Jun 6, 2019 - Bye bye Sydney, see you in the spring.

We caught an Uber to the airport for our evening flight to London via Kuala Lumpur. The first 8.5 hour leg to KL was uneventful although the catering could have been better, for instance one meal consisted of vegetable pizza or not. It is not as if they'd run out of any other choice as we were at the front of cattle class. We had previously decided to treat ourselves to entry into the "Golden Lounge" at the airport as we had a 5 hour stop-over and, as part of the package, extra leg-room on the 13 hour leg to London. The facilities in the...

May 19, 2019 - Tehran, becoming aquainted

Well an interesting day with many challenges. Not quite what I expected of Tehran, perhaps a little more downtrodden, not quite as modern or open as expected, truely mixed emotions about this city not easily explained. As usual, we did the city free walking tour, the highlight of our day and where we learned so much about what keeps Tehran ticking over and much more about life as an Iranian from our local guide. So much general information whilst visiting interesting areas and learning more about the history of Iran. Of course there were...

May 18, 2019 - Shalom and Inshallah,we arrived

Yes, finally in Tehran, not the best couple of days of travelling but I guess that the hassles, delays and sheer frustrations are all part of travel. Our flight was late, we missed our connection and spent 6 hours awaiting a new connection in Doha (always an ‘upside’ - we were eligible to spend the time comfortably in the Airport Business Lounge, no alcohol but comfortable with plenty of food), we missed our walking tour in Tehran and complimentary Airport pickup. On arrival in Tehran, again things picked up (after consuming 4 breakfasts en...

May 17, 2019 - On our way ......

At last, our big day arrives, let the Adventure begin Ohhh what a Feeling.... A quick stopover in Doha and then on to Tehran arriving at 4,30am ugh, I hope they will be as pleased to see us at that time of the morning as we will be to see them. Watch this space, next entry from Tehran....

Apr 21, 2019 - Day 3 Tour de Cowra Day

Woodstock Loop Distance 60 km. Elevation gain: 540m Nice ride with delightful scenery and great road surfaces Dinner at the Quarry Restaurant with a walking return on unsealed trails through the orchards and vineyards Aziza and wife Larnie joined us at the table

Apr 19, 2019 - Day 1 Tour de Cowra.

Group ride to Mt Collins distance. 76 km. Elevation gain. 493m As always we split into groups at a pace that felt comfortable. Tom and I mostly rode with Phil B and then a Dutch couple on the way back BBQ dinner with salads and fruit salad and yoghurt for dessert

Apr 18, 2019 - Uneventful arrival in Cowra

Arrival in Cowra. A late start (after my pilates class) got us to Cowra just after 15:30 followed by paying the balance on the house but forgetting to collect the key at the same time. Uh-oh! Luckily the house was fully open. Meanwhile a quick unload of the car and we left the house to Brian whilst Tom and I (again ) collected the key and did the house shopping until dark 𯘄 Meanwhile geoff arrived followed by Leanne and Goran. We had the traditional first night pizza delivery and others went to bed whilst I stayed up to greet Amanda and...

Apr 7, 2019 - New friends from old family

An exciting day today as we are going to visit Braidwood and Major’s Creek, areas where the Heazlett family settled. These folks are the brothers of Tony’s Gr-Gr- grandfather, who came to NZ around 1841. Because of family scandal it was some time before we found the true origins of the family, thanks to dna matching. The Heazletts came from Enniskillen, Ireland, came to Australia as convict ship guards with the 96th Foot Regiment. One brother stayed in Australia, and was later joined by another brother and his father and other family....

Apr 1, 2019 - Happy 60th Cynthea

Happy 60th Cynthea xxx We planned to go into the city for the day, Cynthea’s must do in Sydney is to at least see the Harbour Bridge. We just miss the shuttle bus to the ferry wharf, but there will be another in 15 minutes… or not. The bus arrives, but is not in service as the driver is off on his break, so it is drop off only. Bugger. We get the next bus, but the weather has not been pleasant. Still warm enough for us, but the Aussies are rugged up against the “cold”. Heavy grey clouds threaten rain, and there is a forecast 60% chance it...

Mar 29, 2019 - Wentworth Point (not Wentworth Scrubs)

Friday 29th Weather is warm (25), sunny and humid. A good sleep in today, we are suffering from the early start yesterday. After lunch we explore the area, Wentworth Point has a free shuttle bus that takes a loop around a couple of shopping centres, here, and across the Parramatta River in Rhodes. A brilliant wee service that departs every 15 minutes, and the drivers we met yesterday were friendly and helpful, and even waited for people running to get on. We stay on for a complete circuit to get our bearings, and then get off at Rhodes and...

Mar 28, 2019 - Sydney

Not a lot of sleep, someone in the room was snoring (lightly), and the person in the bunk below Tony thought it was him, and kept prodding him through the night. It was muggy, and the mosquitoes had a right old feast despite lashings of bug spray... (note to self, get better strength stuff in Aussie!) We were up at 03:45 to get ready to catch the bus. Coffee is soon made and put into travel cups, and we snack on pizza left overs from the night before. We have a chunk of cheese and that comes with us too. Our room mate Dave from Manchester...

Mar 12, 2019 - Sydney

Great day in Sydney. After a 0430 getup to see entry to Sydney harbor,we spent most of the day on a walkabout seeing the city. We did several train rides and ferry boats and then returned to the ship for some tucker.AH had a mudslide to top off lunch.(after she saw me enjoying mine) Sailing south today. Melbourne tomorrow. G-day..R