NSW Archives - Page 2 of 3 - The Land Down Under

Back to Byron

After leaving Queensland and with Amy in tow we stopped over in Byron Bay at posh back packers

Amy’s board proved to be a little to advanced

Where all the heavy rain had wiped out trails

And brought plenty of trees down the creek

Still had to rush back to Byron , so it was a good job the hike was shorter . Cocktails were on the menu for happy hour

Where are the hippies?

So left our noisy pub/ hotel in Evans Head for the Gold Coast , not far and so plenty of opportunities to have coffees and relax in the very last bit of

Hotel Illawong , our room was above the beer garden and a birthday party . Probably could have seen more of the town but we were keen to get out and off to Byron

Plenty of large lizards and a fantastic display from a small group of whales , slapping and breaching just a few hundred meters off shore

Great beach and town at Byron , but v expensive

So moved on over the border into Queensland , Coolangata , past Tweed heads looking over to Surfer’s Paradise

With good weather we left Port Macquarie on a 4 1/2 hour drive with a few sightseeing stops on the way . Anita didn’t appreciate the fading light in the jungle and Roo dodging dusk drive out of the National Park

First stop was Nambucca Heads for a coffee . Lonely Planet took us to a shut coffee shop so the intrepid explorers set off down the river

To the local holiday camp coffee shop and famous painted ( vandalised) see wall , bit too much of a memorial wall for me

I preferred watching the local Learning Disability fishing trip ( nothing to do with this photo, of course)

Past Coffs Harbour to Woolgoolga beach for a Sarnie and Muffin- I know another beach

Finally, Iluka north of Yamba and a rather late rainforest hike

A heard of feeding Kangaroos & a few dolphins ( didn’t pose for very long )

Last shot before the nasty rainforest hike again and dark drive to our Evans Head Hotel

Walk to Tacking Point Lighthouse

Matt from the Point Church said he goes to Tacking Point every day to whale watch , so we took his advice

Plans for a pre- walk dip were scuppered by this miniature T Rex on relaxing on pool duty

Start of Miners Beach( not busy as everyone else is driving to the lighthouse for the sunset and whales )

Looking back along Miners Beach , breaching whale calves top left

Not entirely sure what the lady on the right is doing

Impossible to avoid a car park shot in the end

Port Macquarie

Sunday and the first weekend of the Aussie school holidays, the sun was out and it was warm . This is why we’re here . Pretty beaches , surf , sun and fresh air .

The day started early though as this cottage is right next to the rainforest and like the seagulls back home , the Kookaburras start early and louder – literally laughing at us outside the window

Off out early 0930 church at the Point , somewhere behind her they are still laughing

Lunch at the Little Shack , couldn’t show a “food photo “ with the river in as we had a Gay blind date behind us and the were very nervous!

Town beach , burning of Barramundi & chips after lunch

Flagstaff lookout with Town beach and distant hills where we head tomorrow

Rainforest by the sea

New Airbnb in Port Macquarie, further north , warmer and wet . Well it’s rainforest

When the rain stopped . Down to the beach , Shelley beach , at dusk really amazing with the light and sea spray

Paella

After starting the day on a positive note , we were invited to Joss and Sarah’s ( Charlie’s parents ) in Newport for dinner

Max decided he was coming , not sure if he knew what he was in for as they have 2 large Golden Retrievers .

Popped in to get some oysters on the way at Mooney Mooney , definitely Mooney Mooney , not just Mooney

Dodgy dog beach rules ( I’m sure I would have been all for them in a previous life ) meant we had to sneak him on Mona Vale beach

After getting used to his hairier cousins and a bit of dry humping Max settled in whilst his mates were locked out

Joss cooked a cracking seafood Paella to send us on the way up north

Where did he come from ?

The day started with an unwelcome visitor , then two guests , two warning lights and a sunset beach walk to finish

After topping up the Buddha garden fountain and starting the morning exercise regime , I noticed a leech on my leg ! I could feel his teeth , so he never stood a chance . Bled for a while afterwards

Recovering from the blood loss we went to get Ella and Charlie on the walk in ferry from Palm Bay to Ettalong , then off for a brunch nearby

After dropping them back and Anita on a zoom meeting went on a ball chucking evening beach walk . Could have shown you a local Pelican, but Max saw it off !

