Have we talked about Cricket??

G’Day, from Brisbane!

For anyone who was checking about yesterday (our Thursday), I apologize – we had a busy day and evening, and this morning needed to start pressing North, so I did not write … so this will encompass Thursday and most of Friday (at least up until dinner time, which should take place in about an hour from now!)

So…where were we? Oh yes, the rain in Coffs Harbour! Apparently even longtime residents were saying that it NEVER rains like that in Coffs! Well, reckon they didn’t reckon on us! The moving low pressure center! So, got up early on Thursday to quite a rain shower – lovely to listen to during the night, but a bit damp around the edges in the condo. No heat, you understand, and a bit dank … it was actually warmer outside the condo than in! We all hung out during the early part of the day – R, Marg & Norm played several games of Upwards; Norm won the first, and Marg the second. R really enjoys playing, but it’s a bit tricky to get a hang of, apparently; needing to see/read in 3D! R and I went out in the afternoon for a bit to the local mall, in search of a particular mammals book that R has wanted for years. There were two bookstores in the mall, but neither had the book – oh well! Nice to get out and walk around for a bit! Marg put on a movie that her friend had recommended – the YaYa Sisterhood, which sounded dreadful from my perspective, and which Marg didn’t like at all! (Don’t blame her!) But when that ended, guess what was on TV – CRICKET!! We had learned about Cricket some years ago, but I had forgotten most of what I’d learned – it was WONDERFUL having Norm and Marg, both Cricket fans, there to tell us what was going on! And now, by jove, I think I’ve got it!!! Really GREAT! It was the first day of a five-day test match, Australia vs. Sri Lanka; what a wonderful event!

Betty, a friend of Norm & Marg’s, lives in Moonee Beach, about 5 km up the road, and had very nicely invited us all to dinner! Got there around 5; still in pouring rain. Betty has a really lovely house, situated on Moonee Creek, which leads to Moonee Beach and the ocean. She is a delightful person; really a lot of fun; originally from VT, then to OZ by way of New Zealand! Didn’t even mind when Marg asked if we could put on the Cricket match, to see the end (of the first day’s play)! Australia’s team has been doing really, really well – Norm says they are one of the best if not the best in the world! So, back to dinner! Betty invited another couple – Margaret & Jeffrey, so there were actually 3 Margaret’s there for dinner! WAY too many, R says! And I’m sure he would know! Spaghetti with meatballs and salad and garlic bread for dinner, with a lovely home-made triffle for dessert. Everything delicious, and we had a really wonderful evening! Lots of stories and laughter. We were joined by Betty’s son Michael and his new wife, Joanne; both lovely people. (And just for the record, Joanne’s middle name is … what else?? Margaret!) Got home around 10, still in the pouring rain; stayed up until about 10:30 chatting, as this was our last evening together!

Up around 6, as usual, and started the packing up; strip the beds, shower, and pack everything away. Were ready to go around 8, although SO hard to say goodbye to Norm and Marg! They have been so incredibly kind and gracious – we had a lovely week, and only hope that we can some day repay their generous hospitality in the U.S.! And, surprise, there was actually a bit of blue sky and something that looked very much like sunshine, although we didn’t want to be too rash about it!

We headed north, destination Brisbane; had a really lovely drive, almost 6 hours. As I mentioned earlier, (and Bill Bryson points out) outside of the BIG cities, much of urban Australia looks like it’s from a 1950’s-60’s film set – with current technology! Most of the houses have corregated tin roofs, and here in northern NSW (New South Wales) and southern Queensland many of the houses are also up on stilts; very much above ground. I know that there are flood markets throughout the area, so this is probably the reason…but even the McDonald’s in Grafton was raised up to the second story! After Grafton, the next big spot is Ballina, and most of the time the road follows inland rivers or streams; this part of OZ is just honeycombed with rivers. At Ballina, we ran into the jumbo PRAWN – see picture! So had to stop and have some of the real thing – we both had plates of wonderful, fresh prawns with chili sauce – YUM, but really spicy! My nips were lumb!! Had a variety of weather on our way up – everything from big fluffy white clouds to very heavy downpours, and everything in between! Brisbane loomed on the horizon – very much a modern city – lots of traffic! Found our way through town to our hotel, the Rendezvous Hotel, Clarion chain; really a lovely place! We’ve got a one-bedroom apartment, with lovely fully equipped kitchen on the 4^th (top) floor. The building is an old one, built in the 1930’s, with lovely moldings and high ceilings – best of both worlds, as all modern conveniences, including a washer/dryer in the bathroom! YEA! (I know, didn’t I just do laundry yesterday??) Well, I did … but as everyone knows, I do have serious laundry issues – this will enable us to leave Brisbane for Perth with ALL clean clothes! What a concept!

Got settled in to our hotel, then headed out to explore. Walked through the Anzac shopping center (actually on the ground floor of our hotel!). Found a GREAT mystery bookshop (dropped $$ there!) and a great travel/map store; got a good map of Perth. Then on to the Eagle Street Pier. Wonderful location, lots of restaurants – and found one of the stopping places of the water bus, that takes people back and forth around the city! Decided to leave that for tomorrow, when we can get an all-day pass. Did manage to find Vino, which – guess what? -- is a wine bar and restaurant with an incredible view across the river! Settled down for a couple of glasses of wine, and enjoyed the view – until R found that the cricket match was on the TV in the bar … at which point we decamped inside, forgetting the view, to watch more cricket! Have decided to go to Kingsley’s steak and crab house for dinner tonight – also on Eagle Street Pier, but we’ve been feeling really steak-y, so tonight’s the night!

So, we are now back in the hotel resting until we head out for dinner … not too many minutes from now! Sorry for flaking yesterday, but sometimes things happen! So take care, lots of love, and hope to hear from you all soon!

Love,
m