NEWS JANUARY 2008

Email harry@ohare.net Tele: +34 620 392 479 or +34 696 122 011

1 VILLAJOYOSA

3 THAILAND

4 AUSTRALIA /NZ

Casa JR

4th February/12th April, 2005

Our travels have taken us through many towns and through the states of New South Wales and Queensland. The places are too many to list, some we stayed only a day some for several days. We revisted Sydney spent time in Nelsons Bay Port Stephens Forster and Tuncurry, Byron Bay, Tweed Heads, Bypassed most of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast as we had been there before. Spent a weekend in Brisbane with Harry’s old friend Alan Tummon and his wife Betsy. Bribie Island, Caloundra, Tin Can Bay over Easter and enjoyed the most beautiful Spanner Crabs given to us by the Camp Site owner. Inskip Point where the ferry goes to Fraser Island, Bundaberg where their famous Rum is made and the town of 1770.

This fishing lark can be dangerous, and no holiday of ours would pass without some adventure happening. At Tin Can Bay we decided to launch our boat at a different ramp as the usual boat launching place was manic over Easter, the nearest we’ve seen to road/boat rage. Having sought local Knowledge we were assured that the ramp was accessible at all stages of the tide. Having been out for several hours we decided to return only to find the navigation channel was silted up and only passable about two hours after low tide. We decided to walk in and anchor the boat and return later when there was more water. A laborious trudge then followed as the sand and mud were wet and sticky and we often sank up to our Ankles. All was well, and the boat was retrieved, but we now seek advice from more than one person before launching the boat.

Although most Australians we have met are travelling as we are, you cannot believe how nice & helpful always willing to give you advice on places and campsites to stay, especially some of the excellent free sites.

We went to Awoonga because we met Peter and Mary Lang and their son James who recommended the Lake. We are keeping touch with them as we are both travelling North at the same time, and our paths will cross. The fishing at Awoonga was fantastic for Harry as he could go fishing even though it was quite windy and the waves were about a metre high, he still managed to catch his first Barramundi 9lb 74cm long (see photo). As you will see from the photo Harry has a hugh plaster on his nose - he tells everyone it was a huge fish that bit him on the nose, but in reality he had a small growth removed, which has proved to be okay. Once again we can only praise Australias medicare system.

We are currently residing at Airlie Beach in Whitsunday, Queensland. The area looks absolutely beautiful when the sun comes out which seems to have been only infrequently, and lots of rain for days on end with high winds, we are waiting for the weather to break so we can go Fishing and maybe go over to the Islands in our Tinnie. (Boat)

28th December 2004/3rd February, 2005

 

 

Finally arrived in Melbourne a day later than planned.  Our son Andrew collected us from the Airport. 

 

It was only when we arrived that we realised the full impact of the Tsunami, and then we found out that our emails from Singapore to let everyone know we were safe and well had not been received. Andrew had received calls and emails to check on our whereabouts.

 

Andrew hired a car for our first week, and  the second week we learnt to ride the very efficient trams, and then to go further afield we also hired a car.

 

We spent a very enjoyable New Years Eve with several of Andrews’s friends in St Kilda on Port Phillip Bay in their 8th floor apartment to watch the city firework display, which was magnificent.   Leaving at 1.30am to catch a free tram back to Andrews’s apartment.

 

We visited much of the surrounding area,  Dandenong, along the Mornington Peninsula around Port Phillip Bay crossing at Sorrento by ferry to Queenscliff, we decided not to travel the Great Ocean Road route as we had done that on our previous visit 2 years ago.   Completing the trip up through Geelong to Brunswick where Andrew lives.   A trip to Phillip Island, where you could be excused for thinking you were in the Isle of Wight as many places are named for the Island. A boat trip from the city down to Williamstown along the Yarra River.

 

Whilst visiting the sites we kept a watch out for a Campervan to buy and eventually found a suitable vehicle in Geelong.  A few days later after organising necessary bedding etc we said goodbye to Andrew and set off on our Tour.  We had enjoyed our stay in Melbourne, and Andrews friends had made us welcome.  It was nice to see some of his English friends again who have also made their homes in Oz.

 

Started our trip by visiting Phillip Island again, then along the coast to Cape Paterson, Inverloch, Venus Bay, Tarwin Lower, Port Welshpool, Loch Sport on the 90 Mile Beach which stretches up through Lakes Entrance and Lake Tyers through to Marlo, Genoa and Mallacoota. Over the border into New South Wales, Eden, Merimbula, Bermagui and the Brogo Dam. Although each of these areas are lakes and seas combined each is very individual and beautiful, the fishing has been great, Sea Salmon, Whiting, Ludrick and a few others we don’t know the names of, including a huge fish that got away!!!!!!!  Today however, we have bought a small boat and trailer which will allow us explore the lakes and rivers more.
 

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