Wednesday and Thursday

On Wednesday we visited the Hinterland region which is about 15km west of Maroochydore, and visited Lake Bason, lovely chintzy town called Montville, lots of quaint craft shops and themed cafes, bought our first souvenir - a cockrel wind chime
A short drive North and we came across Kandalilla Falls National Park, which was a not too strenu0uis walk through a rainforest area to quite spectsacular falls, they were more active as we'd experienced a sudden downpour on our walk through the tree canopy which shielded us from the worst of the rain!!

Today Thursday we drove up the coast north to Tewantin, then a short ferry crossing to the Noosa Everglades and Teewah coloured sands beach, which stretches for about 10 miles, and we were the onmly people on it!! seclusion can certainly be achieved here, nice not to hear loads of kids screaming, hot-rod cars revving and people chatting!!

The beach, dunes and everglades are all part of a protected area - the everglades host over 40,000 migrating birds every year and is apparently a sighte to behold.

Just west of Teewantin we ascended Mr Timbeerwah which gave us spectacluar views of the surrounding area - really showed us the enormity of the region and the country, and we've only experienced a fraction of it!!

A good one for Dave & Heather as we were walking up the mountain footpath, bearing in mind there was only one other car in the car park we walked past a guy who shouted back to his wife "howay man"!!! sounded just like Dave, and guess what he came from Alnwick originally now living in Oz!! what a small world it is!!

Sunshine Coast

Monday 28 January was a public holiday for Australia Day which was on Saturday - we went to Glass House Mountains which was near Beerwah absolutely amazing views -(how often do I use that word!!!) from the lookout - we then went to a picnic area at the foot of the largest mountain had lunch there, then did the cicuit walk round the foot of the mountain - it was very hot!! then we drove to the Mary Caircross Scenic Reserve in Maleny for more amazing views - loads of families having picnics and at the back was an entrance to a rainforest!! so we had a walk in there and saw a small kangaroo, and a huge lizard. Weather is glorious blue skys and about 29 degrees.

Tuesday 29th - Day trip to Noosa Heads which is about 20 miles up the coast from where we are staying beautiful coastline and coves, and a little rainforest in the Noosa Heads.

Lots of surfing beaches, however a 4km walk to the heads and the crowds thin out and you're definitely on the "unbeaten track", seems as though srfers are laid on their boards waiting for the eternal "big wave" - were going to have a go - maybe tomorrow. Still v hot, but just had a tropical rain fall - weather still good enough for bbq tonight.

Brisbane & Sunshine Coast

Brisbane was a lovely City, we only had a day exploring, but visited a few places and went the length of the river on a Sea Cat which was great loads to see, very small City compared to London & even Sydney but worth a visit. Our b&b was delightful, it was in an old Federal House with balcony all round, when we got back in the afternoon, we were invited by an elderly couple also staying there to join them and the owner Bonnita for cocktail hour, rather like aperitifs in France!! excellent Chardonnay and cheese & biscuits, after that we walked down the road for dinner, very relaxing.

Saturday we drove to Maroochydore which is on the Sunshine Coast to our accommodation for the next 2 weeks. Just off to the Visitor Centre to sort our agenda out - so watch this space!!!

Byron Bay

Thursday we travelled to Byron Bay on the coast rather by accident, as we intended to go elsewhere!! but ended up at Byron Bay, beautiful cove and beach, but very touristy, lots of aged hippies - we felt rather old as lots of v young people there, walking round barefooted - Jim S would be very comfortable there!!! Not!!!!!

Another day another State!!! we're now in Queensland in Bribane, arrived this morning our last step before 2 weeks on the sunshine Coast, we're looking forward to resting our laurels for a while - the time has changed as well, we've now moved on an hour - staying in another amazing place, old federal house on the outskirts of the City. Going to have an explore of Brisbane now which looks to be a beautiful city.

Thanks for all the emails we're glad you're reading our wafflings!!!

oh by the way its about 28degrees and sunny!!

Belligen & Dorrigo

Arrived in a very arty town called Belligen yesterday afternoon, visited the visitor centre and found a charming b&b www.rivendellguesthouse.com.au where we are staying for 2 days. This morning we visited the Rain Forest in Dorrigo absolutely amazing had a couple of hours walk through the Forest, it was beautiful, loads of birds and wonderful trees - have a look on www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au then find the link for Dorrigo - I would be here hours trying to tell you about it.

Off now for some more adventures - glad everyones enjoying our Blog, keep reading - I'm going to try and get some photos up here hopefully when we reach our house we're in for 2 weeks on the Sunshine Coast.

