Sydney - Day 1

I always wondered why they called it 'The big smoke', but then I saw a program the other day that had someone standing on a hill in the country and looking to the far-off major city - which had smoke stacks and palls of smoke.  Hmmmm, 'the big smoke' made perfect sense then. 

The plane wasn't full for the flight to Sydney and we were delayed half an hour getting away (something about batteries in stowed luggage) - which may or may not have been why the flight attendants were so friendly and helpful - or why we ended up with nearly  half a dozen of the morning tea lemon cakes.  They will make wonderful snacks over the next couple of days while we're in Sydney.

There was no shortage of smoke today as we flew into Sydney.  We had heard they had been burning off around the city and they certainly were still at it.  We could see a line of smoke along at least one ridge.  

I was on the far aisle seat so I wasn't expecting to see much as we flew in over Sydney's northern suburbs - so it was a wonderful surprise to get more than a glimpse of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

It's eight months since we were last in Sydney and each time we come we are sure that our decision to move north to the Gold Coast to live was the right decision - but it's always good to visit.  I'm keen to do a red bus ride around the city, and also to go to see the Ramses exhibition at the Australian Museum.  And did someone say there was a Banksy exhibition on as well?

We had lunch at the QVB and we are still trying to work out what the side dish that came with our sandwich and spanikopita.  It looked like tiny little marbles of several colours.  I had one bite but Sooz was brave and had several spoonsful.  Mmmmmm.

This afternoon I had a bit of a wander around the CBD - and managed to fall in to a shop that had loads of Lamy and Moleskine product - and was having a 10% storewide sale.  I may have to think about it and go back tomorrow to see which items would like to come home with me.   

The city is certainly busy - I think there are some tourists (at least one from Belgium I spoke with about cameras)  as well as the workers, and chraity collectors and ... well, yes, everybody else.  I saw more than a couple of dogs as well, one in the Myer food hall- in a stroller which was manouevered up the escalator. I tried to get a photograph but didn't quite manage it - but the owner noticed and we exchanged smiles and waves.

Monday - Day Thirteen - Toowoomba to Home

It wasn't too early a start today - and yes, the motel is soundproofed enough for us not to have been woken  by the planes taking off from the aerodrome which is over their back fence. 

Before we left Toowoomba we had more family visiting - Mum arrived back from Sydney this morning so we caught up with her and heard about the Christening we hadn't gone to and her time with the family in "the big smoke".  

We set off around lunchtime to miss the morning and afternoon traffic into the Gold Coast - stopping in at Plainlands on the way for a coffee and a photograph of Sooz with their Christmas tree. 

Nigey was very happy to be collected from Aunty Rosemary's boarding establishment but she seemed a bit different - more clingy - than other times when she has stayed there.  She has stayed there longer in a single stretch but ... no, she doesn't seem quite  as chipper as she usually is.  Hmm.  

We will do the unpacking tomorrow - it will be good not to have to pack it all into the car again the next day.  I say that now but I am already thinking about whether when we can fit another road trip in - and whether taking in the Silos in South Australia is too ambitious a trip to fit into two weeks.  Hmmmm.  So - until next trip ... 

Sunday - Day Twelve - Gundy to Toowoomba

We had Brekkie at Maccas. There might be something to the yellow espresso machines in Queensland because the coffee was better today - and the hotcakes were the hottest (in temperature) that Sooz has ever had. The hashies (hash browns) were hot as well.

First stop for the day was Yelarbon - and painted silos I had wanted to see for some time. When I say 'first stop', that's not counting the four sets of traffic lights at roadworks (or where there will be roadworks during the week) we stopped at along the way. Even in the country we can't get a green wave!

The Silos were magnificent.

We've only driven in to Toowoomba this way once before and it was different from coming up the range. We did end up on the Second Range Crossing (aka Toowoomba Bypass), taking us past the Wellcamp Airport and through a 'back road' into Toowoomba proper.

It was a good decision to go home this way rather than Stanthorpe because we were able to catch up with family for the afternoon before we ended up back in an air-conditioned motel for the late afternoon.

We went out to a takeaway shop we know and like for our dinner and we had timed it so we were there just coming on dark so we could collect our meals and then drive home so we could see the Christmas lights. There were some wonderful displays on the way back to the motel - and because we have been in Toowoomba at Christmas before, we knew where some were - but we were happily surprised by others. The ones near the Toowoomba Aerodrome (not Wellcamp Airport) must look amazing when the smaller planes that can use the aerodrome fly in at night.  Santa must get an amazing view too!

