We staeted on Tuesday, October 7th. Driving to Byron Bay for the views. Then on to Hervey Bay where we spent the night. A total of 418 miles.
Along the way we passed many cattle, lots of sugar cane. Cane harvesting is active. We are wondering how many crops can be harvested in a years time. There are both narrow guaage trains to haul the canr.
Next night, Octiber 8th, W4's birthday, we were in Sarina. 437 miles covered. We first stopped at a pub where a helpful bartender gave us a list of hotels/motels. We were able to call while sipping wine. Also had dinner of shrimp and lamb shank. Then on to the Tramway motel.
October 9th we made our way only 364 miles to Ingham. Again, we saw huge acerage of sugar cane, increasing tropics with palms, mango, banana, papaya and warmer weather. We found a nice motel with beautiful small garden - plants like Hawaii and wallabies in the field out the back window.
We stopped in Cairns to check out a bead shop. Then drove on to Port Douglas is a beautiful tourist town at the end of a very narrow and winding coastal road.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Monday, October 6, 2014
Yamba
The drive to Yamba from Belligen is 172 miles. At Grafton the Clarence River parallels the road. The Clarence is the largest river in Australia.
Arriving in Yamba we found Neil and Marg's house - and it is spectacular, on the highesst hill in Yamba and with ocean views, as we had been forewarned. I am still taking photos. The house stilll has work and furnishing to complete. Neil worked with Paul in Hawaii some 35 years ago. Both Neil, Ross and their dad, Fred, are builders. In this house the craftsmanship is outstanding.
On Friday, Marg cooked an elaborately complicated fish casserole as we waited for Ross and Michele to arrive by air from Tuncurry. Ross brought eight dozen oysters,, so we again feasted.
Saturday morning we walked to a small cafe, nestleldl in this residential neighborhood for eggs benedict.
With Neil and Marg in their car and Paul, Ross, Michele and me in our rental we drove to ssee Neil's cattle. He has 53 head in one pasture and moived them to another with more clover. Neil was recently written up in the newspaper for the prices he commanded on his cattle.
We then drove to Iluka, on the coast for views of beautiful white want beaches and whales spouting off-shore. Picked up a friend of Ross' from Tasmania and stopped for a beer in a pub overlooking Yamba the coast.
We enjoyed excellent food at an Italian restaurant, Osteria Monteni, where twin brothers Roberto and Ricardo are the owners and cooks.
On Sunday morning, Michele and Becky shopped. Neil, Ross and Paul picked up and installed a large cabinet in the masster bedroom. Marge told me it was quite a job carrying it up the sprial stairs and fitting it..,but in the end, one more thing
This is Australia's Labor Day Weekend and the Grand Finals for Autralian Football, or "Footy." WOW! This is a brutal sport. The players do not wear protective gear. It was very exciting. The
Rabburitos, or Rabbits, won for the first time in 43 years. This was very emotional for their supporters and the players, too.. After the game ended awards and rigs are presented on the field. The players walk the circumferance of the field...shaking hans and interacting with the crowd in the front row seats. Everyone stays seated and are very respectfull. I find people here to be helpful, respectfull - there are many differences from behaviors in the U.S..
Arriving in Yamba we found Neil and Marg's house - and it is spectacular, on the highesst hill in Yamba and with ocean views, as we had been forewarned. I am still taking photos. The house stilll has work and furnishing to complete. Neil worked with Paul in Hawaii some 35 years ago. Both Neil, Ross and their dad, Fred, are builders. In this house the craftsmanship is outstanding.
On Friday, Marg cooked an elaborately complicated fish casserole as we waited for Ross and Michele to arrive by air from Tuncurry. Ross brought eight dozen oysters,, so we again feasted.
Saturday morning we walked to a small cafe, nestleldl in this residential neighborhood for eggs benedict.
With Neil and Marg in their car and Paul, Ross, Michele and me in our rental we drove to ssee Neil's cattle. He has 53 head in one pasture and moived them to another with more clover. Neil was recently written up in the newspaper for the prices he commanded on his cattle.
We then drove to Iluka, on the coast for views of beautiful white want beaches and whales spouting off-shore. Picked up a friend of Ross' from Tasmania and stopped for a beer in a pub overlooking Yamba the coast.
We enjoyed excellent food at an Italian restaurant, Osteria Monteni, where twin brothers Roberto and Ricardo are the owners and cooks.
