Friday 30th October 2015

Got way behind with the BLOG - so just a bunch of dot points to prompt Mal's memory. He needs all the help he can get.

Depart Coolah

Castlereigh Highway to Lithgow - annoying ute passes us and then slows down, and then speeds up and then is all over the place speed wise - not deliberately, just no cruise control and probably other things on his mind.

Warratahs on the Bell's line of Road - Sue stops for a quick photo session

2 x new tyres in Windsor - Jannine and Glen encourage us to replace one of our rear tyres - so we replace both as a pair.

Ian and Christine's place beside the Hawsberry River is on a high ridge looking down on the river - a beautiful view.

We take Gertie out of the trailer ready for the run into Sydney in the morning.

A quiet evening with Ian, Christine and their seven dogs. Yes seven basically rescue greyhounds. The industry has problems and it will be hard to find a solution before every man woman and child in Australia has a dozen greyhounds sitting on their couch watching TV.

Saturday 31st October

Well it seemed early but with day light saving it was 9am by six O'Clock in the morning.

We meet Donna and we say good bye to Ian and Christine

We ran into Sydney along Windsor Road, Old Windsor Road, the M2, Lane Cove Tunnel and onto the Eastern Distributor.

15 minutes to go the last one kilometer - aew we thinking of relocating to Sydney? I'll let you guess the answer to that.

TnT in Surry Hills are expecting us - it is always so great to see them.

Grover the new dog is introduced.

Tiger goes to a Hallowheen trick or treat night.

We go out for Pizza - which is an interesting experience - Mal would have preferred his pizza baked a little longer - he is getting fussy about Pizza his favourite meal.

Mal goes to bed - thunder overhead but only a little promised rain eventuates.

Sunday 1st November

A genuine late start to the day.

Blue skies so we go to Bronte Beach, the water is fresh, the beach is pretty full. Each group has about 20 square meters of beach, a small gap and then the next group. Everyone is calm and once we get used to sitting in each other's laps the sun and surf are glorious. This is Europe in Australia - how different from the deserted beached in South Australia.

Fish and chips in the park

Walk back up the giant hill - it is crowded with houses like the beach is crowded with people. Mostly old houses but slowly being replaced by architect designed boxes.

High above the beach we have Ice cream on a park bench - the view is splendid.

Drive home past Centennial Park and witness the long term parking on street where people leave their boats and trailers they can't take home to show their wives.

Tahnee and Mal go shopping for the dinner with Marco

Marco and his daughter Jasmine come for tea - they are both charming and intelligent, a real pleasure to spend time with them both.

The thunder and rain arrive -0 we are all happy to have an early night.

Monday 2nd November

The rain has stopped

It's Monday morning so it is all systems go

We head out into the traffic and do the Lane Cove Tunnel twice before we get off to see Nick at L&P photographic store.

The pipe in the bathroom has burst and the place is partially flooded

We speak with Ywan who owns an 800 MV parked out the front.

The new Sony A7R2 - very interesting for Sue - this is a significant upgrade option.

The Canon 5Dsr for Mal - 50 MegPix full frame DSLR - yes, well maybe, but not just now, we will see.

The new Phase One XF camera - not a single one in the shop - too bad - again Mal would like one but it is an expensive camera so lots of reasons to procrastinate about that one - at last Mal's life long commitment to procrastination starts to pay dividends.

We go looking for the Cape Moreton - Mal served on this ship when he was just a lad of 17. It has been decommissioned and just sits tied to a wharf.

We find Berry Island and The Old Coal Terminal but we can't get up close and personal with the ship. We will have to arrange a ferry ride next time.

Back onto the roads - over the bridge - bang we are in George Street - we find our way out and then we are heading South to Sylvania Waters - no kidding that is where they live.

Bronwyn and Dave's for lunch

The Oberon Farm key so we can go and camp on their land in the mountains - this we will do.

We head for Windsor

An orange skyline car with a tattooed arm drives by, he has a fake seat belt so it looks like he has a seat belt on - he looks like he will be in jail soon, if he hasn't already had several holidays there. For obvious reasons Mal doesn't kick his door in as he moves slowly past in traffic.

The traffic

The heat

The traffic

The heat

Endless summer, endless Sydney

Finally the M2

Windsor Road mmmmm

Later we find out we actually shpuld have stayed on the M2 and waited for the Old Windsor Road

Repco for tie downs -

The final run on Pit Town Road

Donna in the wood pile cleaning up a mess caused by a lightning strike.

Loading the bike - a bit time consuming.

Filling the camper with water - that is a God send

A sunset over the river

The flies depart the mosquitos arrive

And we pack it in early and go to bed

Tuesday 3rd November

Well we are ready to hit the road again. A light mist is falling and the river is soft and grey. We don't stop for breakfast but chug up the steep drive and wave good bye to Ian and Christine - thanks for the hospitality.

When we reach the road at the top of the hill we see a sign, Wiseman's Ferry, well that is not a place or state of mind to be missed, so we turn away from the right (that is also called left),

The sand and gravel trucks are almost like the train, just slightly disconnected. There are dozens of them hauling gravel back to Sydney from at least three giant gravel pits we spotted.

The road ties it's self in knots as it curls and twists down to the small town of W.F.

The day is grey and going to stay that way, Sue wants a washing machine, so we find a little caravan park down next to the river and hole up for the day. Sue washes, downloads photos and potters around. Mal sets up his studio in a shelter shed and spends all day with his water colours extracting what he can from scenes of the mist shrouded river. He has a long way to go, but he keeps trying.

We BBQ some chops and have a snug evening meal in Vicki. We have travelled about 25km, another big day out on the highways and by ways.