Saturday - Day Eleven - The Ridge to Goondiwindi (Gundy)

It was due to be in the 40's again in The Ridge, so we were happy to be leaving for Gundy today. But breakfast first, and after cruising up and down the main drag, we decided on The Gecko Cafe - because it was air-conditioned and they had seats available inside. I liked their sign for the Security System. 

First stop along the way was Hebel, not that far up the track. We stopped there for a pit stop and to photograph the hotel. It's been a while since we were there and I can't be sure but the town seems to have grown.

Next stop Dirranbandi and their cafe which features The Bench of Bullshit - and Merlo coffee. When the guy behind the counter asked what we'd been up to, I said we were driving from The Ridge to Gundy, and asked how long it was to Gundy (because the different navigation apps kept giving me different times - up to an hour's drive difference). He mentioned Thallon and I said we'd already been there - he smiled (I think) and suggested if we went by Thallon it would be much faster. Go to Thallon, turn left he said. Which seemed perfectly reasonable until we got there - was it left at the junction into Thallon, or left at Thallon. Hmmmm. We took a guess and ended up on the road to Daymar - and then followed the GPS and turned right - onto the gravel road for 25 km - my least favoured driving surface. 

At least we will have the memory of the Christmas decorations we were passing - either community-based or individual's. There were Santas, and trees, and decorated (old) agricultural equipment, and tinsel. I'm sure you could do a coffee-table book of Australian bush Christmas decos on fences and near gates. They go to a lot of trouble in the bush - and in the towns. Thallon was a case in point - with a Christmas tree in the park, the Wombat with the Santa hat, and the tinselled statues around town. 

At Toobeah we noticed a large herd of cattle by the side of the road. We wondered if it was the mob we had heard about on the radio on our last trip - they being grazed along the 'long yard' to ensure they had enough feed, and we're on their way to market. Could this be them? They had cattle, a caravan, a horse float. I thought about going back and asking but realised I could go back and find the interview and hear their planned route and timing.

We drove into Gundy just after 2 pm and as I hadn't booked ahead, we needed to decide on a place to stay. As Gundy is the home of the famous Gunsynd (racehorse) it seemed a shame not to stay at the Gunsynd Motel as we drove the streets we decided we didn't want to stay next door to a service station - so we ended up around the corner from it. 

We had dinner at the historic Royal Hotel - lamb cutlets for Sooz, ribs for me (because I wanted the coleslaw side!). The meal was great but I was disappointed with my Sars drink. I know they no longer have real Sars on tap in Queensland but I would have been happier with a Bundaberg Sarsaparilla rather than a Sars cordial with water - not even fizzy water. Hmmm. Sooz's orange juice, out of the same post-mix hose, was fine.

Friday - Day Ten - The Ridge

It is incredible what someone can do with a butter knife, a fork and a whole lot of time.  The someone is Ron Cranlin and he responsible for creating the tourist attraction known as 'The Chambers of the Black Hand'.  

Here's the information from their web site:  Venture 12m underground for a truly immersive art experience viewing 900 sculptures hand carved into the sandstone walls. You will be amazed by the detail and variety of artist Ron Canlin’s sculptures as you make your way through all 26 Chambers. This is a one of a kind experience where there is something for everyone and you won’t believe it until you see it with your own eyes!

I admit that after I booked last night, I started having second thoughts about going that far underground - not knowing exactly what to expect.  When I arrived, there was no evidence of anything much - there was a larger structure, and two tinier structures - all only single-storey and made of corrugated iron.  

Lift (near the ute), bathroom, and entrance via the stairs.

Hmmm ... who knew there were going to be so many stairs straight down (well, not literally but it may as well have been) to the Chambers.  At that point, I told the attendant that I would be cancelling ... which is when she told me there was a lift.  A lift?  A lift?  Why didn't they say that in the brochure?  Well, because the new 5-person lift isn't there yet ... the one they do have is a 3 ft wide enclosed hoist which can take two people at a time (one guest and the driver) and goes down through a hole not much larger.  Claustrophobic?  Yes, a lot, but I was able to contain my panic as John the hoist driver told me about the different layers of geological material we were passing through - and there were a few!  I have never been so happy to get out of a lift!  

One of the three Buddhas - all were blessed by monks in the Chambers.