On The Road

After a gargantuous brakfast of sausages, mushrooms in pine nuts, salad and cherry toms and home-made fresh bread and preservers, cereals and coffee which set us up nicely for the day!! We had a quick trip down the coast to Crowdy bay Point, a tiny little village on a prominent headland with a small fishing harbour, and a long sweeping panoramic beach seamingly disappearing towards looming mountain area surrounded by rain forest. Very few people on the beach yet sufficiently big breakers for a few surfers to go and try and "catch the wave"

Unfortunately the weather turned quite suddenly and the gathering storm clouds we went back to Mescals our beautiful b&b about 3pm and had a lazy chilled out day dozing in the spacious living room was rounded off by a delicious dinner washed down with a glass or two of Chardonnay.

Anyway off on the road again today so watch for the next post - and yes we are driving Linda thought we would hitch but the bags were too heavy!!!!

paradise found?

yes ...i think we've found it!!! a lovely b and b near a town called Taree in the Manning valley area.......a beautiful privately owned place with mature gardens full of exotic fruits ......a small lake where we were feeding perch and turtles last night.......our very own private pool where we spent a lazy afternoon chilling out and sunbathing yesterday.......the garden resonates to the sound of insects and birds of paradise......noisy but entrancing!!!!today we are off to crowdy bay for a spot of beachcombing and sigtseeing.....the b and b is at www.mescals.com.au well worth a look.....addios amigos!!!!

Kangaroo

Seen our first roo - with his Joey in her pouch, ah!!!

We're now in a town called Tarree, been through the Great Lakes and stopped off at a beach to do a bit of surfing - whats a day without a bit of surfing!!!

Just been in visitor centre and sorted out a place to stay tonight, looks very nice, on our way now to check it out.

Nelson Bay

We've moved on from Sydney, the rain seems to have stopped at the moment and its very wam, we're in a place called Nelsons Bay, very pretty small town on coast going to see Pirates of the Caribbean tonight outside, they warn to make sure you've got your mossie spray with you. Keep reading - is anyone else reading our blogs apart from those who have commented? if so, let me know even if you can't reply through the reply send to my normal email...

Thursday

Couple of quiet days coming up before we set of on Saturday morning, been doing lots of research on places to visit as we head up to Brisbane, met 2 ladies in a restaurant last night who gave us loads of ideas of places to stay, and we thought we knew where we were going - still things can change! Weather very iffy, but still better than Europe the drought which was is definitely over.

Blue Mountains

Wednesday 16 Jan- up earlier than normal yesterday, the sun was shining hurrah! so off we went to the Blue Mountains they are called Blue Mountains because of the blue hue round them from the eucalyptus plants. We took the train which took 2 hours - we then went on a tour bus round the blue mountains - it was an old red London Bus very twee!! We got of at various stops we saw the 3 sisters which is a huge rock formation, and we also saw some amazing waterfalls - we did lots of walking - it was very hot but a wonderful sight. Rather like an Aussie Grand Canyon. We also visited some quaint towns with loads of shops with "must haves" in them - probably catering for the rich Sydney people who visit at the weekend. Then back on the very cold air conditioned train to Sydney we had the wine & pasta bread & glass of wine special for dinner, excellent value at $15 about 7pounds - The food in Sydney is either expensive and ok or cheap & ok - you take your choice.

Manly Beach

Morning thanks for all your comments, its great to know I'm not typing to an empty World!!! keep them flowing.

Michelle - now you know how we're funding the holiday!!! actually I'm told we're staying at Potts Point not Kings Cross!!!

We went to Manly on the ferry - nice and calm, thank goodness, the weather was glorious and we paddled in the sea, until a huge breaker came along and soaked me!! another tranquil day - on the return ferry we found the best view for the Bridge and the Opera House. Last night we went to a German restaurant called Unas - very reminiscent for Chris, too much food for me Lyn M if you're reading bought back memories of Vienna!!

Off to catch the train to Blue Mountains now, yes we've finally done it - going for a Bush Tucker trial with Ant & Dec!!

Bondi Beach

Yesterday we visited Bondi Beach and walked along the costal walk which was beautiful, we watched the few surfers who braved it into the very fierce sea, I decided to give surfing a miss yesterday, we had a very relaxed day just walking and sitting - not too much to report, today of to Manly Bay on a ferry - hopefully the sea not too choppy, but with my love of the sea, that shouldn't be too much of a problem!!

