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Published: October 31st 2008
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Just a week until I'm back in the good old UK, snow and all. Going to be a big change, but can't wait. First of all though I still have a week here in California with my folks, a pretty good way to end almost five months away from home. But before all that, I'll backtrack to my last few days in Oz first. So last time I updated this I was in Bright, having just done a couple of days walking in the mountains. I had every intention of relaxing for a day at least, maybe getting on a bike but little more. But in the end I drove up to a place called Mt Hotham, a ski resort in the winter, and did a long, but not too strenuous walk to the top of Mt Feathertop, along a long undulating ridge called the Razorback. The drive up there (to about 1500m) had been pretty amazing in itself, another section of the Great Alpine Road, winding and climbing through the mountains to the ski resort. Would have been better in a decent car or motorbike, but the Jucy Campa made it in the end. It was the most amazing clear
and sunny day as well, perfect for walking, but it also felt odd still being in just shorts and t-shirt at over 1900m, and with virtually no snow to speak of. I only saw one group all day too - it's amzing how such great places are still relatively quiet in places like Oz. After about 22km and 6 hours of walking I got back and drove down a little south towards the coast, before stopping for the night, too tired to drive on, at a tiny place called Omeo! It was very sweet, but another semi-backward Australian town, and I was virtually kicked out of the pub at about 8.30! A massive steak certainly went down a treat after the days walking. The next day I hit the road and was grateful for having started towards Sydney a little earlier than planned. The coast road was OK but pretty winding, hilly and mostly single carriageway, unlike the inland Melbourne-Sydney Hume highway, which is flat and dual carriageway. So despite driving for most of the day I was still a long way short of my final destination, and had to stay in a seaside town called Narooma. It was fine
but I did feel like I stumbled upon Australia's version of Bognor and the campervan was very conspicuous. The next day it was back behind the wheel again, and after a few hours I got to Jervis Bay, and immediatley wished I'd allowed more time to spend there. The campsite was great (simple but in the middle of the forest and not far from the beach), the beach was amazing (more Whitsunday-like, white, floury sand) and it was pretty deserted. I relaxed on the beach all afternoon, and next day chilled out in town - the weather had turned a bit from hot and clear blue skies to a bit overcast. I was due in Wollongong early the next morning for my last day's skydive so had to head there that afternoon, which was a shame because as a place to stay it was only marginally better than Narooma, perhaps Bournemouth rather than Bognor. I stayed at a place a little north on the beach, and started early the next morning to go and jump from 14,000ft. I was with a group of people on a work day out (not a bad idea!) and despite an air-traffic control enforced delay,
forcing us to land and wait an hour, before going up to jump again, it was great! The photos (all I have, can't get the camera ones at the moment) show what it was like. I got the DVD and t-shirt too of course! It was then up to Sydney for a last day there, a BBQ with my mate Jono in the evening and then the flight to San Fran via Auckland! I absolutely loved Oz, I'd wanted to go for 15 years or more, and it really lived up to expectations. People can be a bit mad, but great weather, good cities, amazing beaches, sport and terrain, what more could you want.
So a final week in California! As soon as I landed I drove 3 hours south to meet Murph and Gabbi in a place half way to LA called San Luis Obispo. Very cool uni town and we had a good catch up and blast out on the tiles the night before last. Then yesterday I drove up the coastal road (highway 1), another great drive, to meet my parents who have been staying with friends in Alameda (near San Fran). We've driven out to Yosemite
today, and we've got a few days here, then a few exploring San Fran, before the flight home. Can't wait to get back now. Catch you soon.
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