Day 28: Sydney . . . Thursday 22nd November

Stayed put today and booked in for another night at the "Sheraton" of Caravan Parks, might need to do a "casual" today on the Sydney Telegraph to pay for the site fees. Tried to get in touch with Michelle to arrange a meet but it didn't come off. After a really bad storm last night we awoke to more grey skies and the threat of another storm and bad weather for the rest of the week, being British and extremely tough we didn't let that stop us and packed our wet gear (yes we really did bring some) in the rucksack and made off on the bus armed with our "Day Tripper" tickets ($16 each for all the bus, trains and ferries you can eat). We arrived at Manley Wharf and immediately went to have a look at Manley Beach, as instructed by one an all, where we did a bit more "chatting" . . . it looked as if it would have been really spectacular under even a little sun! From there we went to catch a ferry and as we had 40 minutes to spare we thought we would give Spencer a bell before he went to bed as this is one of his and Lynda's favourite spots. He was delighted when he woke up as I had got the time wrong . . . it was 2 a.m. and not 10 p.m. as I had calculated. To say he was delighted to hear from us is an understatement and untrue, but we managed to fill in the pregnant pauses and finished the call a little sooner than we might have. Funnily he did seem genuinely happy that it was raining in Sydney? On the ferry and over to Circular Quay (check out the pics), we saw the Opera House and some people walking across the Harbour Bridge, rather them than me it was blowing a gale in the harbour. We were told to go straight to Darling Harbour which we did and this was a really "Buzzin" place with loads to do and see, which we did and saw. The whole area has been planned meticulously to provide an inviting, fun and yet relaxing environment . . . even on a less than perfect day. Even though it is very contemporary there is plenty on hand for young and old alike to enjoy. The whole city seemed very well cared for, clean, bright and fresh . . . think you might of guessed that we liked it. This is the place where the BMW's, Mercs and Porkers are kept in Oz as there are precious few anywhere else to be seen, so we assume there is plenty of wonga knocking around in Sydney. We went to China Town early evening and had a really excellent meal at a little restaurant, we did the usual trick and looked for the place that all the Chinese were eating in . . . result! Eyes were bigger than our bellies and I had to ask them to pack up the scallops to Take Away, which we have just tucked into before writing this blog. Although a little reluctant to go in to Sydney, we were encouraged by all that we spoke to, that it would be a mistake if we missed it and that proved to be the case as we had a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Day 29: Sydney to Lake Lyell . . . . Friday 23rd November

Left early this morning to see the Blue Mountains (which could have been so much better if viewed through a little sunshine though it proved to be grey and raining) located approx 60k behind Sydney. Travelled through Windsor, Richmond . . . . sound familiar? On to Mount Tomah and stopped off at lookout point (see pics) then diverted to Mount Wilson. The terrain was green with tree-covered mountains for mile-upon-mile through National Park areas then once again an oasis appears and you could be driving through a tree-lined road in Kent or Sussex with beautiful landscaped gardens so green, albeit with Palm trees and enormous houses. The inhabitants must have to drive some distance to the nearest town, but they are used to that. Next onto Lithgow through the original town, properties built early nineteen hundreds and the original tenants look as through they are still there (do you get my meaning?) All the new properties are sizeable, in fact nearly all the new builds are very large but with not so much land around them. New developments are happening everywhere with new roads to boot, all looks very nice. Managed to find a site at Lake Lyell for the night, the lake is used by water skiers.

Day 30: Lake Lyell to Corrimal Beach . . . Saturday 24th November

Woke up to more rain and decided to take our leave of the Blue Mountains (should be called grey mountains) very much like the Lake District for weather but not as pretty. We travelled through Katoomba as it was supposed to be really nice, but the weather was at its worst there and we just kept going and got on the road towards Campbelltown and on to Woolongong to Corrimal Beach 6k down the road. This site was right on the beach accompanied with blue skies and we took advantage of that and went for a walk to "check it out". After dinner we went along the beach again and Maureen wrestled the "Port Jackson Shark" ashore in order to create a photo opportunity to send the "little 'uns". Got chatting to a couple of local lads fishing, they had caught a couple of Australian Salmon and Maureen asked them if she could put one of them back as it was still "flapping around", it was then we were told the Port Jackson Shark should have been returned to the sea because it was a protected species! We obviously had to come clean and admit it was already dead when we found it!Day 31: Corrimal Beach . . . Sunday 25th November

Day of rest and because of the need to do some washing (sleeping bags, pillows as well as clothes) we decided to stay put for another day at Corrimal. Maureen went for her early morning run at 8 a.m. and was completely taken by surprise by the number of surfers, joggers and swimmers already on the beach doing their thing and as the site was still apparently asleep she didn't know where they had all come from . . . it was like another world on the other side of the dunes! We had a phone call from Michelle saying that she was sorry she hadn't picked up our email before, we had a good chat and it was lovely to hear from her. If everything works out OK we will see her in Melbourne in a fortnight.

Day 32: Corrimal Beach to Seven Mile Beach, Gerrora . . . Monday 26th November

Travelled through Wollongong, and stopped at the town beach where there was sea water swimming pools, one for men and another for women? This seems to be the norm wherever these pools occur. The whole area seems to be the place to come for exercising, "walking, cycling, jogging, swimming and canoeing". This was another area singled out for "high-end" development with the inevitable golf courses everywhere. On from there we travelled through Port Kembla, the majority of this area was owned by the steel works, which was a thriving concern and very much a part of the local economy, and whilst it was not pretty it was encouraging to see such industry flourishing with dozens of boats queuing up at sea waiting to come in and collect/deliver their loads. From there to Shell Harbour (pics) a completely different harbour we had previously been to and it was very popular with locals for fishing (catching their tea!) Lunch stop was at Bombo Beach, another lovely beach which we were above and had the advantage of a good breeze to cool us. Looking back from the beach, the view was of beautiful high rolling hills and all verdantly green. We were advised to go and look at the "blow hole" at Kiama where the sea comes in under the rocks where there is a fissure and the water spouts up through the gap at intervals. Our penultimate stop was at Werri Beach, home of another seafront pool and on from there to our overnight stop at Seven Mile Beach, Gerrora. I was warned that there was 160 schoolkids camping there for the night but decided to book in anyhow. We will see the wisdom of that decision in the morning, although it has started to rain quite heavily now which should dampen their ardour a little . . . maybe!