On Sunday morning, Michele and Becky shopped. Neil, Ross and Paul picked up and installed a large cabinet in the masster bedroom. Marge told me it was quite a job carrying it up the sprial stairs and fitting it..,but in the end, one more thing
This is Australia's Labor Day Weekend and the Grand Finals for Autralian Football, or "Footy." WOW! This is a brutal sport. The players do not wear protective gear. It was very exciting. The
Rabburitos, or Rabbits, won for the first time in 43 years. This was very emotional for their supporters and the players, too.. After the game ended awards and rigs are presented on the field. The players walk the circumferance of the field...shaking hans and interacting with the crowd in the front row seats. Everyone stays seated and are very respectfull. I find people here to be helpful, respectfull - there are many differences from behaviors in the U.S..
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Bellingen to Doirrigo and on...
We awoke to another clear, sunny day. Paul made coffee in our room while we watched the news and wortked on the computer. We then had breakfast outside at a smalll cafe at 5 Church St. around the corner from the Federal Hotel.
After that we walked around this small town looking in windows and asking for a button store. (Will keep on looking.) We found a pharmacy where the chemist helped me find a most wonoderful type of band-aide for the small blister I had develped on my heel. Wonderful, because not only has this bandage stayed on my heel, it has medication to help heel my wound.
Heading northwest to Dorrigo. Green, Hilly. Large herds of dairy cattle. More green. Many steep curves and more green. We passed through Dorrigo to the S__ Falls and hiked down the bottom of the gorge. Returning through Dorrigo, we stopped at the Dorrigo National Park, a rainforest. There is a skywalk viewing platform. We viewed a excellent film about the interconnectedness of all the creatures.
Birds and bird-songs have been surrounding us at every stop. There are so many different and unusual bird-calls and, of course, more than ever in the rainforest.
We retraced our route down the mountain, passing waterfalls and with views not yet seen as we went up. Back through Belllingen and back to Hwy. 1 to head further north.
Next town on the coast was Sawtell - with a sign: "Aged Pedestrians." (This was worth a photo, so sorry that I haven't managed to upload any.)
We continued on to Coffs Harbour and more spectacular beaches. The highway then turns inland through Grafton and on to Yamba. Along the highway were heard after heard of cattle. Mostly beef. Huge bulls and lots of green grazing.
After that we walked around this small town looking in windows and asking for a button store. (Will keep on looking.) We found a pharmacy where the chemist helped me find a most wonoderful type of band-aide for the small blister I had develped on my heel. Wonderful, because not only has this bandage stayed on my heel, it has medication to help heel my wound.
Heading northwest to Dorrigo. Green, Hilly. Large herds of dairy cattle. More green. Many steep curves and more green. We passed through Dorrigo to the S__ Falls and hiked down the bottom of the gorge. Returning through Dorrigo, we stopped at the Dorrigo National Park, a rainforest. There is a skywalk viewing platform. We viewed a excellent film about the interconnectedness of all the creatures.
Birds and bird-songs have been surrounding us at every stop. There are so many different and unusual bird-calls and, of course, more than ever in the rainforest.
We retraced our route down the mountain, passing waterfalls and with views not yet seen as we went up. Back through Belllingen and back to Hwy. 1 to head further north.
Next town on the coast was Sawtell - with a sign: "Aged Pedestrians." (This was worth a photo, so sorry that I haven't managed to upload any.)
We continued on to Coffs Harbour and more spectacular beaches. The highway then turns inland through Grafton and on to Yamba. Along the highway were heard after heard of cattle. Mostly beef. Huge bulls and lots of green grazing.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Tuncurry to Bellingen, NSW, Australia
We drove 266 miles today, October 2nd. Left Ross Garrard's at 8:25 a.m. following the Paciific Hwy. past Taree and turning east to pass through the coastal towns of Laurieton, North Haven, Bonny Hills, and Lake Cathie and Port Macquarie.
Each of these towns had marvelous beaches that are filled with people since this is a school holiday and the weather is sunny and warm. It reminds me of Ft. Lauderdale in the 1960s. Rivers and salt-lakes are plentiful along the coast.
At Kempsey we drove out/east to Crescent Head where the waves were long and the approach more shallow allowing stand-up paddle boarders to ride in. Found a bakery with the most plentiful selection of of donuts and pasteries, where Paul had a cup of coffee.