And Max enjoyed the sunset , on the lookout for returning Pelicans

The serious frown , as I am off to check on the 2 red lights on the dashboard, could cause a few problems

Some very strange going’s on in the ferry “ terminal “ toilets – scantily clad ladies… Max and I escaped in the car warning lights flashing into the night

Brisbane Waters NP

Late afternoon hike into the National Park . No dogs allowed and nobody else there

Big hike down to a waterfall, often with Aussie waterfalls, lot of effort & not a great deal to write home about

Back to the beach

Max loved it after a lazy , ball- less Thursday

He was up to his old tricks of dropping the ball back into the sea . Pearl ok beach has a steep drop off with , large on shore waves and a almost rip like drag

Despite valiant attempts to keep Max from chasing the ball into the sea he ended up body surfing back on top of a great wave . Not sure he enjoyed it as he stayed clear of the sea from then on

A wet day in NSW

Rain , rain rain in Kariong. Anita found a Sydney Harbour jigsaw . Not everyone was up for it

Between showers explored Kariong and found there was a “dog field “ and pond . But forgot his ball

New pad in Kariong

In the new house in Kariong. A big friendly Groodle called Max ( Maximoo) , Tiger Boy the always hungry cat and two turtles little and large ( not their real names)

Kariong seems a small town just off the M1 highway north of Sydney on the central coast . Bit of a boring town , but surrounded by National Park ( no dogs ) and 15-20 mins to the coast , beaches etc

Early afternoon exercises , next to the pool , under a watchful eye

Beautiful hard sand , perfect for dog walking and ball chucking

He has a slightly annoying habit of taking the ball out to sea and dropping it

Out as quickly as possible, dangerous critters in there

Sandy poos much easier to pick up , Anita is the best

Lifeguard station shut so no point going in to take on the sharks

Paying respect

Today we decided to go over to Sydney and say good buy to HRH or as she is s as Lao known ( according to JFR ) big chief Sheila

Bit choppy on the Manly to Circular Quay ferry

Evening trip to Newport on the bus for a pub quiz at the local real ale bar , with Joss , a bloke called Alan from Rawdon and Mike from Halifax , plus a local Sheila . Came joint second by a point ! lost on Aussie speed skaters and Russell Crowe books

Back to Manly

Left the dogs in Newcastle, bless them , to head back for two nights . Stopped off for house instructions in the next sit which is on the way to Ella’s, an hour North in a place called Kariong. Looks good

Whilst Ella and Anita were having a mother daughter chat I went for an explore of the area . Freshwater bay , just north of Manly beach

Curl Curl beach – good waves and loads of surfers

Back home then out to the Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing club for steak night , $ 14 steak and chips , $ 13 for a pint of beer

Sunday

Quiet sunny Sunday , last full day In Newcastle before back for a couple of days in Sydney

As usual an early start , but with a difference. For a change we did a bit of pre dog walk yoga

Spent a moment or two , but couldn’t find any

And more

Off to the dolphin centre of NSW ( not Poole ) , famous for dolphins, not hoodlums harassing the bus station

Where the boats sail out dolphin chasing. Today most of the trips were booked by Indians and 2 coach loads of AFLW in fairly skimpy outfits or medical protection suits ( full white ppg ) . Vomit protection I guess as the bay was choppy and they were very merry

Leaving Anita in a cafe in Shoal Bay , I set off on a hike to Fingal Bay . Just as more bus loads of partying Aussie women were arriving

After a mega dune , arrived at Fingal bay

Where due to the wonders of WhatsApp location found Anita with her book

More beaches

Set off today for a Sunday brunch at a beach , of course . Birubi beach at Anna Bay , part of the Worimi National Park and conservation area

Traditional for Anita , curried chick pea and sweet potato and egg for me

Bit blowy so sheltering was the sensible option

Otherwise you were pebble dashed with sand from the largest shifting sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere

Sadly the Philippino “ Sons of the Desert’ Society got here before us and the queue was too long .

Bathers way coastal walk

Today we are not going to mention the pre 6 am dog waking alarm or any other dog stories

So on a bright and breezy day , the week so far defying predictions of daily rain , we did a 12k walk – the Bathers way . Starting at Nobby’s beach surf club

Beaches , surf clubs , beach lidos ( swimming pools ) at a nice pace with multiple stops – bit of improvement work on the way

The ‘Bogey Hole ‘ , a semi natural swimming pool , battered by waves , not an average par 4 for me

Last shot of Anita for today – a nice house !

Hunter Valley

After another pre 6am doggy breakfast request , today’s plan was a Hunter Valley tour

After a coffee in Cessnock , the ( very avoidable) largest town and gateway to the valley we stopped at the first nice looking vineyard

A toss , with a double headed virtual coin and Anita volunteered to drive . Sipping and no spitting out of course

Beautiful vineyard and lovely wine . One other tasting couple so had the sommelier to ourselves – pretty much . Bit of an anti-vaxxer

Two vineyards further on , the sommelier’s recommendation of restaurant, we had lunch at Ben Ean

Back down the road and up the hill , next stop Ivanhoe vineyard.

The owner was a great fan of the Sir Walter Scott book

Our lovely and very knowledgeable Sri Lankan sommelier took us through another delicious range of wines and from our balcony pointed to where each grape was grown . We returned the favour by introducing her to Vivino

19 wines tasted today , all scored 4 or more.One wine scored 4.8 , but that was for members only

2 great vineyards , pretty close to each other with beautiful views and scenery and a warm sunny weather

Dog in the bed

Neon and widget are lovely dogs , but night times are tricky. Anita tried to take them on and lost . By the middle of the night she had little Widget asleep next to her on the pillow – with me hiding from the grandfather clock in another room . Plan B will commence tonight