Flagging

This is the latest on the artwork. I call it "Flagging" which is the art of telling someone something just by signals. The colour in the small pipes are the colours of the international leather flag and the Three traffic light colours are to represent the code of conduct. Red - Stop, Amber - Always play safe and Green - Consent. Hope you like it.

Hastings says good-bye

We found out the other day that Michael Osborn passed away on the 7th of Dec. and his sister just found our details on his computor. Some of you may remember Michael and Hastings from their many visits to the hotel. Michael and Hastings lived in California but were regular visitors to us at the Hotel.

Michael was responsible for getting guide dogs accepted onto planes with there masters in Europe as well as changing the US Government attitude towards HIV+ visitors to the US. I am trying to find out where Hastings is and will give you an update when I find out.

We are back on the Coast

After a week in the country we are finally back where we belong. We arrived at Port Mac Quarie on Tuesday evening. Wednesday was the clean up day - clothes, Miss Guided etc as it was impossible to do it at the Warrumbungles.

The weather is great, sunny 27 each day with storms every evening. Caught up with Laurie (brother) and Liz yesterday and we are off to their place again tonight for dinner. South West rocks next week.

Road Kill waiting for us

Two of my favourite pics.

The one above was taken at the Jenolan lake which is just outside the caves. The water runs through the limestone and that gives it the distinctive colour. I have called this pic "Drowning Slowly". Above this pic is the pic of the "Bread Knife" which we climbed above yesterday. The total trek was 14.5klms and neither Ron or I can walk today LOL.

On Top of the world

Hi this was our last day at jenolan caves on the Plateau walk. Ron decided to hang out on the edge of things LOL. We are now at the Warrenbungles in NSW approx 500klms west of Sydney. We are spending approx. a week here and then it's either "Bourke" as in "Back of" or Port Mac Quarie on the coast.

On top of the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains

This was yesterday on top of the first of the Three Sisters peaks in the Blue Mountains. Today (thursday) was moving day and we are very happy to be leaving the surrounds of Sydney behind us. We have headed off to a little town called Oberon which is about 100klms further inland and just up the road from the Jenolan Caves which is tomorrows adventure.

Today we had our first S and M session in Miss Guided. NO, not what your thinking, the sewing and mending session LOL.

Well he finally has decided that it was time to learn how to use the camera and started with moi.
Now I think it is time for some stats of the trip so far:

Deaths: 2 parrots hit by car
Deaths for food:
Dozen rock oysters
Assorted Pipi's for Spagetti dinner
Mullet by accident
Parrots: Lots and lots including, black and white cockatoo's, every variety of rosella around.
Eagles: Wedgetail and Sea Eagles
Seas:
Dolphins, Sharks, Eels, Parrot fish, Angel fish, Big Green Groper, lots of whiting, snapper and other coast and reef eating fish.
Land based:
kangaroos and wallabies by the score, snakes, LARGE spiders, Goanna's, Lizards of all shapes and sizes, Koala Bears and emus.
Caravans we have passed: 384 so far

Well here we are in the Blue mountains. As you can see from the pic it is very spectacular. Ron decided that we should have the walk today as yesterday was spent travelling, so we set off to katoomba to check out the art deco buildings and then onto the Valley of the waters.

Now we had a choice of several walks: the 1 klm loop rated easy - Oh no says Ron, the Falls walk 3 klm and rated moderate - OH NO says Ron, the 4 klm overcliff walk rated moderate to hard - OOOOOOOH NO says Ron, the 6klm overcliff with return along the mid cliff rated hard to very hard - OOOOOOOH YES says Ron. Well it was absolutely breath takingly beautiful. We walked through waterfalls, around waterfalls, under waterfalls and over waterfalls. The scenery is amongst the best I have ever seen and that includes the other Grand Canyon. But after four hours of playing "mountain Goat" we were both knackered and could not have walked another step unless it was to a cold beer. All in all a great day.

Pension Day lunch at kiama

Bugs, Scallops, Oysters, Prawns, Fish and Octypus

Here's the latest offering from the on-road painting dept. "Sunset at Meninge SA". I just realised that you cannot leave comments unless you are a member so the email address is da53@bigpond.com if you want a chat.

Hello from Shoalhaven Heads

Well we have finally arrived at our last stop before heading inland to escape the chaos of Easter on the Coast. We landed here on Thursday and checked in to a great little park and lashed out to get the luxury of our own ensuite for the week. Shoalhaven is a pretty forgettable place, really not much to say except its bounded by a river on one side and ocean surf beaches on the other. Berry is close by and its a haven for foodies. Great cheese, wine, meat etc etc so we spent a fortune there stocking up. Friday night the weekend warriors arrived and as usual caused absolute havoc in the park all weekend ending up with the management arriving at 2.30am to tell them to shut the ---- up or ---- off. which they sort of did.

Last night was Mardi Gras in Sydney and to celebrate Ron and I gave Miss Guided her first big bath LOL. She's now spic and span for Mardi Gras. We are off fishing this afternoon, (Sunday) so the Hunter and Gatherer can do his thing.