KEMPSEY TO WOOLI BEACH

Ok another vanilla milk shake at MC Donald's and time to catch up on yesterdays events.Well we left Kempsey at about 9.30 after doing our blog and getting some more supplies for our travels,had a lovely ride along the pacific highway(keeping well out of the way of the road trains that trundle up and down this road)some of them are huge ,most of them painted up in bright colours and highly polished chrome bumpers and wheels.Stopped for a cup of tea at Nambucca Heads(this is a nice little place),we had a walk around and then found a little beach at South Valla.This spot was right alongside the beach so we decided it was lunch time,enjoyed a walk along the beach(few surfers around and lads fishing for mullet).After doing the washing up we got on our way and passed through some banana plantations and finally arrived at Coffs Harbour,now this town is quite big(even got an airport) very pretty place ,little harbour and plenty of fishing boats,had a walk around here.Time was getting on now and we finally realised that the clocks here went back on Sunday morning so although it gets light about 5.30 am it is dark for 6pm (suggested to Betty that we should get up at the crack of dawn so that we could make most of our day but i don`t think she was impressed).We certainly miss those king size beds that we had in America.After leaving Coffs Harbour we carried on to a village called Grafton where we decided to go off the main road about 30kms to a little place called Wooli,now this place was only small(we prefer these sites)we had a river at the back of us and the sea in front of us.Now the beach here was great ,lovely sand and stretched for miles in both directions.Had a good evening meal and a chat with one of the neighbours ,whose name was Brian.He spends six months on site and six months travelling(seemed to have a good life with his fishing)had a little drink and off to bed.Goodnight Betty and BrianXX.

TUNCURRY FORSTER TO KEMPSEY

Dad, this is bringing back so many memories of all those camping trips and all that training is coming in very useful! like using the same pan twice and not wasting a drop of water! we can just about get past each other in the van,I think it`s all these milkshakes at McDonald's. Going to the shower block is a big deal with all the makeup,hairdryer and straighteners. It just used to be towel and soap. I am the navigator and I must say Brian is being very patient! I can get lost on the site!

Anyway must get on Bri has gone to do the shop fancy some bacon and egg (that always tastes better outside) Well we did get up to rain yesterday which wasn`t fun but by the time we were ready to leave the sight it was lovely sunshine. We headed north to Kempsey (named after our Kempsey in Worcs) On route we had a brew at North Haven and Lunch at Port McQuarie. Jo I remember you telling us about this place and yes its beautiful. We had a great walk along the beach, it was busy with families on the Easter break and surfing lessons. So then we looked for a McDonalds which is never hard to find. After blogging we just found a lovely site up the road. Just a quiet one with our own patio and palm tree! well you can`t do better than that oh and a shower block that only we seemed to use. When we were asking the manager where we could park we went into so much discussion you would have thought we were buying the plot! Getting like mom ! Brian had a swim ,set up camp wine and dinner on the go. Paul we have got John Williamson on in the van!

lOVE BETTY AND BRIAN X X X X X X

WYONG TO TUNCURRY FORSTER

OK before we left the campsite at Wyong we crossed over the road to do our shopping ,the shops were back to normal after good Friday .Then we started out on the coast road through Swansea ,Belmont,Newcastle stopping on the way for lunch on the side of the road (we shared a table and chairs with them) they told us that they were on their way to Tuncurry Forster and it probably would be a good place to stay so that is what we did.we carried on through bulahdelah and then followed the coast road round to tuncurry.Had a job getting into a campsite being the Easter weekend but the fourth one we contacted had just had a cancellation so we had the last powered site.very busy site and the guy in the reception mentioned to Betty that it was bingo tonight (she was over the moon!).cooked evening meal and after getting freshened up went for a walk and found a RSI club,really big club with lots of facilities but not many people there but they all seem to run courtesy buses to and from the clubs,so we took advantage of a lift back to the camp and slept well.love Betty and Brian xx

BACK WHERE I STARTED IN THE BACK OF A VAN!

