Italian Odyssey - 1.

After a hectic couple of weeks in and around Sydney catching up with family and friends, celebrating birthdays, John heading off down the Murray for his first Big Tour of golf with mate Pete, which was fabulous, the last week was frantic, as final preparations were made. We cannot thank Wayne &Debbie  enough for their hospitality and help, and for providing a home for our caravan & car whilst away. The weather for the week was most unkind, with Sydney experiencing the storm of the century, but we would not be deterred. We got it all done, and on our last weekend even found time to attend the inaugural Dawn Service at Menai, along with thousands of patriotic locals. The organisers were overwhelmed, and deserve credit for a moving and well done service to honour 100 years of Anzac history. John followed up, by heading out to the SFS with friends Wayne & Graeme, and others, for that other great Anzac Day tradition, St.George Dragons versus the Eastern Suburbs Roosters. What a bizarre match with hail storms, play suspension and other distractions making it the longest game in history! Dragons sent us away winners. Yay!!!!!

Next day we finished the packing, covered the caravan, and wonderful Wayne & Debbie drove us out to the Ibis Hotel at the airport, where we would stay the night with a 3.00am wake up call for our 6.00am flight!!! We had a very ordinary dinner in the restaurant, were woken at 11.30pm by the fire alarm, thankfully a false alarm, and then it was 3.00am and we were off to the airport. Pretty quiet at the airport at that time, and mercy be, the shops are shut!!!! We were soon on board our Emirates A380 Airbus, and in the air on the smoothest, quietest, most enjoyable flight we have had. Good food and great service. John slept most of the way, and Carolyn did the movie marathon.

I should point out at this point, that doing the blog on my IPad presents some challenges with putting up photographs, so there will not be many. Instead, we will be posting a lot of photos on One Drive. If you would like the link sent to you, send us an email or text (0481496016), and we will send you the link to share our photos.

On arrival at Dubai, the massive airport meant we went to immigration and baggage collection by train! It was quiet, and we easily met our transfer guy who whisked us away to our hotel for 4 nights, the Hyatt Place Hotel, in the old part of town. The room is huge, and the bed is comfy, and we were early to bed. Next morning, we were off on our first tour, the Al Jadeedah Tour to all the new areas around Jumeirah, The Palm, and the Dubai Marina. When we were here in 2008, this area was a construction zone. Now there are hundreds and hundreds of skyscrapers, Metro system, tram system. It would be like Sydney adding Melbourne CBD in 8 years!!!! We cannot believe the changes. First stop was Atlantis The Palm Hotel, a replica of the one in Bermuda, just bigger! It houses the world's largest Aquarium, and we have tickets for the Chambers of the Lost City. It is mind blowing. From here we are onto the monorail to get back to the bus! Then on to the Dubai Marina, WOW, then on to the tour highlight, the world's tallest building, The Burj Khalifa. This happens to be right next door to the world's largest shopping mall, Dubai Mall, and flanked on one side by the world's biggest musical water fountain. Getting the idea, that they don't do things by half in Dubai? Up we went in the world's fastest lift, to the viewing platform on level 125. The building goes up to level 155! Views are breathtaking, and as the man who hates heights, there was a lot of breathtaking! But it was worth it. Shame it was hazy, but still some amazing views. Then it was off to the mall! Time to start celebrating the girls birthday! we walked and walked and walked and walked and walked the various levels of the mall. We headed home late afternoon, to get ready to come back for the light show and dinner at one of the gazillion restaurants. The light show was just fantastic. The music of Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman sang Time to say Goodbye, as the fountains of water danced around the huge lagoon.Dinner was at the Texas Roadhouse. We felt like steak & ribs, and it was delicious! One last long lap of the Mall, and then home to bed, as we have an early start next morning for our day trip to Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi is the largest of the 7 Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is the second largest. Along with Sharja, they comprise most of the wealth. The vision of these descendants of Bedouin Tribes is amazing. What has been created from desert in just 30 to 40 years is beyond comprehension. I could go on for days about what has been created. The cities are new and modern, and the diverse architecture is simply incredible. In Abu Dhabi on one of the islands, they are creating a Cultural  Space, with replicas of The Louvre, The Guggenheim and other museums. God knows what treasures they will fill them with!!! We stopped at the Yas Island F1 Track and Hotel. What a place. We did the Heritage Centre to learn a bit about the past, then we looked in awe at the 6 Star Emirates Palace  Hotel, and the equally impressive Presidential Palace. Abu Dhabi is beautiful, on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, and as we drive around we see palace after palace. It is clean, green, modern and spectacular. The best is kept until last. A visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. You cannot be prepared for this experience. If it isn't a wonder of the world, it should be. Eleven years to build, it is huge, and magnificent. We have to observe all the cultural rules of being covered and no shoes, and we had an hour to take in one incredible sight after another. The chandeliers are stunning! This place can hold 34,000 worshippers at once. What a way to finish the wonderful tour to Abu Dhabi.