It was worth it though.  How Mr Canlin could visualise the Chambers - the different themes and how to make free standing structures out of sandstone is beyond my comprehension.  He has now retired and is currently making sculptures out of trees with a chainsaw - that's when he's not carving emu eggs.

They're not there yet but I am planning to put a heap of photographs from the Chambers on kazbah33pics.com

After the Chambers I went in search of - and found - the Predator and Alien statues in Lightning Ridge.  I had passed them on the way to the Chambers without actually seeing them.  The photographs I'd seen had them standing on buses but apparently they have been taken down from those prime positions because the owner of the property thought people were thinking he had made them - as well as the other sculptures there.  They're now at ground level, behind a fence, with other friends.  Predator and Alien are up for sale - so we made this trip at the right time because we could have missed them - and who knew how far we would have had to go to find them. 

The temperature here continues to be in the low 40's.  Thank goodness for air conditioning in the Bowlo where we had dinner and could see this close-up of the big bird on the way into Lightning Ridge.

Thursday - Day Nine - Dubbo to The Ridge

Did someone say hot? We could not believe how hot it was today - and yes, the bitumen was melting when we stopped for lunch in Walgett, home of the water tower with Jimmy little's likeness.

Yes, we have left Dubbo behind us and are on our way to Lightning Ridge (aka The Ridge) - home to numerous attractions including opal fossicking and mining, The Chamber of the Black Hand , the (four) car door tours and so on, but we're here for the Predator and Alien statues.  But more of that tomorrow. 

One of the problems with travelling in 40 plus degrees heat is that it is hard to make yourself get out of the car - to do anything really, even taking photographs, or going from Ravi to a cafe to have lunch.  And that's important because there's sometimes not that big a choice of places to eat.  The cafe in Walgett was just closing when we got there - it seemed early but we now know that lots of country cafes do close early.  They were kind enough to make us sandwiches and let us sit in the cafe to have our lunch.  The only other one there was a lovely Christmas Tree complete with very large beautifully wrapped presents. We resisted the urge to pick them up and shake them to see what was in them.  

Coonabarabran - silo art

 

Gilgandra - tourist information centre - and map

Never know where we're going to end up.

We are staying in a two-bedroom cabin at the Big 4 Caravan Park and it's very nice and certainly spacious enough for us and our luggage which has its own room.  I've still managed to spread heaps of gear around the living area though including the slab of bottled water we picked up as we left Dubbo - because our mate Jo told us to:  do not drink the watch in Lightning Ridge!  It's been good to have the bottles especially given how hot it is.  We've just been throwing them into the (excellent) freezer and part-freezing them.  It takes a couple of hours and they are perfectly iced - and with some ice in them as well.  Perfect, especially as, try as hard as it might (is it something we're doing?) the air-conditioner doesn't seem to be coping, even though we've closed off the rooms we've not using.

Mural at Gilgandra Museum

 

Water tank - Walgett - Jimmy Little.

The good news is that we did pack Sooz's neck fan and she says it works very well.  We haven't unpacked the portable fan from Ravi yet but it's there if we need it.  Hopefully it won't just come for the ride like it did on the Hughenden trip.

Pretty big bird on the highway on the way to Lightning Ridge.

On the way back from dinner at the "Bowlo" last right we saw a house that had truly been given over to Christmas lighting.  It was the only one we saw but we may go hunting for more tomorrow night.

Wednesday - Day Eight - Dubbo

Macca's coffee seems to have gone bad again. We had thought when we found a Macca's with a yellow machine it would be better. Alas, it was not. We'll keep trying but I may be making our coffee from now on - and sneaking it in to Macca's when we're having a hot cakes breakfast. We definitely won't be choosing to sit outside if this heat wave continues. It's supposed to be 40 degrees in the State's north tomorrow - which is where we're headed - Lightning Ridge.

The cheetahs came out to hear the Keeper talk - but no food for them today.

As I was left the motel for the Zoo today, the person who would have made up our room if we'd wanted, reminded me to keep out of the heat and sun, stay hydrated, and remember it's always a few degrees hotter at the Zoo. And, believe me, I was so grateful to have the air conditioning in Ravi - I had thought about it for a moment - cart or air-conditioning and decided I didn't need to take the cart out today. I couldn't help but wonder what the people who were riding bicycles around the Zoo thought about their decision not to take their cars. It's a long way round the circuit (about 5km) if you're on a bicycle - and there are no short-cuts back. I wasn't sure how the couple from Switzerland who were on bikes would go.

