Back in the Good Old UK of GB & NI

Been back in Torquay since Thursday evening. Friday morning decided to tidy up the garden a bit. 5 weeks away and it looked a bit of a mess. Did something to my back, very painful so didn't feel like doing anything except groan pathetically for the last few days. Also it's blood cold here compared with sunny Sydney. More tomorrow.

Coach Trip to Palm Beach and Other Places

No, I haven't got a job driving a coach down under. It was a trip organised by the Eastwood Probus Club which is a club for people over a certain age. They have little get togethers and the occasional trip somewhere and my sister booked me a seat on the trip. We went first to Palm Beach to pick up a ferry for a boat trip down the Hawksbury River to a place called Bobbin Point. Unfortunately the ferry went from the wrong side of Palm Beach so was unable to go and see if Home and Away were filming. Last time I was here 2 years ago I took a couple of shots of the filming and this time I was hoping to do the same. Still got tome so who knows. On the way there we stopped at Newport Beach Surf Club for morning coffee. I thought we were going into the club for our drink but when we stopped, Robert the coach driver open the luggage compartment, pulled out a table and gave out plastic cups to everyone. We queued up and took either a tea bag or a spoonful of coffee and Robert filled the cup up with hot water from a water heater fitted especially for that purpose in the luggage compartment. Biscuits were also distributed.

 

Then on to Palm Beach and the Ferry, First stop across the mouth of the river to Patonga. Half hour by ferry 2 days by road. There 49 packets of fish and chips were waiting. No vinegar on the chips. No one in Australia puts vinegar on their chips which should be illegal. The boat trip continued on for about 45 mins to Bobbin Head where the coach was waiting. Then to a wildlife centre and a 30 minutes walk in the bush. See photo for the wildlife.

 

All in all a nice day out, the coach was new and well driven. The commentary was clear and informative and I'd heard all the jokes before but I still laughed. If you are planing a trip around Australia the company, Hopkinsons do a 22 day 6000km fight up to Northern Territories for 3600 pounds.  

Tassie

Me at The Edge of the World

Taken Feb 2011

Taken Feb 2009

Hi All

Just to let you know I am alive and well down here in Australia. Been very busy with limited access top computers. Couple of photos from the Edge of The World which is at the mouth of the Arther River in North West Tasmainia. The first one feature's me and a small stone pillar that tells you this is the edge of the world. The sea behind is the Roaring Forties which wander round the world until they hit Tassie. Looking out to sea the next land is South America, Argentina to be precise. Looking south it's Antarctica and to the north is mainland Australia. Not a lot here at the Edge of the World, very desolate, just a few holiday homes and great views.

The second picture shows a pile of logs. Last time I was here I thought they had been brought here by the sea but it turns out this area was extensively logged in the later 19th century. The loggers cut trees down along the river and let them float down stream where they were sorted into two piles. These are the rejected pile. Not just the pile you can see but the whole coast here is littered with similar piles of hundred year old timber. The 3rd photo was taken when I was here 2 years ago. Despite the constant waves beating against this coast line not much has changed, just the log in the foreground has turned over. Much of Tassie is still being cut down but the conservationist and a reduction in the demand for wood pulp is slowing the extent down, hopefully soon to a complete stop.

PS If you are thinking of visiting Australia have a look at Tassie, it's a beautiful place, lots to see.

Cyclone Yasi

It's 9:30 am here in Australia and I have been watching the news on TV. It's an extended edition covering the approaching category 5 cyclone. It's expected to hit this evening about 10pm and will be the biggest in living memory. Cains is the honeymoon centre of Australia so anyone who got married last Saturday and flew up there to start married life are in for a wet and windy start to married bliss.

Good luck to everyone in Northern Queensland.

I am in Tasmania and should be safe. Saturday it's back to Sydney for the rest of the holiday.