Old Boots in Oz

2006-11-21T18:44:00.000-08:00

bula,this may be the last blog of our travels so I H. get to do it. We have just had the most amazing morning jet skiing round the islands and stopping off to do a bit of snorkling the old folk still have it in them! Our last day tomorrow and then we head home it will be a dramatic change from these blue skies and coral beaches.We shallhave a celebratory meal this evening after first attending a wedding on the beach. Havent a clue who theyare but yuu can!t beat a good weddng. Tomorrow we shall wind down & start packing. Signing off for time being Love Stan & Hil.

2006-11-20T18:57:00.000-08:00

Bula,thats Fijian for Hi. We arrived here last night after a days travelling. Sunday was a magnicent spent mostly around Mount Cook. After leaving Queenstown in rain & cold,the weather suddenly became clear & sunny as soon as we reach the high plains. Mount Cook is at the apex of a long valley which the road follows giving super views of the mountan. To start there was some cloud on the top,but this cleared and the whole mountain was revealed ,along with lake & forest. We could not resist a Heli flight which took us right up for a snow landing on a shelf about 3000 metres high. Mount Cook was then just across the valley and the scenery was awesome. Driving thro the high country and then the Canterbury plains we saw more cattle & sheep than I could shake 6 sticks at.Fiji is a real contrast,hot & Sticky,but some cool breezes blowing to keep it fairly comfortable. Summer clothes and bathing costumes are being used again but we are keeping our warm things handy for the home trip.plenty of americans here and honeymooners,least it looks that way. have organised a sunset cruise for this evening What a life !! back to reality soon By for now Love Stan & Hil.

2006-11-16T17:08:00.000-08:00

Kia ora,have found an internet cafe in Queenstown,amongst loads of internet nerds. Perhaps I am becoming a nerd myself. A remarkable couple of days,driving down the west coast of NZ. We walked up as far as was poss. to the face of Franz Josef glacier.and actually flew over Fox glacier in a very small helicopter.Stopped In Haas overnight,and motored on to Wanaka. A place we all think we could live in,mild climate,lakes,mountains,stacks of space,not too big. We have been negotiating with a land agent this morning,swopping The Sytch for a lakeside property. Activities in Queenstown this am have been curtailed a bit because of weather,no flying ,but we have been up the Skyline with views all over the town & lake and came down the luge for a bit of thrill therapy. We have just been told Jetboats are going this pm. as the river was too high this morning. So more adrenaline rush , getting addicted.Hoping to get to Milford Sound tomorrow before turning North and homewards,looking forwards to Fiji and some sun.Love to all ,Stan & Hil.

2006-11-13T20:45:00.000-08:00

Hi folks,we are now in South Island after a super trip over in the interislander ferry boat.The journey takes about 3 hours but little of that is in open sea. The Cook Strait is quite narrow ,then thereis a marvellous trip up the Picton Sound with fantastic scenery all around. Our stay last night was in Murchison,but today the weather has turned foul,torrntial rain for most of the time.This did not stop crossing the Buller Gorge on a Swing bridge and flying back on a ZipLine "GERONIMO".
We have continued down the West coast,taking turns to drive,the van is very much underpowered so has to be nursed up all the hills and round umpteen bends. It serves to keep these seniors on their toes.We have viewed some a mazing rock formations onthe way where the sea has eroded soft layers of limestone away leaving fantastic formations and blow holes. At night we have been staying in properly designated sites which have good facilities,toilets ,showers,laundry,kitchen,play areas etc. ruuning out of internet time Cheers S & H

2006-11-11T15:47:00.000-08:00

Kia ora we are making our way south to Wellington to catch a ferry to South Island.The last few days we have been in Rotarua,wondering at the geothermal phenomena,some of these effects occurin few other places.Hil,Jen & I had a Spa experience where you bathe in mineral waters of 38,40,&42 degrees, very relaxing & helpful for tired limbs & backs. The campsites we are using have excellent facilities so we can eat,sleep shower etc. in very good conditions.The wagon is somewhat different with 4 oldies trying to manage around each other.A routine is starting to form ,I expect will we get the hang of it by the time we have to hand the van back.The others have gone to look at a museum of some norwegian settlers who came here way back & I am using this time to get the blog upto date. We are a bit concerned with the situation in FiJi,which is our final destination. The locals say "no worries " but we will watch the situation. Trust all is well with folks back in UK. signing off love Stan & Hil

