Monthly Archives: January 2014

The Rainforest

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Brisbane turned out to be a very pleasant place to spend time, particularly along the river. They even have their own beach complete with surf life saving club even thought the water is no deeper than 1.5 metres!

From Brisbane, a flight to Cairns, arriving in a tropical downpour, and then on the next day in a light aircraft to Bloomfield Lodge in the Daintree Rainforest. The final part of the flight into the landing strip is interesting as it requires flying straight towards a wooded hill before lining up with the runway!

Once on the ground, a short journey by road and then onto the boat for the leg across Weary Bay to the lodge. Once there, time relaxing plus a walk in the forest and a trip up the river through the mangroves. A number of crocodiles spotted, the largest being around 4 metres, so no swimming there!

The flight back to Cairns was in clear weather with views of the coast around Cook’s Cape Tribulation and of the Low Islands. Time to wander round Cairns before repacking for the start of the journey home.

Sydney to Brisbane

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Cape Byron Lighouse
Rainforest
Dorrigo rainforest
Cape Byron
Ballina sunset
Ballina sunset

Left Sydney for the drive to Brisbane having decided on a rather circuitous route. Initially followed the coast up to Newcastle and Harrington for the first night.

Next, up to Port Macquarie before cutting inland on a winding road for the second night in the pleasant town of Armidale. The next day, back to the at Ballina for the third night, more winding raids and forests on the way.

Finally, up the coast via Australia’s most easterly point at Cape Byron followed by a stop at the intriguing Surfer’s Paradise. Not really my scene, but curiosity satisfied.

Brisbane itself looks interesting and I treated myself to some Moreton Bay Bugs for dinner.

Sydney Ashes Test

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After the fireworks of New Year, a damp squib in the form of the 5th Ashes test at Sydney Cricket Ground!

The match was over within three days with batting collapses on both sides, the difference being that Australia managed to recover from theirs while England did not.

The whole experience was however very enjoyable, even though the result was not that  that had been hoped for, either in the match or the series.  The third, and final, day was the ‘Pink Day’ in support of the McGrath Foundation which resulted in some unusual modes of dress.

Anyway, the last leg of the Australian journey is north to Brisbane and on to the Daintree rain forest.

Surfing
Sydney Opera House
Sydney Tower in reflection
The Heads
Sydney Opera House & Bridge
Sydney Opera House

New Year

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Left Melbourne reasonable early on Boxing Day and headed north for Albury with stops at Benalla and Glenrowan, the latter featuring a giant statue of Ned Kelly in full armour!

On to Canberra the next day in mid-afternoon so wandered down to the main shopping area for something to eat and to orientate myself.

The next day, after toast and coffee at a cafe near the centre, along the shore of Lake Burleigh Griffin, avoiding the occasional Lycra clad cyclist and dog walker, to cross over to the government district where the first stop was at the Old Parliament Building, now a museum.From there, along to the new parliament building where I broke my rule about queuing for entry and was glad I did as I spent a very interesting time there, which included admiring the views from the roof.

The next morning was spent in the National War Memorial and museum before driving to Sydney where, after some confusion when the GPS and map failed to agree, returned the car and checked in to the hotel.

The next day, New Years Eve 2013, booked myself onto a harbour cruise to watch  the fireworks on the bridge. This is quite a long and drawn out process extending over some 6 hours.

Beginning with a carefully  choreographed procession of boats to the quay to load up, the 21:00 fireworks display is then followed by the illuminated boats sailing around the harbour before the main event at midnight.

Back to the quay around 01:00.

Written on the morning of 1 January 2014 over coffee at Sydney Opera House.