John and the Galston Gorge

The two events are totally unconnected. I have been communicating with John Walker for some time before travelling to Australia and by internet during our time here. I wanted to know something about the church here and John graciously responded to my request to meet up.


I had a suspicion that Australia was quite Christian and I had already had this confirmed when I read the weekend paper before meeting John. I learned that this state of of NSW was the most religious with 76% believers, but even more telling was the news; I quote, trying not to give offence that Tasmania has the largest percentage of 'People living in sin before they are married' of any other state. Wow - have they not come across the term cohabitation or 'partner'?

John was very Australian, more than punctual, very polite and generous and somewhat older than me. We enjoyed coffee in 'Gloria Jeans' which is a chain of cafes that John tells me are connected with the 'Hill Song' church. After a good, long conversation we parted company and I will try to keep in touch.

When I got home I could not find my key. It did not dawn on me to ring the bell of the locked front door so I made my way around the back with the intention of tipping out the contents of all the pockets on my bag and person. It was then that I saw mum sitting in the dining room having lunch. This did not help find my key, so back to 'Gloria Jeans' I drove in the Camry. I had rightly surmised that the key had fallen from my bum-bag when I took out my wallet and lo and behold the assistant passed over the shiny red key.

Berowra Creek at Galston Gorge

There was time for lunch and, because the Camry was available, a short trip out to the bush was in order. We headed for the Galston Gorge, not knowing whether we would be able to stop near it. Google street view had covered it, but I saw no sign of parking. Before the gorge bridge is a steep down hill very winding road. The bridge is a single lane plank bridge and there was a small car park and once again we found ourselves by the Berowra Creek and on the Great North Walking Track. We had time for a short steep and rugged ramble and back home to let Sally pick up the girls from their first day at their new child care. I am told that the facility was appreciated by all.

Two SATNAVs and Still Lost

On Monday mum and I went for walk down to the Parramatta information centre and along the river. You could get some idea of the reasons for the poor relationships between the Aborigines and the Europeans. It seems to be as the history books tell us. Whole tribes were wiped out; children were kidnapped and westernised. I spoke to an old Ozy yesterday and the fear of the Aborigines is still real.


I also saw that much of the pressure for Australia becoming a republic is from the newer immigrants (Chinese and Indian). Again this was confirmed by my friend at the park. He was pretty much not bothered either way. I wonder what the younger generation Ozy thinks.

We walked down to the rivercat stop. The river is blocked by a weir at this point.

We had a leisurely icecream at a Sudenese shop. Very tasty; we were given tastes of the different ones.

We arrived back to find out that Sally was called to take the Camry in for minor repairs 30 minutes earlier. First we had to go out to Cherrybrook to collect it. We attempted to set up both SATNAVs to get us to the Camry garage. At first Sally led with my SATNAV continuously recalculating. She gave up. I led until Sally came to the conclusion that we were heading the wrong way. I did a turn left; hoping to go around but finished on the motorway. At this point Sally overtook. The map had won. Before going back to collect the Camry I did an intersection check on Google when this was put into the SATNAV we took 15 minutes instead one and half hours. Should I tell Garmin?

Yesterday we went Featherdale Wildlife Park. It would take to long to list the variety of Australian wildlife on show. Zoe enjoyed looking and Emily enjoyed walking around. She has still not learned the lesson on taking on a kangaroo. She got away with it this time.


In the afternoon mum and I took Zoe to the park. She played, I spoke to an Australian grandad. He has story to tell. He was abought up in the back of a lorry, they then moved to live on the water before finally getting a house. His wife's family lived in two caves and had to move out when the world got to be less secure.

Olympic Pool Day

This morning we visited Sydney's Olympic Village - in particular the Olympic Pool. It covers a vast area with many pools including the fun pools.

Sally, Emily, Zoe and Nan togged up. Suddenly there was a small drama. Nan, who is the only person I know who can swim without a bathing hat and keep her hair dry was drenched. In the 'fun' end there is a giant bucket fed by water. The contraption is designed to topple over at a particular water level. There are warning bells, but nan did not understand what they meant.


Despite the soaking they all had fun and we ended with a feast of hot food, doughnuts etc.

Everyone is now resting, except for Sally who is charging about sorting child care and Ian who is at his second day of work.

One of the cars is in for minor repairs and we are improvising with one. It was a bit hairy following Sally along roads we were not familiar, even the SATNAV got confused, but I managed to keep the Camry in the convoy.

Arrival

It is now Monday evening at 5.40 pm. It has been dark for sometime.
We landed safely on Friday night; having circled the Australian sky waiting for a landing slot. Ian met us.The air was cold and we were dressed for the 32 degs of Hong Kong. Fairly straight to bed. Saturday was familiarisation and shopping. On Sunday we did meet some of the wild life.


Today has been Medicare and car day. You wait in a very sophisticated queue system and collect a form. On Saturday Sally and Ian return to the queue with completed form. The afternoon was more interesting. Sally collected a cheque and then we set off to the garage. The Camry was about ready for collection. The deal was done. I drove the petrolless Camry back to the apartment. Why don't they put petrol in or maybe be close to a filling station.
The car is now in the apartment garage and Sally has gone off in the Zafira to pick up Ian after his first days work.
Sally and Ian now have two cars and a house which they can move into on 23rd; furniture or no.
Emily and Zoe are coping with the move very well.

Cheese and Ale Day

On the 13th we woke up to a dramatic sky and watched a small liner sail into Napier harbour.

Having cleared up we made or way south leaving the family behind. We were to find out later that we really left them behind. Their flight home was cancelled. How do you cope with two infants in a small airport. At least they slept on the plane home.

Our first port of call was a cheese factory. It wasn't that brilliant and after morning coffee/tea we departed Napier in the Camry bound for and Wellington.

Next on the itinerary was the Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka on H2. One Henry Wagstaff (1836-1911); an English rouge stopped at the spot where the brewery stands and made himself a cup of tea. It was the best cup of tea that he had ever tasted so he decided to settle their and brew beer.

The Tui adverts are amongst the funniest I have seen and the visit was fun from the beginning; starting with a glass of Tui bitter which mum enjoyed as the picture shows.

Even a visit to the toilet was fun. The fittings were converted barrels.

We were fortunate to turn up on the one day that they bottled the beer. Our guide grabbed more bottles off the belt. It is true that such beer tastes the best.


So, having grabbed our 'STOLEN FROM TUI BREWERY' beer glasses we set off down the SH2.

The road over the mountains was an adventure. We should have pulled in for coffee. It would have helped with the drive in Wellington.

Wellington is a very compact city with a complicated one way system.

Once more the SAT NAV failed us. We set it for 120 Lambton Quay; the address of Lambton Serviced Apartments. Even though the SAT NAV lady said 'Destination on left' there was nothing to be seen but a Bureau de Change. Having passed the destination the lady directed us to the right. First we went back north on SH2, then back around the one way system. At this point I decided to switch the lady off and turn left. A parking space presented itself and I watched as the meter moved to 6:00 and all $4 of parking. Ten yards from this spot was the reception for our stay. Having registered we were directed to the across street car parking.

This not the end of the story.

Here at last. The journey took 8 hours.