Wednesday 31st October

We joined the other 2 couples staying here for breakfast. One couple got married last Saturday. We then headed to the wineries. We started with a tour and tasting at Jacob's Creek. The creek itself actually exists. They are massive manufacturers and although based here bring in grapes from a wide area. We then had lunch at Maggie Beer's farm shop. She is an Aussie TV chef who seems to focus on pate. There was then a cookery demonstration which used a lot of verjuice. We then did some shopping and headed back. We're too full and tipsy to go out so are sipping wine on the veranda.

Tuesday 30th October

We got picked up at 8:30 and taken to the airport for our flight to Adelaide. The temperature was noticeable warmer when we got there. We picked up a hire car and headed for the Barossa Valley north east of Adelaide. We are staying in a very high class B&B in the middle of the vineyards. After lunch in a local bakery we headed to the wineries. The road was blocked so we took a detour along dirt roads through several gates to get round the obstruction. It seemed unnatural to sip wine and spit it out. Clearly wine making is a subtle art with flavour depending on grape, climate and processing. We tried quite a few. After heading back to the room for a haircut we headed our for a steak, another local speciality.

Monday 29th October

Last night we headed to the casino. Our hotel is part of a massive complex housing the biggest casino in Australia. There was an absolutely enormous room with no windows or clocks full of lines of slot machines and gaming tables. Most of the players appeared to be of Chinese origin. We ate at one of the restaurants there.

This morning we returned to the casino for breakfast. At 9:00 there were still some people playing the machines. The breakfast choice covered everything you could imagine. Afterwards we walked down to the river and took a boat trip 10km down the Yarra river to Williamstown, a harbour at the river's mouth. After a drink we walked round the town including visiting the quirky local museum and learnt about the bridge that collapsed while being built in 1970. We then took the boat back. After lunch we headed to the National Gallery of Victoria. It is in a superb exhibition space. Most of the art we saw was 19th and 20th century. Some outstanding art, grotesque and banal subject matter as well as historic and momentous. Also a collection of boots, a megaphone, a shovel and an old TV. It's all art. We're back in the hotel room and will be going to Chinatown to eat tonight.

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Sunday October 28th

We had breakfast in Federation Square while the bells from the nearby church drowned out most conversation. We then took the tram to Old Melbourne Gaol. After touring the cells and seeing where prisoners were hanged we were booked into the Watch House by a formidable Sergeant who enforced discipline. After that we went to the Queen Victoria Market and had a snack and walked round the stalls. It was then time to head to a matinee of "a funny thing happened on the way to the forum". All this culture. We're now in the hotel about to go out and eat.

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Saturday 27th October

After packing we went out for breakfast. We then took the bus to the airport and caught the plane to Melbourne. We were met at the airport and taken to our hotel, a mega Crown which could have been anywhere. We took the free circular tram journey circling inner Melbourne getting on and off several times. In the evening we took a train to an inner suburb to see a play. Four actors recreated all 23 Bond films in 75 minutes. It was a lot of fun. We then had a pizza and took the train back to town. We ended up at the wrong station so walked through the centre to our hotel. It was buzzing.

Maria Island

Day 1 Tuesday 23rd October

After a 7:30 pick up we went to the local offices to get equipped with our rucksacks. We were driven about an hour to Triabunna and then took a 45 minute fast boat to the isthmus of Maria Island. We had to wade ashore onto the deserted beach and then it was a short walk to the Casuarina beach camp. we had a comfortable permanent tent to ourselves. There were 2 separate toilet huts and a wash hut as well as big cooking and eating hut. We had 2 guides and an assistant and there were two other couples as guests. After lunch we walked through the eucaluptus forest down to Haunted Bay and back again. The evening meal of scallop risotto was delicious and we all turned in early to bed.

 

Day 2 Wednesday 24th October

We started the day with a great breakfast spread and then started off on our five beach walk. The scenery is extraordinary and every beach was different; some with picture postcard sand, an other with rocks, one with surf, another calm. We had lunch on the way and ended at another camp called White Guns, almost identical to the first.  Tonight was a BBQ which was great although Lucinda blaked at the kangaroo and duck sausages.

