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Published: March 6th 2012
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A trip to the launderette was our Sale Saturday morning and it proved to be quite entertaining as we got talking to so many people. We have found people very chatty people wherever we have been. Afterwards, we went into Sale for brunch and couldn't believe how busy all the cafes and restaurants were, as usual, food was excellent. Shops close half day on Saturdays which meant the town was dead once we had eaten plus it was raining. We were watching the weather closely as many areas of New South Wales and Victoria were being evacuated and though the coast wasn't affected, we were planning on going inland to Canberra and that route wasn't looking good. Serious situations all over the area to the west of us regarding the flooding, a few people have died and whole towns evacuated.
It was a short journey to our next stop, the lovely town of Lake Entrance and by the time we got there it really was pouring, so at last, a chance for feet up and an afternoon snooze! We were recommended a restaurant, Miriams, along the seafront, which was fab though expensive. Most things we are finding expensive the only
thing that is cheaper is fuel for the car, unleaded works out at about £1 per litre. Next morning, they have a market on the grassy area beside the beach, we wanted some fruit and picked out apples, pears and peaches but as we only wanted a couple rather than kilos, the nice man who grew them in his garden didn't want any money, how often does that happen? They were delicious.
Long journey today to Batemans Bay, the scenery changed all the time, forests to farm lands, then lakes to coast. We stopped at a general store in the middle of nowhere, they had very limited supplies of anything though strangely had a full range of Jamie Oliver merchandise! Anyway, they made great coffee and we were on our way. At one point we got out of the car to swap drivers and were so surprised how hot it was, very humid and apparently this stretch is classified as rain forest. The weather changes as fast as at home. Growing wild along the roadside were clumps of white lillies.
We went to a town Tilba Tilba which is a national trust village, all original clapperboard buildings and
very pretty. We stopped for some fuel at the general store, as usual had a good chat with the petrol attendant and it was a great old fashioned store with old fashioned petrol pump. He told us that 3 local men had got into difficultly in the floods with their car, 2 had escaped but the other guys body had just been found.
We drove through Mogo, one of the original gold rush towns, couldn't find any though. We also went through Stratford upon the River Avon where they have a Shakespeare Festival.
Arrived in Batemans Bay and they weather had improved dramatically and the bay and its boats were bathed in sunshine and looked lovely. We found our motel and had a few alarm bells ringing when we were 'welcomed' by the owners. We like the motel idea as we could drive the car up to the door. However, this time they had put us upstairs. Sal asked for downstairs but Mr Owner was very disappointed as he had given us his best room with 'an aspect'. It did have a nice view but that was it, Col thought the decor was tired but Sal thought it
was a s**t hole. Anyway, a bottle of wine later made it look better. The town was probably pretty once but awful buidings have been erected and spoilt it, again we were on the pelican trail, oh yes says everybody, always plenty around here......... not today! We find one on top of a lamp post giving his feathers a preen.
We had checked where was ok for driving with the floods in mind and it seemed we were ok for Canberra, so we decided to go, the weather was beautiful which seemed strange as we listened to news reports and several towns not to far from us were suffering from flooding and one called Wagga Wagga which was about 50 miles away was being evacuated as we write this. Though ironically, the day had been sunny with blue skies. They say some towns will not be affected by this deluge of rain for about another month. Great name Wagga Wagga, which is obviously Aboriginal and Wagga means land of the crow, though to double a name up makes it plural. There are lots of places like this.
Farmers have had to shoot their sheep rather than let them
drown, just seemed unbelieveable when the weather now was so good. Driving was a bit hazardous as so many big holes had opened up in the road. Again, some fo the countryside was beautiful and after a couple of dull wet days, blue skies and sunshine made everything look good. Sometimes the landscape looks very English. We stopped in some pretty and interesting towns. Sal getting back into some sewing after many years was in her element as every town has at least a butcher, baker and fabric shop! Quilting seems to be very popular here and the choice of fabric was overwhelming.
All of our motels/hotels have been booked in advance and apart from last night had been excellent. So we were hoping to be lucky in Canberra and we were! The hotel is an appartment block and they let out some appartements. It wasn't what we expected so a nice surprise to get a fantastic 16th floor, 2 bed appartment with balcony. What a difference from the night before and almost the same price.
We found a deli on the corner so stocked up and sat on our balcony with some good wine watching the sun
go down whilst our meal cooked.
Canberra is very spread out and it seemed the best way to sightsee was by car, so we went to the Australian War memorial which was extremely well done with a museum inside and the parade ground outside with a great view to the Parliament House and lined with memorials to various groups in various conflicts. We then drove up to parliment and was surprised to park in their underground car park and after a brief security check we could wander around at will.
This is our last night in Aus on our own as tomorrow we will board the ship and stay overnight before it sets sail. We have had such a fantastic time and can't believe how it had gone so quickly. Thank goodness we have written this as already we are forgetting where we have been. To really do the places justice we would need many more days, probably weeks but we have loved every minute of it. The weather hasn't been that kind but being English we are used to that!
We are excited and a bit nervous about our next 7 weeks on the ship and
wondering what our fellow passengers are going to be like. Col is under strict instructions not to be his usual friendly self and speak to people who might turn out to be Mr and Mrs Pain the the Arse and we can't shake them off.... we need to stand back and assess. This is all taking into consideration that we have managed to drive into the centre of Sydney to drop our lovely car off which has been just the job for us, very roomy and comfortable.
On the Fred Olsen website there is a ship locator
www.fredolsencruises.com/Our-Ships/Ship-Locator
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Monica Carney
non-member comment
Just keep away from Costa!
Hi Sally and Col - thanks for the update, so interesting to read it all and glad it's all going so well. I'm sure you'll enjoy the cruise and you'll be able to relax and enjoy the journey. Look forward to hearing the next update. love Monica PS What's the quickest way off a Costa ship? A: Follow the captain!