17 November Thursday
Everyone up early this morning. Marion went and picked up Abbey (grandaughter), who is the the same age as Harry and Ellie (she is 11 days older), I showed her photos of Harry and Ellie on facebook, ellie's hair is getting so long. Abbey helped Marion make pancakes for breakfast, they weer so light and fluffy. Colin checked the oils in the Landrover and all ok, checked on ebay for UHF radios and found a company in Sydney selling just what we want for $222 including the antenna saving nearly $200, rang the company and paid over the phone, and they promised express delivery. Went into pool with Abbey for about an hour,temperature was just right. After lunch Marion went through some photos with me, whilst Abbey played quietly. Read her a bedtime story later (she is a delightful child), Colin and Laurie sat down to watch a reality programme called Keeping Up With The Joneses, about a family from Catherine in the Northern Territories, there are some very colourful characters in the show, it was funny.
18 November Friday
Colin up early, Laurie rang work and parcel has arrived so off they went to collect, it was the CB radio, very impressive. Bit overcast and cooler today, after Marion took Abbey to Kindy we set off to Surfers Paradise with Laurie and Marion, went down the road next to the beach this time and it is lovely and seems to go on for ever.
Some of the schools are beaking up and surfers is getting ready for the invasion of the Schoolies, they fence off part of the resort for them, they drink and party a bit hard. Did have a wander round and saw some good statues and trees decorated with xmas presents which seems strange to us in the sunshine.
The further south you go the less commercial it is and the hig rise buildings start to disappear. Marion and Laurie were telling us about how the sand had disappeared in some parts due to a big wave surge and they've had to bring sand in. Looking for light long sleeved blouses for the evenings but found 2 dresses instead.
Drove onto Collungatta to the Pie Shop for lunch, they are the best pies ever I had chicken and avocado and Colin had a Ned Kelly, the town is small and friendly a place to return to. we were all tired so went home for a bit of a kip before going out tonight. Went to Ron and Wendy's for a BBQ, Ron used to drive the road trains regularly and was able to give Colin lots of useful information, it was lovely relaxed evening but a late one for all of us.
19 November Saturday
Much cooler night, didn't use the fan. Mat came over this morning to work on his car so Marion took Abbey to a party, I had a nice mooch around KMart and othe shops, on our return Colin and Laurie had been on a booze run and got talking to a bloke who drove up in a series landrover, he invited us to a club meeting at his house just round the corner from Laurie's. Tim popped in and it was good to meet another member of the family. Colin and I went off to the club meet at 4pm, he was with the men and I was upstairs with the women. One of the ladies Caroline knew Bren and Barbara (from overland workshop in York) as they had stayed with her when they came out to Oz. the club is called SLOW series landrover owners, we were made very welcome and the time went very quickly. I was told some hotels will let you camp in their gardens. Back at base Ron and wendy arrived for dinner, another good evening, colin killed a flying cockroach this evening.
20 November Sunday
Colin and Laurie up really early to go to a car swap meet at Rocklea, couldn't get back to sleep. Colin had been so enthralled with the cars he forgot to take photos-in the end he got one of a moggie van.
We went back to sleep for about an hour, then sorted clothes and repacked ready to go off tomorrow for a couple of days. Had a dip in the pool this arvo, what a hard life we lead. Checked the map as to where we will be going in next few days, whilst dinner being cooked rang Emma to arrange Skyping later. just as dinner on table computer rang. It ws brilliant talking to Harry and Ellie they even talked to Marion and Laurie which was great, told them Marion wanted snow for Christmas they said they will send her snowballs. the kids were telling jokes and pulling faces, it was so nice to see them all, they are off to see Natalie later today. We will try to speak with the others soon. It has been a quieter day which is what was needed.
21 November Monday
Forecast today of 32 degrees, up and away about 10ish to miss rush hour, followed the road to Ipswich on the A7 then M7, it is hot, we turned off before Ipswich towards of Boonah where we stopped to get our fresh shopping, it seems a nice little town. Decided to head towards Warwick on the Cunningham Highway. On the highway up to the Gap, Colin noticed motor was starting to get hot, by this time we were in the roadworks and stuck in traffic, (the road is a long hard climb) eventually managed to pull off to the side of the road. The fan has stopped working, whilst Colin checking the electrics made lunch (pink job) a bloke from roadcrew turned up to see if he could help, Colin found it was a bad earth, easily fixed, the workman had a lot of water with him which he used to fill the rad for us, it seems trucks regularly overheat on the hill, he then got onto the walkie talkie to make sure we had a clear run through the rest of the roadworks, so kind. We missed the track we planned to drive so went onto Goomburra Valley Campground- it was closed.
