Week 14 Febrary 22nd to 27th.

Enjoying Kaikoura


Fred and Myrtle's Shell House



Begonia's in Christchurch

Christchurch Cathedral

Banks Peninsular

On Monday morning we had a good flight to Christchurch in New Zealand. We had to change the clock two hours forward. Our friends, Joanna and Pete, were at the airport to meet us and drove us back to their house which is in New Brighton, a few miles form the city centre. They took us on a drive through the city centre, which appeared so much smaller than the Australian cities we have got used to.There are no high rise buildings. Christchurch is called the Garden City as there are many beautiful parks and gardens. The sun was shining and it was very warm. It seems that the warm weather only began this week. Up to now they had had their worse summer for twenty years.

On Tuesday Pete and Jo took us on a most spectacular drive down around the BanksPeninsular to the French settlement of Akaroa. We had so many stops for photo shots. Pete is so knowledgable as he used to take tourists on coach tours for many years. We couldnt have a better guide.
On Wednesday we spent the day exploring the city, visiting the Hagley gardens with their fantastic Begonia House, the Christchurch Museum and Arts Centre and the Cathedral where there was a beautful carpet of flowers in readiness for a flower festival. In the museum, Pete showed us the famous Fred and Myrtle's Paua Shell house. This old couple had collected Paua shells over many years and decorated their home in Bluff with them. It became a big tourist attraction, although they charged nothing. After they died, their son donated the collection to the museum and a reconstruction of their bungalow was built to house them just as they were originally.

On Thursday we took the Tranz Alpine railway from Christchurch to Greymouth, which is on the West Coast. This spectacular journey is classed as one of the top ten train journeys in the world. The line was begun in the late 1800's but not completed until1923 and includes many tunnels through the mountains, bridges and precarious via ducts over rivers and glaciers. The scenery was truely awesome. The rail originally served the gold mining industry and later switched to coal mining and there are a number of disused coal mines along the way. Giant trucks full of coal are still transported each day. The journey to Greymouth took four hours, we had an hour stop and then returned to Christchurch.
On Friday we took delivery of our hire car and then visited the New Zealand Air Force Museum, where there are many old aircraft and a huge workshop where many more are being restored. Brian was in his element.

On Saturday Pete and Joanna took us on a scenic drive to Kaikoura, a picturesque seaside town famous for its crayfish and whale watching which is about 200 km from Christchurch. It also has a number of arts and craft shops run by local artists. We didnt see dolphins, but we did see some seals on the rocks. On the way the scenery just kept getting better - from rolling hillsides to mountains. There were sheep, sheep and more sheep. There were also great herds of beef and dairy cattle as well as a number of vineyards. We made a number of scenic detours on the way back ending with another tour around the city to view more beautful gardens.

After a week in New Zealand, we have certainly fallen in love with the country. There are so many aspects which are so different from England and Australia. In many respects it is as though we are back in 1950's England - a much more gentle pace of life. There are no motorways or high rise buildings as there are only 4 million people. The highways are just single lane in both directions with overtaking places every few km. In every town and village we have remarked on the huge memorials erected in memory of the men who fell in World War I. New Zealand lost far more men per population than any other country. And of course a similar ratio in the Second World War.

We are really looking forward to exploring the rest of the country in the coming weeks.

Week 13 February 15th to 21st.

Puffing Billy

For our Christmas present, Zoë and Mike bought us vouchers for a meal on Puffing Billy.
We booked to have lunch in the First Class Dining carriage on Monday. Puffing Billy is a one hundred year old steam train which runs along a narrow guage track through some magnificent scenery in the Dandenong Ranges. It was a very pleasant afternoon.

The rest of the week has been quite uneventful. Brian and Zoë played golf on Thursday afternoon as she wasn't teaching and on Friday they were invited to play "Nine and Dine" at a friend's golf club. We have been getting ready for our trip to NewZealand on Monday.

On Saturday morning we went to watch Ashleigh play soft ball. Once agin she played very well.

On the way home we watched a house auction. This is a common method of selling houses in Australia. The house was open for viewing at 12.30pm and there were many people looking round. Serious buyers would have viewed it before and had surveys done etc. There were obviously a number of nosey people like us there, for when the auctioneer started the auction, no one made any bids. After consulting with the vendor he opened the bids at a reserve price, but still no interest, so he closed the auction. All this business was carried out in the street in front of the house - quite bizarre. Zoë reckoned it was over priced and that was why it didnt sell that day.

Week 12 February 8th to 14th.