I was stunned when I called in at Macca's on the way back from the Zoo, looking for the longest, coldest drinks I could find to take back to Sooz at the motel. Their cold milk drink machines was working! I had worried there would be a run on cold drinks and they would have been unable to cope - but they are obviously made of sterner stuff than that.
 

Sooz spent the morning sensibly ensconced in the motel room with the air conditioning keeping it cool. I was happy to join her there for the afternoon - going through pics from the Zoo this morning, having a nap, and thinking about doing some reading (nope) and watching some "The Mentalist" (yes). There are other things I want to see in Dubbo but decided they can wait until we come back in Winter - or at least not when there's a heat wave.  

We decided not to go out for dinner tonight - it was 37 degrees at 6.30pm - so we ordered Room Service - Pork cutlet for Sooz, a T-bone for me. Yum.

Savannah Safari

Without the benefit of the Netflix channel (Dad & Mum's profile is still not working) we resorted to commercial television - Rick Stein's something or other, 'Hard Quiz' and then 'Lewis'.

I'm planning to be up early in the morning so we can rejig the packing and get everything back in to Ravi for the next leg of our trip.

Tuesday - Day Seven - Dubbo

Hippo

 
We breakfasted at the Short Street Store Cafe where they made a delicious coffee and 'Eggs Your Way'. Afterwards I dropped Sooz back to the motel so she could have some 'quiet time' after the commotion that was a weekend with my family - enjoyable, yes, but full-on nonetheless.
I had bought my Taronga Western Plains Zoo ticket online and had no problems when I drove up to the entry gate. I had decided not to hire the electric cart - since Sooz wasn't going to be with me, and because it was going to be hot - 34 degrees had been forecast and as I drove around the Zoo in our air-conditioned Ravi, I was very grateful. I had to get out to photograph the animals and they seemed a bit lacklustre in the heat - quite understandable. 

Lemur lunch.

I was lucky when I made it to the Lemurs. I was sitting there thinking I couldn't possible walk the extra distance to the Gibbons in the heat of the day - and as I sat there I watched the one Lemur I had managed to sight - who was in a tree with three more Lemurs. Who knew? Then there was a commotion and a keeper appeared, carrying a bucket of food. She had a procession of Lemurs following her over to the feeding area. They are wonderful subjects especially when they are munching on food - and who knew they had some delicate hands and fingers.
I had wanted to go through the Lion area - there is a safari ride through their paddock but it isn't working at the moment because there are lion cubs. I also missed the Savannah Safari today - it only operates in the morning - as I realised while I read the Zoo map and additional information as I enjoyed lunch in their cafe. I fell into the gift shop after that - and managed to walk out without any purchases - although if had I known someone's size, Sooz and I would have been giving them a meerkat tee. (Sorry!)

Meerkat

Our motel is situated near all of the fast food outlets and we settled on KFC for dinner. It's a while since we've had it and we enjoyed it for a change, but that might be it for a while.

After dinner, we settled in for a movie and ended up watching 'Elf' on Netflix - which I was surprised to find on the television in the room. There were supposed to be movies on Foxtel, but I was happier with Netflix. Alas, I don't think it was the motel's account - and Dad & Mum's profile stopped working afterwards - I was just glad we were able to see Buddy (with some help) save Christmas. Last night (thanks again Dad & Mum's profile) we atched 'Love Actually' - yes, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Which reminds me, I should be doing something about getting the Christmas-themed gels on to Ravi's windows. 

Mum and Bub - not sure which species of Rhino.

Monday - Day Six - Cessnock to Dubbo

We were all up again early this morning - before 5am, and we spent a couple of hours talking, drinking coffee, watching the hot air balloons, and the birds in the tree outside the seating area.

Hot air balloon - one of three!

It was hard saying goodbye to the siblings this morning - and even harder for Wendy whose flight was delayed then cancelled - and the airline bussed her and her fellow passengers from Newcastle Airport to Sydney so they could catch a different plane to Brisbane. The original flight had been due in at just before 10 am; the flight she actually caught had her home at 11.30 pm - including the drive up from Brisbane to Toowoomba. She should have come back with us on the road trip.

Horse country - lovely to look at while we waited for a break in the asphalt spraying.

The drive from Cessnock to Dubbo was uneventful although we did see a few things along the way - open cut coal mining in the Hunter Valley, the 'bring out your dead' rubbish piles at Jerrys Plains , asphalt spraying on the way to Denman, the kookabura at the rest stop at Denman, the silo art at Merriwa and Dunedoo - and the Dunedoo Terminator!

