Charlotte Pass

Well, yesterday was a really perfect day in my books. We woke up to super mountain spring weather, and Frank and I did an early hour's walk around the Lake. By 9 a.m. the 10 of us were ready to hit the road, and drove into the Snowy Mountain National Park for the day. Charlotte Pass, about 40 kms from Lake Jindabyne was our first stop - what a picture - still some snow around, and the sun was rather kind to us.

This young family were thoroughly enjoying playing in the snow

Robyn and I checking out the incredible snowgums

Gail, Steve, Robyn and Ivan at the top of the walk

Time to head down the hill now

Steve found some snow, and threw his snowball at me - missed of course - uphill, long distance and a fast moving target!!

Lake Jindabyne

We are now at Lake Jindabyne - marvellous area - our campsite is right opposite the photo below. The town of Jindabyne was flooded in 1964, as part of the Snowy Mountain Hydro Scheme, the new town was rebuilt higher up. In 1968 to 1970 I had the privilege, or lack of at times - of sailing on this new lake - problem was that when one ended up in the water (which happened quite often), you could feel trees or buildings around your tootsies - not great for one who swims as well as she sings!! Many Snowy Hydro workers (including our lot) started the "sailing club" and took over an old building on the banks of this new lake - and it is still going today.

Below, a mountain storm moved in.

An hour later the skies changed and bloomed again.

Then the sun decided to set - what a worry, I couldn't stop taking photos.

An incredible spot - loads of fun memories, the Brig enjoys the whole place as well, maybe it is that "engineering brain "!!.

New Hamphsire Fall Colours and a BIG BIRTHDAY

We have just received a couple of fall photos which Lois took in her garden a fortnight ago, the Fall in New England is really superb, not that we are biased.

Sunday we left Sydney for Canberra (4 hour drive) , camped at Exhibition Park, and enjoyed a great lunch with our friend Geoff, his house was so close we could walk to and from, no need to unhook the Patrol from the van.

Huge storm this morning, but we left and travelled south and are now in Jindabyne, and camped right on the Lake, the others will arrive on Thursday. Always love coming back to the Snowy Mountains, had 2 wonderful years here in the late 60's after I left Auckland and before travelling to England. Like everyone else in the area I worked for the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme - it is the largest engineering project ever done in Australia, employing workers from 30 (mainly European) countries, it was a truly multicultural success, and still is today.

Lots of fun this week, visiting Uncle John and Neirdre in their new house in Bombala, and also spending time with my friend Heather and her husband Roger on their property, Springfield at Nimmitabel. Heather and I both actually started work at the Snowy Mountains Hydro Authority on the same day (over 40 years ago), and have kept in contact ever since, meeting up in the UK, USA and of course when we travel south. Loads of other things happening as well.

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And

'HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY' ETHAN

A bit musical this kid, but his grandfather can hold a tune as well - however this step grandmama is a total failure in the music arena!

And his own birthday globe today to check out where all his family- worldwide, live.

Sydney in the rain

Well Wednesday was the only sunny day this week, all the others were quite ordinary to say the least, wet and really cold - felt very sorry for overseas tourists with this weather and the exchange rates - our dollar is presently worth 101 USA cents, 62 UK pence and 71 euros! - not a great time to enjoy Sydney with foreign currency!.

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Anyway we did find an old Pub (the Dundee Hotel) where the lunches and dinners were all $10 each - great value and the food was good, we met Susan there for dinner on Thursday night.

Hope a few other tourists found this old Hotel in Sussex Street as well.

Friday morning, we walked up to the Queen Victoria Building to see Australia's largest Christmas tree.

She stands 24 metres tall, extends through 3 floors

She has 17,000 branches, 60,00 lights and is decorated with over 15,000 Swarovski crystals.

Magnificent tree in a magnificent building - and it was very dry.

We followed this up with a walk to David Jones to view their Christmas Window displays - mainly for kids - but charming.

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Last Tuesday was the horse race that literally stops our Nation - the Melbourne Cup. After returning from the Zoo, we made our choices of 4 potential winners/placers each, no bets were placed, but a glass of champers accompanied us viewing the race on TV along with the rest of Oz. Basically I picked the winner - a most dominent win (Americain - bred in America, trained in France, ridden by a french jockey and owned by a couple of Aussies) and 4th (Zipping), and Frank picked 2nd (Maluckyday) and 3rd - the race favourite (So you think) - maybe we should've entertained a couple of frivolous bets!

The Brig's reunion luncheon was great at the "Little Snail" Restaurant in Darling Harbour, about 100 turned up - entrance is granted to those DECUS people who had worked with punch cards, papertape or 8 inch floppy discs.

Next stop should be Canberra for overnight then on to the Snowy Mountains for 10 days - and it's still raining!!

Sculpture by the Sea

Well the sun came out on Wednesday morning, so we packed up and went straight to Bondi to view their Sculptures by the Sea - a perfect day for a walk from Bondi to Tamarama and back.

We were amazed at how many flowers were in bloom along the cliff walk There were 109 Sculptures in total from all over the world

Placed here there and everywhere

Loved the grass table setting above

and the flowers around these two were stunning

Frank en route to Tamarama above, along with the crowd below, the sun was shining so every one took to the cliff walk.

And we couldn't leave Bondi without a stop at the "Icebergs"

Oh that sun was lovely, a delightful walk for us.