Fig Tree in Janet's road


Gillian's home


Sydney at night

Watsons Bay at dusk

Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House

Chinese Garden

Darling Harbour

After the heavy rain of last week the sun began to shine again for the whole of this week.

Because we had visited some of the main tourist sights before Janet suggested some more unusual places to visit. On Monday we caught the cat to take us up the Parramatta River. This was a lovely cruise, but because of low tide we could not land in the town, so we returned on the next boat. After eating traditional meat pies on Circular Quay, we walked to the Australia National Museum where there was a fantastic exhibition of international prizewinning wild life photography. Each was so stunning we could not choose a favourite.

On Tuesday we took the train to Woologong and then another to Kiama to view the famous blowhole. Unfortunately it was not very active and Brian waited ages to catch a shot of the waves whooshing up through the gap in the rocks. Just as it happened his concentration lapsed and he missed it. We returned to Sydney and then caught the bus to Watsons Bay to sample the famous Doyles fish and Chips. and they were very good.

Wednesday was very hot and sunny. We headed for the Chinese Garden which is a beautiful tranquil oasis in the busy city. Brian took lots of beautful photos. We then walked to Darling Harbour and admired the stunning modern skyline. we then took the ferry toWatsons Bay via Double Bay and Rosebay, admiring all the amazing waterside properties. We bussed back to the city.

Our last day in Sydney was spent in the Powerhouse Museum where there is a fascinating collection of artifacts and costume, engines and machines and technology- something for everyone. The building itself is a restored power station. We had a quiet supper back with Janet aand drank coffee on the verandah overlooking the night skyline.

On Friday we had a good flight back to Melbourne where it was good to be with the family again.

The weekend was spent in Warragul, with Gillian, Valerie's oldest friend. She lives in a very nice mobile home in a little retirement village. She is happily settled there although she still travels a great deal. Warragul is quite a flourishing town South West of Melbourne set in beautiful rural rolling countryside. Gillian had arranged for her three daughters to join us for lunch at the local Golf Club, and they came with their respective children, ages from 4 to 21. It was so good to meet them all. Her cousin Maureen also came. She and Gillian had originally sailed from England as £10 poms in 1962. We stayed inthe local motel and left after lunch on Sunday. I spent some time getting Gillian started on researching her family tree before we left.

Week 11 February 1st to February 7th

Kangaroo in Bunker


Leaping Kangaroos



Kangaroos in Bunker

Valerie started the week with a very expensive visit to the dentist and then we spent the week visiting old friends, going on a guided tour of the port of Brisbane and exploring the hinterland of the Gold coast with Lorraine. Lorraine wanted to show us the farm her grandfather used to own. It was a picturesque drive and we called into to see her Auntie Sheila, an amazing 88 year old lady who still plays golf regularly with her 86 year old sister. Brian also had an enjoyable game of golf with Bryan, Ralph and Richard. Brian was fascinated by the numerous kangaroos to be found in the bunkers and under the trees.

On Friday we flew to Sydney and Janet met us. Janet Thomas is an old friend from Bognor College days and after a successful career in the Australian Navy and Defence Department has moved to a retirement "village" in Sydney. We were able to stay in the comfortable guest unit. The village is in the treelined suburb of Woollahra. At night the trees echo to the cries of hundreds of bats. Some of the trees are very old and interesting

Janet had organised a very busy schedule for us. We had a short trip into the city on Friday afternoon, but on the Saturday it rained heavily all day, so we went to the cinema to watch a superb production of Carmen by the New York Metropolitan Opera. We reached the cinema by crossing the harbour in one of the many ferry boats.

On Sunday we caught up with a second cousin of Brian who he hadn't seen since they were children. There was much reminiscing and sharing of family history.

Week 10 January 25th to January 31st

Charcoal cooler - early "fridge"
Jondaryan sheepshed


SheepShearer



Jondaryan Woolshed


1912 Plane




Rusty and Gretyl best of friends.

Champagne High Tea. Susan and Valerie


Lorraine Valerie Bryan and Brian

On Monday morning we set off early for Bribie Island, which lies just off the coast North of Brisbane. It was took a couple of hours from Kingscliff, a good straight run along the Pacific highway. Bribie is reaced by a narrow bridge. It is a very popular place to retire to. We spent a very happy day with Val and Tom catching up on all our news. Brian and Tom worked together when Brian was here in 1969. It was so hot we just spent the day indoors with the air con.