Our last day is for us. We will take in the old town, the Spice Souk, the Gold Souk (of course!), and generally have a look around. We can only imagine what this place will look like in another 8 years! 

Tomorrow we are off to London. The trip is well and truly underway.

Coolum to Gloucester 2015

Italy Here We Come!

It is hard to believe that a quarter of the year has already gone, and that it is almost two months since I added to the blog!! But then, 2015 is not going to be a normal year for the nomadic Andersons. We have been busy, not travelling this great land, but lying low and planning the trip of a lifetime, when on 27th April, we take the Big Adventure Offshore and fulfil another lifelong dream, to spend some quality time in Italy. Three whole months of quality time!! Along the way, we will catch up with old friends Jim & Joan Griffith at their home in Wilmslow in the UK. We will take in a little romance in Paris and the south of France before hitting Italy. The odyssey will end with a cruise through the Eastern Mediterranean to Istanbul, before heading home at the beginning of August 2015. Yes folks, the old Bucket List is taking a beating!! They say you can't take it with you, and we have absolutely no plans to even try!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carolyn with Kenzie & Harly.

Coolum Beach

But first, a recap on what has been happening in our life since the last Post. We set up camp at Coolum Beach. You all know what a favourite of ours it is, with the caravan park just metres from the beach and countless cafes. Friends Lynne & Paul and their puppies Kenzie & Harly live just up the hill at beautiful Maleny, and golfing mate Pete lives two streets away, so there are lots of excuses for coffee and golf! But before we can do anything, the storm clouds are brewing to the north, with Tropical Cyclone Marcia heading our way. The caravan park was emptying out fast, as

After Cyclone Marcia.

During Cyclone Marcia.

people sought sanctuary elsewhere. With so much conflicting information we decided to stay, rather that drive hundreds of kilometres inland. As things would turn out, our decision was vindicated, with lots of rain but no damaging winds. There were some strong wind gusts, one of which brought down a small branch that damaged our satellite dish, but that was quickly repaired, and the sunshine returned and stayed for the next few weeks. The crowds slowly returned to the caravan park over the next week, but generally the caravan park was never more that half full.

 

With Lynne, Paul, Kenzie & Harly.

Morning Coffee at Sunrise.

The beautiful beach beckons most mornings, with a long walk ending with coffee at one of our favourite cafes, Sunrise, opposite the beach, or The Caf, which bakes great savoury & sweet muffins, every day! The water temperature is around 25 degrees C, so it is just beautiful for a dip. Holiday planning is the task at hand, and countless hours are spent going over dozens of websites. You see, we are booking the entire holiday, with the exception of the cruise, ourselves. Hotel sites, B&B Sites, Cars, Trains, Tours. It is absolutely amazing what information is available.

A Great market!

Doing the Eumundi Markets.

