Faulconbridge

Did you know that the Blue Mountains town so named uses half the alphabet, all the vowels and no repeat letters? Neither did I until Doug Walters told me.



Yes, you read right, I went to an OBU long lunch to hear the cricketing legend and boyhood hero of so many NSWelshmen give an address on our chances in The Ashes tour. In better circumstances, there still might have been some point in speculating but instead, Doug retold some funny stories of Jim Higgs and other bowlers who couldn't bat and other tales from tours of old.



I have a wonderful recording of these gentlemen playing the bagpipes which I will upload later.
Doug Walters sat next to me on the bus ride to the pub after lunch - what a thrill! It was then he told me about Faulconbridge. Probably knew that piece of trivia as the result of too much time on his hands in the sheds, or Dressing Rooms.



This is the view of Rose Bay from the Club. Not bad for an August afternoon.



This is CYC, Rushcutters Bay early morning.
Doug spoke for almost an hour, a polished performance. His reward was a nice bottle of scotch and countless handshakes from awe struck men. He's given up the smokes but remains a very down-to-earth celebrity. Glad to have met him.

Location:Royal Motor Yacht Club, Point Piper

Location:Cormorant Crescent,Glenmore Park,Australia

Port Day 1

Up late on a lovely blue sky morning. My plan is to walk into town and check on available boats and cruises. Not sure what Tess has planned.



It's evening. The Time of Our Lives is over and we are enjoying our first glass for the evening. As if! Actually, I'm dipping into a non vintage Para port. Enjoyed a simple meal in Spinnakers, the hotel restaurant.



Excited by discovering a quiet caravan park at Settlement Point which would offer a great venue for a week's boating. May return in the October hols if we're not busy moving house.









Our morning stroll along the waterfront path past feeding pelicans led us to the tourist marina at the fortuitous time of 10.30. so we hopped on the Eco tour of the Hastings River, or at least a few stretches of it. Look at the tea colored water.
It was perfect cruising weather with a cool breeze off the water but brilliant sunshine. We took a few telephoto shots of ospreys but you really need a telescope to get useful images. Lovely uncrowded and smooth cruise which took us to lunch.
We chose a Fisherman's basket from the hotel at Town beach. Ninja ale and pear cider to accompany. Talk about trendies! From here we walked along the breakwater, past the massive stones painted with mementos form happy holidayers, most locals but a few foreign phrases as well. I noticed the popular skate park was filled with boys of all ages, performing amazing feats on their boards and scooters. The only girls were busy discussing boys and face-booking on their phones (I think). Not good for the future.



Knowing we would not venture out again after the long walk in the afternoon if we returned to our room, I suggested (translate as you will) that we hop into the Beemer and visit the rainforest sanctuary for a coffee. Too late for the boardwalk we then drove past our accommodation and on to the Truman Show world of canal developments at Port Macquarie. Not my cup of tea but they do make for a rich belt of private development that is perfect for isolating our caravan park of choice for future holidays without the huge young crowds of the main city.



So another good day ends. You can thank the lack of Internet for suitable pictures to accompany this entry. Maybe when we return home. Tomorrow we head north to Kempsey to visit our friend and my former colleague, Ian M. He is going to take us on a tour of Crescent Head.
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Location:Sails Resort, Port Macquarie,Australia

The Call of Port Macquarie

Night has fallen - early as ever in July - on our first night of our mini break at Sails Resort.






We had started early from our overnight stay in The Entrance and enjoyed the peninsula drive past Tuggerah and ???? Lakes to Doyalson where we rejoined the highway north.
We gobbled up the miles rapidly and shortly after a driver change at ??? Tess took us onto the Bucketts Way which winds up and between the Gloucester Tops and the coast though Stroud, Gloucester and back to Nabiac. Very scenic but also potholed - due for repairs by 2015. Lots of bikes zooming along when not pausing for coffee at picturesque Stroud. We pulled up next to some horses and riders having an early beer outside the pub. The hamburgers at the cafe looked worth a re-visit.





Pelicans block The Entrance





Locals at the Local.





Tess tried to delete this shot - said the tree was in the way. I said that was the whole point! Artistic differences could be the end of us:-(((

We had soon arrived at Port but new roads and whatever confused the GPS so Tess managed to navigate to our hotel. Lovely view over the marina towards town although a little shady for my liking in Winter. They are about to refurbish the place and a luggage lift would be appreciated by 2nd floor guests like ourselves. The room is spacious and has a great kitchen.
WiFi is limited so no photos yet. Tess wants a slow start tomorrow and I plan to watch bits of the movies tonight along with the TDF live. Till midnight anyway.







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Location:Park St,Port Macquarie,Australia

Picasa Album - NZ 2013

Hi,

Check out this Picasa album - NZ 2013.

https://picasaweb.google.com/103770368591654616256/NZ201302

Sent via Web Albums App

Selected photographs from our recent holiday in New Zealand's South Island.
Enjoy.

Rob V.

The Last Word

Sitting in the Departure Lounge at Christchurch Airport after a stroll around the Red Zone. We've had another great holiday - just need the plane to stay in the air till Sydney. We're both looking forward to home. I thought the last word should go to Tess, so here goes. (invited 1.34pm)
- PS She let me down so months later, here are some of my favourite shots from poor old Christchurch.



The symbol of hope, or something like that. Will search for info.


Christchurch Cathedral, April, 2013. Will dig up a photo from our visit in 2009.


Cafe in a Container.



Poor old Christchurch:-(



Akaroa pets


More container shops.

Location:Perimeter Rd,Christchurch,New Zealand

Last Entry!

Due to typical wifi difficulties encountered in our travels, yesterday's witty collection of comments (including two pet pictures to die for but too expensive to send) has been delayed until today, our last of an excellent holiday.
The day dawned with low cloud - not what I call overcast as I think it is a New Zealand thing, this thick cloud hanging over any high ground.

