At last we reached Sydney after a long drive from Melbourne. We wanted to trace Bryson's journey backwards and see some of the more unusual things he discovered on the way. So we found the pets-cum-porno store in a little place who's name escapes me (Rich went in while I contemplated buying naughty postcards to send to friends and family, but decided they were really too rude!) and the POW Escape Museum in Cowra where a miniature lady comes to life and interacts with the exhibits. Bill was not kidding; that really is an amazing exhibit!
Yesterday, (Thursday) we drove through the Blue Mountains, which were a major abstacle to the early settlers who couldn't find a way through for some time. These are not the usual kind of mountains with valleys ascending through passes, because this is really a plateau riven by huge cracks and ravines, so eventually they found their way over the top, often on narrow ridges between dramatic cliff drops on either side. We stopped at Katoomba for a ride down a nearly sheer crack in the cliff (a remnant of coal mining) to the forest walkway in the valley far below, then after a cool leisurely walk were brought back up by cablecar. I'll post pics as soon as I can.
Anyway we spent our last night in the little camper that had been our home for two weeks south of Sydney at Botany Bay. We expected beaches but found a stretch of docks and the Airport taking up much of the coast, then further along a bungalowed place called New Brighton, where we paid an exhorbitant price to camp. This morning Rich found a safe place to swim, in an area fenced off from the dangers of the ocean... sharks and stinging jellyfish!
After he deposited me at the Backpackers Hostel and we sadly said Goodbye, I wandered into town and finally met up with Ann, who was only a short way from where I was phoning her. We then spent the rest of the afternoon and evening walking and talking until, after a delicious schooner of James Squire Golden Ale at the Observer, she went to get her ferry home and I came back to the Hostel. So that's all for now... more tomorrow!
Yesterday, (Thursday) we drove through the Blue Mountains, which were a major abstacle to the early settlers who couldn't find a way through for some time. These are not the usual kind of mountains with valleys ascending through passes, because this is really a plateau riven by huge cracks and ravines, so eventually they found their way over the top, often on narrow ridges between dramatic cliff drops on either side. We stopped at Katoomba for a ride down a nearly sheer crack in the cliff (a remnant of coal mining) to the forest walkway in the valley far below, then after a cool leisurely walk were brought back up by cablecar. I'll post pics as soon as I can.
Anyway we spent our last night in the little camper that had been our home for two weeks south of Sydney at Botany Bay. We expected beaches but found a stretch of docks and the Airport taking up much of the coast, then further along a bungalowed place called New Brighton, where we paid an exhorbitant price to camp. This morning Rich found a safe place to swim, in an area fenced off from the dangers of the ocean... sharks and stinging jellyfish!
After he deposited me at the Backpackers Hostel and we sadly said Goodbye, I wandered into town and finally met up with Ann, who was only a short way from where I was phoning her. We then spent the rest of the afternoon and evening walking and talking until, after a delicious schooner of James Squire Golden Ale at the Observer, she went to get her ferry home and I came back to the Hostel. So that's all for now... more tomorrow!
Meeting Ann
3 comments:
Hi Pat -- I'm so pleased you met up with Ann in Sydney. Safe journey on to NZ! Give my regards to Julie.
I greatly enjoyed meeting you, Pat! Last night I was out to dinner with a friend and we were discussing the human tendency to look for meaning in things, which was a beautiful layer upon the discussion you and I had at The Observer.
p.s. I would love it if you are able to send email copies of these Sydney photos to me! Cheers :)
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