Antipodean Adventures

Thursday 14 th December 2017 Lake Macquarie Very hot day forecast – 40 degrees on other side of lake, but just over 30 degrees on our side.  So went to the beach and walked along the shore.  Hardly anyone else in sight.  Found a dead puffa fish and watched seagulls eating stray cicadas. Waves were crashing somewhat and a quick paddle indicated that the water wasn’t warm. But Pete bravely went for a swim/body surf and took one for the team. Iain put the drone up and took a picture of the gang.    Back for full cooked brunch. Then a day of swimming in four different swimming pools and in Lake Macquarie, watched by some Pelicans and a Sea Eagle.    In the evening, went for a walk with Pete, Iain and Kirstine along the lake.  Watched the sun setting, then back for dinner prepared by Brenda – massive salad and a beefburger with ‘the works’. Heart-stopper!

Wednesday 13 th December 2017 Continued along the Pacific Highway, making good time and arriving at Lake Macquarie for lunch with Pete and Brenda Swan. Dumped our bags, then straight off with Peter to Lake Macquarie Yacht Club to act as crew for some racing on the yacht ‘Lucille’ – a beneteau oceanis 43’ yacht.   We were k indly invited on board by the owner Steve, helm Jeff and other crew Andre.  Weather was hot and windy - couldn't be better.   On the downwind haul, the beers came out and we overtook a boat with a Santa and Christmas tree on its bow – not really serious racing!   Raced around various buoys twice and ended up five seconds off the fastest time and 3 rd overall. Not bad for a scratch crew, only half of whom knew what they were doing!   On way back down the pontoons we also went on board  Jeff’s yacht and Iain downloaded his head with any sailing and renovation tips. Lovely roast lamb dinner awaited us on our return t...

Tuesday 12 th December 2017 After clearing away the remains of the party and generally tidying up, we packed ready for the trip down to see Pete and Brenda. Took turns in driving down the Pacific Highway with couple of stop-offs – coffee at 7 mile beach overlooking Byron Headland, and another at Lennox Head, surfer beach.   Beautiful bays with hardly anyone on them other than a few surfers.  Clean sand, clear sea and places to barbeque or sit overlooking the bays.  Lots of serious roadworks going on in the highway. Huge tracts of motorway being modernised – at least if they say 60 kph, then workers are actually doing work on that piece of motorway.   Stopped at  Coffs Harbour where there was an inlet of a lovely shallow stream running under a bridge with lots of families and dog walkers safely enjoying the waters. On through to Port Macquarie where the motel was well equipped with a fridge, kettle, toaster and some milk in each room....

Sunday 10th December 2017 After a day of preparation on Saturday, the big party finally arrived on Sunday.  Aunt Lily has this annual bash as a Christmas Party. With us, about  25 people arrived, some bringing plates of food - savouries and puddings. An enormous amount of food was devoured.  Good system of all bringing their own grog and individual eskies. Other than the fruit punch, none of Lily's drinks were touched.  Iain took photos of everyone with the drone. A French chap 'Fab' provided some excellent entertainment with magic tricks.  Andy provided the music.   A really g ood crowd and clearly they are looking after Lily’s interests which is nice to know she’s supported. A surprise visitor was Lily’s granddaughter Olivia – about 23 years old and looks about 12. Very petite and pretty. Had flown up from Sydney, hired a car just to visit Lily at her party and was returning the same day. She was very interested in the family tree that ...

Friday 8th December 2017 Calypso Bay       Visited Aunt Lily's friends, Gary and Faye in Marina Parade, Calypso Bay - beautiful house that they designed and constructed themselves, with their own pontoon.  Six of us went out on their boat, Santana, out into Moreton Bay, stopping off at South Stradbroke (Straddy) sand island. Kirstine, Iain, Gary and I went off on the tender to walk over the dunes and reach the surf side of the island - not a single other person in sight for as far as we could see.  Nice.   Once back in the boat, the clouds started to gather ominously.  The weather very quickly changed to thunder and lightning storm with high winds.  Gary just set anchor and we ate our picnic sandwiches nicely ensconced in the boat saloon.  The boat hardly moved.   Once the rain had passed, we made our way back and had a guided tour of the palatial house by a rightly proud Fay...

Wednesday 6 th December 2017 Off for a drive, with Lily driving her Saab nutter car and burning various vehicles at traffic lights.   Nothing changes.   Up Mount Tamborine to the village for a wander around the craft shops. Very pleasant hot day with a breeze, and very few tourists around, so nice visit. Bought a tile of a sailing boat, some glass necklaces, couple of tea towels and a Christmas koala – maybe to use next year! Iain bought fudge and a nice Mount Tamborine Vineyard Platinum Cabernet Sauvignon. Mount Tamborine Vineyard On to Sanctuary Cove, which is a bit like a hotter posher Port Solent. Very nice houses line the various lakes and reclaimed land, but a little too clinical for me – Stepford Wives comes to mind. Lunch of club sandwich for me, Barracuda for Iain and a couple of veggie quiches for the girls. Yummy. None of us had room for the heart-attack inducing cakes on display. The Gabba, Brisbane Cricket Stadium... after the English tea...