, before that they had to drop off the car in central Sydney! It had to be back by 10am as they picked it up at 10am! So...it was an early start at 6.45am to get up and ready....and they left by about 7.50......with an expectation that it might take them a while! It was a Monday morning and the schools were in and so there would be lots of mums on the school run!
So...we had Sheila for our final trip...and a list of instructions from A which was going to make things EASY! So.....we set off....1334k's so far and this last 30 were going to be the busiest and especially when you just want to get the car back safe and sound! Added to that they are particularly picky with the speeds in Sydney....and the school zones are all 40km/h....and people have been known to rack up enough points in a day to lose their licence....so people are extra careful now!
So...long story short.....they made it by about 9.25...... Although Sheila took them about 200m past the drop off on a street that was difficult to tipurn on! However, by luck....the cars disappeared after a set of lights and A was able to turn righ round in to the other direction and so the problem was solved!
So...car dropped off......it was time to head into town!
The drop off point was behind Darling Harbour and so after a short walk we entered into the Darling Harvour area and started seeing places we recognised! However, the mono rail has gone....as it apparently needed a lot of work done to it and so it was scrapped! That's a pity as it was a good run round the loop!
So..they crossed the bridge across Darling Harbour and they were going to head right for Circular Quay! They had made a pact.....no coffee without having reached 5000 steps......so......after 17000 steps today they have one cup of coffee and a cake they can use as a wild card!
So...after a decent walk down George Street they made it to Circular Quay. For about the first time in all the times they had been there there was a liner berthed and it was obviously pick up and drop off day! People with piles of suitcases were milling about and the P&O Pearl Princess was moored alongside with oil being pumped in on the water side from a small tanker while supplies and other items were being loaded on from the harbour side!
So..they went down past the Art Gallery towards the Hyatt Hotel which is located U see the shadow of the bridge in Tne Rocks area and they sat for a while looking and admiring the famous coat hanger bridge!
So....after that they made their way back round the quay towards the other end where the Opera House is located! But before heading round they had hit the 5000+ mark and so stopped for or img coffee at 'City Extra' - one of the cafes fronting the quayside and is a great place to sit ND people watch and to watch the ferries come and go!
The same ferries, including the Charlotte, the Sirius and the Colorroy are still doing the runs they have done for many years and must be true workhorses......running multiple runs daily all round the harbour! This is one of the things they are looking forward to yet......the ferry to Manly, the ferry to Darling Harbour and the best one.....the ferry to Watson's Bay where they will go to Doyle's for great fish and chips!
So...having had their break they set off to see the Opera House....again another thing that never loses its excitement! By this time the sun had been partly obscured by clouds and the light was not as good as it had been....but it made for interesting photos!
It was quiet and and there were not the crowds that you sometimes get and this was a bonus as you could walk round and enjoy the views in peace! However, there were still millions of photos and selfies being taken......but when L tried the popular one this year.....jump up....then take the photo....it didn't quite work out!
Oh,......I see they now do UGGS IN HIGH HEEL VARIETIES! Whatever next??
From there they then checked some of the shops as the rain had come on! Then they had a walk to the QVB (The Queen Vic Building) which is a shopping centre located in a very beautiful building which used to be an old meat market! The shops are very up market, well most of them, but they are great to browse round! However, they had now passed the 10000 step mark and so it was coffee time! This was a it pricey but it was nice...and then it was time to wander back down through the CBDto find Wynyard Station so they could look for where the bus would leave from? There are only a few buses that go as far as where they need to go and so have to be careful not to miss the ones they need!
They purchased two Opal Cards - the equivalent of an Oyster Card in London - and this meant they could now just scan the card as they get on or off the bus, the train or the ferry! It can be topped up if required once the funds run low!
The bus was packed....it was the 4pm bus and already many of the workers were looking at heading home! They got a seat - but next time they won't sit and wait for the bus.....as being their first for it....they were last on as by the time it had do e the others had lined up and so were technically in fro t of them in the queue!
An hour later the bus dropped them off at James Henty Road and after a short walk they were back home!
A great first day.....and now they have to make a list of the things they want to do and plan when they would be best done!
Sunday, 19 July 2015
Day 16 - Nelson Bay to SYDNEY!!
The morning view!
So...today....they woke in Nelson Bay and it was......RAINING! What a pain! Anyway, the motel does breakfast and they were down for 9am....and the place was packed! It must be breakfast central, Nelson Bay! Any way.....L had eggs benedict while a opted for.......yawn......toast! But it was very nice toast!
They were due to check out by 10am...and so when they got up to their room....they were distracted by birds! That is sometimes easily done....but this time it was of the feathered variety! Here on the balcony rail was a parakeet.....sitting bold as brass looking in to the room! It was sitting on one foot and was preening itself! Even when they got right up to the window and opened the net curtain.....still it sat and just looked at them! So.....they fluttered about (A and L I mean!!) and got cameras out fully expecting it to take off! But no.....it just sat......and then....along came it's friend! So...there were two brightly coloured birds sitting looking at us! I sometimes wonder if they are on holiday too and they just like watching the big folk to see how stupid they are! So....then they got brave and opened the sliding door to get photos without the glass getting in the way....and still they sat and preened!
L decided it might be a good idea to take one of the biscuits from the coffee tray and break it up and put it on the table! I bet the staff would love this ......here they are just leaving and they are encouraging the local wildlife to come and beg for food! Mid you....one of them had obviously been here before and didn't like the biscuits and so just ignored them altogether.....or perhaps it was a female bird.....and you guessed it......its on a diet!
Anyway.....they eventually checked out and they were off! As it was raining they didn't go and explore the beaches....they just set off! As Nelson Bay was way out on a headland they had to double back along the road they came yesterday! The weather had kind of spoiled it as they Meade it all the way out but didn't really see much of the area at all! But they were heading now for Newcastle, then Swansea and the The Entrance! This was going to be another long journey....but they knew the end result would be Sydney!
They made it to Stockton and then made their only error with the sat nav! They tended to set it place by place which meant they could choose the route they wanted....as if you put in the final destination it would select the route which went by the main road and would avoid the scenic route! However, they ended up at one point heading back to Brisbane! L had set it for a place....but it picked a road of that name in stead of the town!
After driving for two hours they decided they needed a break and they stopped in a place called Budgewoi (pronounced budgie-woy!) which was quite small and there wasn't relly much more to say about it! But it did have a bottle shop!!
Anyway, they continued on and drove on...this time down the coast yet again to a place called The Entrance! They had been here before with A and M and was famous for the Pelicans that 'live' there! This is within distance of Sydney and would be both a holiday destination and a day trip venue! It was quite busy and they enjoyed a lovely walk along the foreshore and back before the rain came on...and everyone rushed for the shops and the cafes!
The Pelicans are fed at 3pm but they set off just before this! This was the last stage of the drive and they were excited to be reaching Sydney! The drive took them down the motorway and it was a stunning drive! The road leads you up into the mountains and and the motorway weaves through the thick forests in a route that has been carved out of the rock! The engineering that went into building these roads was amazing and at times you were driving through channels that were edged by sheer rock cliffs stretching way above you! From time to time you got great views of the forests round about and of the valleys before hitting the northern edge of the city!
The sat nav took them right in and before long they started to see names and places that they recognised and then they were there! Even on a Sunday the roads were busy....but the sat nav was great!
So.....just before 5pm they turned into Ridgewood Place and I was sitting on the dash looking at our destination for the next three weeks!
The car has to be back in central Sydney by 10am tomorrow which means leaving at 7.45 to make it in through the traffic in time! And then....its down to Circular Quay to see the bridge and opera house!!
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