 

Day 3 Thursday 25th October

Today the weather took a turn for the worse. On the other two days it had been dry and the perfect temperature for walking. Today was rainy with low clouds. We therefore walked directly to Darlington and left our rucksacks at the house we were to spend the night in. We light day sacks we set off on a coastal walk and visited the extraordinary Fossil Cliffs. The house we were staying in was constructed by an Italian immigrant called Bernacchi. He had two separate periods when he tried to develop the Island by growing grapes, raising silkworms, opening a cement works and even a spa and a hotel. His schemes were on a grandiose scale and he left a legacy of several buildings. However all his schemes failed. Before he came to the Island it was used as a penal colony and we saw some of the cells where the prisoners were kept and hear the stories about those times. At the House we could have a hot shower and read in front of the fire before supper. I think this was Lucinda's favourite of local salmon followed by a great lemon cake.

 

Day 4 Friday 26th October

This morning the weather was better once again and we had a short walk up to the reservoir. We looked round the old buildings and had another walk out of the settlement. We've seen a few animals over the last few days. There were several birds notably the oystercatcher and a rare goose. We've seen the odd kangaroo and wallabee, and finally several wombats. After a light lunch with Tasmanian champagne we caught the boat back the mainland and then a minibus transfer back to the hotel. The dirty clothes are in a washing machine, we have showered and will now cathc up on the news from home.

Monday 22nd Hobart

Today was a chance to relax. We got up late and had breakfast in the bakery up the road. We then walked along the harbour and round into the next bay. It's a small town and it's pretty quiet. There is a laundrette in the hotel so Lucinda did the washing. We've been doing some reading before heading out for a meal.

Sunday 21st

It was cold this morning as we packed up and returned the key to our cabin. We drove to the spit of land joining north and south Bruny. We climbed to the look out and saw the penguin rookery. The penguins were not at home, gone fishing. We then drove to the northern tip if the island and walked along the beach. We had a delicious lunch and then drove to catch the ferry to the mainland. A shirt ferry ride and a 30 minute drive bought us to our hotel in Hobart. We off loaded the bags and returned the hire car. It's cold and drizzly. I hope it improves for our walk later in the week. We'll shower and then find somewhere to eat.

Saturday 20th

After breakfast we drove for about 30 minutes to Adventure Bay. While we waited I had a blueberry muffin and a Milo. Our boat had three 300HP engines and we were dressed warmly for our trip south down the coast. No whales or dolphins but we saw seals, short tailed shearwaters, cormorants and an albatross. Coming back with the wind and waves behind us we surfed at speed. Lunch for me was pumpkin soup while Lucinda had a sandwich. We then had a walk down to the shore further north on the island. We've both showered and are in the hotel waiting for supper.

Friday 19 th

Our last morning in Sydney. We went to the maritime museum and saw a replica of Captain Cook's ship and went on a destroyer and submarine. We went to the airport for the flight to Tasmania. If Tassie is the back of beyond we're in the back of beyond of the back of beyond. We're on Bruny Island. There's no phone signal but I have Internet in the restaurant. We're going to eat and then have to drive a few kilometres to our cottage.

Thursday 18th

Another fabulous day.  Lucinda and I took the train out to Paramatta where Simon and robyh picked us up.  We then drove out about 2 hours to the stunning blue mountains.  they are sweeping heavily wooded hills with steep escarpments and distant views from the look out points.  We went to Echo point and walked down a precarious walkway which wound down the side of a precipice into the bush below. along the way we heard exotic bird calls and saw a couple with exotic plumage. After about one and a half hours we arrived at the old coal mine working.  Most tourists reached it on the steepest cable railway inthe world descending at a scary 52 degrees. We walked on a little further and then took a cable car to the top. Simon thought the cost of the ride was outrageous but he does save on the car parking by finding a spot far a way from the action and then walking in.  We had a late lunch in a small touristy town and then took a circular drive with side excursions until we hit the highway backto Sydney. We arrived back crossing several bridges and parked in the Darling Harbour area to have a great noodle type chopstick meal.

