MELBOURNE TO HOME - 16 TO 25 APRIL 2022

 16 APRIL

MELBOURNE

We arrived at Melbourne on the ‘Spirit of Tasmania’. The journey was overnight and we had a cabin.

After stopping for breakfast, we drove to Marty and Suzie’s home.

It was a fun day drinking good wine and eating nibbles.

Marty had to visit friend.

17 APRIL

MELBOURNE TO ANGELSEA

After breakfast, we drove to Anglesea and settled into Nick’s house.

Marty and I had a surf on a beach break west of Anglesea and the girls went to another beach for a swim. The surf was okay with a very strong wind.

We had a relaxing afternoon and ate pizza for dinner.

18 APRIL

ANGLESEA TO ALBURY

 My birthday! 66^th year!

We said our goodbyes and left Anglesea for Albury.

It was a long drive in off and on rain and some traffic.

19 APRIL

ALBURY

It rained all day.

20 APRIL

ALBURY TO WAGGA WAGGA

We woke to sunshine.

I had a mountain bike ride at Nail Can Hill. It wasn’t that good as the tracks were heavily eroded and there was a need more directional sign.

Later, we sat at park on Murray River. It was very pleasant in the sunshine, watching the river meander along.

We parked in town to see the Mama Art Gallery. There wasn’t much on display.

We drove to Wagga Wagga and settled into a camp beside the Murrumbidgee River.

21APRIL

WAGGA WAGGA

An easy day.

22 APRIL

WAGGA WAGGA TO SUTTON

In the morning, we left the camp area and we had a fun cycle around Lake Albert.

After that, I had a mountain bike ride at Pomingalarna Mountain Bike Park and Jacinta had a walk. The tracks were very good and the ride was heaps of fun.

We left Albury and drove to Sutton. We stayed at Mark’s new home.

23 APRIL

SUTTON

We had a tour of parts of Canberra.

Later, we had a big dinner and a fire afterwards at Chris and Matilda’s place.

24 APRIL

SUTTON TO KIAMA

We said our bye byes and left Sutton.

It was a wet drive and a steep and windy road to the Jamberoo Pub where we met long time friend Beacon and Meryl. It was a great venue and a great afternoon chatting and enjoying each other’s company.

We drove to Kiama to stay with other long-time friends, Grotty and Helen. It was a fun afternoon of chatting, drinking and lots of board games.

25 APRIL

SUTTON TO HOME

After a leisurely breakfast, we farewelled Grotty and Helen and drove back home.

The end of another road adventure. Time goes by so fast and it seems the trip was a blink of the eye.

INDONESIA, BALI, LEGIAN - BEACH, FRIENDS AND LADYBOYS - 24 SEPTEMBER 2018

22 SEPTEMBER 2018

Arrived at Bali, picked up and settled into hotel at Legian, We did a few chores - changed money, some shopping and food. At sunset, we caught up with home friends - Bryson, Jeanette, Brett and Endang - and had a few beach beers and dinner. A good night. 23 SEPTEMBER 2018

An easy day - eating, massage, packing for Rote and beach swims. At sunset, we sat down on the beach at the water's edge and drank a bottle of wine while eating snacks. A big surprise with the Hari Krishnas dancing and chanting along the beach. We were joined by Bryson and Jeanette. We had dinner then watched a ladyboy show. Another good night. 24 SEPTEMBER 2018

Breakfast, packed and it was time to leave for the airport. Off to Rote.

INDONESIA, BALI, LEGIAN - TOGETHER AGAIN FOR A SHORT WHILE - 5 AUGUST 2018

4 AUGUST 2018

Gusti met us at the domestic airport and drove us to the Grand Kumala Hotel for 200 000R. The room at the Kumala was 400 000R.

We caught up with Kara and Chloe, our daughters, for lunch. It was so nice to see them and talk about our travels.

We said our goodbyes to Chloe as she was catching a flight to Australia at 3pm. Jacinta went to the airport with her while I had an amazing relaxing massage at the Silician Spa in Jalan double 6.

We went down the beach for sunset drinks and were joined firstly by Kara and a little later long time friend Wal and Desty. We chatted and had fun. We walked to the Kumala Pantai Restaurant for dinner and continued drinking and eating. Kara had an awesome seafood pizza.

5 AUGUST 2018

I woke feeling pretty ordinary. the red wine just didn't settle to well. We lazed around the hotel.

At 11:00am, Gusti arrived to drive us to Balian (400 000R). We picked up Kara at her hotel, stopped at the Bintang supermarket for supplies and I cashed some money at the bank.

HIKES, SURFING, KAYAKING, SNORKELING - 7 FEBRUARY 2018

1 February 2018

An early hike with Grotty and Helen, long time friends visiting from Melbourne.

The weather as cloudy and showers. The luck was with us during our hikes with no rain. The first hike was along the tracks at Mount Ettalong. A short hike with great views over Pearl Beach, Lion Island and the exit of the Hawkesbury River.

I took a side track and climbed down the cliff and followed a track at the cliff base. A lot of litter but great rock formations. I will do more of this track next visit.

We finished the hike we a view over Ocean Beach, Box Head and the exit of Brisbane Water.

Next, we drove to Warrah Road and had a short walk to the tessellated sandstone and views over the hinterland.

A short drive down the hill for coffee at Patonga.

Late, at night, we had dinner at The Pavilion Restaurant at Terrigal.

2 February 2018

Off and on rain again. I checked the surf but it was a no go.

Early in the afternoon, Kara, Chloe and I looked at textile art display at the Gosford Regional Art Gallery then walked around the Japanese Gardens. The gardens were pretty but the rain started to pour just towards the end.

We did a small shop at Erina Fair and had a late lunch.

4 February 2018

The surf was looking poor so I ventured over to Avoca Lagoon for a kayak.

The weather was cloudy with periods of sunshine. This mad for pretty reflections in the water.

There were a number of birds foraging for food. I sighted a number of new birds for me -

After the kayak I met Jacinta for coffee at the Haven, then I had a snorkel around the ocean side of the rock pool. The visibility was okay at the bottom of the water - a number of fish. I was excited to see a large groper.

5 February 2018

I looked for surf at heaps of beaches. Lakes Beach looked good but there was also massive closeouts.

I finally had a hike around the rocks at The Haven. The tide was low and the sun was shining on a sky of clotted clouds.

Later in the afternoon, I ended up having a good surf at Wamberal Beach.

6 February 2018

I surf at Wamberal beach.  The surf started off good but I moved further south on another sand bank and it was a no go.

7 February 2018

I hiked the rocks south of The Haven. It was a good hike with crashing waves, spouts of water, a fisherman hit by waves, a sea eagle, cockatoos on the cliff face, sculptured rock formations and a chat with a lady with two dogs.

Later, I surfed with Bryceson at Wamberal Beach. There were some nice rights and some hard breaking and fast lefts. It was fun for an hour before the wind increased into a strong onshore.