Advertisement
Published: April 4th 2011
Edit Blog Post
January 25th 2011
I was so excited to finally 'be' in Dora Creek, several years previously, Fiona had sent me a fridge magnet with notepad attached, I kept it on my fridge to use for a shopping list, I would look at it longingly, wondering when I'd get to visit - Dora Creek - I so love the name. Daph would laugh and say 'there's no water in the creek', I wouldn't believe that, convinced it was a pretty place. I was right too.
According to the blurb, Dora Creek was originally named Newport, and was the first town to be established in Lake Macquarie in 1840. In those days, Dora Creek was navigable all the way to Cooranbong and was a vital transport route for timber felled in the Watagan Mountains.
Looking at it today, all of that is hard to believe, little boats put putting along, canoeist, Black Swans and Pelicans, the creek itself would be a river to the likes of us pomes - a mini river Thames, instead of Weeping Willows, giant Ferns danced in the breeze. Fiona's garden ended at the water's edge with a little jetty where she once moored her boat,
in need of a little repair now, those great Pelicans had wrecked it, it was on her list of things to fix (like us all). The three Pelican's that often came to visit didn't seem to mind, and how could you ever tire of having such visitors at the bottom of your garden.
Lauren and I had been chatting about my favourite topic, travel, and soon Fiona came with her mum, Marion, who'd had a fall on the day of the funeral and scraped her arm badly, they'd been to the doctors and it had to be kept bandaged, she was so relieved not to have broken any bones. Marion was a great character with a very broad Scottish accent, so funny in the midst of NSW, Australia. You could not help instantly loving her. We sat on Fiona's deck looking out at the beautiful creek (river) waiting for those Pelicans to pay a visit.
It has to be said that the theme of this part of the trip is Pelicans, taking Marion home later, I discovered she lives on Pelican Avenue. It was exciting to be invited in for a tour, she has a great place on
Dora Creek, Pelicans
Just strolling around at the bottom of the garden! an over 55's complex, not too far from Dora Creek.
Fiona and I both felt the need to let our hair down and have a night out, she drove to Newcastle where they had flotilla of illuminated and festooned boats circling the harbour, and fireworks, for the eve of Australia Day (big celebrations, and national public holiday). We found a great table at the Honeysuckle precinct and watched the display's as we ate and chatted in the festive atmosphere. It was brilliant and just what we needed. She assured me that I did not need to go to Sydney, we were to meet up with Robyn in a few days time and they had loads of great places to show me. Enjoying the evening so much, I did not need any convincing.
Wednesday January 26th and it was Australia Day, a great day to be visiting. It can never be underestimated how much this day is celebrated, by it would seem, all Australians, where ever they are. Pool parties, picnics and festivals in the parks and at the beaches. Many wearing their Australia, hats, t-shirts, and flip flops (or thongs as they are known), in all shapes and
Australia Day Boat trip
Lake Macquarie boat trip carrying flags. We decided on a boat trip on Lake Macquarie, lunch included, we could not have chosen better, it was a scorching day and we could feel the light breeze of the water. I got a much better idea of the magnificence of the lake and enjoyed the party atmosphere of all aboard. I wondered why Graham hadn't come along, I think he would have liked it too. We could see the parks full of festivities as we circumnavigated the vast area. It was absolutely beautiful and so calm on the clear turquoise waters.
Even after the boat trip, and still very hot, we wandered to a nearby park and at 4pm a lot of people still standing.... not sure how many cold ones left though, the concert was still at full pelt. Fiona seemed disappointed there weren't more people, in that heat I think they were all crammed together in the shade of the trees, making it seem less. We had a coffee in Pippi's and tried a Fat Yak beer, tasted better than it sounds.
Robyn came over later and we sat on Fiona's deck reminiscing about San Francisco, Robyn was keen to go for
a dip in the creek, but as soon as I heard them mention Pelican ticks and the possibility of getting a rash, I was right off that idea. I was having enough trouble with itchy mozzie and sand fly bites.
We sat and ate instead, chicken and damper, (damper, pronounced Dampa is Australian soda bread, we had rolls), I also learned that a Dagwood is a huge sandwich or roll full of everything. Pudding was Lamington cake (sponge dipped in chocolate icing and then rolled in desiccated coconut).
The three of us together again, it was so good. Don't ask me how, but 'budgie smugglers' also cropped up the conversation, these are speedo's trunks favoured by some Australian men, particularly at the festivities of that day.
The following day was cloudier and I volunteered to mow Fi's lawns, while she sorted out some job applications. She had a great mower that went off on it's own, I just had to run along behind it trying to keep up. I thought her lawn smelt beautifully lemony and she later explained that the odour would have come from the magnificent Lemon gum tree. The garden looked lovely with shrubs; a
pretty Frangipani bush, out in full bloom.
The afternoon was for shopping at Charlestown Mall, which included a Max Brenner chocolate shop, mmmm. That evening we picked up Marion and off for something to eat at Wangi Wangi Working club, we visited a few of these various clubs over the coming week. Really good, like pubs but with membership, once a member you could get discounts and enter competitions. They were well run, reasonable food for good prices and often in great locations, by the water. This particular night we had some fun on the pokie machines afterward. (one arm bandits). We won enough to cover our evening out and a little bit spare. We were laughing so much, I'm surprised they didn't throw us out.
Fiona was back at work on Friday, (rotten day to start back at work), she dropped me at the station and I got on one of those double decker trains for the short journey to Newcastle.
Situated 162 kilometres (101m) NNE of Sydney, at the mouth of the Hunter River, it is the predominant city within the Hunter Region. Famous for its coal, Newcastle is presently the largest coal exporting harbour
in the world, exporting over 97 Mt (million tonnes) of coal in 2009/10 with plans to expand annual capacity to 180 Mt by 2013.
I had a Brilliant day, wandering around, I think I walked miles, all along the beaches, Town Beach, Nobbys Beach, along the pier past the lighthouse. The large container ships queued up to come along the channel. I strolled back along the foreshore, and of course climbed the tower for a better, all round view. (Anyone who has followed my blogs will know how much I like to include a tower).
I didn't get to look around the shops, too busy sight seeing. It was such a beautiful day, I even had a splash in the ocean. I was very glad of the relaxing soak in the spa, on Fiona's deck, that evening. We talked of our plans for the following day, we were off to Robyn's, towards the Central Coast area.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.155s; Tpl: 0.018s; cc: 12; qc: 56; dbt: 0.0775s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Chris Baker
non-member comment
Fantastic!
As always, you have the knack of taking the reader right there to the moment! Thankyou Chris