Did someone say Terminator - and coffee?

The good news is that the dash cam snapshot facility is working.  The bad news is that the app I'm now using with it doesn't let me download the snapshots so I'm going to have to bring the dash cam in one night to do that.  I'm looking forward to seeing the shots I think I have - including a Minion and the spray from the aforementioned asphalt spraying. 

Kookaburra at Denman

Rest stop at Cassillis

Winx at Dunedoo

Sunday - Day Five - Cessnock to the Central Coast (and back)

The house is well set up for entertaining - inside and out and this morning the early risers were downstairs having coffee when the rest of us finally woke up, ready to face the day. It was only a few hours until Greg arrived to whisk Mum away to Sydney where she will stay the week before she flies home to Toowoomba. Unfortunately because of the timing, she was missing out on the visit with Bodhi - Wayne's 7-month old grandson. We almost met him when we were down this way last time - we drove past the day after he was born but because we hadn't had our whooping cough shots (yet) we didn't want to risk a visit. We have had our shots now - and it was so worth it. Bodhi is as cute as and as happy as he is in the photos his mother posts on Facebook. Bodhi's big brother, Winston (the Dalmatian) is also cute and we can see they are going to be great mates as they grow up together. 

Bodhi

Back in Cessnock, I took the opportunity while the others were either napping or relaxing with a beer to do a couple of small typing jobs that had come in - tis means I won't have to fit them in tomorrow morning before we set off for Dubbo.

Winston the Dalmatian (aka Winnie)

Saturday - Day Four - Cessnock and The Wedding

It was a leisurely start to the day - having another go at resetting Ravi's dash cam. Luckily Wayne had a sim pin/reset pin he carries around so I was able to do the reset and we'll see how that works now.

We were back down to the town this morning after breakfast - there was a script to fill at the chemist, a wedding present to get, and some AA batteries for Mum's radio. Our first stop was Cessnock Village - and while we were there the heavens opened - giving us a good excuse to sit back, relax and have a drink while we waited for the downpour to stop enough for us to make it to the car so we could drive down the block to the Reject Shop. There is lots of Christmas stuff there but I restrained myself and ended up with only some light-up holiday glasses (for Sooz and I).

And speaking of Christmas, since yesterday metres and metres and metres of red tinsel has been wound along the tops of the guard rails down the main street. They go in for large inflatible santas, elves, reindeer and canes in the area. Hopefully they'll also light them because they would look amazing lit up by night.

On the way home from the shops, we grabbed some lunch from 'the best takeaway in Cessnock' (it was good!). We wanted to be to the church for the wedding by 2.30 pm and left the house at 2.28 pm - and made it on time. We knew we still had plenty of time too because we passed the wedding cars on the way. How many weddings were there going to be in Cessnock today - we did wonder. But they were the cars for A & C because they were at the church when we came out!

 

The stone church - St Patricks, was lovely. Stained glass, wooden pews, and a three piece instrumental group to set the tone. It is a while since we have attended a wedding in a church but the service wasn't too religious - and the deakin performing the service did a wonderful job of moving the ceremony along at a 'lively and compelling' pace.

It did feel strange, though, not to be taking photographs. There was a 'no cameras during the service' policy and and it felt odd not to have the phone or the camera out, but it did mean I could focus on the words of the service not just the pictures.

Congratulations Chris and Abbie!

The GPS failed us again on the way to the reception - but luckily we found the wedding cars along the way, but decided not to follow them in to a vineyard which was no doubt going to provide the backdrop for more photographs of the bridal party.

The reception venue was lovely - amazing staff, food, and atmosphere. There was also a table tennis table out the back of the bar room - and someone had left two bats and a ball, and a net that was up on the table - and we needed no moreinvitation to play than that. Others wanted to play so we made sure to share!

A 'Happily Ever After' sign greeted us as we entered the reception hall and shone over us all for the night - the eating, the speeches, the eating, the speeches, the cake cutting, the dancing. I'm going to say that it was possible to have the best time and if you weren't able to, there wasn't anyone else to blame.

It was dark as we drove home through the wine country - there were patches of fog on the roads and we had been warned to watch out for kangaroos (stay to 70km/hour regardless of the posted limit, and keep the high beams on). We didn't see them but we did see an illuminated ferris wheel and a rather large Christmas lights display.