On the same road we found the Janowen Hills 4 Wheel Drive Park, it has different levels of difficulty of off road tracks along with a campground with hot showers, only cost $15, we have it all to ourselves. the owner said it can get chilly at night as 800m above sea level. There are a lot of Gallahs around (birds)
and we are in the middle of nowhere by a small creek, only downside flies and we've had to put jumpers on as a slight chill , the sky is full of stars, no mossies.
22 November Tuesday
Very windy night and a bit chilly, there are flies and more flies here have to be careful eating otherwise might get extra meat. Showers are short but hot, it a lovely spot reminiscent of UK in fact would be a great place for and ENLROC social weekend (Michelle they have a website). Left about 9ish past Goomburra to find a track, it was like a greenlane at home called Ghost Gate Road,
ended up in a different place than expected (saw lots of horses in fields and stud farms) but no probs. back onto tarmac towards Warwick, long straight roads then onto Killarney before heading to Queen Mary Falls. Saw our first roo (roadkill), then short way up the road a live one hopping across the fields.
Stopped at Dagg Falls
before driving onto Queen Mary Falls, you can walk down to the base of the falls but we just did the short circuit, very picturesque.
The road down the other side of the Falls is challenging very twisty and steep,
Colin had to stop the landrover to let the brakes cool down, so had lunch at the same time. At the bottom found ourselves on a dirty track from Croftby to Moogerah Lake. The weather has warmed up, found the Gorge campground but no one about and didn't look so good so drove onto the showground at Kalbar, it is lovely and only cost $10, the ticket man even suggested where we should pitch in the shade away from so young lads ina campervan. It gets dark early and we were inbed and asleep by 7.30pm.
23 November Wednesday
Cockerels crowing, dogs barking, music blaring, birds singing and not even light yet, campervan boys have gone onion picking and left early, overcast but warm. Left camp and drove to Boonah for fuel and a walk around the town, it is a nice little place, got some lovely looking chicken kebabs 10 for $10 and 4 AAa batteries for $2, just got back to landrover when a man approached us to talk about landrovers. Headed back to Wynnum via Beaudessert and the Mount Lindsay Highway arriving just after 12.30. After lunch laurie and Colin went off man shopping, Marion is at the doctor's as not feeling well and I spent time on internet. when colin and laurie returned they had got an Etag for the toll roads on Laurie's account (much easier than Sydney). Marion returned and has an eye infection and Jenna came for dinner (lovely girl), she has a droll sense of humour, after she left watched a video of a show Leigh was in, very good.
24 November Thursday
Up and away by 8.45, said goodbye to Abbey. Over cast and cool this morning, on M1 going north had rain at Colundra and between Cooroy and Tewantin (it seems I pronounce Cooroy like and Abo), made very good time and Colin got 112km out of the landrover, reached Ranger station just after just after 10.30 and got our camping and vehicle permit, rang Ronnie he should be with us at 11.30, (11.45 still waiting), they arrived at 11.50 they had been through some bad rain which held them up. weather has warmed up now. After ferry on tarmac for a bit before letting down tyre pressures and onto beach.
Drove over 20 km and camped just 1 km north of King Bore, we are under the trees in the shade,
sand is a bit bit black due to fire ash in sand, our feet are black. It is cooling nicely but they have big flies called March flies, they land on you very gently then bite you. we are in the Great Sandy National Park at Cooloolla Reserve, after dark just sat and chatted with Roonie and debbie till bed. Our nearest neighbours we think are Toolies (too old to be schoolies).
25 November Friday
Sea can be very noisy when you are trying to sleep, colin up early already hot at 7.30am. Can't believe it Ronnie and debbie have brought a toaster so had toast with our bacon and egg for breakfast, Colin went for a dip in the sea whilst we watched, only there for a short while but debbie got burnt. Later colin and I went in sea it was lovely the warmest yet and such fun getting battered by the waves. Marion and Laurie arrived after noon, good to see them. flies not so bad today. Colin and I had a walk up the beach to Red Canyon
and King bore road,
when got back to camp had showers in the tent, not the hottest but feel fresh and clean. we saw the new Fa18 jets low flying across the sea. even though put sunscreen on got a bit pink on my uppper legs. You can see the curvature of the earth from the beach looking out to sea, it's amazing and such a nice place to camp.
