In Conclusion

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Today I leave Australia for part three of my "Adventure" .


In Conclusion

I have now been in Australia since the 29th Nov 06.I have covered some 7750klm’s from Cape Tribulation in the State of North Queensland through NSW also going west some 800 klm’s of Sydney to Bourke (“back of Bourke”) and then down to Melbourne in the State of Victoria.

Australia is a vast country I really have only scratched the service but I have had a fabulous time it has an extraordinary range of terrain from desert t in NSW to rolling rich farmlands in Victoria.
The names of places are really fascinating and how they came about very interesting e.g. Digger’s Rest (railway crossing, general store, station, that’s it!) Goonawarra another example (probably Aboriginal in origin)


My favourite city was Sydney but to be fair I only glimpsed Melbourne.


The item that dominated the news was the drought, the worst in living memory even with the help of the “Rain Man” didn’t really alleviate the problem forest fires decimated 1.2 million hectares of forest mainly in the State of Victoria.

The Aussie’s are known as a gambling nation but I was staggered to the extent ,I would think 99% of all the pubs and hotels have “Pokies “and TV’s devoted to horse racing which because of satellites is 24/7 then there’s dog racing, bingo, Heads or Tails you name it the Aussie will punt it.


I will leave the political time bomb alone but it’s there.

And of course Pommie bashing over the lamentable performance by the English National side in the Ashes series and the one day games.



And now for New Zealand


Phileas

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Comments

[Lorraine and Lionel]

New Zealand
Have just been catching up with your news!! WE have just returned from New Zealand where we had a fabulous holiday. Internet was difficult and we were unable to pick up all our emails. Spent a lot of time travelling as we toured both the North and South Islands. We thought NZ was a beautiful country. Have a great time. Love L and L