Between hours of holiday planning, we still had time for visits to Eumundi Markets, and some long lunches. John also got into a golf routine, heading off with Pete most Thursdays and Saturdays, to play in the member's comp at Pete's club, Mt. Coolum. It is a challenging course, with lots of water & trees, narrow fairways, all in the shadow of the looming Mt Coolum. There is heaps of bird life. It is a lovely place to play. On my first outing I burgled the comp with a net 64, eight under par!!! There was quite a bit of good hearted heckling from Pete's mates at the presentation. They didn't have to worry, I didn't get close

Coffee at Eumundi.

again!! It was a huge amount

Great colour along Maleny Road.

of fun playing with a variety of Pete's mates. There  are some real characters among them, though I'm not sure I'll forgive Pete for sending me out on Monthly Medal Saturday, with an 81 year old guy, slightly deaf & suffering early Dimentia, his 79 year old mate who warned me his sight wasn't great, and 91 year old Tom, who played a very private game, completely oblivious to the movements of the rest of the group!! It was more like Search & Rescue than golf!!! I was exhausted having followed the flight of four balls on every hole, usually into a forest or a lake, keeping score for everyone, "have I had 5 or 6? No I think it is 8!! No, that was the last hole! And so it went on!!! I think our 4 ball aggregate would have made a new record somewhere close to 600 strokes!!

Shopping in Montville.

The Brisbane Skyline.

Carolyn & Lynne took a day trip in to Brisbane by train for a look around. Carolyn couldn't remember the last time she'd been in Brisbane, and with Lynne having come from these parts, she had the perfect guide. From all accounts, they had a lovely day, walking, using the free ferry along the Brisbane River, and enjoying a lovely lunch at Southbank. Brisbane has changed so much over recent years, and Carolyn wants to head back again. Next time I will be going with her! She was a tired little tiger, when I picked her up at Nambour Station.

A day at Kenilworth.

Lunch at Montville.

On another day, we met Lynne and took a lovely drive out to Kenilworth. Paul had taken himself off to Melbourne as a Volunteer at the Avalon Air Show!! We took the scenic drive down the mountain from Mapleton, and it is a spectacular drive. With all the recent rain, the country is so green. When we reached Kenilworth, we headed out to the famous Cheese Factory for some tasting, and you know what happens when you taste, you buy!! Lovely tasty cheddar!! The little town has a surprisingly good selection of quality shops, so the girls had a good time! We found a café for lunch, which was just OK. It was for sale, and I think the owners and staff had their minds elsewhere. Anyway, the  drive back up the mountain soon made lunch a distant memory, with the wonderful views at every turn. Later in the week we were out to dinner with Pete and his sister Lynette and partner Graeme. We went back to our usual haunt, Castro's, where the pizzas are great, and everything else is equally as good. As usual, we were last to leave!

Jill came to Noosaville.

Happy Hour!

During our last week at Coolum, niece Jill flew into town. She has an investment Studio Apartment up at Noosaville, and decided to take week off work.  We enjoyed a long lunch at Noosaville, in an establishment with the quaint name of Corner On Thomas. It was lovely, looking across to the river. Next day, we took in an afternoon movie followed by Italian at a nice little family restaurant in Noosaville. The girls proclaiming the Tiramisu as World Class!!! Our last social event was the celebration of our friend Paul's 70th Birthday. How can our friends be turning 70!!! The card we found along our travels said it all - "HOLY CRAP YOUR OLD!!" Lunch, sitting out on the deck at the Kawana Tavern, was excellent. Really good pub food at reasonable prices.

Here's to 34 Years together.

Romantic dinner at Blue Scooter.

So, it was time to start heading south. The holiday plans are well underway. We were very slow getting going on the morning of departure, with one last walk along the beach, one last coffee and muffin at The Caf. We finally got out the gate at around 10.45am! We were only driving down to Kingscliff, another very favourite spot. Crossing the border back into the Daylight Saving of NSW, brought us back an hour, so we weren't very late at all!! We had managed to get into the Kingscliff Beach Front Caravan Park, right in town. It is very similar to Coolum, with a long sandy beach on one side, and lots of cafes and shops on the other. The weather was stormy, but warm. It was a lovely stay of 10 days, during

Farmer John.

which we made

On the farm at Gloucester.

