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19th February
NEWCASTLE, NSW, Australia
Docked early and opened the curtains to blue skies and temperatures of 25degrees.
Off on a Wine and Cheese trip today in the Hunter Valley. Set off at 9am and had a sightseeing tour through Newcastle before heading out into the countryside. We had two stops in the morning at different vineyards and plenty to taste! I haven’t got a clue with wines, the smell, bouquet or legs... I just go for the taste, but there I was, sniffing it, swirling it around the glass then sipping and swishing it around my mouth. I think it looked good and that I knew what I was doing but there was no way I was going to spit it out !!!!!!
By the time we stopped for lunch at yet another vineyard we were all 3 sheets to the wind but the lunch which was laid on for us was excellent. The only trouble was that there were 5 more wines to taste with it !!!!!! Thankfully the food soaked some up and dessert was followed by a cheese board.......and three different beers to taste each! Afterwards, we had a look round outside and Oh my god! the heat hit you as you stepped outside! It just nudged 40 degrees and my, did you know it!
We carried on for a stop at a lovely little shopping outlet with boutique shops and a beautiful garden where we saw parrots in the trees then the last shop was a chocolate factory. As we pulled in kangaroos were spotted in the next paddock which was a Mum and her baby. Had a nice ice cream and watched the kangaroos then started our journey back to the ship. Arrived back at 5.15pm after an excellent day out.
As we got back to our cabin the heat triggered off a wonderful thunder and lightning storm which I watched from the balcony.
20th February
SYDNEY, Australia Day 1
Woke up to us already being anchored just off Circular Quay as the Queen Elizabeth ship is in the dock. We will move over to that this evening once she leaves. There is also the Celebrity Solstice in too at anchor.
The skies looked a bit threatening with grey clouds so took our umbrella and Pac-a-Mac’s with us when we got the tender over to the shore at just 9am. We were dropped right next to the opera house so set off for a walk round Circular Quay and up George Street to head towards Paddy’s Market. Spent a couple of hours browsing round there then walked over to Darling Harbour for a drink and a late lunch after which we walked all the way round back along the waterfront back to Circular Quay. We had drizzle on and off but nothing that stopped us from being out. Got back on board at 5pm shattered but got ready for dinner and after had a lovely Aboriginal Dance Company come on to perform in the theatre.
Unfortunately we saw today that our “friend” Cyclone Oma is heading towards Brisbane now which is supposed to be our next stop so who knows if we’ll get there or not!!
21st February
SYDNEY, Day 2
Oh my god! Now not leaving Sydney until the 23rd due to Cyclone !!!
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