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Australia Feb 2018
  • Ali Stretton
  • Ali Stretton

Australia Feb 2018

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  • Ali StrettonAustralia Feb 2018Voyageur

    Sunshine Coast to Sydney

    24 février 2018, Australie ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Woke up to brighter skies today, typical as we are leaving to go back to Sydney. Said our goodbyes to Jenny and Steve and set off to the airport. Dropped the car off and checked in early. Our purchases made our bags overweight and as Jenny had sent us away with a bottle of Bombay Sapphire we had to pay a bit of excess baggage. Had some breakfast and then sat and watched the planes enjoying some sunshine. Really humid but no complaints. Lisa and Dave met us at the airport and after a quick stop at Dan Murphys to top up on booze and then a stop for ice cream it was back to the flat where they had prepared a lovely meal. We had a good catch up and went through a few bottles of wine, fell asleep on the sofa.En savoir plus

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  • Ali StrettonAustralia Feb 2018Voyageur

    Kitty Flanagan

    25 février 2018, Australie ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Felt a bit delicate this morning, but weather not great so we had a quiet morning. Went to Darling Harbour and had some food and then on to the Roslyn Packer Theatre. L&D had got tickets to see stand up comedienne Kitty Flanagan. Very funny. Got an Uber home in the damp weather. Watched a movie and had an early night. Weather going to improve in time for our next trip. We will be going to Canberra and on the way stop off at Jervis Bay for a couple of days of sun. Its Daves birthday so they have arranged to get together with some of their old friends from when they used to live in Canberra so that should be very good.En savoir plus

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  • Ali StrettonAustralia Feb 2018Voyageur

    Shopping, Sushi and Scallops

    26 février 2018, Australie ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Went for a wander around the shops. Went to a shopping mall, it had all the usual things, clothes shops, food outlets and of course the flip flop vending machine !! Had some yummy sushi for lunch and then went to pick up stuff for the evening meal. I was cooking Scallops with cardamom carrot puree and pancetta crisp, good old Barramundi fillet (left over and frozen from the last time) with salsa verde, carrott and courgette ribbons lemon crushed potatoes and asparagus wrapped in pancetta. Dessert was a ginger cheesecake using some ingredients bought from the ginger factory. Played some cards, big win for the boys had a couple of drinks and then early night ready for early start tomorrow for our journey to Jervis Bay.En savoir plus

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  • Ali StrettonAustralia Feb 2018Voyageur

    Fitzroy Falls, Hyams Beach

    27 février 2018, Australie ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Left Sydney at about 8.20. As suspected slow traffic but we picked up a takeaway coffee and despite a few drops of rain the sky looked clearer so we were hopeful of some better weather. We headed south on our way to Jervis Bay for a two day stop before moving on to Canberra. On the way we stopped off at Fitzroy Falls about 2000 ft up with stunning views across the valley. Didnt realise how high up we were which accounted for the chilly temperature 16 degrees C (ok I know its not Siberia but its as cold as we have been for a month). From there we went to Kangaroo Valley a small town, strangely no Kangeroos but it did have an award winning pie shop. I was tempted with the cheese burger pie but instead went for the Steak and Peppercorn sauce pie, delicious. We carried on to Hyams Beach, found the property we were staying in which was stunning. Had a walk down to the beach. A real natural beauty with a long sweep of sand flanked by forest. The sand was so white you couldnt look at it without sunglasses. We decided to spend the rest of the day on the beach as it was so nice.We stayed until 5.30 and then back to the house.I set up the BBQ Ali made a salad and we had Prawns with a spicy dip, sausages and onions. A few glasses of wine and an early night as it is going to be another lovely day tomorow.En savoir plus

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  • Ali StrettonAustralia Feb 2018Voyageur

    Murrays Beach, Bluebottles & Blenheim

    28 février 2018, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    After a coffee at the local cafe we drove to Murrays Beach. This is part of Boodaree Nationał Park the only park run by Aborigines. The beach is fantastic, a long sweep of beech bounded by forest. We had aswim and then the first drama of the holiday. Lisa was stung by a jelly fish, known as a bluebottle this smałl jelly fish has a long bright blue tendril which wrapped its self around Lisas leg and foot. We needed to get some cream from a chemist so we went in to Husskisson for some lunch. The Husky pub is a lively pub overlooking the water. We had some food and a few drinks, that and the cream helping to aleviate Lisas pain. Then off to Blenheim Beach, another beautiful small beach with a rocky outcrop at each end. Stayed till late afternoon and then back to the house for more beer and some nice Sardines on the BBQ. Played cards, girls won again.En savoir plus

