Hunter Valley New Year's Day - Day 105 1/01/2015

Sue & Paul have got a cottage in the Hunter Valley and we went and spend two days there.  We left Sydney mid morning after breakfast with Sue taking us on a magical mystery tour heading north to Wisemen's Ferry and through the Dharug National Park.  The scenery is lovely bush forest with the flora changing as we climbed higher into the hills.  We stopped at the Settlers Arms Inn in St Albans for refreshments, built from sandstone hewn by convicts back in 1836.  From here continued on through Wollombi to Cessnock, the main town in the region and where the cottage is.  The Hunter Valley is the oldest wine region in Australia with vines first planted here in the 1820's although it wasn't until the 1960's that winemaking became an important industry.  Sue & Paul's cottage is lovely and we enjoyed a cup of tea before heading out to see if we could spot any kangaroos.  We were very lucky and saw over a dozen near a water hole.  The male was certainly very dominant and kept a watchful eye on us as we drove by.  It was lovely to see them in their natural habitat.  We drove back to Cessnock and enjoyed a curry at the local Indian and then headed back to the cottage and chilled out watching the Painted Veil on dvd.  The film is set in China with a lot of the scenes being shot near Guilin and Yangshuo where we'd visited earlier in our travels. The scenery of the karst mountains was stunning and just as we remembered them. No pictures of the day again unfortunately.

Day 103 30/12/2014

We headed over to the eastern beaches with Sue & Wendy today.  The area has impressive arcs of sandy beaches framed by jagged sandstone cliffs with the most famous being Bondi Beach.  The Pacific Ocean has a huge swell producing waves for a 'rough and tumble' swim or surfing.  We parked at Clovelly and walked along the coastal path north towards Bondi passing Waverley Cemetery, Bronte Beach where we stopped for morning coffee and shared a muffin, and Tamarama before reaching Bondi.  The path is man made all the way and good under foot.  It was a beautiful, clear day and there was little if any shade and we both felt the impact of the sun.   By the time we reached Bondi we were certainly ready for a dip in the sea.  The waves and swell make it impossible to swim but we enjoyed getting bashed by the waves, avoiding the surfers and at times knocked off our feet by the swell.  Diane seemed to spend most of her time trying to hang on to her bikini!  We headed back towards Clovelly stopping off at Bronte for lunch enjoying beef burger and chips (not very healthy but delicious) and home made lemonade being sold by an entrepreneurial youngster nearby.  In the evening we took the ferry into the city and met Sue & Paul at the Lord Nelson.  The pub was first opened in 1841 and serves a range of beers brewed on site which we enjoyed and helped to wash down our pie and mash dinner.

The Pacific Ocean

Bronte Beach

Sue & Wendy with Bondi Beach in the background 

Bondi Beach

Pie and mash at the Lord Nelson 

Day 102 29/12/2014

We took the ferry into Sydney today to do some sight and shopping.  The boat from Abbotsford is a catamaran and speeds it's way to the city with a fantastic view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House as you get near to Circular Quay.  From here we walked around the Opera House and then along the prom to Mrs Macquaries Point from where you get beautiful views over the bay to the Opera House and the city skyline.  The point was named after the Governor's wife back in 1810 who ordered a seat to be chiselled into the rock for her to sit on and admire the harbour view.  From here we walked through the Royal Botanical Gardens and on to St Mary's Cathedral, the building of which started in 1868 although the stone spires weren't added until 2000.  We stopped for a picnic lunch in Hyde Park before hitting the shops around Pitt Street.  After making a few purchases we walked back to Circular Quay and got the ferry back to Abbotsford, enjoying a swim in the pool which helped us to cool down (a little bit!).  In the evening we drove to Balmain East to met Sue and Paul and got the ferry to Milsons Point on the north shore next to the Harbour Bridge.  We had dinner at Ripple's restaurant which has a spectacular outlook onto the bridge and the Opera House.  Simon had barramundi fish which he thoroughly enjoyed although was a wee bit envious of Wendy's fish and chips!  

Enjoying the ferry ride

The view from Mrs Macquaries Point 

 

Mrs Macquaries seat 

The view from Ripple's Restaurant

With Wendy, Paul and Sue 

Day 101 28/12/2014

We had a fairly relaxed day today.  After breakfast we had a walk around the bay near to Wendy's apartment.  It's a 7km walk with a purpose built path for walkers, cyclists and runners and a great way to spend an hour or so.  There's lots of bird life around the bay including the rather large pelican photographed below.  Wendy dropped us off and then met us later at the cafe where we enjoyed a mid morning coffee.  From here we headed over to a nearby shopping precinct and purchased a few travel guides to help with the planning for the next stage of our trip in Victoria and Tasmania.  Simon ventured out for a run in the afternoon and came back very tired, in part due to the hilly surroundings but probably more to do with the lack of running and over indulgence in food and drink!  In the evening Sue, Paul and Nancy came round and we had a BBQ with steak and chicken sausages, something we don't get at home.

