Sorry for the delay in posting, not sure what came over us. Well we have left Sydney and headed Northwards, to where we are currently now, which is a place called Coffs Harbour. Upon leaving Collaroy we didn’t immediately go North but headed back towards Sydney in order to head West up into the famous Blue Mountains. After the drive, Mark probably wishes we haven’t. Confusing road layouts (an ever present plague wherever you go in Australia) coupled with traffic lights that turned instantly red whenever we approached conspired to make a 2 hour journey closer to four, in intense heat. Also when we finally escaped the clutches of the terrifying suburban road system, one of our tyres blew. Spectacularly. Shredded rubber everywhere. So we had a twenty minute delay while I changed that (burning my hand several times on the scorchingly hot wheel nuts). So we finally arrived weary and fed up of our car to the town of Katoomba or the Capital of the Blue Mountains. Whereupon we found that almost everywhere accommodation wise was taken. So we ended up in an average standard Motel which cost a lot. However that didn’t dampen our spirits one jot. What did however was the mist, rain and freezing cold. For our entire stay in the Blue Mountains (only two nights) it was miserably cold, so much so that once we had seen everything the next day, we went to a cafe and drank hot chocolates in front of a fire! Very pleasant but not very Australian. However while in the mountains, we saw the world famous Three Sisters from two different points, also took a trip on the very enjoyable Scenic railway which holds the world record for the steepest railway in the world and also journeyed along the rainforest boardwalk in the valley of the mountains. All in all a very nice time was had by all, although it was a shame about the weather because in the sun the mountains do turn blue as the sun shines through the vapour given off by the Eucalyptus trees.
After the mountains we continued our journey North, heading to Newcastle, about 150km North of Sydney. Here we stayed for three nights which is longer then we were going to stay, but the car needed a new tyre so we thought we would service it while we were there (it was 8,000km past its next due service). Newcastle is a strange place, as first impressions are you have driven into the town out of Children of Men. Its very industrial and parts are very run down. However when you see past the peeling shop fronts and boarded up windows, you can see that Newcastle is actually very nice. The restaurants are very good value, the bars of a high standard, and the beaches top quality. A storm had been brewing in the Tasman sea which meant the surf was huge and mental over the three days we were there. It was the most perfect swell I have ever seen and peaking at six foot. While I did paddle out into the monsters, at Newcastle beach, my standard of surfing was such that I couldn’t get any of the waves they were just too big. As the lifeguard also happily told me while berating me for not having any common sense by going out in the first place. So after being admonished thoroughly we went round the corner to Nobbies Beach where it was smaller (a mere five foot) and we could actually swim (at Newcastle the currents and shifting sandbanks meant there was no swimming). At Nobbies the swimming was great diving under monsters and trying to body surf them. If one of these grabbed a hold of you it tossed you around like a rag doll. While not scary it did make you appreciate the awesome power of the sea. Here I did go out bodyboarding (or boogie boarding, depending on what you call it) and caught some rippers, definitely the best waves of my life, clean, left-handers breaking regularly, it was in fact heaven. After visiting a small nightclub on the last night (student night apparently, though don’t let them fool you, there are no students) the next day we headed North again, roughly 200km to Port Macquarie.
We didn’t stay here long as Dave wanted to get to Armidale the next day to visit a family friend from which Coffs Harbour would be closer. In Port Macquarie, we just chilled on the beach, played a game of cricket and had a few bevvies in the evening. Very civilised in my opinion. So the next day we headed about 250km North to Coffs Harbour. Upon arriving we were told that there was no public transport to Armidale on a Friday. The next bus there was Sunday (that well known travelling day) and to get a train you had to go via Sydney or Brisbane (both 500km South and North respectively). So being the gallant person I am, I offered to drive him. Thinking it was 130-150km away we embarked happily. However it was 190km away, and much driving later (and many angry outbursts at caravans) we arrived in Armidale. Thankfully it wasn’t as bad as we first thought it was as the first impression was of run down bungalows. However they soon gave way to a pleasant little town nestled in England like hills. However it is no where near the coast, and why anyone would spend a gap year teaching in a school there is beyond me. Surely there are schools by the coast? Ah well. So after driving a total of 650 km and racking up seven hours of driving time yesterday I returned to Coffs at 7:00pm a flopped onto the bed exhausted. Still went out for a couple of beers in the evening. It is a gap year after all……
Jack xxxx