26 November Saturday
7am, 24degrees, 70% humidity, small breeze, stay in shade today.
We have stickers on the Landrover for Bush Pig (bush products suppliers in UK) in Oz it means a fat slag of a woman!!
Ronnie and debbie left at 1.30pm when tide was right, we went for a drive up the beach
and onto what I can only describe as a sandy greenlane to Rainbow beach (eddie you need to suss this one out for the club lol).
Stopped at a cake shop for coffee and Lamington cakes (they are devine, very light sponge covered in chocolate and coconut), paid for another night's camping at Ranger station (aircon in office much too cold). Had a look at Rainbow beach (goes on for ever) and saw a helicopter low flying over the sea,
then we noticed a young chap in a 4x4 had got stuck on the soft sand on the beach, another 4x4 tried to pull him out and got stuck (he got pushed out by a rather large girl, not sure if she was a bush pig),
Laurie went to their rescue he took his sand boards down the them and they were then able to drive out
(hero of the day). Had a good run back, down the lane and along the beach (the beach is the road and even has speed limits).
This morning sat in shade with socks and boots on, now have white ankles, non of us hungry so just had light dinner and chat before bed.
27 November Sunday
Hot already and no breeze first thing, packed up slowly as tide not right till after noon. saw a beautiful butterly
hovering at back of landrover. Colin got under landrover and fixed the prop bits that were loose, then went in the sea to cool down and clean off. When packed colin had a shower behind landrover then Laurie had one behind his trailer.
It took us 3 hours to drive home, breakdown on motorway backed the traffic up, we had a pit stop at a service station (servo) colin's t shirt was wet on the back and my shorts look like I'd wet myself. Unpacked and put washing in, Laurie had a swim, colin went to lie down for a bit and went to sleep, it has been a hot tiring day. Marion showed me photos of Tenterfield (family hometown) and we went on internet and had a look at our house and discovered (cousin) Tony on lived 15 minutes from Sandie. Colin stirred when I went to bed at 9pm.
28 November Monday
Hot, not leaving till tomorrow, feeling really tired. Ron and Wendy came round to say goodbye and Ron left marked maps with Colin, of places to see and best routes, very kind of him.
Colin went out with Laurie and bought some coolant for the radiator, whilst I caught up with emails and chased insurance documents. very humid today all suffering, very quiet day. We went with Laurie to pick up Marion from work, drove round both sides of the Gabba (cricket ground). Tim popped in and joined us for takeaway Pizza, nice relaxing evening.
10 November Thursday
all my joints ache this morning, but coolest night due to fan, rice pudding for breakfast. Taxi picked us up 8.40am and it took ages to get to Port botany, eventually found Warehouse Solutions, and it is raining.
Picked up paperwork and they had to jumpstart the Landrover, Colin connected the fridge and off we went. Got through Sydney and avoided the toll roads. First stop Brookvale to pick up carnet from Jason, had a good chat with him whilst Colin talked to Steve (manager),he greeted us as "you must be scabbyrsoles". Then on to Thornleigh to a camping shop, bad news cant use our camping bottles had to buy 2 new ones which are refillable, a griddle pan and a solar shower. The 2 older women in the shop inspected the landrover and loved Mr Merzouga the bear, they were telling us about the recent visit to Oz by the queen, they gave us a free Bushmans insect repelent spray and their card incase we needed any advice. Drove 100 metres to a cafe for some massive sandwhiches (yummy). Woollies for food shopping and on to camp site at Lane Cove National Park. Found out tent was wet so put it up to dry in now sunshine,we appear to have more stuff than room,will sort it out tomorrow. We are pitched next to a familly with 4 kids so hope not too noisy tonight. Colin rang Jonny and he will see us tomorrow.Had dinner of steak and salad cooked on our new skillet. Found out familly next to us live in the tent as they are homeless. As evening went on we saw lots of parrots in the trees and wild Brush Turkeys running through the camp.
11 November Friday
Airbed went down and parrots started before 6am, lovely sunny day.
Got all the clothes on to the ground sheet and sorted into the boxes,with what we think we won't need into the suit case along with Marks rucksack. Managed to get food tins into a side locker and spare toiletrys in with the gas bottles, storage better than we thought (at the moment).