Tuesday was Australia Day and val and Tom planned to take us out for a picnic out at the Glass mountains on the road North of Brisbane , the hinterland from the Sunshine Coast. As we ere driving off the island we could not believe the hundreds of cars pouring on to the island to celebrate Australia Day, which is a public holiday and the last day before the children all return to school for the start of a new school year, It is a very important day and every one hangs the Australia flag on their houses and also on their cars. It is great to see families out enjoying themselves on the beaches, picnic grounds having barbecues on the public gas fired barbies found in every park. We drove right up into the mountains and enjoyed superb panoramic views from the various lookouts. The montains were named by James Cook when he first spotted them and they reminded him of the glassworks back in his native Yorkshire. We visited a little town full of craft and gift shops aimed at the tourists.

On Wednesday we said goodbye and headed back to Brisbane, first calling in on my first cousin, Debbie and her daughter Elizabeth. Sadly Debbie is very unwell with a weak heart among other problems. It was so good being able to spend just a couple of hours with her as she one of my very last Lee relatives.

On Thursday we had a catchup day - washing, ironing and blog.

Susan and Richard have two pets - a grey cockateel called Gretyl and a ginger tom called Rusty. Gretyl rarely stays in her cage and she and Rust are the greatest of friends! See the photo.
Susan took us into the city on Friday for a very nice posh "champagne high tea" at a lovely restaurant in a beautiful old shopping arcade in the centre of Brisbane- reminiscent of the Burlington Arcade in London. Susan's parents, Dorothy and Ralph joined us. We went into the city by the bus way - this is a purpose built road going straight to the centre of town with stops along the way - much easier than driving. The weather was so hot that we didn't stay too long in the city.

On Saturday we decided to drive to Toowoomba , which is a picturesque town which lies about 150 km due west of Brisbane. It is known as a floral town and has a spectacular carnival of flowers each September. Unfortunately it has recently suffered severely from the drought. We went further West and visited the very interesting Australian Army museum which has a fine collection of old aircraft dating from 1912 and other war memorabilia. We then went on to visit the Jondaryan Woolshed, which is a huge shearing shed built in 1859, when sheepfarming was at its height. It is reputed to be the largest in Australia.We were very lucky to be the only visitors at that time and the guide gave us a personal tour of all the buildings including a working dog demonstration and sheep shearing. All the buildings date from the mid 1860's and the whole place is one big living museum. It was in fact a working sheep farm until well after the Second World War.

On Sunday we joined Richard and Susan in their church service, which was a very different experience from the church services we know in England. The very large hall was packed to overflowing - with standing room only. It was surprising to see so many teenagers and young people attending and taking part with such enthusiasm. Benjamin was playing the guitar in the band and Bethany was playing the piano.

In the afternoon we went over to visit Karen and family for afternoon tea.

Week 9 January 18th to 24th January

Cactus flowering only at night

Crocodile fed a fish head from the crab

fishing boat.

On the edge of the cyclone

Fish viewed through glass bottomed boat

Brian all set for scuba diving

Coral as seen through submersible window

On Monday we were up early to catch the cruise boat out to Green island on the Barrier Reef. It took an hour on a very calm sea. Green Island is a large coral cay which also has a rain forest on it. It has become a popular resort for snorkelling and scuba diving into the coral reef. I was hoping to go down to the sea bed wearing a large diving helmet, to experience the fish and coral, but I was not allowed for medical reasons. I was disappointed as I had been looking forward to the experience. We went on a glass bottomed boat which was quite amazing seeing all the fish and turtles swimming below us. The organised day then consisted of sailing for another hour on to a large purpose built pontoon from where you can snorkel and scuba dive as well. Brian had booked a scuba dive session. I went on two half hour dives in a large glass walled submersible which was even better than the boat. The coral formations are just breathtaking and there were so many varieties of fish from tiny Nemos to very large fish including basking sharks. Most of the fish seemed to swim in shoals. The colours were not as brilliant as you see in photos of the Barrier reef because there was little sunlight that can penetrate through the water. It seems professional photographers use very strong lights to show up the natural colours. But the shapes and sizes and variety of designs are truely incredible, and to think it is all living animals.

Brian thoroughly enjoyed his second attempt at scuba diving and has a certificate to prove it.
On Tuesday we decided to drive north to Daintree and Cape Tribulation. We travelled the same road as on Sunday . We were within 30 km of Daintree village when the heavens opened and we were in a tropical storm. The roads were beginning to flood, so we turne around and returned to Cairns. A cyclone was threatening. So once again we missed visiting the World Heritage site.Next time we shall have to come at a different time of year.

We went for a nice meal at the Cairns yacht Club with an English couple who have been in Australia over 30 years.