2006-11-08T00:57:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks, we have left Australia and have arrived in NZ. the time zone has moved forward another 2 hours,and the air has a definite chill.We were sorry to leave Kay & Grahame where we were very welcome and were able to relax with old friends. Our intention is to pick up the campavan to morrow and spent a little time in Aukland before our journey South.We may not get much access to the internet for the next few days so the blogs may dry up ; did I hear a cheer ? We have been away now for 3 weeks but have kept abreast of GB news and weather , a very small world really. We have put our light clothes to the bottom of the cases and are preparing for cooler weather.
Kia Ora for time being Love stan & Hil.

2006-11-06T22:53:00.000-08:00

We are enjoying our stay with Kay and Graham as we join in with their routine . The hay was to be cut today and the branches of the gum trees had to be gathered before the mower came in. The electric fences had to be moved for the cows to go on fresh grass.Its just like home just read sheep for cows. We had a super party in the evening meeting up with K and G's 3 girls and their men folk. The ride there was on dirt road through the bush spotting kangeroos as we went The Melbourne Cup was on everybodys mind and a sweep stake was organised. It's now Tues and the day has revolved around The Race! $100 was the winnings for the lucky punter which turned out to be Kirsten K and G.s eldest. Much loot must have changed hands in Melbourne. We are on the move tomorrow, flying to NZ to pick up the camper van. We have had an amazing trip so far, we will be boring you all with photos on our return. Grahame is just pouring champagne for our farewell B-B-Cue. Lots of love Stan and Hil.

2006-11-05T03:25:00.000-08:00

G'day all, its Sunday evening here in N Victoria.We have just spent a couple of days in the Victorian Alps at Falls Creek.This is a ski resort which is at its busiest in July/Aug/Sept. when thereis plenty of snow. We have seen it when it is quiet,but with crystal clear air and views over all this vast region of mountains. Old Boots were able to have a few gentle walks admiring the high plains from the Alpine Trails. We have taken some interest in Australian issues while we have been here:these would include
lack of water,water conservation,obesity of children,obesity of adults,lack of health resources,immigration,Muslims,nuclear power, cost of power,greenhouse gases ,global warming.Do some of these sound familiar?? However it is obvious to us that water is becoming an urgent topic;everywhere we have been all the rivers are drying, reservoirs at very low levels and lakes drying up before us. There is no prospect of any significant rainfall soon. Farmers are suffering and there is debate whether they should have Gov. help. Same old stories the world over.Kay & Graham fetched fish & chip supper tonight from the village,the fish was unfamilar- SHARK good grub all the same.We are anticipating moving on to NZ on Wed. So England better beat them in the Match tonight. bedtime for us Love from Stan & Hil

2006-11-01T04:41:00.000-08:00

G"day folks, at last I have managed to get back on the internet at Graham & Kays in North Victoria. At our last destinations I have attempted to post a blog but have been let down by equipment mal function. The last few days have been spent in Queensland on the tropical coast just north of Cairns. From there we had a fntastic day snorkeling on The Great Barrier Reef. We needed a bit of intense training in the morning but in the afternoon we were released onto the edge of the reef drifting with the tide amongst the fishes & coral.A memorable experience. Yesterday we went to the tropical rainforest by the scenic railway a bit like the severn railway but the track blasted thro rainforest and many vast gorges. Our return journey was by a cablecar across the forest canopy for approx 5 miles. This morning was hot & humid as the tropical summer starts & the wet season is upon them.This is in direct contrast to the bottom 2/3 of Australia which is suffering from 4 years drought. All are on water restrictions and all the stock is foraging on brown scrub. Farmers are destroying their livestock to be able to copewith shortage of foodstuff.Kay & Graham look well if a little older from the last time we saw them,I expect we look older too !! running out of space Love Stan & Hil.

