Last Week - Gold Coast

Monday 7th

Took the train from Bendigo to Sunbury then the coach to Melbourne airport. Getting quite the expert at checking in, explaining to others!!! Good flight but Queensland do not have daylight saving so gained an hour. Picked up and safely checked in to my hotel on Chevron Island. Have an appartment so lots of space. Heated pool like a warm bath so went in for a dip. Then explored exactly where I was. 15 mins from beach. Stopped in a  good pub and had the special - Chicken Parmigiana, yummy.

Popped in Coles (Supermarket) on way bac for breaki supplies. Got back thinking only 9pm too early for bed so went back to Pub for another beer and listened to live band and people watching.

Tuesday 8th 

Went to the Day Trip shop and booked a trip for Wednesday and a river cruise in the afternoon. Did some shopping,found out where my boat went from, then headed down to the surf beautifully warm. Then headed back to river. A whole crowd of Rotary ladies and gents who I had seen going on for a Christmas lunch special  where coming off and stopped to chat. The President, Derrick, asked if he could take me for lunch while I was here. He was originally from Birmingham and really interested in my boat. So I have a date for Thursday!

River cruise was gorgeous weather beautiful, got back 5pm to have a swim and get ready to go out with Karen.- Sue's best friend. Had a Rib dinner in a swanky resturant up in the harbour surrounded by posh white Tupperware boats. Excellent company,we laughed lots.

Wednesday 9th

Up early for my tour pick up. started at an Alpaca farm for coffee stop. Then O'Reilly's,where we did a rainforest Tree Top walk, great fun although when it came to going up the tree,bit knackering for an old girl! But made it. 

Feed all the Rosellas and Parrots. On then to Tambourine Mountain for Wine tasting, lunch and a wander around pretty shops. Big German influence, the  Cuckoo Clock shop was fantastic. Back on coach for a hike down to Curtis Fall, unfortunately there has not been a great deal of rain here lately so not very dramatic.

Back on our little bus to hotel for swim.

Whether it was the thought of going home or just being on my own had a wobbly moment and talked to my good friend Gill who really knows how I would be feeling. Big breaths and took myself off to the Pub ended up a fun night with a girl? Construction worker down from centre of Queensland for her birthday so joined her friends ,beers and cocktails got in at 12.30.

Thursday 10th

 Had lunch with Derrick- President of the Rotary. Very pleasant sitting  in a cafe overlooking the surf. My Guild Care experience was a bonus. An experience civil airline pilot very interesting.

After an afternoon swim had booked myself a GlowWorm evening meal and tour . The clouds had become very very dark so I walked down early to my pick up hotel. It absolutely fell down and the thunder and lightening where something else. Had dinner with a lovely young couple from Perth who were on honeymoon, Jessica and Troy thanks for your company.

Went up the mountains to the caves to see the little glow worms,thank God the rain had passed as we had to walk through rain forest to get to caves. Moved onto the observatory for some star gazing but the clouds where coming in again so not a brilliant display. But great evening.

Friday 11th

Had a lazy morning round the pool,but it got hot so went down the beach for a swim, we'll play in the surf. Rips are very strong kept losing my bikini bottom! Time for new swim ware!

After lunch had booked a Chinese full body and feet massage. Really good felt so relaxed. The back to hotel to change and go out with Karen to the street markets, where I had a henna painted on my hand, remember that Kate! a good meal at a Greek resturant. So delieghtful sitting out in the evening over looking the ocean,good food and great company. Feel so fortunate to have done this trip, Karen is a star.

We had just about finished the evening when the clouds gathered and yes another very big storm the lightening across the sea was spectacular.. Karen managed to get back home before the rain turned to hail!

Saturday 12th 

Was picked up from hotel at 8.45, onto the airport,bus then the tran back to M & E.about 4.30. Long day travelling but everything ran to time and I feel quite the expert at getting in out of customs,getting myself all over the place,funny how I thought it was going to be such a problem 3 months ago!

Sunday 13th 

Washing all done and one bag packed started on the big case should get all in! Elli's dog walking and Mick mowing the yard. Typical Sunday.

Well tomorrow the 14th December will be going home have had the best time ever and my sincere thanks for M & E for putting up with me even if I don't wash or wipe up properly, close cupboards and draws,  drink warm beer from a glass and don't wash all my clothes all the time!

Such wonderful people and feels so blessed to have them as friends. I know Barry would have embrassed Mick's big undertaking in building this lovely new house, don't work too hard Mick life is for living too, and who knows I may be back to see it completed.

Thanks Guys.

,

Ayres Rock - Uluru

Tuesday1st December  - First day of summer out here!

