After leaving Lake Lyell we headed on up towards New England country.

Passing through a town who’s name I forget, which had a fairly nasty smell around what must arguably be the highlight of anyone’s trip to the town.. which was visiting The Biggest Sundial in the World. When I am rich and infamous, I will build a bigger one and tell them to take down their sign (ok, I won’t really, not really that cruel, but it would be funny. To me)

Stopped in a place called Wolcha yesterday. Now, I’ll admit, parking is not my favourite aspect of driving, especially when it’s a massive beast of a machine (great though).

Anyway, to park in their 45 degree parking spaces, you had to either reverse in off the main road, or go in front ways. I elected to go in front ways.

After having a lovely lunch down by the river(ish), and inspecting some of the art

we were wandering back to our van.. when I saw the start of the Dreaded Walk Of the Traffic Cop. That sort of leisurely swagger. I put on my Happy Patrick face and prepared to try to talk my way out of whatever I’d gotten us into.

Mr. Evil Nasty Man told me it was an offence to park nose-in… I replied I had no clue about this rule, and that I’d not seen any signs to that effect. He said they were all over the place (Mhairi was pressing him on this point – something I should have done!) (they weren’t) and that all the other cars were parked nose out.. (this, of couse, is no reason to do the same). HE asked how long I’d been in the country.. and when I said “almost a week” I thought, happily, that he’d be bound to let me off :) Mr Horrible Pernikety Pig Headed no-good traffic cop continued on to tell us that different states have different laws – some make you park nose out – some nose in – in different towns even you have different areas.

He then gave us a $75 parking offence ticket.

What a *************************************. Not happy I was. AH well.. If I’d been staying in the country I might have protested, as there were no signs.. or at least not obvious ones. I only really wish I’d got his name and asked him if we could have taken a photo with him, and explained that it was for my travel journal, and that this was a Significant Event seeing as it was
a) my first traffic violation
b) my first negative experience in almost 2 years of travel.

Still, if that’s the worst that happens I’ll be happy.

Leaving Wolcha (in a cloud of dust and gravel and bad-wishes – well – for that cop) headed north towards Armidale. Stopped to visit an aboriginal art site along the way.

So drove up to Katoomba on Monday avo – and had a quick run to the 3 sisters from Leura Cascades.. Well, Mhairi did, I went for some of it and then went back, got the car, and drove to the other end..

I’ve no pics – as again, most are on Mhairis weblog or will be eventually anyway.

We were just setting up for the night when a car which had seen us pull in – pulled over and a lady came over to us.. She asked were we looking for somewhere to stay the night – and suggested a spot she was driving by which would be perfect for us.

And it was. So thanks mystery lady

Then today we headed a little further on and did a walk along the old pioneer road (Cox’s road).. it was really amazing and just so impressive to see what these people did.. tough people..

In fact it was more of a jog/walk than a pure walk, but I was happy to jog along – and happy with how I was keeping up.. Mhairi is a fair bit fitter than I!

Then onwards – and had an Oh so wonderful shower at Lake Lyell.. honestly the best 40c I’ve spent in ages.. What else can you get for 40c these days? :)

So yes.. all good so far, not sure how much further we’ll get along tonight – thanks for the mails I’ve got – I’m going to be fairly terrible replying from now for a while – but I will try to when I can :)

Sorry I don’t have too many pics – most were taken with Mhairis camera – which then got uploaded to her laptop, which is having battery issues..

Anyway – spent the following day around Sydney – went for a walk around Circular Quay – Darling Harbour. Mhairi went for a run through the botanics (to whispers of ‘she’s crazy’). True.. but all good. Then the mandatory climb up the harbour bridge – just up one of the side towers – not the bridge climb (far too expensive)

In the picture below you can see where we parked our van – didn’t stay the night here as it was kinda forbidden (though maybe we could have)

That night was lovely – we went out for a drink to a pub I’d been told about by Yvonne that has a beer garden and looks over the harbour – lovely. After being informed (to mutterings of ‘I told you so’ – she was right though).. That we weren’t actually camping if we stayed in a parking spot in our van overnight.. we cracked open a bottle of sparkling white, and had the start of a lovely evening looking out over the lights of Sydney.

Hmm, my first post from an internet cafe.. so excuse the poor layout.. can’t do purty thumbnai.. ok… who cares? ;) hehehe

So left ChCh on Saturday afternoon – a most civilised time to travel – and Nicole – Tills girlf dropped me out to the airport.

The Plane to Sydney was no worries, immigration a breeze, Mhairi had been slightly waylaid by distances + interesting places on the way up – so I headed into Sydney to have a look about. Well, Seamus and I did..

After fighting her way through Sydney Traffic (and their signs) Mhairi arrived and I got into our mobile home for the next 32 days. And it’s *brilliant*. She already had the bottle of tonic and 4 lemons in the fridge (coupled with the 3 Litres of Gin (“You’re only allowed to bring 2 in, but we’ll let you through this time” – Thanks Mr. Customs Man)) we seemed to be starting the trip on a good footing..

So yes, cruised off to try and find a Sneaky Parking Spot by Botany Bay – but ended up in the district of Sydenham – pretty much.. Anyway – was great to meet up – but I must admit I felt slightly uneasy in the Big Bright Lights of Sydney.. with its motorways ‘n stuff!

Hmm, no nice scenic pictures on the blog since Mt. Cook disappeared off… so here’s just (yet another) one from Castle Hill the weekend before last. Crazy place.

It was a fun week. On Wed was out for Kirstys birthday. Only this time she had some ‘bling bling’ I believe is the correct term ;) As she and Andy just got engaged. They’re just lovely! :) they deserve each other ;) ehehhe. This is Kirstys Victorian pose..

And the rest of the week has been quite lazy – spent today packing. It all seems slightly unreal that in 16 hours I’ll be flying to Sydney to meet Mhairi. Hope we can survive 4 months of eachothers’ company… ehhehehe, I know I’d go mad hanging out with me for 4 months. Still, fun and games. But I am so looking forward to travelling with her – I’ve had quite a silly grin for the last few days :D

Had a really great send off last night – lots of friends out at the Dux for drinks. I will miss them all.

Though the ones in this picture I’ll be seeing in Thailand (can’t wait!). Oh, on that note – perhaps a useful link for people is : IHI insurance. It’s great – covers you for everything, can take it out anywhere.. it’s just good.. I needed to get additional coverage.

Anyway, I wish I had the eloquence and verbal dexterity to sufficiently convey how truly spectacular this country is, how generous, friendly and kind the people are, and how much fun I have had over the last year and a half. I am really really looking forward to traveling, but I know that I will miss this place, these people, and that when I come back in February that I’ll be straight off sea kayaking with Warick and co to Stewart Island – and I know that’s going to be great.

I dunno – waffle waffle – but yes, I also am really looking forward to seeing family and friends in Dublin. That’s going to be great. But I dunno, there’s something about this place and people that just feels right. There’s less stress and more fun. If you want a high-powered career and lots of cash then this isn’t the place to come (except for your 15 days holiday ;) ehehe, ehem, but for a place to live – even for just a couple of years – it’s the best

At least that’s my opinion anyway. I know I’ve had a pretty unreal time of it – esp with the flexibility that my job has let me enjoy. So I dunno what it’ll be like when I come back – something I am a little nervous about – but it’s important to me to get the permanent returning residents visa – just a further 10 months… so yes. Will do that.

And.. I love being able to look like this.. and feel great about it!