FIRST DAY IN NEW ZEALAND ON OUR 2014 TRIP.

On our first day in New Zealand, we drove from Christ Church to Lake Brunner after spending the night in the very good Sudima Hotel at the airport.

We drove through the Canterbury Plains which consists of beautiful farm houses and their lands. We drove up into the hills and on through Arthur’s Pass. Spectacular scenery – hills, mountains, lakes and huge river beds. Single lane bridges all the way. We stopped at Arthur’s Pass Store for lunch then continued on to Lake Brunner. A gravel road leads in and out of the Lodge so the car became a strange chalky colour.

We arrived about mid-afternoon and were met by our charming hostess, Julie. She showed us to our room. All the bedrooms have names. Ours was called, “The Iron Maiden “.Very comfortable. That evening we drove to Kumera an old gold-mining town nearby and had a very good dinner at the Adelphi Theatre Hotel. Back to bed where we slept like logs until 9 next morning. Julie had a delicious breakfast prepared for us, then we were ready to explore!

 

 

 

Castle Hill, Arthur’s Pass.

                                 

Views of Arthur’s Pass

 

 

     

 

 

 

                              

Feeling a bit chilly.

 

 

Single lane bridge over one of the many river beds.

Some of the locals.

Another local – a Kea. The only alpine parrot in the world.

 

           

A half tunnel ahead.                                                        

 

Lake Brunner. A pity it isn’t sunny. A couple of fishermen in the pic below.

 

     Coming up to the lodge from the lake         

Lake Brunner Lodge.

Heading home - SOFALA

We took a turn at Bathurst and headed to the New England Highway through Sofala.

. An old store, sadly in desperate need of repair.

Sofala is an old gold mining town full of history and incredible old buildings. We have been there before and decided to have another look.


Surveying the main street.



 

Still lived in.

The old Post Office. Now a Gift store come Museum.

Another couple of street views.

I love these wintery trees. There were quite a few around the town. I can imagine how magnificent they are in springtime and summer.Don't see them around our area.

There is a lot more to see around Sofala, but we were heading home and the day was getting on. We decided to push on and promised ourselves that next time we will take a day and travel round the river and the goldfields. Fascinating.

An bush church on the way to Sofala..I couldn't resist a photo. Looks so sad and derelict.Maybe it comes alive on Sundays!

GUNDAGAI - quick stop on the way home.

We drove up the Hume Highway on the first day of our homeward journey. I wanted to see the Dog on the Tuckerbox once again.

And there he is; a bit more built up around him than I remember but still sitting faithfully waiting for his master.

What a handsome couple! Where have the years gone?

The remains of the buildings that were once here.

A good piece of farm equipment.

Along the way - JERILDERIE - 20th July

After the long haul yesterday and fog all the way from Forbes we decided to take a short break in Jerilderie. We know Jerilderie and have stopped there many times over the years, for lunch and just to have a look around. The small town, famous for Ned Kelly exploits, has certainly improved over the years and is making good use of its tourist attractions.

Hans and I particularly like the lake. We walked all the way around it enjoying the spot of sunshine and the local bird life.

Lake Jerilderie is quite large and has a footpath all the way around. It is a dog leash-free area as well. I can just see Freddie, Mo and Lillie having the time of their lives racing around it especially with so many birds around.

We headed off around the lake. As you can see from Hans’s stance and what we are wearing it is still quite cold! There were plenty of coots and ducks on the water, but I managed to photograph only these two!    Cormorants sunbaking in an old dead tree. In the middle of the lake are two islands with goats living on them. The goats just visible on the island in the middle of the lake. Billabong Creek runs beside the lake and is also very picturesque.

The banks of the Billabong creek with huge trees and some flood damage.

A beautiful family of black swans appeared on the last leg of the walk. Of course we rushed to get some of our leftover lunch for them and they were very grateful.

Very handsome birds and for a nice change these ones were not aggressive.

Another view of the banks of Billabong creek.