Young English couple came and borrowed some tools as they knocked a metal piece off the top of their camper van and needed to put it back on before taking van back tomorrow otherwise they lose $500 deposit.They have traveling the last 3 months with their delightfull 15 month old daughter Sophie, they then off to Thailand for 3 days before going home.
Noticed a German registerd vehicle had pulled onto site, got talking to the couple after lunch and discovered that they came into the country via Freemantle and they had been in the country 6 months. Colin had a good chat with the man who was telling him about there travels over the last 20 years or so, whilst the lady gave me some useful maps.
we went swimming in the site pool, it was cold to start with but really nice, did a few lengths before going back to tent, Johnny rangus not long after and just finished cutting Colin's hair when Johnny, Donna arrived with her brother and his partner. The 2 girls hurt themselves when they went for a walk so they left with Ash and Jonney stayed for a few tinneys and a catch up about the old biking days (Rose gave him a Scareypig hug just for Dawn),unfortunately he had to go at 7 as going out for a meal that night. It was really great to see him (LE MANS ROCKS).
Cooked at camp kitchen tonight, sausages on the barby (Marion we eat meat) with cheesey mash(lovely). Its another lovely evening just sat listening to the crickets. Feel as though we are getting organised and settling into things with our own camping stuff.Hope the airbed stays up tonight. Saw our first live possum.
12 November Saturday
Airbed went down again.
Up early but didnt manage to leave site untill 10 am, overcast morning a lot cooler. Set off up the Pacific Highway, lots of bikers on the road, can see why as roads very twisty and smooth surface, ideal for bikes with not much traffic. Stopped for lunch at the point picnic reserve at Entrance on the Central Coast Highway. There are lots of pelicans hanging around by the fish cleaning area, lots of people fishing from boats and the shore.
Colin has had 2 Landrover drivers wave at him.
We met up with the Pacific Highway at Doyalson heading towards the coast again and up past Swansea, round Newcastle and onto Hawks Nest and our campsite for the night at Myall River Camp, it is set in the Myall Lakes National Park and cover 98 acres, there are lots of campers here, it is a basic bush camp with compost toilets and water tap. Our neighbours are father from Sydney and son from Newcastle who works for ARB 4x4 accessories and has given us his card, another useful contact. Just the tent up tonight(no awning or side panels), put on insect repelant just in case. a kookabura tried to take some food frommy plate.
Tried to ring Ricky and Emma but nobody answering,so read till bedtime.
Airbed?
13 November Sunday
Yes its gone down again
Up early again, bit of condensation in the tent, bacon butty for breakfast. Got talking to mum of the group next to us her and husband on holiday and off up the coast as well, she gave us some ideas where to get an airbed. Colin rang kids but had gone to bed so said would ring again tonight. Tried Nat and Robyn but no answer, then Robyn rang back so got her to hang up and then rang straight back, found all the girls in one room at a jewelry party so had a chat with all in one go, Natalie talking about Christmas with Sandie,Karen is just busy and Robyn is just Robyn (she had a date with Crofty at the Landrover club).
they have strange looking caravans in Oz
Left site at 10 am and drove on Mungo Bush road to a little car ferry,
followed by a dirt road to Bulahdelah
where we joined the Pacific Highway to the national motorbike museum at Nabiac, couldnt believe how many bikes they had (over 800), Colin found a few he had owned in the past.
Found a rest area towards Taree for lunch, tried to find K Mart but has been closed for 2 years. Back on to the Highway and at Kew joined Ocean Drive op to Port Macquarie where we found a Big W (they sell everthing) and bought a queen airbed . Tired so found a local camp site called Edgewater Holiday Park. Just put up tent when it started raining so put up the awning, new airbed is bigger so threw away old one (first time Colin has thrown something away for going down on him).
On way to camp site had slight problem with Landrover , second fuel tank pipes seemed to be blocked so had transfer some fuel from one tank to the other by using a plastic glass (it worked) to get us to the nearest fuel station. After dinner we rang Harry and Ellie, it was so good to hear them bought tears to our eyes. Sat in camp kitchen catching up with journal, wilst thunder lightning and raining outside. Heard grunting like a pig on the site, found out later it is a Koala.
