Home Stretch

Well we are on the way home up the coast. Stayed at Jimmys Beach, lots of new amenities and very quiet and pretty. Went to Hawkes Nest and Tea Gardens for coffee and a walk around, again very picturesque.

A couple of days at Forster/Tuncurry where we both visited when kids, very quiet out of school holidays. Lots and lots of walking, breakwalls, lookouts, the old sea baths and across the bridge numerous times. Even a late night walk across the bridge where we saw 1,000's of pelicans all feeding in absolute silence under the bridge span. Very cool.

Last stop at Nambucca. Whilst the park is brilliant and the walks are good the town is a bit weary. The break-wall is graffitti'd (all allowed) and is fun to read. A lone piper was playing the bagpipes as we wandered along the seawall. We never found him and it was a bit of a weird experience with the sun going down and the piper playing. A fitting end to our 10 week sojourn.

Home with very mixed feelings. It's been wet and rainy and we both kinda wish we were still on the road. Stay posted for the next trip.

Burwell Business

Further up the coast to Newy and another visit to Villa Valencia with Kerri and Roxie. Caught up with the family at Valentine Chinese, we are such a noisy lot. Lot's of noise and talking and laughter. A fun night.

Did the harbour front walk the next day all around Nobbys and Zara street, some really old buildings, many being renovated. If only we had the money.

Caught up with Ruby n James for home made pizzas at their place. It's looking really lovely at the moment, a real homey home. You would never buy another pizza if you had eaten at their table - yum yum with capital letters. Caught up again with RubenJames for coffee after work at One Penny Black in the Mall - very different vibe from when I was growing up. Great coffee and a great setting in the late afternoon. So nice to see the kids - they are good people and we love seeing them. Mexican at Kerris and watched Gourmet Farmer - Ross and James favourite show.

Chased some stuff for the van, had lunch with ma n pa - again a lovely day of chatter and laughs and home to Villa Valencia to do the washing with Roxie.

Once again took advantage of Kez and her hospitality - she really is a gem to put up with us. Thank you is not enough. Xxxxxxxx

La Familia

Jumped on the M7 and then the M2 and then we were in Eppong to visit Ross' brother - lucky for us a neighbour was away and we parked in their driveway for a few days. Trevor is always hospitable and it was great to catch up with him. We caught a train to Meadowbank and then the Parramatta Cat down to Circular Quay - what a wonderful trip on one of those beautiful autumn days with the Harbour sparkling. Takes your breathe away. We wandered around the Botanical gardens, perved on the lunchtime sunbathers and then a look around the Rocks. No wonder tourists love our city - Sydney on a good day is hard to beat.

The next day was Anzac Day and Trevor had the day off so we slept in, had a big breaks and spent a lazy day chatting and catching up. Always good to see family. The next day we headed to the central coast to catch up with No 1 brother and Laura. Trev came up the next day and the boys had a day fishing on the Brisbane Waters - skunk!!!!!!!!! Laura and I had a lovely day laying around their pool reading, chatting and snacking whilst the boys were

Southern Highlands

Same day just couldn't fit it all in. After lunch we headed up the street and back to see if the Zaffreto pop-up shop was open - full of industrial style furniture etc, makes you wish you had a unit in the city - fabulous pieces. I think James and Rube would like it. Speaking of which we wandered round the back lane for a caffeine fix at the Red Tree Cafe and great conversion of an old miners style cottage to a large and airy cafe with lots of glass and beautiful views - a great combination of styles that just works.

Still wandering around the township and Dirty Janes caught our eye - a huge antique come treasure shop that goes for miles and includes 82 small market style stalls. It gives the old one mans trash is another mans treasure a new meaning. You could spend hours just looking.

Enough of town we then drove to Mittagong, don't like the look of the caravan park there so crossed it out of our book but there is a small lake surrounded by walking tracks, parks and beautiful autumn trees. Had a nice walk so that we could fit in tea. A really lovely day.

Back at request

Hi there guys, been a while, but thought we better round the trip off and let you know what we have been up to.
Woke to a spectacular day. This is the view out of our windows. Too cold and lazy to go outside the van this early.

Our last day in Moss Vale we wandered to Bowral and surrounds, art galleries such as the Milk Factory where we actually bought a piece. We went in to look at the fathers exhibition and bought the daughters. She is a HSC student, very talented and reasonable. We take delivery a couple of weeks after we get home. Richard Morecroft also exhibits there - he is a talented photographer and manages to get for, mid and distance in his shots which gives them an appeal. The Milk Factory is a brilliant art space and even though we couldn't take photos I found this one

Visited a award winning patisserie and stocked up for lunch at Bradman Oval - even put on the gas a had a cuppa with our very exclusive pies and pastries. Ross was quite chuffed. Lots of people visited while we were there of all ages. Lunch with the Don is obviously popular.

Autumnal Wanderings

Good morning,

Holy hell it's cold. Ross is awake at 7 and puts on the aircon so I can snuggle whilst he is at the showers. Thank goodness they are hot, hot, hot. The sun is out and it warms quickly though in the shade or wind you need a jacket.

Bi-lo for provisions and we are on the frog and toad - straight to Fitzroy Falls - running well with all the rain of late. We walked quite a way and the views were spectacular, I even went near the edges of the lookout platforms. Thanks mum for the heights phobia - it gets worse as I get older.

Then to Burrawang. - how the other half live beautiful homes and cars - we saw Audi's, Masseratis, McLarens, and Ferraris. The pub looks spectacular for a local. If only it wasn't so cold.

We then drove to Robertson, bought some brilliant cheese and had lunch in the local park. On to Kurrawang and past the driveway of one of Ross's old flames and on to the Centennial Winery where we bought a Chardonnay a Shiraz and a followed by a wander through Berrima and a coffee at the Magpie Cafe.

Southern Highlands Sojourn

Good evening one and all,

Heading to MossVale today so up and at em, pretty miserable day but we are travelling so not a worry. Started to drizzle and the temperature is dropping - oh dear lots of layers and even pulled out my scarf. The trip from Goulburn to Moss Vale is pretty and all the trees are gorgeous even in the rain. Small villages abound with antique shops, art galleries and cafes.

First stop is Bundanoon, cold and wet. The Main Street is cute but nothing riveting until we find the "Garden Cafe" and go in wet and miserable for coffee and scones. One plate of scones were enough for two of us . Home made raspberry jam and gorgeous scones in front of a heater in lovely chairs packed with cushions and the best coffee of the trip, la casa del caffe, brilliant.

On to Moss Vale and a drive through Sutton Forest with the best fruit and veg shop - gross lise tomatoes, pistachio halva, baklava and a huge variety of mushrooms, olive bread, yum yum.  Because it is so wet and cold. Home to Moss Vale Village Park, set up, close down and on with the airconditioner and the heat packs - freaking freezing.  Again an afternoon of reading, tv and iPad. No tea tonight just too full.