more steady progress with the holiday plans. Our favourite coffee spot in Kingscliff is Choux Box, who make great coffee and some very good cakes. The banana toffee cake is fantastic! The old Kingscliff Hotel has undergone a transformation, and is now a modern beach themed establishment, with the outdoor area having the biggest TV screen we have ever seen! A great spot to watch the last few games of the Cricket World Cup! On our last Saturday night, we took ourselves out for a special dinner, to celebrate 34 years to the day, that I knocked on Carolyn's front door and took her out for the first of countless dinners. We went to Blue Scooter, an Italian themed seafood restaurant, right at the roundabout in the middle of town. Joe was playing guitar, providing a terrific background with all those old surfing instrumentals from the '60's and '70's. The food & wine were great, and it was a very special night for us.



Leo the Kelpie.

Taking Leo for a walk.

From Kingscliff it was off to Coffs Harbour to get our annual caravan service done. We also had a list of minor repairs we needed done. It is only about 4 hours down the road, and true to form for Coffs Harbour, storm clouds were building! We have never been in Coffs Harbour when it didn't pour with rain! We took the caravan into Watson's early Monday morning, and the team did an amazing job, getting everything done in a day. It was late when we drove out the gate, and we got back to the caravan park just in time to get the van parked and the

Milking time.

awning out, before the heaven's opened. It was torrential for

Mist over the Dairy.

a couple of hours and eased off to a torrent! When we awoke in the morning we were surrounded by a lake!!! We have friends in Coffs Harbour, Lesley & Jim, and on our last night went around to their home for a delightful home cooked meal. It was a long and lovely evening. The Spanish Mackeral that Jim had caught was just delicious! On the morning we left town, it was back to Watson's for one last time. Our leaky awning was still leaking, so it was now Plan B. With the repairs done, we were on the road to Gloucester and the farm, for the Easter Break.

Feeding the new calf.

Feeding time.

With a late start and heavy Easter traffic, it was a late arrival at the farm. It is a lovely sight coming over the hill into Gloucester and the drive out to the farm is a joy following all the recent rain.  We set up in our usual spot next to the house, and are met with the news that Lindsay & Myrelle are soon to be rid of all the Dairy work. They are planning to sell the dairy herd, and lessen their work load, by raising beef cattle. Farmers have to plan retirement too!! So this Easter break could well be our last Dairy experience. We had a lovely weekend catching up with all the family. Michael & Wendy came out with their kids

Leo gets a cuddle.

Andrew & Samantha, and the following day Margo & Adam came

Galahs amidst the fog.

out with Alby & Ellie for an overnight stay. So we got to spend some quality time. Carolyn was cooking up a storm to give Myrelle a break. There were so many visitors camping on and around the farm. The dairy resembled a football match with kids perched all around the railing fences of the dairy, straddling the quad bikes and begging rides. I've never seen it like this. The poor old cows were wondering what hit them!! Add in a wet Easter, and it was bedlam! The wet weather drove some campers away early. Carolyn was in heaven, as Lindsay has a new pup, Leo the Kelpie, just 12 weeks old. What a livewire. Carolyn took him for walks up the hill, or was it Leo taking Carolyn! They both had heaps of fun.

The dairy cows may soon be gone!

Four gorgeous Grandkids.

And so the Easter weekend came to an end. We stopped by Margo's house to pick up some home made goodies, had one last coffee with Margo, at a new place in town called The Fox Den, and then it was on the road headed for Shellharbour. The holiday is getting closer. We have ten days in Shellharbour, during which time I will be heading down along the Murray River with my mate Pete and 22 other blokes to play some serious golf for 5 days. It is an annual pilgrimage for Pete, but my first "Big Tour". Should be a lot of fun. Carolyn is looking forward to some "quiet time"! When I get back it will be all systems go for Italy. D Day is 27th April!!

This will be the last full post for some time. I will try and keep the blog going while we are away, using my IPad and the Blogger App, but the presentation will not be as detailed or contain as many photos, but I am sure you will enjoy our holiday with us!