BootsnAll Travel Network



Archive for January, 2008

« Home

January 30th – Port Stephens

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008


My First Roo

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

The heat last night was unnerving – it took ages to get to sleep. Even gazing at the stars could not settle me. We are all a bit short with each other before breakfast and even I put my foot down at Josh’s choice of clothing. His unique sense of style and colour continues to challenge modern thinking on fashion and was just a wee bit avant garde for me and O today. Diagonal stripes and Hawaiian print was replaced with a quieter Hong Kong Phooey.

The kids could not stand another wine tour – as much as I tried to persuade them so it was a nice drive through the vineyards which do stretch in the hills as far as the eye can see and a trip to the cheese shop where we learned how they make it with lots of yummy tasting. The kids were disgusted at all the mouldiness in the cheese making rooms but it did not put them off tasting. The Irish cheddar made for the local pub and covered in green wax was particularly delicious but a bit out of our price range unfortunately.

The cheese had us all thinking about cheddar so the first supermarket we saw we stopped to buy a cheaper alternative – no way near as nice but halfway there. The shopping centre also had a Target producing a very excited response from O and I as we had not been in one since the USA. You have to understand that being on the road with the same clothes and 2 pairs of shoes does become a bit much for us girls. As soon as we hit the shoe section I must have tried on at least 6 pairs of heels and wandered around just to remember what they felt like. Oh how I miss straighteners, heels and dressing up to go out – it will be a highlight when we get back.

Now I have actually caught up with my diary it is off to the harbour to catch the sunset and listen to the birds – the kids are trampolining so it will be another peaceful evening!

Wine Country

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008


Hunter Valley (2)

Originally uploaded by roupiesontour

January 29th – Hunter Valley

My kind of place – magnificent scenery surrounded by vineyards. It was so hot we went straight to the holiday park and did nothing for the rest of the day. Well I say nothing I meant laundry, swimming, catching up with the diary. It was a lovely relaxing day. I got chatting to another Aussie couple who are taking 2 years to go round Oz in their caravan. They love photography and I got to see some of their beautiful work. I wish I could take photos like that but they gave me some tips so look out David Bailey. We also got talking about the wildlife here. Being a true Brit I scream every time I walk into a spider’s web (which can stretch for ages) and immediately think all spiders, bugs and creepy things in general are poisonous. After talking to them I am more worried than ever. The spider that lives in your boots and bites is found in Sydney OMG, lucky I didn’t know that at the time. Apparently though it’s not the snakes that you should worry about but bees. More people die of bee stings as they swallow them after they have crawled into cans of drink and the bee stings the inside of your throat. Something else to worry about now with the kids……………….

I would not have guessed that communication would be an issue here – so wrong. I have already been confused when someone said they liked O’s thongs – exactly I also wondered why they thought such a young girl was wearing underwear like that. Explanation – thongs are flip flops here. Crackers are also fireworks which meant a very funny conversation with misunderstanding on both sides. I have also had to work out what a dog leg is!

Strange sight today – the fabulous Wicked campervan with a blue meanie from Yellow Submarine painted all over the side! There was an older couple staying in their caravan opposite us, they had come on holiday complete with their small grey parrots who went on their owner’s shoulders everywhere. They were very spoiled and complete child replacements but we had to try so hard not to laugh when a real wild parrot made a huge noise and spooked the beloved pets who flew off much to the shock of the owners. The ample sized owners were up so quickly and running around clapping after their children. They returned eventually and got covered in kisses, in fact we were worried at one point poor Pepper was actually being strangled with love, but he survived the hugging. I wonder if after their encounter with their wild cousins the pampered pets got home and starting questioning who they really were??

Shake Shake Shake Your Booty

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
Koala Sleep Originally uploaded by roupiesontour
January 28th – Umina After several “excursions” around the local area we have given in and ... [Continue reading this entry]

Blue Mountains

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
Blue Mountain View (2) Originally uploaded by roupiesontour
January 27th – On The Road Again We have splashed out a bit and ... [Continue reading this entry]

Australia Day

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
Australia Day Darlington Harbour Originally uploaded by roupiesontour
January 26th – Australia Day Well G’day mates – stone the crows and something ... [Continue reading this entry]

Coathanger View

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
Coathanger View Originally uploaded by roupiesontour
January 25th It is so nice to have a lie in. We were right to go ... [Continue reading this entry]

January 24th – Welcome To A Land Down Under

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
Monkey Hits Sydney 2 Originally uploaded by roupiesontour
Early flight again – why do we do this to ourselves?? We were ... [Continue reading this entry]

January 22nd – Christchurch

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
Penguin Feeding Antartic Centre Originally uploaded by roupiesontour
Our last night camping and it rained – a little joke I feel. ... [Continue reading this entry]

January 21st – PPP Penguin

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
Road Crossing Originally uploaded by roupiesontour
We explored the city today. Well we walked round and did a bit of souvenir ... [Continue reading this entry]

Traffic Jam NZ Style

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
Traffic Jam NZ Style Originally uploaded by roupiesontour
January 20th – Dunedin The journey from Invercargill to Dunedin takes you through the ... [Continue reading this entry]