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  • Ali StrettonAustralia Feb 2018Voyageur

    Canberra

    1 mars 2018, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    After a late checkout and a last sit on the beach we made the 2.5 hour drive to Canberra. A very different experience. Many make the comparison with Milton Keynes but on a bigger scale. Arrived at Bryony and Sarahs flat which would be our base for the visit. They used to be L&Ds neighbours when they lived in Canberra. Went up Mt Ainslie for a panoramic view of the city and then a quick drive round spotting some kangeroos in Weston Park. Back to the flat to get changed and then off to the bar to meet some of their Canberra friends to celebrate Daves birthday. Had a lovely evening a really nice bunch and can see why L&D liked it here so much. On our return Bryony had decorated the flat to celebrate with a Lamingtons Birthday cake and some interesting balloons.
    Main sightseeing tomorrow.    En savoir plus

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  • Ali StrettonAustralia Feb 2018Voyageur

    Canberra - War Memorial

    2 mars 2018, Australie ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Picked up some pastries and a coffee and sat by the lake in Weston Park with a view of some of the key Canberra landmarks. We first visited the War Memorial, a beautiful tribute to those Australians who have given their lives in conflicts past and present. Very peaceful and moving. The Memorial also houses a huge underground museum. We didnt stay long but found the whole experience very thought provoking.En savoir plus

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  • Ali StrettonAustralia Feb 2018Voyageur

    Cotter Dam and NASA

    2 mars 2018, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    After a nice chinese lunch we set off out of Canberra to Tipbinbilla National Park. On the way we stopped off at Cotter Dam providing Canberra with its water supply. Surprised to see the pipeline on the surface within easy reach of the public. Next stop was the NASA listening station with its massive dish antennas. It was here that the signals carrying the pictures of the first moon landing were received and broadcast.En savoir plus

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  • Ali StrettonAustralia Feb 2018Voyageur

    Tipbinbilla

    2 mars 2018, Australie ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Tipbinbilla is a massive nature reserve. One of its roles is the protection of endangered species. Surprisingly Koalas are one such species. This is because they are quite picky eaters preferring only 3 types of Eucalyptus. They are also quite lazy, sleeping a lot and not finding the energy to procreate. The reserve had an enclosure and we must have timed our visit perfectly as they were out and about and put on a great show. We also saw plenty of Kangaroos, Wallabies, a Potteroo and even a deer.En savoir plus

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  • Ali StrettonAustralia Feb 2018Voyageur

    Enlighten

    2 mars 2018, Australie ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Every year in Canberra is the Enlighten Festival. A number of the major buildings are lit up and one is open to the public. Apart from being quite a spectical it is also a cleaver way to engage the younger generation into all things Australian, Art, Politics, History etc. Once again we arrive with impeccable timing. The Old Parliament Building was open to the public. This was the original seat of government until 1986. When they moved buildings rather than clear everything out they left all the contents behind, offices,chambers,desks even typewriters and fax machines giving a slightly eerie feel. We visited the Prime Ministers office and the main chamber. Then had a walk around the other buildings which were being illuminared. Then back to the flat for some yummy birthday cake.En savoir plus

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  • Ali StrettonAustralia Feb 2018Voyageur

    Canberra / Sydney

    3 mars 2018, Australie ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Went and had Brekkie Jaffles up at a cafe on Redhill. Again spectacular views over Canberra a city of contrasts. Said our good byes to Bryony, Sarah and their cats Lexy and Paxel. Its been great meeting them and all of their Canberra crowd. A three hour drive back to Sydney followed by a meal in and a glass of wine having a final look at the city skyline and the Mardi Gras fireworks.En savoir plus

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  • Ali StrettonAustralia Feb 2018Voyageur

    Last day in Oz

    4 mars 2018, Pays de Galles ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    Sadly our last day of a fantastic month. Checked with Paul and all OK weather wise back home. Dave woke up to a bit of a work crisis but this was soon under control and we could start our final day. Took the tram to Pyrmont and took ferry to Luna Park an old 50's style fun fair. Walked past that on the boardwalk to Mrs Whitelys Garden.Mrs Whitely was the wife of an artist and in her younger days had quite a hedonistic existence. In later years she started cultivating the land outside her house. This belonged to the railway and over the years she has been allowed to continue her work to the extent that the gardens are now an established part of the Sydney experience. We had some lunch and then back to the flat to prepare for the long journey home. Said our tearful farewells at the airport and then through to departures. Not quite sure how we will cope with life after Oz so had a few drinks to numb the pain before boarding the big bird to Singapore and then onward to London. In the words of the great Soul II Soul "Back to life, back to reality !!!"En savoir plus

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