G'bye Australia

I couldn't leave without updating you on my last few days here, which have included some real highlights of the trip. I've been pleasantly surprised at how much I've enjoyed the Oz part of my journey - I wasn't sure about it beforehand, as regular readers will know. The friendly nature of the Aussies has been a feature - I only have to open a map and pause for a moment, and someone is there offering advice. In the main, shop assistants and cafe staff have been helpful and chatty - one even invited me to her home - unfortunately my onward travel was already booked, so I couldn't take her up on it. The different landscapes have been truly 'awesome' in places; pretty sometimes; always interesting - even long stretches of road with seemingly endless fields of sugar cane are interesting to an English city girl accustomed to traffic and houses all the way...
Coffs Harbour, my last stop on the journey down the east coast to Sydney, was a lovely place. I arrived in the rain, to find one of the best hostels awaiting me. Maybe because there were not many people; but it was very well appointed - lots of space, friendly staff, and clean bathrooms and kitchens. Makes a difference to a long-term traveller! I ventured out, forgetting to change out of my jeans - mistake! I generally wear them when travelling, as they are lighter to wear than carry. But walking in them in the rain is a no-no. It takes SO long to dry out denim! Never mind, it was worth it, as I walked along the jetty and sampled the local ice-cream. Next morning I sensibly wore my other trousers. This time though, it was sunny and dry. I walked along the beach, looking out at nearby islands and the sun rippling on the waves - bliss. I then wandered along the jetty by the harbour towards Muttonbird Island, laughing merrily at a sign which said to beware of waves breaking over the rocks. Yes, you guessed, I was hit by a freak wave which completely soaked me - I was dripping from hair to trainers... so back to the hostel for a shower and unpack and change before getting on the Greyhound bus, carrying an extra plastic bag full of very heavy wet clothes... So goodbye to Coffs Harbour, but I'd like to think I might return some day.
And so to Sydney again. Saturday was an unexpectedly sunny day, so Fenella and I mooched around some lovely crafty shops and enjoyed a hot drink in a cafe, before going to the cinema to see 'Sex and the City'. It was a treat on three counts - one, the film was great; two, I had company; three, we both enjoyed it equally - it was lovely to be on a 'girly' outing again!
Yesterday I got up to pouring rain again - this on the day Nick and I were booked to go to the Blue Mountains with his bush-walking group. Undaunted we set out, driving for a couple of hours to a lovely place called Wentworth Falls. This was one of the wettest walks I've ever done! Through oceans of mud, up and down steep rocky steps. This walk alone justified the burdensome carrying of my walking boots around the world! I was very smug to be one of the few people with warm dry feet right to the end. BUT it was the most beautiful place to visit. I can't begin to describe the waterfalls we walked alongside, they were spectacular; the sheer force of the water was breathtaking - some very high sheer drops; some gentle slopes with the water rushing over the rocks. All in a fine mist, which although it masked some of the views, actually added an air of mystery to the surroundings. A walk that I shall always remember with pleasure.
Today is the queen's birthday - I'm sure you knew that? At least, today is the day the Aussies give themselves a day off work in her honour! Sounds a good idea to me... so Happy Bithday, Ma'am - I'll think of you as I pack for my onward flights tomorrow. Thanks, Oz, it's been great - look out USA, here I come...

-----------------------------------------
Email sent from www.virginmedia.com/email
Virus-checked using McAfee(R) Software and scanned for spam