Advertisement
Published: September 7th 2006
Edit Blog Post
G'day everyone! It is great to hear from you all. It is amazing to think that another month has flown by! Since it is a monthly blog we have decided to treat you all with many photos and a prize for whoever answers the following question the best; "Over Dinner at Peter's in Kangaroo Valley, he went on for a very long time about how much he hated *?*?*, only for deaf Bobby (who hadnt heard) to proclaim how much she loved *?*?*. Who were they talking about"? Goodluck.
Since writing last, we went on a ferry to Watson Bay for a great day trip. We did a massive coastal walk and the area had many deserted beaches as well as a lighthouse and fort (see pictures) which were lovely.
The next day we went to Croydon! Yes you heard it right! It was a lovely little town on the edge of the city and we enjoyed a good 5 minutes there. It felt like home (see pictures). We then came back to the city and went to a little museum about the first bank in Australia (Westpac) which was very educational. Then we thought we needed to see a
little more of 'London' and we made our way to Kings Cross. It was a very upmarket/trendy area and we found a great Woolies there! We found a massive cake half price. However, Its sell-by-date was the next day so we had to eat it all that evening and we managed it!
The next day our weekly travelcard had run out and so we walked across the city and down Oxford Street to Paddington. We went to a nearby park and had a nice, but very cold, picnic.
On the following day, we went to the New South Wales Art gallery again to finish it off. We really liked the 20th Centurary Australian art and the contemporary art was a little to silly for us. We then walked through the Botanical gardens again and we saw bats! Yes bats! Tons to them in the trees, it was amazing. We then met up with Dad's friend Ray and his wife and had a hot chocolate/chocolate cake in the worlds first themed Lindt cafe. It was great! They then showed us a massive model of Sydney city which was good and spoilt us again with icecreams! It was a shame that we
had to say goodbye to them. Int he evening we went to check out the local funfair, Lunapark.
The next day we went to Lunapark in the daytime, which had great views of the bridge and the Opera House (see pictures). We then went shopping! After suffering from being cold for the past week we thought it was time we did something about it, especially as New Zealand wil be cold too. We bought Bobby some trousers to go under her trousers and a fleece and I got a coat. All these clothes were extremely cheap (Under 13 pounds all together).
The next day we said goodbye to Sydney as we headed down south to Otford. We got met at the train station by Grayham, the owner of the farm/environmental education centre we are working on, and he was very funny. He took us back to the farm, where we met Romayne who was also lovely, and he showed us to our own wonderful cabin. It had a kitchen, lounge, a batthroom, two bedrooms and a balcony with views of the mountains. We know dad would love it there as there are 2 lakes with ducks and the scenery
is amazing. We luckily didnt have to do work when we arrived and so we checked out the local beach which was lovely and empty (probably because it was very cold and windy). In the evening, we had a great dinner and it made a nice change from toast/noodles.
The following morning we went to have a homemade hot breakfast which was excellent! We were showed round the farm and we were introduced to all the free range chickens, ducks, dogs (Jack and Jill) and wild cockatoos etc. We then got into overals and painted oil over a wooden structure soon to be put into the lake. We have to work 5 hours a day from 8am - 1pm for the food and accomodation. After work we were treated again to another homemade meal and then we went to the nearby town, followed by a movie (Zorro).
The next day we weeded plants in the greenhouse and then we went for a nice bushwalk in the Royal National Park which had a really nice viewpoint (see picture). If bushwalking wasn't Austrlian enough, in the evening we had a Barbie and Bobby was so happy!
The day after that we built
shelving for plant pots and did some more weeding in the fields. Afterwards we went to Kellys Falls and again there were lovely views. We also went to a nearby hindu temple which was good. In the evening after dinner, we all went to a Greenpeace conference about global warming in the nearby hall, which was very educational. They also said today that out of everyone they have had so far (200 + people) no one has walked as much as we have - which is quite an achievement!
We scattered vegtable waste (nitrates)/oystershells (calcium), the next day, on their soon to be vegetable patch. We then ploughed the land which was quite hard work, especially as the weather is now hotter (1st day of Spring). We were then treated to Pizza in town and we had a big laugh about the origins of our name Bobby.
Yesterday we had a farewell breakfast on the deck with them which was wonderful! We already miss Grayhams great cooking and Romaynes Girl powerness (she works for the YWCA). We definitely feel more environmental and we will be saving electricity when we get home (which Dad will be happy about). We also tried
and liked many new foods such as rare steak, eggplant, baked beans (for me), olives, salad etc! I had a clean plate after every meal which is more than can be said for the other Bobby!
We left Otford on Saturday afternoon and realised that we had the week train timetable and not the weekend. We therefore had to get off at Wollongong, go to the internet, call the next home stay people to say we would be late. Anyway, we arrived at Bomaderry in one piece and Peter was there to pick us up. It was then a 20 minute ride in the car into the mountains to Kangaroo Valley (we did not see any). We met his lovely brother and another home stayer as well as their lamb, two dogs, geese, ducks and horses. The lamb is so sweet and it just runs around the house all day, following one of the dogs whereever it goes. We had a great meal and we discovered our bed has an electric blanket which is so good! We also saw a wombat up close when it got dark and it was really good (quite like a badger).
For the next few
days we weeded till lunch time and then walked around Kangaroo Valley till we had to start work again at 4pm, where we either weeded some more or brewed home made beer/pickled limes. We had many lovely evening meals and it was sad to hear about Steve Urwin.
We left for Wollongong the next day and did all the attractions (including it's lovely beach). We are now in Sydney at a 24 hour internet cafe, where we shall remain till 7am (as it works out cheaper than accomodation) when we will then be going north of Sydney to Berowa.
It is great to finally read so many comments from Neil - you are spoiling us! Where is the flat you are buying? Is it near enough for us to come over and babysit??
We also want to say a big congratulations to Paul and Adam on their exam results!
We are also happy to hear Nanny and Granddad are settling in well in their new home and we can't wait to see them when we get back.
We also hope Granny had a great time at the Lake district and we hope you get better soon.
Remember to keep
your photo requests coming!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.061s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 12; qc: 29; dbt: 0.0343s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
mumsy (the farmer's daughter)
non-member comment
I'm a Bobby - Get Me Out Of Here!"
Well, you two are dark horses (or should that be kangaroos?) - fancy that - my daughter's working down on the farm and saving electricity - whatever next!!:-) Loved the Kangaroo valley and bushwalk picture - looks like a setting for "I'm a Celebrity" so glad you had nice animals and not massive insects to play with. I think Peter hated / Donna loved.....probably some singer, but I'm going for Tony Blair?! By the way doubt if you are keeping up, but British politics seems to be turning into a docu-soap these days - its almost better than Corrie at the moment. Anyway, glad you have had some good Oz meals and got some warmer clothes for the next few months - what a bargain!!!!! lots of love and big hugs xxxx mumsy xxx ps I passed my Fire Bridgade lorry driving test at work:-)