Brisbane

8^th - 10^th January

Brisbane with Alana and James

We dropped the Spaceship off back at its depot and were greeted by James and Alana who took us back to their flat and made us most at home.

They live just outside the centre of Brisbane at a place called Ascot which was very nice and convenient for the CBD.

Alana and James, Gin and Tsuki

The first night we settled in, celebrated Alana’s birthday with a few small glasses of wine (can’t lie really – Alana and I made sure we had big glasses) and sat down for a cheese, crackers and salad feast which was delicious.

In the morning we walked into Ascot and had a full on coked breakfast at their local café whilst Alana and James planned the day around ferry times, markets and the best places to see in town.

The Brisbane Cat

We got on the shuttles ferry – a small and very fast catamaran that dropped us in town right near to where Alana worked. She then walked us around town, via some of the best shops and in towards the village where the markets where. By about 3pm we were all like the walking dead, it was baking hot and the alcohol from the night before was seeping through – the only thing to do was stop for a pizza and a beer before we hopped onto the bus and headed home.

Brisbane city centre

Sunday was spent at home relaxing, catching up and chilling after Alana had been out with some work mates to celebrate a friends birthday and we had been up all night chatting and eating more cheese and crackers.

Brisbane CBD

On Monday morning both Alana and James had to go to work sadly, so they let us hang about their flat looking after their beautiful but hilarious cats, whilst using the internet and sorting out our washing (a very big thank you!).

the ever-affectionate Tsuki guards the house

11^th – 13th January

On Monday afternoon James drove us to Simon and Cate’s which was just down the road. We said our goodbyes and a very quick hello to Cate who was guiding us inside to get away from mosquitoes – who were out in force.

Simon and Kate's house

We tried some of Simon’s homebrew – which hit the spot, and settled down to a bbq feast with their other house guests, Simon’s sister and her boyfriend who had been staying since Christmas.

As Simon and Cate both were up early the next day they showed us where everything was, told us to make ourselves comfy, and we all settled down to watch a film before bed.

View of Brisbane from South bank

Simon and Cate live in a Queenslander house in Brisbane, again not far from the CBD but Cate works in their local town of Albion. We arranged to meet her at work for lunch and we spent a bit of time in her architect’s office on Tuesday afternoon, meeting her colleagues, checking out their building and of course using the internet.

We headed back for evening dinner at a nearby restaurant – delicious. Spending the night again at Simon and Kate’s

Wednesday was the day to explore Brisbane on our own. We managed to work out the train system, got the right platform and travelled into the town, even getting off at the right station. (something was not right with us – it’s never normally that simple!)

We embarked upon a very quick walk around town heading through the main business district out to the South bank, walking through the Botanical Gardens, crossing the river and then walking back through town. Amongst all this we had also arranged to meet an old friend of Paul’s, Bernie (the mountain-board guy from Camp Chippenaw, NY 2002). The reason we were short of time was that we had a flight to catch to Hervey Bay, and a tour booked up on Fraser Island.

Walking through the Botanical gardens

Thank you Simon and Cate for putting us up and the lift to the airport.

Sadly, when it all panned out we only managed to get about fifteen minutes with Bernie in Brisbane station – it was lovely to see you ( will get longer with you next time). 

Paul and Bernie - 

a brief reunion from Camp Chipinaw 2002

7th January

7^th January

We left Tweed Heads and had breakfast in a roadside cafe, stopping at the information centre and then the monument showing the border line between New South Wales and Queensland. We went back an hour in time after crossing the line so gained an extra hour in the day.

The border between NewSouthWales and Queensland

Surfers Paradise

Most buildings in this region have boat and car parking

A BIG 'Hello' from Surfer's Paradise

We passed through Brunswick Heights, stopping at Nobbies Beach for a few hours, lunch and a dip in the sea to cool off. We found some free hot water on the sea front and rather glamorously did our last round of washing up pots and plates before driving on through Surfer’s Paradise. The plan had been to stop after passing through the town but somehow we got entangled in the traffic flow and then when we tried to get back found ourselves in Santuary Cove, which was a very strange place indeed. People were cavorting about in golf buggies around a designer shop type centre with over priced tat and extremely expensive restaurants.

No matter – we turned around and headed back to Southport, finding a fish and chip shop on the river banks which closed at 8pm. We spent the evening taking night shots of Surfers Paradise and retired to the car for our last night of wild camping by the waters edge.

New Year in Coffs Harbour

New Years Eve and New Years Day

Our destination for New Year’s House was the house of Ray and Pam, who we had met in Germany during the summer. They had invited us to visit when we in Australia and being New Year’s Eve it was the perfect opportunity to celebrate in Aussie style.

A full on Sixties bash was the plan for the evening with authentic sixties style food, including oysters wrapped in bacon, cheese and pineapple and a strange concoction of sausage-meat and cold mash.

The music was set to loud and as everybody started to get into costume the party atmosphere was definitely alive and kicking in Coffs Harbour!

Our hosts went all out in a blitz of colour from a techni-colour raincoat to a jazzy pink number – very impressed with the boots Pam. At midnight, or maybe a bit after, and after a few bowlfuls of traditional punch we all sang the infamous song – I’m not able to spell it but you all know what it is – something about old acquaintances be forgot for the sake of someone?

Anyhow, we had a fantastic evening and much thanks are due to Ray and Pam. During New Year’s Day we then had a full tour of Coff’s Habour – a trip to mutton Bird Island, a pop into the Opal Centre, a drive through some wonderful rainforest and a trip up a mountain track to get a birds eye view of the coast. It was a beautiful sunny day and a brilliant way to start the New Year, with a fresh mango from Ray’s garden and a wonderful curry for dinner.