More of Sydney

Good News for you lot!!! the sun didn't last all day! we had rain in the afternoon, great fun when you're on an open top bus, luckily we were at the end of the tour round Sydney, we now keep a brolly with us, just in case. the tour was great, now we know where we want to go and see more of.

Today we're carrying on with the Tour on another bus to Bondi Beach, Sue fancies a bit of surfing ha ha!! and Chris wants to be a beach bum..... !

This afternoon we're going up the central observation tower - Blue Mountains cancelled until a sunnier day.


An interesting observation - its cheaper to buy Jacobs Creek wine, or in fact any Aussie wine in France or the UK, the wine is v expensive, so the corks for the hat aren't mounting up as quickly as some of you would have expected!! the man in the liquor shop said wine has v high tax to save the Aussies from themselves, and the Brits as well....

Oh well must get going the bus will be along in a mo.thanks for the posts yesterday great to hear some are reading our adventure.

Welcome to Oz

Well we're here after a long flight, the last one for a few weeks.

Booked into our hotel which is in an interesting area - Kings Cross - the hotel is beautiful, we have a 4-poster bed and a balcony overlooking a leafy street, very pleasant. We walked into the centre of Sydney last night through the Botanical gardens, where people were picnicing and having their wedding photographs taken. The fruit bats were incredible hanging from the trees and chirping. We walked round the quayside and saw the bridge and opera house, and yes the photos didn't lie, they were amazing, then dinner by the quayside, very much like Docklands, but with the sunshine. Oh yes the sunshine, how nice to be wearing shorts and T-shirts in January, today its going to be 82 degrees - sorry all you guys in the UK and France, hope its not too cold!! When we walked back last night we turned a corner into an area called The Domain and there was a concert going on, Latino music, incredible! there were thousands and thousands of people picnicing and drinking champagne and wine and just chilling!!

Quiet day today after the last hectic week, can't believe we've been away for only a week, we seem to have done so much. Perhaps an open top bus trip round Sydney then sample some Aussie wine.

Off to Blue Mountains tomorrow - I've changed settings so you can add your comments now, if you would like to!!

Hong Kong Still

Today its Thursday, our 2nd day in Hong Kong what an amazing place, we went to The Peak, which is the highest part of Hong Kong everyone else took the tram, if only we'd known! it nearly killed us!!amazing views of Hong Kong and the Bay. The shops are to die for, not a Primark in sight!!! Today we went to Lantau Island to a Buddist Monastry apparently the biggest Buddah in the World, we climbed to the top another exhausting day!! Have just eaten in the middle of a street market, amazing food and so cheap. Tomorrow evening Friday we fly off to Sydney, Hong Kongs been great, but too many people for us country folk.

The great news is tomorrow is spending day!! but don't tell Chris, I've ordered new specs, designer ones cost me 50pounds, and everything else is tax and duty free!

Hong Kong

We reached Hong Kong this morning after a long journey. The airport was like a ghost town, but nothing prepared us for the hussle and bussle of Kowloon - wow!!! a shoppers paradise Chris could have got measured up for600 suits and we could have bought 1,000 fake Rolex watches!!!
The weather is warm,but humidity not too bad, particularly for those of us still coughing away!!! few more people than in Champ d'oeuf, early night tonight, then ready for some serious sightseeing tomorrow.

Farewell from France!!!

Thank you to all our French friends for their send off last night, John had penned a rendition of Tie Me Kangaroo down Sport with a verse each for both of us!!! everyone sang, John played his guitar and we all had a digeridoo to accompany!!see below for words- and we were given a string of corks which Chris will put round his hat with anyothers we collect - not many of course!!! we were told of another use for the corks - but far to rude for our readers. We'll miss you all 2007 was a great year, and we've made some fantastic new friends, of course not forgetting our friends and family from the UK we'll miss you all.

So sing along with us
Chris's verse -
"Give the tinnies a miss Chris
Give the tinnies a miss
Don't want to go on the piss Chris
So give the tinnies a miss
Altogether Now -

Tie me Kangaroo down sport
tie me kangaroo down
Tie me kangaroo down sport
tie me kangaroo down

Sues verse -
Play your digeridoo Sue
play your digeridoo
Keep playing 'til I shoot Sue
play your digeridoo
Altogether now

Off we Go

Hello from Cold France we are busy getting ready for our adventure which begins on Sunday. We have had a fantastic Christmas and New Year with friends and family, now looking forward to departing for Paris on Sunday, where we take our flight to Hong Kong on Monday, where we will stay for 3 nights in Kowloon then off to Australia. Keep in Touch, we look forward to hearing from you. We will update out Blog most days.