Fri. Sept. 14, and Sat. Sept. 15 - Gosford and Bateau Bay.

We got on the highway and headed for North Gosford where the famous Miss Kiah lives - aka Gwen and Bob's granddaughter. A brief stop along the way at the Hawkesbury River gave us a chance to stretch our legs, enjoy some more beautiful Aussie scenery, and take some pictures. Then off to visit Kiah and her parents Amanda and Ray. We enjoyed a lovely lunch with them, and Kiah kept us entertained. She's a pretty, bright, precocious child, very advanced for being not quite 3. Their house is built on the side of a ravine, and they are visited daily by a variety of birds and wildlife. In just the short time we were there we were visited by rainbow lorikeets, bronze coloured doves, a kookaburra, a brush turkey, and a little yellow bird that I don't know the name of.

We headed out for the guest house Gwen had arranged for the night - owned by a friend of hers. Along the way we stopped at The Entrance, where Tuggerah Lake empties into the Pacific Ocean. The tide was going out and the current was pretty strong. Every evening many spectacled pelicans come to this spot to be hand fed - they put on quite a display as the all try to snatch the fish at the same time.

Then we visited with Karen Dimmick and her husband Lindsay, and stayed for a tea of humungous burgers topped with cheese, a fried egg, bacon - and beetroot if you wanted it. It was great to meet Karen and Lindsey. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Next morning we found out that Gwen had been sick all night. She asked Karen to take over the class she was supposed to teach at the meeting of the Central Coast Decorative Painters, and then went to Karen's to drop off material for the class. While Gwen was at Karen's, George and I walked to the beach across the road from the guest house - and I heard the first Aussie to say "Good On Ya" as I stepped aside for him to pass me on the steep path down to the beach. We had our first experience with flies on the beach - not many, but we hightailed it out of there anyway. We've been pleasantly surprised that we haven't encountered more bitey things, even at night.

Even though Gwen wasn't feeling well, they took us back to Amanda and Ray's where we were able to hook into the Internet, send a few photos home o the grandchildren, and post to the blog. I was having so much trouble operating George's laptop - the touchpad is so sensitive that if you breath the wrong way it does something you don't want it to do, and then you have to go and undo it. Bummer! After a bit of a nap and some stomach medicine, Gwen was feeling a bit better.

Back home I did some laundry, we packed our bags, and George, Gwen and Bob watched the rugby match. Blacktown won, so Gwen and Bob were happy.

Although I only met a few gals face to face, I did speak to several others by telephone. Had lovely chats with Sylvia Figg, Beth Blinston, Barb Butcher, and Primmy. Nice to have a chat with all of them.

Thurs. Sept. 13

Another beautiful day for an outing. Featherdale is literally about 5 minutes from Gwen and Bob's. It was fantastic to be able to walk among so many of the animals and birds. Of course there were lots of them in cages as well. There was a huge variety of species to look at. We saw a Joey sticking his head out his mother's pouch, a baby koala having a ride on his mother's back, heard a kookaburra laugh - yes they really do!

We saw a large bird displaying for his lady friend, and a peacock treated us to the most amazing display of his tail feathers as he showed off for his lady. We also saw several birds - can't remember their names at present - maybe some of my Aussie friends can help me out here - but the knees bent in the opposite direction to usual - they sure looked strange sitting down. We also saw an emu, and a cassowary - about the same size as the emu, but with a red and blue head, and a great horny projection from the top of it's head. Apparently that's not the part to be afraid of - but watch out for his big toe as it will slice you open.

We saw a cute little echidna - an ant eater that has quills all over, much like our porcupines. There was a large salt water crocodile giving us a good look down his mouth, and enough lizards and snakes to make even Steph happy! Hi Steph!

Oh, yes - Happy Birthday Madeline

It's gorgeous here, and so amazing to see such colourful and interesting birds flying free. Birds that we only have seen in books and zoos before. I still don't know all the names, even though Gwen did tell me, so I will have to look them up again. Here are a couple of pretty red and blue parrots we saw just walking on the ground. Also a magpie that was following us around hoping for a handout.

Bob did all the driving - being on the opposite side of the road, and all the roundabouts, scare me silly. I guess I'll get used to it as we go along. Bob must have been a very tired boy at the end of the day, as I know George and I were sure worn out.

Blue Mountains

Of course, along the way we had to check out the souvenir shops, and stopped for a meat pie and coffee for lunch. Also took a moment for a cuddle with a koala.

Wed. Sept. 12 - Blue Mountain Excursion

Got up early, weather was lovely, and we headed for the Blue Mountains just outside Sydney. We travelled a steep winding road to the lookout at the top, overlooking the Three Sisters and a huge gorge. The Sisters are three huge rock monoliths that hang over the edge of the gorge. Absolutely breathtaking scenery, and we took tons of pictures from all sides of the gorge. I'll just show you a few to give you an idea of the size of the gorge.

Of course, along the way we had to check out the souvenir shops, and stopped for a meat pie and coffee for lunch. Also took a moment for a cuddle with a koala.

It's gorgeous here, and so amazing to see such colourful and interesting birds flying free. Birds that we only have seen in books and zoos before. I still don't know all the names, even though Gwen did tell me, so I will have to look them up and add their names in the blog. Here are a couple of pretty red and blue parrots we saw just walking on the ground. Also a magpie that was following us around hoping for a handout.

Bob did all the driving - being on the opposite side of the road, and all the roundabouts, scare me silly. I guess I'll get used to it as we go along. Bob must have been a very tired boy at the end of the day, as I know George and I were sure worn out.

Sydney with Gwen & Bob

Gwen and Bob picked us up at the airport. I saw Gwen as soon as we came out from immigration. They started our tour almost immediately with a whirlwind driving tour of Sydney to Glebe Point Road where we ended up at the waterfront with a wonderful view of the Anzac Bridge. While there we had a chance encountear with a man who knew exactly where we came from and even how we locals pronounce Toronto - Tranna, eh? We had a great laugh at that. He is a professoe of Canadian Studies at the University here in Sydney.

Gwen had a full itinerary lined up for us - went to the Featherdale Wildlife Centre and saw lots of amazing birds, animals and reptiles. Had three "on-line" friends over for tea (supper/dinner)for lots of chatter and laughter.

Next we went visit Gwen and Bob's daughter Amanda and her husband Ray and their charming daughter Kiah. When we said it was time to go, Kiah handed George his had and told him to go back to where he came from.

We went to the Entrance and watched the pelicans being fed. They are a little different in colouring from the ones we've seen in Florida on other trips. Then we travelled a little farther to a guest house owned by a friend of Gwen's and after settling in, we went to visit Karen Dimmick and her husband Lindsey. Had a lovely casual tea with them, and coffee and chocolate cake (no calories of course).

Today we toured around Bateau Bay, and Terrigal and back to her daughter's house to use the computer to send some emails and to post to the blog. Hope to download some other pictures when we get to Cairns.

Auckland, New Zealand Class

Finally! I finished the ink and oil rouging project that Lizzie asked me to teach in Auckland. Nothing like leaving it till the last minute. It's in the mail, winging it's way across the ocean. Now to get those instructions done!