Australia - still going

Sunday June 30th - 65°. Wind 15 – 20 mph

Great place to windsurf I think. I haven’t done it yet. Greg, Louise, Adam, Tony, Josie, Garith and Mrs. Evans picked us up for a trip to Warath park. Great! Fed the Roos and patted the Koalas. Then to Newport beach with Fish and Chips. Another beautiful spot. Steph went in the surf. Then to Manly beach for Ice Cream. Tonight we are off to Darling Harbor – Steph home alone then off for a “Shout” with Tony.

New Phrases:
Dogs Eye – Meat pie with peas
Dead for a Quid, White Pointers, Peach Pies – Nice Ass

Missed the shout. Pubs close early on Sunday. Went to dinner in Darling Harbour at Bobby McGees. Had spicy Prawns – HOT HOT HOT and three Coopers – TASTY TASTY TASTY. Ferments in the bottle. Starting to adjust to the time change. Went to sleep at 11pm, woke up at 6am – better.

Monday July 30th – Sunny (again) 19°

I have got to get the video camera fixed.

Three trips to BBC (duty free you need passport & tickets) was able to get a battery charger – back in business. Met Tony at 10am, passed Gail & Steph off to go shopping. Met Gail & Steph at noon, went to Parhing Harbour, putzed around then had a beer at the pump house.

Great afternoon. Caught the Doyles Cat (fast) to Watsons Bay for lunch. Superb food, outstanding view. Steph fed the gulls, watched the model being photographed. Missed the last boat back, but caught the #324 bus back. Has to be one of the most beautiful bus rides in the world. City views, ocean views, bay views, people too.

Connie from the apartment service sat with Steph. Gail and I went to see Rigoletto. 1st Act was Drowsy, but coffee and air got me through the 2nd and Champagne got me through the third. Really great, well done in 1950’s setting. Snuck out to Kings Cross later. Ok, but not great. Sleep would have been better.

Breakfast $15
Shirt & Hat - $56
Mc Donalds - $5
Dinner $50
Hotel $55 - - - - - CARC $56
Total - $181

Tuesday July 2nd - 17° - 18° - Scattered showers, some sun.

Got up slow (see previous page). Went to breakfast across the street with Steph. Packed, got Steph her Rugby Shirt, picked up the car.

Really nervous driving on the left side. Gail left her American Express Card at the bank, delaying our departure to the Hunter Valley until 1pm.

Got out of Sydney, thank God for detail maps… signs are lousy. Uneventful drive (no accidents). Got to Hunter Valley at 3pm, found a neat place to stay – Vineyard Hill Inn – beautiful view of the Valley. Clean/Sharp Inn.

Fire place, great wines (of course), excellent foods. Steph & I had steak: “BBQ Scotch fillets.” Dinner for three with two drinks, one bottle of Windim Cabernet and coffee was $71 - $50 US. Unbelievable.

I will read a few brochures then off to bed, if I last. Did I say anything about the sunset? Check the video.

Wednesday July 3rd – Mostly Sunny 19°

Horseback riding at 9am.
Croissants at 8am.
Gail ordered breakfast – Croissants & Musli (health food). Then off to Wollmbie to go horse back riding in the outback. Gentle and slow ride. Saw the real outback including some Aboriginal caves with hand prints. After riding, Steph & I had meat pies and cheeseburgers plus two Schooners of Touey Old at the Wollombie pub, home of Jurds Jungle Juice.

Gals at bar never heard of cherries, so no Shirley Temple for Steph. On cold days they “rug up” and put their “cheaters” on – sweaters.

Met Gail then toured Tambuula Lindman and some other wineries and tasted our way through the Hunter Valley. Off to dinner now.

Dinner at the Hungerford wine cellar. Nice but not memorable. Too bed early. Couldn’t make it past the first half of the Australia versus New Zealand Rugby match.