Day 100 27/12/2014

Wendy took us west to visit the Blue Mountains today, an area of natural beauty and a Unesco World Heritage site.  The slate coloured haze that gives the mountains their name comes from a fine mist of oil given off by the huge eucalyptus that form a dense canopy across the landscape.  The mountains are about 65km east of Sydney and rise to a c1000m high plateau.  We stopped at Leura, apparently the prettiest town in the area with a tree lined main street and craft and coffee shops, one of which we frequented.  The weather was much cooler here and you certainly needed a top or cardigan although it was nice to escape the heat of Sydney.  From Leura we headed towards Katoomba and stopped to walk towards Sublime Point and to the waterfall cascade.  We got great views of the plateau and high across the landscape of trees.  We walked to Bridal Veil look out and then traversed back across the hillside to where we'd parked.  We drove on a little bit further to Katoomba and had lunch in the small shopping area sharing quiche and salad.  It was a bit pricey but very tasty and enjoyable.  We walked out to the Echo Point viewing platform from where you can see a rocky trio called the Three Sisters.  Apparently the story is that three sisters were turned to stone by a sorcerer to protect them from the unwanted advances of three young men but the sorcerer died before he could turn them back.  It was very busy with lots of tour groups but soon quietened down as we walked along the path away from the Point and then headed up the steps and back towards the car.  We drove through Katoomba and stopped at the Hydro Majestic Hotel where Wendy has previously stayed.  A lovely location with great views.  We did think about having afternoon tea but at $65 a go we decided to give it a miss!  Simon took advantage of Wendy's offer of driving back to Sydney which Simon really enjoyed and it was good practice for when we get our hire car in Victoria and camper van in Tasmania.  In the evening we had dinner on the terrace at Wendy's.  A great way to finish off a wonderful day out.

Cascade Waterfall look out

Bridal Veil Look Out

The Three Sisters

View from Hydro Majestic Hotel 

The Blue Mountains

Boxing Day - Day 99 26/12/2014

After a leisurely start to the day we headed over to Manly on the north shore, Sydney Harbour's northern gatepost.  The beach stretches for nearly two kilometres and is lined with pine trees.  The sea has more swell here and there were lots of surfers out on the water.  We bought coffee and sat looking out to sea drinking coffee and eating mince pies.  From here we drove up to Balgowlan Heights to watch the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.  The race has been going for 70 years and is an icon of Australia's summer sport.  Nearly a hundred boats took part and it was spectacular to see them all setting off on the sound of the gun surrounded by cruise boats, smaller yachts and ferries.  As they passed our vantage point Comanche had taken the lead.  The race takes around 48 hours and with high seas forecast it was predicted that several boats would retire before the finish line.  We headed back to Abbotsford stopping off at Clontarf beach for a walk.  In the evening went for a drink at the Abbotsford Rowing Club with Wendy, Sue and Paul and then went to a local Thai restaurant for a delicious meal.  Another great day out in Sydney and we felt very privileged to have seen the start of the yacht race from such a good vantage point.

Simon and Wendy at Manly Beach

Comanche already with an impressive lead over Wild Oats

The race in full swing

Christmas Day - Day 98 25/12/2014

In the morning Sue and Paul picked us up from Wendy's to take us on a tour of Sydney.  We headed to the Sydney Cove first and got a spectacular view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, a world heritage listed building and Australia's most recognisable landmark.  In between the two is Circular Quay where the local ferries and tourist boats moor.  From here we drove around The Rocks which was originally the commercial and maritime hub of Sydney until the late 1800's and is now a tourist trap.  We passed the Observatory which sits on top of Observatory Hill overlooking the harbour and then drove over Harbour Bridge.  The bridge was opened in 1932 and spans the harbour at one of it's narrowest points.  We stopped at Balmoral in north east Sydney and had a walk down to the beach and a paddle in the sea.  The beach is lovely and sandy and the water very clear and calm and was really busy with lots of families taking picnics and set up tents along the prom.  The weather is extremely hot (for us) and we were soon melting in the heat.  We headed back to Wendy's to help with Christmas dinner.  Will arrived with Nancy, Paul's Mum and we all sat outside enjoying champagne and hors d'oeuvres.  Wendy had cooked a delicious meal, Turkey with all the trimmings, and it was great to be with family on Christmas Day.  The time went so quickly it was soon early evening and the end to a lovely day, if a bit strange to be in such a warm climate but still very similar to Christmas at home in lots of ways.

With Paul and Sue and the Opera House as backdrop

Driving over the Harbour Bridge

Paddling at Balmoral Beach

Wendy with champagne

Simon, Nancy, Will, Wendy, Paul & Sue (and Father Christmas centre stage!)