I meant to get out on a sailing boat - modeled on the one that one the Hobart in 1946 - and I woke early enough (hate doonas!) but my body chose to lie in bed until it was really too late for a 10.15 boarding.

Chatted to the owner in the afternoon. Only needs two to sail but can take 20 when it's blowing hard:) Catch him soon!

So we spent an indulgent day in our room with a view of the harbour and surrounding hills - real Middle Earth stuff. Me reading GAme of Thrones (don't bother as it's the same as the TV show) and Tess reading (Many Coloured Land again) and drawing.

Finally, after finishing some of the food we have to leave behind for lunch, we ventured out. Happy Hour is at 5 and our hostess has recommended a little bistro nearby for our final NZ dinner. Tess loved the dining experience in Geraldine. Helpings were huge (need a doggy bag) and waitress knowledgeable about the wine list.

So below is yesterday's entry, minus the pics. That can wait till we hit home on Wednesday.
Cheers,

Relaxing wuth (I was going to correct but then I thought, it's how I've heard it for 2 weeks) an elevated view of Akaroa Harbour. I do have a deadline - happy hour is 7 minutes away. The land of the long white cloud has lived up to its name today but much less rain than yesterday.

The drive from Geraldine along scenic route 72 was a gem - farmland nestled beneath towering hills and in the distance, snow capped mountains.

It changed with our descent into the Rakaia Gorge. Recognized by IPENZ, the one lane bridge across the river was built in 1882. I'm glad no trucks or motorhomes crossed while we snapped our pictures

We were now in flat country with long straight roads which eventually lead back to Highway 1. The low cloud spoilt our descent into the harbour - compared with summer 2009 - but at least down here we are below it.

I may go for a sail on the harbour tomorrow, weather permiting.

The hotel dog is called Mista and the persian pussy is Jasmine. Both elderly pets. I will post pictures of Honey from Dunedin as well.


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Location:Rue Lavaud,Akaroa,New Zealand

Routeburn 2 - the Sequel

The road to Glenorchy





On the road to the Routeburn Track



Lots of motorhomes



The Dart River and Valley



And RMBs



Beginnings



Beech Forests



And waterfalls






A loo with a view!



Proof I made it past



As far as I walked



More than some!!



Leaving the Routeburn



And the road back to Q
- Lots more on Picassa soon.

Location:Mt Aspiring Ranges

People and Places

This entry is a work in progress, recording the sights and stories of our trip up the east coast of North America in Fall 2012.

Morten and Hans Worm, from a small village in Denmark with a remarkable history. Hans left behind his twin brother and was born in 1929, while Morten was born in 1933. Their village was occupied by the Germans during the war and they regard their British liberators as heroes - saved from the Russians. The Worm brothers are both doctors and inherited their father's general practice - he served on a hospital ship during the Korean War and probably helped some fleeing Germans suffering at the end of the war. Hans married a doctor so medicine is in the family. They live in the same house they were born in. Lovely people as Danes seem to be.

Met Ray, the gas station owner in Lakeview, New Orleans as we filled up ahead of our trip to Grand Isle. He stayed on after Katrina and has 6 workshops and 1000 regulars. The pace is much slower down in the SOuth. We were passed by a pickup but met it again, stopped at the toll booth - he had stopped to chat to the attendant. Re-started when he saw us behind and slowly went on his way. Not in hectic Sydney.

Boston - City of Camrys. Not Churches. The cab of choice here is the camry hybrid. They're everywhere! Low polluting but if you need a big boot (trunk), get the petrol (gas) version like the one that took us to Logan airport. Batteries take up too much space in the hybrid. I always thought the Camry would be the only car made - to save on duplication - if I ruled the world. Does everything you ever need in a car. Not as sexy as a Ferrari.

Sister Helen Prejean - Rose's employer/patron and Nobel Laureate for her work opposing the death penalty - as depicted in "Dead Men Walking". She visited late last night on her way home from one of the 100 speaking engagements she makes in a year.

Dunedin - Oamaru - Geraldine

Anywhere NZ


Settled in to our modern motel room after 6 hours on the road. An unnecessary return visit to Portabello to retrieve my spectacles added to the drive, made worse by appalling weather. The drive on highway S1 has been dangerous and tiring due to driving rain, strong winds and poor visibility, especially when passed by B-Doubles. I have not been impressed by the lack of concern or consideration shown by Kiwi truckies - I'm alright Jack seems the motto.


I foolishly tried to see the Moeraki Marbles - actually large boulders which were 10 wet minutes up the beach. Here's the sign.


The highlight was definitely a brief damp lunch stop in the historic quarter of Oamaru. A lovely collection of Georgian (?) buildings remain from the port's agricultural past.



We ate in the Criterion Hotel. To the right of this photo.


Here is the bar.


Behind the main road was a cobbled laneway with lots more charming buildings.


I wanted to visit the Steampunk museum but the weather was not cooperating. Worth a longer return visit.



The rain continued all the way through Timaru and as we checked in here. Geraldine is on the Tekapo/Mt. Cook route and seemed a good place to stop before Akaroa tomorrow. Bit of traffic noise but at last free wifi! Tess is busy with her words. I am importing some Routeburn photos which were on another card.


I seem to have reached the limit of uploading from blogpress so will seek other ways to share pictures. Dunedin was picturesque yesterday before the rain.


Another road shot, not sure exactly where. Any ideas???

Looking forward to our two nights in Akaroa.




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Location:Waihi Terrace,Geraldine,New Zealand

Routeburn 2 - the Sequel

The road to Glenorchy





On the road to the Routeburn Track















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Mt Aspiring Ranges