1st Feb......
This is my last night in Australia but, like all bad pennies, I will turn up again here some time - God (and finances)willing!
Today, was spent doing washing, packing, sending thank-you notes, making phone calls and generally running around like a headless chicken!! Trying not to forget anything and making sure I had all my papers etc for the next leg of my trip.
I think Alison felt sorry for me because she suggested we go out for lunch - I think she wanted a calmer environment for a while! We had a very nice lunch in a little Italian deli around the corner - they have great desserts there - not that I would know about that! In the afternoon, I finished uploading my photos and sent some diary updates. Having completed all my packing I had to have another shower as it was 35 degrees and the humidity was pretty high also!
We had arranged to meet Simon at the restaurant at 6.30 so we duly set off with Liam. We went to an excellent restaurant called Il Piave - the owner/chef has a great reputation and has received "one chef" from the restaurant gurus - that is the equivalent to a Michelin Star in Europe. She deserves it! We had coffee at home as Liam was getting sleepy - he is only 18 months afterall.
Well, my overview of Australia - hightlights etc.
Top of the heap was The Birthday Party of the Century - thanks Brenda
Great Barrier Reef trip - thanks Brenda
Fireworks on Sydney Harbour Bridge, New Year's Eve
Melbourne - well worth a visit - thanks Shirley - my guide
Sydney - all the walks around the bay - thanks to the Sydney Ferry Company - walks guide
Melbourne - visiting the Aus Open Tennis tournament
The Blue Mountains - thanks Kerrie
NSW Golf Club - thanks Elaine
Ballarat - the old mining town where the gold rush started
Melbourne - the guided walking tour - Melbourne Volunteer Guide
Canberra - more interesting than I had expected
Drive from Brisbane to Sydney - great scenery
The Opera visits and Carol Concert in Opera House - Thanks to Myfanwy and Alison
Finally - Simon and Alison in Sydney - thanks for all the wonderful fish etc, etc.
There are plenty more - too numerous to mention - thanks to all the people who gave me such a warm welcome - I am very grateful for your hospitality and kindness to me.
What do I think of Australia? It is much bigger than I thought. I expected to see more places than I did. When it was hot it was very hot - eg 44 degrees on New Year's Day!! The natives were very friendly! To anyone who is thinking of travelling alone - do it!! There is no problem that cannot be overcome and you meet some great people - it is a real education - history, geography, languages etc. The transport system is good and reliable - it is also very reasonable. I was a bit disappointed in the Hunter Valley - the accomm. there was excellent but I did not find the vineyards very good - it was also very expensive. I loved the Blue Mountains and could have spent much longer there doing the walks.
Still to do: Western Australia - the Northern Territories, Adelaide, Barossa Valley, Ocean Road
Sydney Hotels
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