Pat and Val

Made it home safely after 40 odd hours of travel. Had a super time and found Australia a facinating country and its people friendly and helpful. Now to download 3,500 images and 20 hours of video. That's it folks Bye Pat and Val... read more

Just a quick note to let you know we are now in Singapore with 20 hours more travel time to Calgary. Had a super time in Tasmania, but a little damp. Not able to access internet there. See you all shortly with lots to tell. Val and Pat... read more

Time seems to be rushing by now with 11 more days left. We are currently in Melbourne staying with Helen. Went to Healsville Sanctuary today returning home in torrential rain. Anyway, back to Hervey Bay........ Fraser Island was really different, but enjoyed the day driving around and on the sand dunes and beach "highway". Saw a real wild Dingo, a ship wrech and lots of birds. We then rented a car and drove down the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane. Stayed one night with friends of a friend near Cooroy. These friends have a little dog and to cut a long story short, Val, who had been told to keep her hands away from the dog didn't and finished up getting bitten and having to get five stitches the next day. All is well and her hands ... read more

Thanks for all messages. Calgary Snow sounds very inviting - can't wait to leave the heat and humidity and it is not even summer yet. Had two interesting rain forest trips from Cairns. Winter rains have arrived late and are creating more cloud and reducing visibility. Big rest on Lady Elliot Island. Super spot but again bad weather limited our snorkelling activity. Had 36 hours of heavy rain and then strong winds. However, saw turtles and rays and lots of colourful fish. Pat saw Humpback Whales. There are birds galore - the island is a breeding site for several bird species so some of the trees and bushes were covered with nests and you had to be careful where you walked because there were birds eggs laid in the gravel. Had an eerie introduction to Mutton ... read more

We survived the camping trip to the Outback of Central Australia to see Uluru and the Olgas. They are truly remarkable, very ancient sandstone monoliths that change colour in response to changing sun angles and a real contrast to the surrounding flat desert. We also visited Kings Canyon like a miniature Grand Canyon. We were rudely awaoken each morning at 4:30am and off hour later to do our hiking early and beat the heat. And what heat - unusual for this time of year - it hit the low 40's every day - you could almost feel your boiling. Surprisingly, there is vegetation out here, ever some gum trees along with shrubs and the endless spiky Spinifex grass. How the Aborigines survived in these conditions is amazing. We saw little wildlife other than lizards - sensibly ... read more

GOR is truly spectacular - the yellow and red limestone has eroded into picturesque coves, bays and inlets, some with sheer cliffs and others with more gentle slopes. In places huge stacks rearing out of the ocean are the only remnants of former coast. Quite dramatic in evening loght and morning mist. Didn't realize how ancient this continent is - there has been much erosion over time. This whole coast is lashed by the very cold waters of the South Australian Bight - there's nothing between here and Antarctica. Inland from the coast are forested hilss separated by small valleys which are used for cattle and sheep raising - reminded us of the Yorkshire Dales and parts of Wales and Scotland. Still don't really feel we are in Australia. Probably would if we wewren't of British ... read more

This Exmouth is north of the Tropic of Capricorn and bloody hot. A few days ago saw Dugongs in Shark Bay and close encounters with Dolphins. Here to snorkel Ningaloo Reef (1,500 km drive north of Perth) which was great. Water very cold, but variety of coral and fish superb. The scenery is very arid and scrubby and quite frankly - boring. But we have seen Roos, wallabies, emus, bustards, lots of birds and wildflowers. On our way south to Albany on the SW tip of OZ. Having a great time, but having difficulty dragging Valerie away from all the flowers! Campervan is really great, but gas diesel price here is $1.25 a litre - expensive. Would you believe we are in bed by 9pm, but up early at 5:30am Miss you all. Until next time ... read more

Saw our first kangaroos today, so we are really in Aussie. Had a BBQ with Joan and Kaye's relatives and tomorrow we are looking aroung Kings Park in Perth.... read more

Organized our campervan tour of Western Australi with Richard. Hired a campervan for 14 days. Plan to go north to Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef viewing the best wildflower showing for five years. Then down south of Perth to Albany and area.... read more