Mick dropped me at Castlemaine at 6.45 am to get the Airport Coach to Melbourne airport for the 9.30.am flight to Uluru. Our flight was three hours but with time difference arrived at 11.30. Booked into The Pioneer Outback hostile. I am in a 20 bed female dorm. A little anxious due to the fact I do snore a little so my daughters tell me! The complex is fab we have a pool which I immediately went for a dip whilst waiting for room to be ready.  Walked up to viewing point with Keria one of the girls from the dorm, surprise surprise we all got chatting to Eric from San Diego, and Justin from Vancover and had a night in the bar comparing travel stories.

I

Wednesday 2nd 

Most of the girls all got up early to do sunrise tour. I went on Desert Garden tour learning nag about Women's work gathering berries and seeds he was a very knowledgeable  and funny Aboriginal, then a demonstration on boomerangs. Had lunch the went to my Dot Dot lesson and produced a masterpiece!

Back at the bar chatting to a very nice lady Sam from Hawaii. She had a car so went off to see the sun set again from a different view point. It is quite breathtaking how the rock changes colour as the sun hits it turning bright red. Back at the bar for another beer! She is doing a 7 month trip and will be in UK next May so another visitor on my boat.

Thursday 3rd

My turn to be up early alarm went ar 3.50 to get bus out to The Red Rock. Viewed Sunrise absolutely fabulous again the rock just changes. 

Dropped off at 7am at the Cultural Centre then walked across bush for one of the young fellers to give us a guided tour around base point.  Zoe he reminded me of your Ian very kind and gentle, and long hair!

Really interesting he told of his story from creation and the learnings he has had from his Grandfather. Men's work and women's work (which he claimed he knew nothing about!).  Australia is trying real hard to give back land to the indigenous folk but I feel the Western ways have already taking over many old way. The past is the past, future?

Then joined a nice German couple to walk round part of the rock. Got back at 12am knackered and nearly out of water. Saw some wonderful rock formations all with stories to be told.

Back at hostel had nice lunch the flacked out round the pool. 

Catching up with blog before going on a Camal Safari tonight, at Sunset. We first fed the babies they drink up to 15/20 litres of calves milk really sweet. 

The camels, mine was called Saxiifrage  he chewed his cud well and he was a good ride,slowly we plodded up the sandy paths to watch the sunset then headed back for our tucker of damper bread with oil and  Dukka. Fresh dates as many glasses of red wine  as we wanted, strangely enough two is enough of in the heat. Back to the hostel for a shower, get rid of camel spit and smell, then a beer at the bar with a great American couple, from New York, who had been the on the Camel Safari.

When they left Sam and Laura found me to have a beer with so got to bed late. Never mind. The only big problem staying in the backpackers dorms is that the toilet block was bloody miles away, so as soon as anyone disturbed my kip I was up and away!! But all in all a wonderful way to meet people and  make and enjoy new friendships.

Our flight left at 11 am so up, had a good breakie and a walk into The Market Place for some more souvenirs! Bags pretty full.

Back at Bendigo after a short coach trip and a longer train ride, joined M & E in The Queens Head for a beer. Back at The Shed someone has turned the sun up it was really warm 35 or so. Even as tired as I was just could not sleep. Lots on my mind. Should I pop down to Wagga Wagga in the Snowies to meet a friend. Another fishy tail!

Saturday 5th

Woke about  8am very hot and breeze less, as Mick says 'Welcome to Australia' having a really quiet one drinking plenty of water and lemon.

Tasmania

Saturday 21st

Off to Tasmania, boarded the boat about 4.30 sailed at 7.30pm.

Very smooth sailing I am in a shared cabin whilst writing this in the bar with a beer and a guitarist  playing Stones music I have yet to find out who I am sharing a cabin with!  Boat has recently had an update good lounge chairs. Got back to cabin all the other ladies where tucked up.

Sunday 22nd.  

Docked at 6.30 we where all woken at 5.45 to get ready to go! My room mates complained about someone snoring to much I had to admit it may have been me! We docked at Devonport and found a lovely little cafe for breakie.

 Then on to Latrobe for a wander,moving on to Deloraine where we walked through town to to river and would you believe it we saw a Platypus swimming past us. So lucky not usually seen in natural habitat. And I brought a lovely silk/cotton top.

I walked up the High Street and saw a really nice top just had to buy it but had not brought my bag. Eli went back to car, whilst she had gone I got chatting to shop lady who suddenly showed me a baby Wombat she had rescued after his Mum had been run over by a car. So sweet.

  Onto Westbury for a coffee stop. Longford where Mick brought some iron wheel frames to use as bases for sun shades. These are the shops Mick likes to poke around in for something different for their home.

Then Woolmers Estate, I went on a tour of the house, M & E had done that before so they just toured the gardens. The house was very interesting,it had been left as it was in 1975 as it was lived in. I did the gardens after. the Rose Gardens where spectacular.

