Australian trip October-November 2022 (aka the Covid trip)

Despite Mish catching Covid three days in, we had a great trip and saw lots of people we haven't seen in years.

Flew into Brisbane via Auckland on October 26. It was an early morning flight so we caught the train in to Wellington the day before and spent the night at the Wellington airport hotel. That was a good idea.

Picked up a Subaru Forester in Brisbane and arrived at Merran's place for morning tea. Spent a lovely couple of days there catching up and hanging out at her scenic local cafe on Moreton Bay.

Having dinner the day before we left - Mish not knowing she has Covid at this point haha (none of Merran's family get it after our visit, phew).

Drove south to Lennox Head and Jane and Nicola's.  Parked ourselves in an air B&B beside their little house and big house (under construction) and everything going dandy until later that evening...Mish has a wee sore throat.

Next day, plans all change.

We have to stay where we are for days. Isolating, masks, distance, sanitiser.

But, J&N swing into action!  Mish gets to see a doctor and access the antiviral pills. Yeah, we paid for it but what the hell. Jane goes shopping and equips us with bags and bags of bags, meds, food and every possible clean up product. 

Carol sleeping on the couch, not getting Covid.

Next day we move house to another friend of theirs at her Bali-like air B&B in Ballina.

Waiting for Mish to come out and play. Waiting...

Every night we drove back to J&N's place, turning up like regulars at a favourite restaurant where our al fresco table is always reserved. Dinner is laid on and we're waited on and touch nothing except knives and forks. 

Discussing the J&N build.

Spent six extra days in Ballina while Mish had a quiet birthday, feeling tired but not too sickly. 

A slow walk on Boulder Beach, Lennox Head. 

And a slow drive out to the hinterland. One expansive fig tree in a churchyard in macadamia country.

Then we drove down to Newcastle, having lunch with Rita and Sandy on the way. Missed staying at Rita's for a couple of days and that was a real bummer.

Newcastle was going to be our destination for our 25th anniversary at the very end of this month-long trip, but because of Covid we switched those dates to delay poxy entry to Sydney. 

Newcastle was great. We picked there as neither of us knew it and it has an arty reputation these days - and sea pools!

View looking north to the shallow Canoe Pool from our unit on Newcastle Beach. It's deeper at the sea edge and a couple of little kids and I got tumble washed by an unexpected wave there - whoopee!

Looking south.

Having a swim at the Merewether ocean pool - fabulous!

And at the Bogey Hole, also fab.

At the quiet south end of the beach there are earthworks and we were poking around there - Mish uncovered a 1944 penny. She's pretty chuffed about that.

Went twice to an excellent cafe in a big old bank building with a relaxed vibe (Momo's) and swam in three cool sea pools, in an interesting city with quirky architecture and good bookshops and pleasant parks. 

Big old fig in Pacific Park, Newcastle.

Eyeing off a purchase while the coffee arrives.

Even caught up with Colleen and Jody in Newcastle. We were actually going to miss both of those gals on the previous plan, so that worked out better than expected.

On to Sydney after four days and Robin and Gillian and Luca's place. So nice to finally arrive in Sydney. Getting a lesson in smart watches.

Another great welcome and a sweet place for Mish to crash and get better. She's been doing pretty well, but has a relapse here and spends two days in bed feeling pukey.

She recovers okay though and off we go to her delayed birthday family dinner, then her cousins' lunch, and then her great nephew's birthday party in a park a few days after that.

It's been years since we've seen all these people!

Did a few Sydney things: Gillian and I had a walk in Garigal National Park and got (temporarily) lost; Mish and I strolled around Warringah Mall (which used to be outdoorsy pleasant but is now just a jumble of shops and narrow paths); had lunch in one of our special places - Jipang in Manly, and at my favourite seat at the counter, score!

Drove down to the Southern Highlands for a couple of days. We couldn't stay with Lyn but had a lovely catch up with Deb and Ric and drove around to check out a few of the old haunts.

On the Kangaroo River. It was a cool but lovely day with sunshine, then it hailed, which we thought was hilariously Robertson.

 

Our old house is changed a bit with lots of things we planted going great guns. It's rented and  overgrown - we walked down the lane having a stickybeak. 

Back to Sydney via the Macquarie Pass and the coast and on to Janey's place at Waverton for a few nights. Mish feeling quite chirpy by now with occasional suddenly tired moments.

Walked around Waverton and Kirribilli and Sydney botanical gardens for a few days. Really enjoyed just hanging out and watching ferries and yachts and the navy move in and out of the view.

Waving from the Forester under a spectacular jacaranda around the corner from Janey's.

Saw Elaine and Michael in their new digs on the northern beaches and had a pleasant lunch and a smashing game of table tennis with Kerry and Sue.

Next day, off to the airport. With a last sea pool swim on the way at the McIver's ladies baths in Coogee, then an accidental coffee at the cafe where it all began 25 years ago. We didn't realise until we sat down - in the same seat for heaven's sake.

She's still not grey!