The flight to Newcastle is very good - an especially good slice of lemon/ginger fudge cake. Newcastle is an Airforce base, hence quite extensive suburbs out here. Simon picked us up - time zones have changed again and the flight was an hour shorter than I thought it would be!!, so soon it was time to put Claudia and Theo to bed.
Wednesday is washing day for us. Claudia is off to Jumping Jacks, Theo is at school, so Jackie can get into a bit of painting! It is a fascinating process for me to watch - from blank canvas to well formed painting - I think she still wanted to touch it up a bit.
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| Jumping Jacks has a cute little tunic uniform. |
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| Jackie is trying to put together a few paintings for a competition. She is lucky to have the back shed to spread out her art works. |
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| Home from Jumping Jacks. A nice treat to cool down |
Duncan and I walk up to the newly completed IGA store. The front part is rather gourmet (like Sainsburys) and the back is all tall shelves and aisle (like Pak and Save). We are in charge of cooking tonight.
Duncan and Simon took Theo to Krav Maga - Theo was surprised that we didn't know what it was! In fact it is a physical confidence course based on karate principles for young ones. Theo was very attentive and disciplined.
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| He showed me a few moves when they got home - and it all made sense! |
Meanwhile Claudia and I made the Easter Goose which will lay Easter eggs. "Grandma, I know it's you," says Theo
Claudia has an early start on Thursday as she goes to university daycare with Simon. Duncan walks Theo up to school, and then we set off on our "Opal" transport card by bus. We took the tram up the waterfront to look at Newcastle beach - lovely sand, but dark and dangerous skies.
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| Tyrrell House which is the admin of the Anglican church - lovely building, well maintained. |
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| The old Round tower and the new block of apartments - now which is nicer?? |
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| A tunnel under the street, leading out onto Newcastle beach has some wonderful murals. |
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| A sign is up suggesting that the beach is not suitable for surfing today - but a few hardy souls are in. |
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| Great contrasts of sand and sky |
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| The arch of bricks says "This arch was upgraded in 1906" Still seems to be standing the test of time. |
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| Apartments and hotels spread right out along the headlands |
We had a bit of a wait for the ferry to Stockton - the coal-mining side of of Newcastle.
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| The ferry |
It is very old with old Australian Pubs and tiny miners houses nestling close together - still well kept and in good repair. We cant find anywhere nice for lunch, so take the 4 minute ferry ride back to the city and have a lovely lunch at 6 Degrees. Then we hop on the tram and go to the interchange where we will get the train to Sydney. Back on the tram, to the bus connection home.
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| Don't look so surprised - they can do lovely food in Aussie too |
Simon and Jackie go out to dinner so we make hot dogs for the kids.
Friday is our Hunter Valley Excursion - with a little bit of wine tasting thrown in. Fortunately Simon has to go into work later in the day, so he is happy to be the sober driver.
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| Jackie tries a few wines. |
We go to an old historic place for lunch - called Circa 1876
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| The amuse bouche before |
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| The amuse bouche after! |
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| I chose entree and dessert. My dessert had some Australian components - like wattle seed creme. |
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| Gosh - more pictures of Duncan eating |
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| Simon and Jackie |
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| The old rooms were furnished with many of the original items from the house. |
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| This table has seen many a dinner!!! |
The house also has an extensive vege and herb garden.
I feel a bit off colour with a cough and a cold and Claudia also comes back from daycare feeling off colour too.
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