14 November Monday
Airbed stayed up, but we are on a slight slope so spent all night rolling into the middle into Colin. As usual very noisy rainbow parrots early, it is sunny, which is drying out the tent. Whilst eating breakfast a KOALA ran across the site and up a tree,
great to see so early in the trip. when we left the site we were given sweeties and a sticker (just for colin). Caught a ferry across the Hastings river, only 200m from campsite, to get to Point Plomer Road which is 4wheel drive only for 40 kms, it took 2 hours but was great fun (it follows the coastline even you can't see the coast) stopped at Bill Hill beach for coffee (lovely bay).
The road had potholes in place, was sandy in places gravel and dirt but nothing difficult.
Made our way to Pacific Highway to continue north, It is already 31 degrees. Stopped at Macksville by the river for lunch where we sat in the shade surrounded by gulls waiting for food. carried on up to Coffs Harbour but couldn't find anywhere to park so didn't stop. then to Grafton and filled up with fuel (including jerry cans) as had 8cents litre off voucher (less than £1 per litre), past Maclean which advertises itself as a Scottish town, decided to camp in a rest area for the night at Tabbimoble. A bloke pulled up and got talking to Colin as he also has a series landrover and an old Triumph motorbike and he lives close to Marion and Laurie at Manly West, Brisbane. He left us his card and said should we need anything to give him a ring (getting quite a collection of cards). whilst talking a monitor lizard wandered past. Colin rang Laurie and we will drive straight through to Brisbane tomorrow via Byron Bay.
It is a bit noisy with the traffic. and lots of bites again.
15 November Tuesday
Awake early but went back to sleep again till 7.30pm, bit noisy but not too bad.
away by 8.30am on road towards ballina and found the coast road to Lennox head stopped at Sharpes Beach, it was lovely
Unfortunately the road to Lennox Head is broken so had to take a detour, back onto road to Byron Bay (most eastern point of Oz), drove up to Cape Byron, the road is slipping away so had to go through roadworks, whilst they rebuild the road. stopped in the car park for a coffess and went down to the beach,. it was a long beautiful beach with several surfers on their boards (better than bondi), it is a beach to return to.
It is getting hotter as the day goes on. Jumped back onto Pacific Highway and over the border to Queensland, we drove up the Gold Coast through Surfers Paradis- bit disappointing very touristy.
jumped onto M1 and stopped at Coombara Service station for lunch, arrived at Laurie and Marion's just after 2.30pm NSW time but 1.30pm Queensland time- work that one out they are on the same longitude but in different time zones, we surprise Laurie a bit as Colin had forgotten to ring him, we were made very welcome and didn't stop chatting till Marion got home from work (Laurie didn't get his lawn cut), which added another voice to the talk, we feel very relaxed in their company. we get to meet Abbey Thursday (grandaughter) who is 11 days older than Harry and Ellie. eventually went to bed about 11pm, decided not to put on aircon just use fan (trying to acclimatise).
16 November Wednesday
Great nights sleep, and stayed cool. It is already hot outside at 7.30am but there is a nice breeze. Laurie cooked breakfast on the BBQ. Colin went man shopping with Laurie for a relay and looked a UHF CB radios which are needed here for the range. I went shopping with Marion but she showed me the coast first, it is lovely they are so close to the sea. We went to a supermarket called IGA which appears cheaper than the others, also you get money off if you produce a fuel receipt showing the litres. Back at the house put the washing in and the men managed their bits and pieces as well. Leigh arrived and stayed for dinner (still haven't been in the pool). Lovely day, and ithas felt cooler.
6 November Sunday
Good night's sleep bed very comfy. Tea and banana for breakfast before leaving at 8.30 to walk to Circular Quay to pick up hopon hopoff ferry, weather is hot already.
Caught ferry at 9.45, it was full fo Japanese tourists- just as you line up a photo they stand in front of you to take a photo of themselves. there is a man on the ferry giving a running commentary of the sights as we pass, as you come away from the dock you have the Harbour Bridge on the left and the Opera House on the right.
The Opera House didn't seem as impressive as thought it would be, the first stop was to Fort Denison where half a dozen got off then onto Taronga Zoo, the Japanese got off so we stayed on. we passed some very expensive boats and property overlooking the harbour (costing millions), we got off the ferry at Watsons bay, which looks very nice with a small beach. we walked up to the lookout overlooking Gulf Bay, you can see the harbour on one side and the Pacific the other
(when the sydney to hobart race starts in January people gather at the lookout to watch the boats). as we had brought our cossies we went to the beach, had to buy suntan lotion as can't find mine. Went for a paddle but water a bit cold, boats come right up to the beach and moor, we saw families arrivingby boat rather than car. Went in for another dip and this time got to have a swim even though not that warm.