Each of these towns had marvelous beaches that are filled with people since this is a school holiday and the weather is sunny and warm. It reminds me of Ft. Lauderdale in the 1960s. Rivers and salt-lakes are plentiful along the coast.
At Kempsey we drove out/east to Crescent Head where the waves were long and the approach more shallow allowing stand-up paddle boarders to ride in. Found a bakery with the most plentiful selection of of donuts and pasteries, where Paul had a cup of coffee.
As we approached Nambucca Heads we were joined by a Titabawasse-sized river flowing toward the ocean. Nambucca Heads is a very hilly town.
At Urunga we turned west to Bellingen, an old quaint town west of the Pacific Hwy. Neil recommended an old tavern/hotel, the Federal Hotel. We had an excellent dinner - lemon/pepper scampi on a most delicious green salad.
We are now sitting uder an umbrella at No. 5 Church Streert and writing this post.
First thing this morning we will head NW to Dorrigo for a forest walk. We then retrace the road back, east to the coast as we continue to Yamba to stay with Neil and Marguerite.
Steve/Brian, I think "followby e-mail" has been added, so am launching this before we get on the road to continue on to Neil/Marg in Yamba, NSW.
We are now sitting uder an umbrella at No. 5 Church Streert and writing this post.
First thing this morning we will head NW to Dorrigo for a forest walk. We then retrace the road back, east to the coast as we continue to Yamba to stay with Neil and Marguerite.
Steve/Brian, I think "followby e-mail" has been added, so am launching this before we get on the road to continue on to Neil/Marg in Yamba, NSW.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Tuncurry/Forster, NSW
September 29 -October 1 we stayed with Ross Garrard in Tuncurry, NSW. About 306 miles north of Sydney.
On our first night Ross served up 4 dozen oysters for us and his friend, Michelle. What a feast we had. Ross' neighbor raises oysters -- these were early season and were great. Then we had chicken on the barbie, what else? Much good talk, food and wine followed.
On Tuesday Ross took us on a grand tour south along the coast some 60 miles in tandom with Issac, Ross' son and his eight-month old daughter, Scarlett. Issac's 4X4 camper/truck is outfitted with a built-in compressor. He loves driving on the beaches, where this is allowed.
There are many salt-water lakes of varied sizes that lie to the west of the road.
This coast has many long, sandy beaches, broken-up by high hilly ridges that jut out into the ocean. Along the drive we stopped to walk out to view the beaches. We saw a four foot long goauna sunning himself on a tree. We passed a few caravan parks, busy with people enjoying the warm Spring weather.
At every stop we saw dolphin cruising close to the shore and plenty of whales, too. As we reached Tea Gardens (where we turned around) we all piled into Issac's truck and after he deflated the tires we took off on the beach in deep sand. We stopped so Issac could catch a few waves as we watched the waves.
It was really neat to see the dolphin surfing the waves and emerging through, just like the human surfers. Issac, was outside of the dophins some of the time. They were crusing and doing flips. Further out we saw many whales breaching and spouting.
On the way back we stopped in to visit with Fred and Mary Garrard, Ross', mom and dad. Wr had a nice chat about mutual firends from Hawaii and , of course, Sue Wilson, Ross and Neil. Fred and Mary have a yard full of orchids and they also raise parrots.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Ferry to Manly
We took a ferry from Circular Quay across the beautiful Sydney Harbour to Manly where we saw a gorgeous sandy Pacific beach with waves rolling in and plenty of surfers, water dragons posing in the sun, and beautiful coastal views.
The Gunners' Walk trail to North Head took us through what was once a School of Artillery where army gunners lived and trained to protect the harbour during WWII. The headland is now a sanctuary. This 10k (6+ miles) walk led to areas where one can view approaches to the harbour and the city of Sydney across the water. We saw pristine heathland, patches of rare bankdia scrub and a hanging swamp. With numerous side trails to view the coast and plenty of friendly people who engaged us, we spent hours exploring. We stopped at Bella Vista Cafe for a delicious late lunch before heading back down into Manly.
Manly is an attractive tourist destination with lots of eateries, shops and, of course, people. It is home to the Manly Freshwater World Surfing Reserve and in Feruary 2014 was host to the Hurley Australian Open of Surfing.