Wednesday 17th

Toady was the day of the Harbour Bridge climb.  Boy does it go up a long way.  We had a briefing, were relieved of anything that could be removed and were then dressed in one piece overalls and equipped with radio receivers. We clambered over narrow walkways climbing above the traffic below and then headed out over the water. We reached the main upper span of the bridge and ascended to the pinnacle where we crossed to the other side and reversed the journey on the North side of the bridge. Unless the whole bridge collapsed, and it has been there since 1932, we were perfectly safe as we had a harness attached firmly to a wire the whole way.  It didn't stop me being nervous andI kep my eyes firmly ahead during most of the 2.5 hours we were on the bridge.  Lucinda is much braver than me and had no problems apart from being rather wind swept. After a late lunch we came back to the apartment for a couple of hours, got changed and headed out to the Opera House. We've just got back from watching a performance of Madam Butterly. Lucinda thought it was fantastic.

Tuesday 16th

This morning we met up with Simon Lyon in the centre of town a 10 minute walk away.  He lead us through some of historic Sydney including the original hospital and coin minting works.  We then walked down to the botanical gardens which were magnificent. There was a really rare line tree and a wishing tree which you have to walk round three times forward and then three times backwards. As we walked along the gardens fronting onto the harbour there was a massive sailing boat at anchor and we were buzzed by hundreds of runners going both ways round the park. We then saw the massive apartment owned by Russell Crowe before thankfully stopping for a drink and something to eat. After lunch I headed back to put my feet up while Lucinda and simon continued to the art gallery. In the evening we took a taxi to a fancy restaurant at Darling point, about 15 minutes out of the centre although still within the harbour. Two seaplanes bobbed alongside the jetty in front of the restaurant and we had a fantastic view across the bay.  Richie and Daphne were great hosts and were joined by their son Geoff and his wife Fran. The food was fantastic and the company great. Lucinda and I had to limit the amount of wine we drunk as in the morning we are off to do the Harbour Bridge walk and we get breathalised before they led us proceed. Geoff knidly gave us a lift home.

Monday 15th

Today we took the bus to Bondi beach and walked aong the shore to Coogee.  The weather was glorious once again and the path winds in and out of small coves most of which have wetsuited surfers ceaselessly and rather meaninglessly paddling out, only to get sept back in for a few pathetic yards on the crest of a wave.  I guess it beats fishing.  We had lunch in Coogee.  Lucinda spent several weeks staying there on her trip to Australia many many years ago.  She had no recall at all of anything there.  I suspect that both she and Coogee have changed enormously over the years.  We then took the bus back and put our feet up for a few hours before going out in the evening.  Ken Hillman, with whom I've done some work and shared conference platforms, came by with his wife Bobbie and walked as down to the Rocks area and treated us to a great Thai meal.  They were great company and we really enjoyed the evening.  Sadly they are still both working people so had to leave a bit earlier than we would have chosen.

Sunday with Simon and Robyn

This morning we took the 30 min ferry trip across the harbour to Manley. Simon Lyon, an old friend from many years ago in the UK picked us up and showed us the local views. We then drove 20 minutes north to his house in Collardy and picked up Robyn, his wife. We then continued north looking at various beaches until we stopped at Newport for a fish and chips lunch on the waterfront. After we had eaten we continued to the end of the peninsula at Barrenjoey and climbed up to the lighthouse. On the way back we stopped near their house and saw 4 or 5 whales making their way south along the coast. Lucinda managed to blag a bottle of wine to take home and we caught the 7:15 ferry back to Sydney. The weather was superb the views and the walk fantastic. I had a hot pie on the way back. Now for a glass of wine and then off to bed.

Saturday 13th

Today we walked along the front to the Harbour bridge and then took a ferry around the harbour.  We stopped for a seasfood lunch and then took the ferry back. That seemed to be enough for the day.  We're still somewhat disorientated and sleep patterns are slowly coming right.

Arrived in Sydney

Well we're here. We're in a comfortable serviced apartment in cetnral Sydney.  It's raining, cold and miserable. I'm OK but Lucinda has an unpset tummy.  It can only get better.

On our way

We've made it to the plane. Nothing can stop us now. Next message from the other side of the world.

Ready for the off

3 days to go. Packing still to do but a fabulous couple of months to look forward to.