That night we were  given the opportunity to spend the night in Ray and Pam’s brand new campervan – it was awesome – air conditioned, brand new mattress, no insects – sorry but march flies are a pain! We met Ray and Pam’s son who had travelled from Perth and was bringing his daughter Jessie to stay for a while.

The following day we set off bound for Brisbane within a week.

Pam and Ray's place

Ray & Pam Walker - our hosts over New Year

Paul's best/cheapest effort at 60's

Sparklers at midnight

Suzy & Ray - Lookout over Coffs Harbour

Christmas to New Year

Text to come

Pelicans at feeding time

He wanted my fish and chips

Fruit bat exodus at Port Macquarie

New Year's to 6th January

Maclean

Drove to Woolgoolga and walked along beach. Headed in land were aiming for Yamba for the night.  We were contemplating spending the night at a tourist information centre in amongst the surrounding sugar cane and right next to the river but the toilets weren’t open and we drove on to get some food at Maclean. Apparently the only truly Scottish town in Australia we found no evidence(apart from tartan on the telegraph poles) – but it was nearly 8pm and true to Australian ways everything was already closed except for the pub that was not serving food after 8.30pm. We opted for several bevies, a small meal and a free game of pool – what more can you ask for.

The calm waters running through Maclean at 6am

Wildcamping at Maclean

3^rd January

Paul woke up bright and early and took some pictures of the river as the sun was rising. Whereas, I slept in the back of the van until the nearby Spar shop opened so we could get some milk for breakfast before we set off on the road heading for Yamba. We visited Seal Rocks but it was very cloudy so we found somewhere to park up and stayed in for the night.

Inside our 'Spaceship' - not like a TARDIS

4^th January 2010

Lighthouse at Byron Bay

Climbed hill to get to Cape Byron – went on 5km hike around headland through rainforest and saw dolphins.

some nutcases at Byron Bay

An incredibly large Golden Orb spider at Byron Bay

those handgliders again

Dolphins!

5^th January

Breakfast in Byron Bay

Drove into Nightcap National park

Spent night in motel

6^th January.

Breakfast in motel of paw paw and freshest mangoes ever.  Drove to Nimbin – saw the candle factory

Nimbin Candle factory

Wild camped at Fingals Head, after spending a few hours at the local cinema watching Sherlock Holmes.

Christmas in Sydney

It's Christmas!...

Koala & Platipus -

a Christmas present from our hosts

On Christmas Eve we drove from Stanwell Park on the Grand Pacific Highway, the short distance around Sydney to visit Laurel and Dale, who had invited us to stay for Christmas. It was in excess of 35 degrees but in true Christmas tradition as we were eating a cold dinner for Christmas Day we had a roast dinner and followed it off with Christmas Carols at the nearby Anglican Church. It was magical.

Christmas Day was an early start, with presents around the Christmas tree, a full breakfast of bacon and eggs and a pile into two cars to drive across town for lunch.

A Christmas JD & Coke

With a glass of champagne to toast the whole family, everyone set about opening their Secret Santa's. With many thoughtful gifts and beautiful wrapping it was a wonderful scene.

Lunch miraculously appeared out of a whirlwind of activity and quite obviously days of slaving in hot kitchens. Roasted meats left to cool, prawns, oysters, fresh salads and fruits. A myriad of colours and choices of food - it was such a picture of Christmas that you wouldn't get in grey, cold and snowy England!

We had a wonderful day - thank you to everyone for making us so welcome, so far away from home.

A family Christmas

An Aussie Christmas dinner

 Boxing Day

The Sydney to Hobart boat race begins

spinnakers out

Macquarie Lighthouse - our viewing platform

We drove across town to beat the crowds on boxing Day with a guided tour of Sydney and a high morning tea of scones and cream in the base of the lighthouse at Watson's Bay. After a short walk along The Gap to the lookout we headed back in a frenzy of people as we were soaked from head to toe by a heavy shower.
Fortunately, the skies cleared in time for the Sydney to Hobart race, which set off at 1pm shortly after we had finished lunch. We scaled to the top of the lighthouse just in time to catch the start, with all the boats and their spinackers on show it was easy to tell them apart through the mist.

the beach from Home and away

We set off after the boat race for a drive to Palm Beach - where Home and Away is filmed. The scenery was just spectacular and the houses were from another planet. We drove back through Sydney towards Bondi Beach and stopped for fish and chips for tea beside the sea.

Blue Mountains

We'll be back to see the Blue mountains again!

We traveled inland to the Blue Mountains to see the Three Sisters and to marvel at the wonderful views. Unfortunately, as we got there, the cloud clung to the hills and all we got was a glimpse of the sign.

This view should be stunning - see here

We headed on to see if we could get a view from the Visitor Centre and we took the very steep train down into the valley to the bottom of the rainforest. It was absolutely amazing - lush, green, humid and teaming with wildlife. We took the cable car up through the cloud, sadly seeing nothing and lunched in the pleasant arts and crafts town of Leura, returning home quite late in the day for a delicious authentic Australian barbi!

Dale - head BBQ chef

Suzy - chief dog monitor; distracts Mac from the steak

Night shots of Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge

thanks to Dale Cole for this pic

The Opera House

An illuminated tour boat floats past - creating this weird picture

Taken by Dale

Sydney CBD at night

Laurel + Dale Cole - our kind hosts over Christmas