                   

                   

  

THE NEWELL HIGHWAY

Hans and I decided to drive to the Melbourne Tool Club sale once again. We have been up and down the Newell Highway about 30 times. That’s 1,665.7 kilometres each time. You can work it out - Maths was never my strong point. Anyway we had a great time. It was a strenuous trip because of the condition of the highway (not good) and because we had to be back in 6 days time for me to get back to work in time.

We started after my work on Thursday 19th July and drove only as far as Warwick where we stayed in a good motel and had a very nice meal in a lovely pub in the main street. All the trees lining the main street had been decorated by various groups or individuals. Some fantastic ideas and work was to be seen. I was fascinated and have decided to go and stay for a weekend next year to see it all in the daylight and to explore the whole area.

Next day we drove to Forbes. through all the same countryside we have traversed for years – some interesting and lovely, some flat and dreary.  I said the same thing I have always said “What a country. Miles and miles of open space and soaring skies!” Ordinary motel and an OK meal at the RSL which was just across the road. I won $4 on Keno!

From Forbes we drove in heavy fog just about all the way to the Victorian border, crossed the great Murray River then blue skies to Shepparton where we stopped to pick up some tools from a very lovely lady. Trish, who Hans had only talked to via emails and phone.

 Made it as far as Kilmore where we had a good motel and a great Chinese meal from a restaurant across the road. Melbourne early the next morning. Set up for the tool sale in Glenferrie Primary School. Sold just about half our stock before 8am. In the early afternoon we drove to Rosebud where we caught up with Shirley O’Hehir my dear eldest sister. We stayed in an excellent motel and took Shirley out to the Rosebud Pub for a very good meal.

The next day we visited Shirl again then drove from Rosebud across to Crib Point and spent a lovely hour visiting my friend Geraldine Prescott and husband Gary.

We left Crib about midday and drove into NSW as far as Holbrook. Another great motel with very friendly proprietors. Meal was leftover Chinese (we did keep it on ice). We warmed it up in the microwave. Still good.

We decided to drive across country through Bathurst, Sofala, Mudgee and stop in Scone. Everything was booked out around Scone- possibly all taken by workers for the coal mines. So we drove on to Tamworth through the dark. As we get older we try to avoid driving at night. We did arrive safely, a bit tired and cranky. Once again a great motel and a delicious stone-fired pizza from a neat restaurant in Tamworth. We soon felt OK again.

Next day straight home through Wallangarra, Stanthorpe (where we stood outside Kerry’s house. Unfortunately she was still in Ipswich so there was no visit), Cunningham’s Gap and finally Barellan Point, where Michael had kept everything under control and neat and tidy. Good work, Mike!

AUSTRALIA ZOO

 

This year we decided to go away for a family weekend as our Christmas present to each other. Adam found a penthouse apartment Seamark Resort at Mooloolaba just one street away from the beach. Fantastic!

So Corinne and Ben, Michael, Denise, Adam and Artie, Hans and I packed up and off we went to enjoy some relaxation time.

Hans and I met up with Denise, Adam and Artie at Australia Zoo early on Friday morning. The others unfortunately were arriving later because of work commitments so missed out on a very interesting and fun morning.

          

                 It is all about crocs so we started off with these American buddies. Alligators!

 

Hans and I took the Africa shuttle to the newest part of the zoo. This cheetah will soon have a new home there with a track to show off his amazing speeds.

 

Nice-looking Zebra.

 

Giraffe Get-Together

Rhino Get-Together

 

Of course the Crocodile Show is the one of the big events of the day. Not to be missed.

Careful!

 

This young lady swam with this carpet python. Amazing and creepy!

 

The best part of the show for me were the spectacular birds and their stunts. South American Macaws, Sulphur-crested cockatoos, Major Mitchell Cockatoos,Rainbow lorikeets, Whistling Kites  and one big Jabiru.  I tried to photograph them but most were too fast for me and my camera. I managed to get the Jabiru landing. Why they just all don’t fly away is a mystery to me. They must love their handlers and the ready availability of good food of course.

 

Off to feed some gentler creatures.

 

These kangaroos are really gentle and tame.

What a life!

Getting a closer look.

Do you want some too?

Some of the other residents.

   

Finishing off with some fun

             

             

We spent four hours here and still did not manage to see everything. A very enjoyable morning.