Had and ice-cream before catching ferry back, we passed some racing yachts veryimpressive seeing the crew hanging over the edge,
there was also an sailing vessel near the Bridge. we could see people walking on top of the Bridge,
whilst near the bridge the sky got very dark and there was a streak of lightening, it seems if weather is unusually hot the day can end it a storm,then passed Luna Park (funfair)
on way to Darling Harbour. We saw several military ships and a submarine moored outside the Maritime Museum.
Lovely trip and day out.
strolled around Darling Harbour then walked back via Woolies and bought a whole cooked hot chicken for $6 and salad for dinner tonight-it was delicious.
7 November Monday
Good nights sleep after all fresh air yesterday, slow start with breakfast of cinammon doughnuts and tea. Waited till reasonalbe time and rang Karen and had a good chat, Craig started the lightweight at weekend and it is running better and had a good bonfire party at Pam and fred's.she'd been shopping with robyn and was going to help her at a jewellery party she was having later in the week. Next was Emma and Ricky, Ricky passed his forklift test and now looking for work using his licence-Colin said he sounded upbeat, I spoke to Emma and her health appears to be stable at the moment and the kids are doing great-they helped paint their rooms at the weekend!! Natalie told Colin she hasn't smoked for a months which is great news (colin told her can't afford to smoke inOz( tobacco for him costs over $21 for only 30grams)and she is moving into a new flat soone.
Nice to hear everything ok at home.
rang Jason he will check and ring back.
Walked to bank and updated phone number on account then onto Road transport authority to sort out an ETAG for the toll roads, basically we have to show proof of address, id, bank statements, the firl gave us a couple of leaflets and told us to look on the website-not very helpful, bacak at room decided to go for EPASS, which you can do online. eventually found the post office (very well hidden) and sent parcel to UK to Emma for her to distribute an few mementos and christmas cards. Stopped at McDs for toasted sandwich, they are so healthy over here.
Rang Jason again and have to tring tomorrow so keeping finger crossed. booked room for another night and did some housewifely things (washing clothes).
we think we have found work for Freddie in Oz, right outside our room there is a major building going up with lots of scaffolding
and they seem to end work at 3pm, (this is also the view from our room,mmm nice).
it is still hot, this evening had thunder and rain.
8 November Tuesday
It is hot waking up this morning very humid, watching TV they have humidity of 100% in Melbourne. Went and sat in park for a while
but soooo hot, spoke to Jason he is just waiting for documents to come through so paid invoice by credit car dwith him. Walked to Kings Cross carmarket and sorted out 3rd party vehicle insurance cover ($450 for both of us) but no excess to pay. Bloke was very helpful and told us how to avoid the toll roads in Sydney so don't have to get EPass, he told us how to get to NMRA (don't know what it stands for) to sort out insurance in case we hit a person-CTP, was dealt with by a very helpful man and we don't need the CTP in NSW as we have a Carnet (great saved money). Whilst there Jaaon rang and now a problem with customs they are concerned some of the spare parts are under a year old!
Picked up cold meat, coleslaw and fruit salad for dinner from Woolies again.
Checked emails and we have another invoice showing GST (goods service tax) when spoke to Jason it was for tobacco Colin had in vehicle, he now has quarantine release documents but is waiting for customs hopefully be ready tomorrow.
Booked room for another night but we have to change rooms.
It has been hot with humidity levels of 80% today, at 5.30pm the sky went black , thunder. lightening and torrential rain, hopefully will clear the air a bit.
9 November Wednesday
slept like a log seemed a bit cooler this morning, forecast 30 degrees.
Able to put luggage in room 104 before we went out, they are very accommodating.
On Marion's advice we went to the chinese garden ($11 each including tea and scones). Can't describe how lovely it is, tranquil. There are waterfalls,
secret areas,
we saw ibis, ducks, koi carp,turtle and several different lizards, even caught a pair having a spat.
Don't even think photos can do it justice.
when we went for tea I chose tea and scone and Colin had jasmine tea and dim sum, which he said was delicous.
Wandered up to Cockle bay wharf and just sat in the shade-it's got very humid again then strolled back to Paddy's Market before back to our new room to cool down. Colin bagged the top bunk.
PHONE CALL FROM JASON- WE ARE GO YIPPEE.
We are going out for dinner, it cost $50 but we deserved it. It has cooled down quite a lot but we had fan on all night.