Hello well it`s a good job it`s easy to find a McDonald's and the milk shakes are lovely! After a lovely walk Thursday along the beach the weather was great and as we hadn`t got any nice pictures of Sydney we went back into the city. It looks completely different when the sun was shining. Everyone eating and drinking along side the Harbour. Great atmosphere so decided to stay for the evening. Found a great bar with music and sat at the waters edge. Met a couple and spent a couple of hours with them. They were deciding whether to move to Sydney or Stay in Stevenage. Well we mulled over all the pros and cons with them and had a good night. So yesterday we left the hotel at 9am to go and pick up the camper van. That was a long and drawn out process,we had to watch a DVD. It wasn`t the exact van we wanted but said we can swap it when we meet up with Lyn & Pete in Brisbane. Anyway it is ok it just hadn`t got a pullout BBQ but we can live without that.

Now this is the big test on a relationship!!! I was putting everything away in one place and then Brian would move it. We have got a shower and loo but emptying it seems a bit of a pain so we will try and use the sites facilities. We didn`t get very far on our first day we stayed at a place called Wyong which was only 80 miles from Sydney. Lovely place and we cooked our evening meal and had a drink at the local rugby club. Were taking the old pacific highway north and our next stop will be Newcastle. Hope you are all well and don`t eat too much chocolate Betty & Brian x x x

THURS 1ST APRIL BONDI BEACH

Got to be quick here the battery is about to go on computer,had a lovely walk this morning starting at Bondi beach and following the coastal path visiting Clovelly beach ,Bronte etc.picking up camper van tomorrow will have to see how we get on with Internet connection when we are mobile(could be having a few MC Donald's)happy Easter,bonne paque Betty and Brian xx

AUSTRALIA WELCOMES ZENA

Well the anniversary meal went well at the Indian restaurant,the food was lovely and the service was great the only problem was when the food arrived it was on tinfoil plates!(Bet wasn`t amused but we soon sorted it).She found her happy face the next morning when she had her hair doo (she made sure that cost me).So after the hairdressers we made our way to Darling harbour and the weather started to pick up,we had our lunch on the quayside and then made our way through the Chinese quarter and to Paddy's market.I did take Betty to look at the camper vans that we could be hiring(see photo) i don`t think she was impressed with the bottom of the range!.Then it was back to the hotel for a shower and change before we met up with Zena and Andy,now this was a big day for Zena because today is the day that she receives her Australian citizenship and a lovely ceremony it was.There was about 40 people receiving their certificates,the mayor was there to conduct the ceremony and we all had drinks and canapes afterwards,then the four of us went for a meal at a Portuguese restaurant and a good time was had by all.After saying goodbye to Zena and Andy we took a train back to central station and had a nice walk back to the hotel.goodnight Betty and Brian xx

RAINY DAY IN SYDNEY

OK so today started off with rain and it looks like its finishing with rain.Down to breakfast early (that was a bonus didn`t` realise that we had that) and it was ok.So off we went with our umbrellas and soon found ourselves in the salvation army charity shop looking for a kagool for me.No luck with that but Betty

came away with a nice skirt and a pair of black trousers.I managed to find a lonely planet guide of Australia and a good map and things to do in Queensland, which we will need after Friday when we pick up the camper van.While we were in the charity shop Zena rang and we have arranged to see her Wednesday evening and looking forward to that.Then it was a walk through Hyde park and a visit to the parliament building of new south wales,that was interesting.After that we had a walk into the botanical gardens where we heard such a noise coming from the trees,we thought it was birds but no hanging from the branches were hundreds of flying foxes(and they are not small).But the gardens are lovely and we will go back there on a finer day.We walked then down to the opera house and viewed the bridge(didn`t post any pictures of these we need a nice day) had a sandwich and drink at circular quay and then returned home .So now we are in the Sydney library where we have a great internet connection and when we have finished this post we are going to eat and celebrate our anniversary. bon appetite Betty and Brian xx