2006-10-29T04:09:00.000-08:00

Hi guys we are fast becoming autralianised. you cant help it as it comes at you from everywhere.some time since our last blog as we have not seen a internet cafe,but we are at Paradise on the Beach at Cairns in northern Queens land. We enjoyde our brief stay in Canberra and meeting up with our contacts there. Our full day was spent cruising down the lake in the centre of this magnifent city to the Governor Generals house where we went ashore and had a guided tour of his garden.All very beautiful as befitting our Queens representative. On our return we were taken to the national museum for lunch and a couple of interesting hours studying mainly the period of the early settlers. The eveving was a family party where we met the rest of Ris;s family. The following day we coached back to Sydney over miles of outback which was VERY dry,no signifcant rain for 4 years. we were met by Joy & Mac, more cousins and trained to their home. A very enjoyable stay as we caught up on all family news some of it going back several generations.Next morning we met Jan/Jen at sydney airport for our flight up here.Today Sunday we have been to the outer barrier reef to snorkle along the coral shelf. We had a morning training session and then dropped into deep water to drift amongst the corals and fish. this is the way to swim wirh the shoals and see the wonderful coral formations. After an hour we were back on the boat quite exhausted but thrilled with our achievement.We are having r and r tomorrow and then we are heading to the rain forrest to see flora and fauna. See yer later! Love Stan & Hilary

2006-10-25T03:28:00.000-07:00

G"day all, at last we have got on front of a proper keyboard instead of struggling with a worn out hotel machine parked in their foyer. We enjoyed our few days in Perth,a super city to start an aussie holiday as it has a cool breeze blowing keeping temperatures similar to a nice spring day in UK. our last day in Perth we strolled down the road thro a lovely tropical garden/full of plants which we would only have as house plants and needing special care.At the far side was the WACA ,West Australian Cricket ground for the non cricket fans.We watched an interstate match between western Warriors and Tasmanian Tigers for a few hours,then had a trip into the museum, where we met some recent immigrants to aus,who were delighted with their new life. We have now moved onto Sydney,another 2 hours infront of you, atotal of 9 hours. Our party has now split as Jenny & Jan our fellow travellers have remained in Sydney to see the sights and do the bridge climb,while Hilary & I have caught a bus to Canberra. We were met by H"s cousins Ris & Clare whom we have not seen for a few years.We are staying with Clare & Warren Reeves at Amaroo a Canberra suberb which means " a beautiful resting place " in local aboriginal speak.Most of Eastern Aust. has a drought problem at present & the countryside looks very brown,a bit like The Sytch this summer. Our plans are to have a few days here looking up a few of H"s relatives before meeting Jen/Jan at Syd airport on Sat. trust all is well with you folks,love Stan & Hil.

2006-10-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Old Boots in Ozg,day from perth considering the time this has taken to blog this is it worth it. We are still exploring this lovely city and being the complete tourist. One more day here and then off to Sydney and some Rellie visiting.We have spent this morning in the Perth Mint and the afternoon in the art gallery. Weather fine and warm but not hot.Adjusting to parrots flying over and the wonderful gum trees -. white beaches that we hope to see more of later on very cosmopoliton accents and lots of Japanese tourists.Blogging off love to all Stan and hilary

2006-10-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

G Day all, arrived in Perth at 1.00am this am Missed most of Thursday over the Indian ocean. We are 7 hours in front of you here. have a job getting my head around that.Weather today has been very warm but there is a decent breeze blowing which makes it very pleasant. Pert is a interesting city with a mix of old victorian buildings with new skyscrapers & office blocks. Spent the pm inthe Botanical gardens which are dedicated to australian flora,some ofthe single trees would shade a tennis court.Tomorrow we are cruising down the River Swan to Freemantle which has plenty of marine interest,and visiting a winery on the way down. Feeling a bit bushed now as not much kip in last 48hrs. Love to all Stan & HIl

2006-10-16T04:03:00.000-07:00

this is our first attempt putting a photo onto the blog. For those with poor eyesight ,Jan is conducting Old Boots choir on St.Agnes during the 2006 trip to The Isles of Scilly. We are still experimenting so a few more random pics. may appear.

2006-10-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hi folks we are setting out for australia on wed 18 th and thought it would be very modern if we started a blog to keep family & friends up dated on or journey. As this is my first venture on anything technical we might have a few teething problems.I will forward this blog address to all my e mail contacts so you dont have to read it if you dont want to.Somehow we will try and add a photo or two if we get the hang of the procedure ,so look out for our first entry from Australia when we get there next week. stan & Hil