Camping at Kangaroo Valley

We went camping at Kangaroo Valley last week end with Michael and Ina, long time friends from SA. Her Mom and sister and brother in law also went with. It was great fun and as always enjoyed the discovery of new places. I was very eager to buy property on the spot, as always when we are visiting the country.

Kangaroo Valley is south of Sydney, about 2 hours drive and is situated on the Southern Tablelands. We took the coastal road down, past Wollongong, Kiama and Berry. It's a beautiful drive and specially so because the green rolling hills with cattle grazing sort of roll into the sea. Pretty pretty!

On the way back we left the valley via Moss Vale and Berrima. Berrima is a quaint historical village but unfortunately we haven't had the time and the energy to discover what it is famous for..

The camp site is next to a big river where they do lots of kayaking. The girls were not keen on getting on to the river and the possibility of getting wet. Maybe more so in Carli's case than Minnette's...

Carli took a friend with since Ruan thought it would be nicer to visit with friends on the Saturday night than to spend a week end with older folk. Carli celebrated her 13 th birthday on Sunday and was spoiled by all.

I walked into town and did a bit of sight seeing in the area on foot while the rest were driving to town and sitting on their back sides.. But that's why I have the pictures of the area and they don't!!

I am still taking pictures with my mobile since no camera has fallen into my lap yet so excuse the quality and no close ups.

Remember to click on photo to enlarge it

 

Gerringong in the back ground

This farm is for sale..!!

Gorgeous little country
gardens here and there

The entrance to the camping grounds
is next to the bridge 

To the left side of the bridge

To the right side of the bridge

A restaurant and guest house 
for sale..(Sonia)

I thought the old car fitted well.

Mega milkshakes!

Saturday market under the Eucalyptus'

A place to take our visitors too..?

Kangaroo Valley Public School

Little Anglican church

Resting(contemplating)benches on the way to town

Meet Gertrude

Morning fog in camp

Ina explaining about the hole
in her pants

Another
view of 'my farm'

Tannie Bets,Ina,Lizette,Carli and Minnette 
( all boertjies!!)

Carli
opening her presents

On the way out of the valley

A Ghost Eucalyptus. I am falling in love 
with these trees..yes I am!!

I suggested to the wedding photographer when I walked past her 
'what about a swop', she only gave me a polite smile

How can one disagree??!!

Australia Day, 26 january

I know I am a little bit late with this, but does time matter..? Last year Carli and I arrived in Australia on the 27th of Jan. so we missed our first celebration with the Nation.

That flag must be the size of a rugby field. The  flags on the bridge are already quite big.

We went into town by train and it was quite chaotic. Couldn't believe so many people could fit into it. Great fun!

One of a few well decorated yachts. On the background one can see the 4 tall ships(if you click on the photo it will enlarge)

Gaby hurt his ankle while on holiday so we could not move around as wanted but we 'parked' him in the Botanic Gardens and he was able to watch the ferry race and after that also the tall ship race. Lots of other exciting things were happening around him to keep him occupied.

I think this guy must have lost a few kilos wearing that suit in such extreme heat.

It was extremely hot that day. Close to 40 degrees if I remember correctly so everybody was protected against the fierce sun. These Ozzies love the sun but also take good care to protect themselves. Surely there will always be those who think they are invincible but generally a hat is part of the attire.

All the flags and painted faces and 'I love Australia' t-shirts reminded me of my visit to the USA where we celebrated 4th of July with the De Bruyns in Atlanta. I think the Americans tops the Ozzies with patriotism and celebrations but this bunch gave them a good go.

I do enjoy this view of the city so much.

The motorshow was in Macquarie str and it was bliss to walk in shade looking at all the lovely cars. We wish you could be here Cesar to enjoy it with us.

Kids playing in a fouintain. I was desparate to join them.

Afterwards we went with Debbie and Gavin, SA friends to a street barbie which they organised. Ozzies, Polish, Jews, South Africans, Kiwis all enjoying a typical Ozzie barbie. We were totally spent after that.

 There are so many things going on at different places in town that one could entertain yourself and be entertained in many other ways. Becoming a citizen is also part of the celebrations. Where it was held in Sydney I do not know but in the smaller towns it is apparently a big part of the daily celebrations. We'll see when our day comes.. :)

Gustaf's visit (part 3)

Afternoon trip to Central Coast.

We went for a late afternoon swim to Avoca beach and Terrigal in the Central Coast just north of Sydney and Northen Beaches. There are a few lovely coastal towns.

A little bit of country from Avoca to Terrigal.

Note the colour of the sea. Always like that as I've said before.

See Ouma Bokkie we do have lots of rocks at our coasts. She hardly saw any in Spain at the Med when they visited Gaby's brother.

Note the long beach in the back ground. A looong walk.

Interesting rock formations at Terrigal beach.

Life at the sea...

Gustaf's visit (part2)

Sunday at Manly

(Remember you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them)

 
On Sundays we often make use of a family pass that costs us $2.50 per person. Then one can take as many trains, buses or ferries as you want to. Economical for us. The public transport is quite pricey as everything else here in Sydney.

This day we went into town and then took a ferrie out to Manly, a popular beach  for surfers as well as for families.

The volley ball nets are there for public use.
















If you take the promenade to the right you walk into a nature reserve and end up at North Head one of the entry points into Sydney harbour area. We have walked there on other visits. It is quite spectacular the scenery and there is a type of vegetation that reminds us of the Cape Fynbos. Gaby read that it is a plant community endemic to Australia and that reserve is the only place where it is found. So obviously well protected. We didn't know that previously so will take note next time we walk there.

Street cafes in the main walkway down to the beach.







Another pretty view of the operahouse and city.

Gustaf is visiting (part 1)

Gustaf arrived on the 3rd December. And the dynamics of the household changed instantaneously. Like Elaine, a friend said when her 2 Uni boys arrived for the holidays, 'They do take up a lot of space'. I so agree with that statement! More noise, more washing, more clutter and more dishes and lots more fun!! It has been 11 months since we saw him last and the family reunion was GREAT!!

Here are some pictures of our time spend together up till now. I might have to create new posts/headings ever so often to make it easier to manipulate.


First day in Sydney
 

There are thousands of Flying Foxes/fruit bats hanging in the trees in the Botanical Gardens. It is quite a sight to see them fly off at dusk to go and feed.

 



















The sulfur crested cockatoo is very common and reminds me of the noisy Hadedas in RSA. If ever, please not, I am not living here would I also miss them like I missed the hadedas when living in Spain.

I think one pays $80 to walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge. One is attached to railings with a harness. Next time...?

Sydney is magic at night. The picture of the people at the Opera House is taken late afternoon on a Saturday. Some are leisurely awaiting a show while others just walk around, enjoying the surrounds.