20th Newsletter.
Canberra to Sunshine Coast.
Our stay in Canberra proved to be a very enjoyable time indeed, catching up with both friends and family. Our first engagement was to the National Gallery of Australia, which was hosting the Masterpieces from Paris Exhibition; I am probably the only person on earth who is game enough or inappropriate enough to admit that I did not enjoy the exhibition for a number of reasons. Firstly I have seen the art work before many years ago at the Louve so the work was not new to me, secondly because I am not an art critic the uniqueness of the work was perhaps lost on me and thirdly the amount of people allowed through the exhibition at any one time was ridiculous, dodging people for a glimpse of the work became part of the course.
We also took a trip through the High Court of Australia, which was interesting in both its architecture and its grandeur. Canberra Glassworks was also a fascinating place to visit offering an opportunity to watch craftsmen at work and a chance to view and buy many finished products. Beaver Gallery was another venue to view beautiful glass pieces and in fact my aunt bought me a stunning Red and Cream glass platter, which I can’t wait to put on my coffee table when we get home. A shopping trip to the Canberra Centre with my sister and aunty was a must although not much was bought, a lot of wares were viewed and discuses. We also caught a movie The Blind Side that was really a great way to spend a couple of hours and a good laugh. Finally it was good to catch up with friends Carmel and Mario and enjoy a meal together.
Tuesday 9th March. After spending five days in Canberra it was time to head to Sydney and the Lane Cove River Tourist Park situated in Lane Cove National Park was recommended to us and we were impressed with what it offered. The sites in the park were situated in bush surroundings and reasonably spacious, the amenities blocks were surprisingly new and very presentable. It was however quite a ways to a corner store, local shops etc, not really a walking situation. We quickly became acquainted with the public transport system and soon there was no stopping Ken with a $2.50 seniors ticket. While I enjoyed a stroll through Sydney city shops Ken took a ferry ride to Parramatta, meeting up later for a walk to Darling Harbour. On another day we enjoyed a ferry ride to Manly and returned in time to catch the movie Precious at Circular Quay. We also had a chance to catch up with my nephew Strathmore and his family, which was a lovely evening in their new house. Ken’s aunty who lives at New Port was another day of catching up with people and places we haven’t seen for a while. All in all it’s been a great time in Sydney and we have both agreed we must come again before long. Received the news that our tenants are moving out two weeks early so our trip home will be a hasty one.
Tuesday 16th. Left Sydney and headed North on Highway 1 hoping to make Myall Lake our home for a couple of nights. We took the Bombah Point Road south east of Bulahdelah into Korsman Campground in Myall Lake National Park to find it almost deserted, lucky us. The weather is really beautiful and Ken is excited about the prospect of sailing on the Lake as he missed out last time we were here because the weather was terrible. There are Monitor Lizards everywhere as I was to discover while sitting outside the van reading my book, I heard a rustling near by and looked down to find a huge Lizard coming out from underneath the van, I nearly died of fright. We enjoyed a quiet evening of being alone with a sky full of stars, not much opportunity for that in the city.
Wednesday 17th. A beautiful day for motoring around for Ken in his wee dingy, however not much opportunity for a sail as there is little to no wind. I took the time to catch up on some reading and to soak up the ambiance of this beautiful quiet piece of nature while we have the chance.
Thursday 18th. The weather was still with us as we drove to Port Macquarie via Taree where we stopped for a few more supplies and lunch. North of Port Macquarie we turned off at Pembrooke and made our way to our friends Sonia and Grey’s house, who live on acreage in an old heritage listed homestead. It was great to see them and catch up with their news after a year’s absence. Friday we just enjoyed being in this beautiful environment and later in the day drove to Bonny Hills to join Sonia at her outdoor farmers markets which she organizes for the local community. Later we enjoyed fish and chips at the local tavern and experienced some country hospitality.
Saturday 20th. Left Pembrooke at about 9.30, which is early for us however we had arranged to meet friends Ken and Jillian for lunch at Coffs Harbour and its usually good to be on time. A great lunch on the water at Mangrove Jacks was had by all and for me I haven’t laughed so much in along time so totally enjoyed the day. We chose to drive on to Corinda Caravan Park for the evening as we had fond memories of our stay there last year. It’s a very beautiful spot high on a cliff overlooking a stunning expanse of white sand and Blue Ocean.
Sunday 21st. Drove along the coast road and stopped at Maclean for lunch as we did on our way south at this time last year. It made me realize just how much I am missing Wendal on our way back home, it should be the three of us making this journey. We drove through Ballina and looked at the old house I used to own at Broadwater, it sure has seen better days. Headed then to Suffolk Park to find Ken’s brother Max’s new house, and a lovely warm welcome from Max and his new lady friend Terry. Fortunately for us there is a large grassed area adjacent to the street in front of Max’s house that was able to accommodate our van so we didn’t have to hassle with a caravan park.
Monday 22nd. Being so close to Lennox Head it was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with Danielle and Alexandra old friends who live in the area. They invited us for lunch in their lovely new home and discovered what a talented artist Danielle has become. It is roughly 20 years since we have seen each other so a lot has changed along the way.
Tuesday 23rd. Still at Suffolk Park and awaiting the arrival of Max’s daughter Jessie and her family whom are expected for lunch. This has really been old friends and family week for us. We tore ourselves away at about 4pm and headed to South Port to spend time with our dear friend Moira, who as always made us feel so welcome.
Wednesday 24th. Ken and I decided this was a good opportunity to have a look at new lounges as the Gold Coast certainly has many stores to choose from. We had spotted a setting in Sydney, which we really liked, so decided to visit the same store on the coast. After looking at what seemed like hundreds of leather lounges we finally made our decision and put down a deposit. Unfortunately we will not be able to take delivery until early May but that is life I guess.
Thursday 25th. Did some washing and house keeping before heading to Brisbane as we figured the lady of the house wouldn’t throw us out for staying after 10am. Booked into Nestle Inn Tourist Village at Tingalpa in Brisbane because we wanted to catch up with our son Geordie for the evening. He has a lovely new apartment at East Brisbane with views of both the city and the river and appears to be very comfortable indeed. We meet at his apartment and soon found a great Indian restaurant within walking distance where we went for dinner. It’s very good to see Geordie so happy and well.
Friday 26th. Leaving Brisbane at 10am we headed up the coast towards Mooloolah where we were hoping to spend the evening with friends Donna and Ken. Donna was already home so she helped us hook up to the power etc and then she and I decided to have some girl time exploring a store one of her friends has just opened. Lots of things to buy and try on but not much that I was in need of just at the moment. We spent a lovely dinner together enjoying one of Donna’s great meals that we have all come to look forward to.
Saturday 27th . Well today is the day we get the keys to our house back. YES. YES.
As I dance into the Real Estate office and take possession again, it feels good. Opening the downstairs door and walking into an empty house seems so strange after so many years of it being full of furniture and life. It also strange just how big the house looks now, each room is much larger than I remember and it’s all quite daunting. Thirteen months of living in a space much smaller than our bedroom has taken its toll, and I think it may take some time before we are ready to be comfortable with so much area around us.
It took a week before we felt comfortable enough to move back into the house again. Little by little we had to take in the notion of space and a house that does not move.
This is the last of my blogs and by far the longest one to publish. I want to thank anyone out there who has kept up with the reading, I hope you have enjoyed coming on our journey with us. It certainly has been both an education and a test of endurance with many highs and many lows especially for me. Take care of yourselves and enjoy the ride. Elizabeth.