We ate tapas at a charming Italian place where the owner cooked, we sat on the terrace and met fellow diners, namely Kylie Egan who is a meteoroligist. Kylie recounted her adventures in Boise where she spent six weeks as a specialist in "Fire Weather." We had a fine conversation about wines from Adelaide, surfing and her adventures in the N.W. U.S.
Sunday, September 28th we climbed a pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (17 flights) and viewed both exhibits about the bridge construction...finally completed in 1932 and the 360 degree views. We visited the Museum of Contemporary Art and the The Rocks Discovery Museum.
I have not yet found a way to upload photos, so narrative is all for now.
The Gunners' Walk trail to North Head took us through what was once a School of Artillery where army gunners lived and trained to protect the harbour during WWII. The headland is now a sanctuary. This 10k (6+ miles) walk led to areas where one can view approaches to the harbour and the city of Sydney across the water. We saw pristine heathland, patches of rare bankdia scrub and a hanging swamp. With numerous side trails to view the coast and plenty of friendly people who engaged us, we spent hours exploring. We stopped at Bella Vista Cafe for a delicious late lunch before heading back down into Manly.
Manly is an attractive tourist destination with lots of eateries, shops and, of course, people. It is home to the Manly Freshwater World Surfing Reserve and in Feruary 2014 was host to the Hurley Australian Open of Surfing.
We ate tapas at a charming Italian place where the owner cooked, we sat on the terrace and met fellow diners, namely Kylie Egan who is a meteoroligist. Kylie recounted her adventures in Boise where she spent six weeks as a specialist in "Fire Weather." We had a fine conversation about wines from Adelaide, surfing and her adventures in the N.W. U.S.
Sunday, September 28th we climbed a pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge (17 flights) and viewed both exhibits about the bridge construction...finally completed in 1932 and the 360 degree views. We visited the Museum of Contemporary Art and the The Rocks Discovery Museum.
I have not yet found a way to upload photos, so narrative is all for now.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
First Day: Sydney
We arrived early after a 14.5 hours flight. Weather cloudy, with threat of thunderstorms.
We are staying at YHA (Youth Hostels of Australia) in the Rocks area.
The rocks, as its name suggests, forms a rocky peninsula jutting out into Sydney Harbour. It's prime real estate and people have lived here for over 300 year before the arrival of the Europeans. The Rocks became home to many of the convicts of the First Fleet who arrived in 1788. The name of the earliest residents who carved out the streets and cuts in the hilly ridges are not known. Irish rebel, Richard Byrne, lived on the site from around 1805. Since Byrne was a stone mason, he is believed responsible for some of the quarrying of the site. The Byrne famiy sold off their land bit by bit in the 1840s and 50s.The siste wa considered worth saving so in 2006 proposals wer sought for a suitable development to safeguard the future of the site. The YHA's proposal is designed to protect the unique site and make it publicly accessible, to create an innovative synergy between the site and The Rocks area and to conserve and interpret the site and its remains.
Photos do not work to show how the building is elevated over the site area...but it works to allow viewing of many foundaions and there are many informational displays throughout thr 3-storey building.
The buildilng is nestled near the approach to the bridge. And the approach has been enclosed and provides space for basket ball which were in very active use at 10:00 p.m.
We can see the Opera House, all lit up and shining white from our room.
We are staying at YHA (Youth Hostels of Australia) in the Rocks area.
The rocks, as its name suggests, forms a rocky peninsula jutting out into Sydney Harbour. It's prime real estate and people have lived here for over 300 year before the arrival of the Europeans. The Rocks became home to many of the convicts of the First Fleet who arrived in 1788. The name of the earliest residents who carved out the streets and cuts in the hilly ridges are not known. Irish rebel, Richard Byrne, lived on the site from around 1805. Since Byrne was a stone mason, he is believed responsible for some of the quarrying of the site. The Byrne famiy sold off their land bit by bit in the 1840s and 50s.The siste wa considered worth saving so in 2006 proposals wer sought for a suitable development to safeguard the future of the site. The YHA's proposal is designed to protect the unique site and make it publicly accessible, to create an innovative synergy between the site and The Rocks area and to conserve and interpret the site and its remains.
Photos do not work to show how the building is elevated over the site area...but it works to allow viewing of many foundaions and there are many informational displays throughout thr 3-storey building.
The buildilng is nestled near the approach to the bridge. And the approach has been enclosed and provides space for basket ball which were in very active use at 10:00 p.m.
We can see the Opera House, all lit up and shining white from our room.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)