Off to Brickenhead our first delightful cottage for the night. We looked around the farm grounds. Saw lots of baby ducks. Beautiful old farm buildings Mick was in his element.

Then had a read, a glass of wine, dinner and an early night!

Monday 23rd

Slept well until I was woken by a Turkey. He needs to be on someone's Christmas platter!

Left about 9.30 stopping at Evandale, really old General Store brought postcards and Eli brought a book on Quilting. The onto Campbell a Town and all along the pavement there are bricks showing the name and age of the convict sent to Tasmania, the ship they where on,their crime - steeling sheep or a watch - nothing terrible. Finally the sentence. Usually 7 years. 

We then arrived at a very pretty town of Ross, I brought some rabbit mittens whilst M & E looked at Antiques. Through next to Oatlands where stopped for lunch in a cafe dedicated to Erol Flynn, the famous actor who was born here in Tassi.

 Our last stop before getting to our beautiful cottage in Richmond was Hobart, capital of Tassi.

We had a wander round the pier areas and Salamanca Place, looking at all the old buildings.

Tuesday 24th

The sun was shinning but it turned into a very windy day.

We headed off to Historic Site of Port Arthur. This is a World Heritage site, an island  breached by a natural causeway, depicting the historic buildings of the punishment station for repeat offenders from all the Australian colonies. By 1840 more than 2000 convicts, soldiers and civil staff lived there. Convicts where put to work on every possible project, from manually driving water wheels, blacksmiths and making bricks for construction of theses buildings. The settlement finally closed in 1877.

A wonderful day ending the tour with a cruise round Port Arthur going pass  the Boys prison and The Isle of the Dead.

We headed back to Richmond and I had a couple of hours wandering round town, the bridge here was built by convicts. 

The shops where lovely, a beautiful Woodcarving shop also selling Gollies - not seen them in UK for a long time.

Brought a lovely patchwork bag ,although I must not buy any more stuff or I will have get myself another case to bring home!

Wednesday 25th

Long drive today right across Tasmania,through Queensland, a large mining town to our harbour cottage right on the water front. 

We did stop on our journey to visit The Wall. Two huge long walls ,100 meters when completed, of wood sculptures.this is all done in Huon Pine expressing the identity of Australia men,women and animals. Very beautiful. Unfortunately no photos are allowed. These were taken from a book

The weather is not so good here in Tassi a lot cooler and it rained on and off all day. But we managed a dry walk round town booking a lovely resturant on the water front for evening which turned out to be delicious. Best Fish dishes ever.

Thursday 26th

Boarded the Gordon River Cruise on The Lady Jane.at 8.30 Very comfortable boat and we had front seats fab. 

Headed out of Strahan harbour towards Hells Gates. Then turned and followed the river down through the fish farms passed Sarah Island towards the heritage landing where we went for a nature walk in rain forests. And it rained!

 Back on board for a smashing lunch,ham,chicken and naturally smocked salmon with lots of salads. We the stopped at Sarah Island, no rain this time HAIL. What's going on! Only lasted a short while then the sun appeared walked around a much smaller convict settlement hard labour was chopping down the wonderful Huon Pine trees used in boat building.

Back to Strahan just in time to watch the wood sawmills in action.

Had a fab evening,went to a small theatre on the quayside to a play called The Ship That Never Was, a story told by two actors of a convict escape managing to get to Chilli before being recaptured. Full audience participation and would you believe it I played the part of the Parrot, for those that don't know I have a puppet parrot on the boat which used to drive Baz mad I'm sure he would have had a good laugh at me tonight.

Friday 27th

Drove for a couple of hours or so up to Stanley stopping at Burnie for lunch. I am staying in The Stanley hotel and M & E  are in a small cottage at the end of the street. 

I decided to go up in the chair lift to the top of The Nut and have a walk round enjoying the spectacular views. Very windy up there and the path walking down was extremely steep.

 We had a lovely meal in the hotel bistro I forgot to take photo of my TBone steak but it was delicious!

Saturday 28th

After having a walk down to the water front at Stanley and seeing the Big Lobster and a few of the pretty houses we left to head back to Devonport for the evening ferry.

Calling in at a town called Penguin had to have a photo of the Big Penguin.

Then stopped at Sheffield to view all the lovely wall murals. M & E found some Antique Shops to look in and Mick brought a lovely old big watering can, just like the ones we used at Hildons. Just a few of the murals 

Back on the Ferry I only had two ladies to apologies to if I did snore. However one was as bad as me so didn't feel too bad.

Sunday 29th 

Back at the Shed, Mick went through pick up Klara from the kennel whist washing was done,pictures to look at before a BBQ dinner and an early night.