On Wednesday we took a picturesque drive up over the mountain to the Atherton Tablelands which lie in the hinterland behind Cairns. It is a long windy road but once there the scenery is stunning. The land is green and lush - such a contrast from the dry coastal plain. Dairy farming, coffee plantations, sugar cane and vineyards abound. We called in to visit a coffee plantation where the morning coffee was delicious and we purchased some coffee beans for gifts. We visited Malandra where we knew there was a dairy museum attached to a large bottling dairy. We were too late to go on an organised tour of the dairy, but Brian persuaded them to allow us a visit and spent an interesting hour talking to the chief engineer. Brian found it most interesting. We returned to Cairns along a different route maaking a complete circular tour. That evening we had a very good meal at the local RSL - returned servicemen's league. These are rather like our British Legion clubs, but offer excellent restaurants at low prices and are open to the general public. They are subsidised and make most of their money from the "Pokies" the fruit machines which are so popular among all Australians.

On Thursday we went crab fishing on a small boat owned by a Vietnamese man called Henry. We went with Debbie and Dave, an Australian couple we made friends with while scuba diving. We were hoping to catch large mud crabs but the crab pots were empty. Fortunately Henry had brought some live crabs with him which he cooked for us on the boat. These were delicious.There ten of us and we all tried to catch fish with rods, but were not very lucky. We did however, spot a crocodile swimming near the boat which we fed with a fish head.

On Friday we were up early to return our hire car and get to the airport to catch our flight to Brisbane.

We had a good flight to Brisbane, picked up a hire car and were at Susan and Richard's house in Eight Mile Plains within the hour. It was very good to be with them again.

It was Australia Day Weekend which is a popular public holiday and the last weekend before the children return to school.As Richard and Susan were going away for the weekend we spent the weekend with Lorraine and Bryan at their house by the sea in Kingscliffe. Kingscliffe is just South of the Gold Coast and over the border in New South Wales. Lorraine and I have been friends ever since we lived in Brisbane 41 years ago. It was so good to catch up with them. They took us out and about in the local area and we enjoyed some lovely walks and view beside the sea and further inland. They have a huge cactus bush in their garden which is full of tight buds, but after dark the buds open to reveal beautiful flowers, which are closed again by morning.

Week 8 January 11th to 17th

Mossman Gorge

Port Douglas

Crocodile Nursery

Freshwater crocodile

Mangrove Trees

Boy on BMX - Cairns

View from hotel balcony

Zoë on her birthday

Monday January 11th was to be one we would remember. It started very warm and by midday it was 44°. We went out for a drive with Zoë so that we could enjoy the airconditioned car. We spent a lot of time in the pool. We had all the fans running and the air con in the lounge. The temperature during the night hit the headlines as it was the hottest Melbourne night for over 100 years. All the while England was still carpeted in snow. It was cooler the next day and by Wednesday it was really cool in the high teens. Apparently Melbourne is known for having four seasons in one day. Wednesday was Zoë's birthday, and we went out to buy her birthday present. We also went out for a nice birthday dinner at the Wheeler Hill Hotel.. Mike and Mary returned on Thursday and we spent the day getting packed for our month away in Queensland.
We had a good flight to Cairns. It was very warm. We found a super hotel right on the front with ocean views from our 6th floor room.
On Saturday morning we booked a Monday trip to the Barrier reef and went on a Crocodile cruise in the afternoon. This was a cruise along a mangrove lined creek, where fresh water crocodiles can be seen. We landed at a crocodile farm where crocs are reared for the fashion market. These farms have been established since the 80's when Australian crocs were under threat of extinction because of over hunting the wild ones. The farmed crocs are sold but a lot are actually released into the wild where they are now a protected species.
On Sunday we decided to drive up to Port Douglas which is about 70km north of Cairns.In 2005 we never got there because of the cyclone. It is an exclusive resort and a popular holiday destination which boasts the famous Four Mile Beach. The journey along the coast road up is very picturesque, following right next to the sea for most of the way. The countryside is lush and green, because of the heavy rains and the main crop is sugar cane. The road into Port Douglas is attractively lined with Palm Trees. On Sundays there is a market by the beach where all the goods have to be locally produced. There were many varied craft stalls and fresh fruits in abundance. We drove on up to Mossman to visit the Mossman Gorge where the Mossman river tumbles over huge granite bolders and we watched fearless youngsters swimming in the clear fresh water swimming holes. To reach the river we walked along a board walk through the surrounding rain forest. All this area is part of the World Heritage listed Daintree National Park.
We plan to visit Daintree and Cape Tribulation next week.