East Coast to Brisbane

Beach @ Sawtell

So after playing tour guide with family and friends, and just resting in our second home town of Sydney it was time for Laurence and I to move on again. So this time we rented a car and headed north along the east coast of Australia to visit some of our favourite spots from previous trips down under and to explore some new towns along this scenic coast.

We headed up the Pacific Highway which hugs the amazing coastline along the Pacific Ocean. Here we toured through several small towns and cities along the way as well as stopped at some of the countless beaches along the way. We made a pit stop at one of our favourite small towns of Sawtell, with its dramatic beach and quaint city centre. As well as Port Macquarie at the mouth of the Hastings River and Coffs Harbour which is home to the big banana.

The Big Banana @ Coffs Harbour

On a journey north we stayed a few days in one of our favourite spots in all of Australia the town of Byron Bay. This town with its wonderful beaches and scenic coastline is home to the alternative crowd reminiscent of the 1960s hippy culture. So in amongst the dreadlocks and “dirty hair” people is a unique Australian experience with both the hemp culture, high end tourism and your average Joe all enjoying the same environment. It was a lot fun both during the day taking in an alternative spa in Mulimbimby and laying on the beach and in the evening enjoying several live performances by a wide variety of local talent.

Bryon Bay view of beach from lighthouse

From there we ventured back to Surfers Paradise and stayed in a fantastic apartment (the deal of the century) for a few days and just lived like total locals. Everyday consisted of long walks on the seven miles of endless beach, great dining, running every day and Laurence even started to paint again (art work). We could really get use to this if only Maphew was here.

Flower on the Beach

From there we spent a few days in the City of Brisbane taking in the highlights of this capital city of Queensland. This city of just over 2 million people is a unique blend of modern and traditional Australian architecture; it reminds me a lot of Calgary, just with palm trees. Here we explored the city centre as well as the South Bank area with its galleries and parkland. We of course took in the Art Galleries in the city and even took in a Valentino show at the Gallery of Modern Art. And of course we had some fun in the restaurant and bar district of Fortitude Valley and played with the locals.

Sculpture on Brisbane Street

Brisbane City Hall

Downtown views of Brisbane

Valentino Show, I loved the entrance to the show

After Brisbane we journeyed home back to Sydney stopping in the agricultural town of Lismore and stopping to photograph the natural bridge near the hippy town of Nimbin. And then making our final stop at the most amazing sand dunes of Hawks Nest, where Laurence and I were truly the only two people on the beach and climbing the dunes.

Natural Bridge

The east coast north of Sydney has so many great sites and towns and every time I explore this area I learn to love it even more.

Jan & Susan Bridge Climb

"Happy Birthday"

 Jan

The view is amazing

We did IT !!!!

Barb and Susan join us in Sydney

Barb, Susan, Jan and Blanche arrive in Australia

We were very fortunate to play host for a few days to two very dear friends from Canada in our second hometown of Sydney. Barb Meads and Susan Peacock two great friends from Calgary had planned their trip down under to coincide with our journey through this part of the world. Both Barb and Susan worked with me for a period of time at the City of Calgary, and at one time they were both my secretary, but more importantly our relationship went well beyond co-worker and they are valued friends to both Laurence and I, so having some familiar faces from the old country was a great treat. Barb and Susan were travelling with two wonderful travel buddies Jan and Blanche, so we had new tourists to discover the city with.

Susan, Henry, Barb and Laurence @ the South Heads

So as official Sydney tour guides we took them to the famed Circular Quay to view the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We ventured through the tropical vegetation of the Botanical Gardens and sat in the iconic Mrs Macquarie’s Chair to view the incredible harbour views. And we of course showed them all the great shopping haunts of the city, highlighting the incredible Queen Victoria Building.

Susan and Henry feeding the white cockatoos

I Think I have made a new friend

But we took some time to teach them some unique features of this country such as ordering food at the counter (not from the waiter), enjoying Tim Tams, how to order a flat white coffee, the joys of Australian yogurt and how to make the perfect cup of Lindt Hot Chocolate.

I can't believe that I'm standing here !!!!!

Come on Susan it's not that bad !!!!!

We also toured outside the city and took a road trip up to the Hunter Valley the famous wine making region of Australia and we took in several wineries and tasted the wonderful tastes of the region. And we took a day trip up to the Blue Mountains to Katoomba to view the Three Sisters, tour scenic valley and reconnect with cold weather as it was freezing that day.

Henry, he is trying to take our picture again

It was a great few days with the four gals we had lots of fun reconnecting and connecting over food and drinks, I will always remember the great night of endless mussels out of the pot at Bungalow 8, enjoying laksa and of course the evening watching the great performance of Jersey Boys at the Royal Theatre.

There so delicious, I can't believe I had three pots

Henry it's just a napkin !!!

Thought I'd test U all, Ha Ha

The four women then ventured off to northern Australia as they continued their tour, but Barb did return on her own for a few days on her way home and we played tour guide again with Barb. This time we centred the visit around Barb`s favourite past time, shopping, and discovered new areas of the city such as the funky neighbourhood of Newtown and the alternative area of Oxford. We had lots of laughs, discovered the great bakeshops of this city and had a few too many beers it was great to reconnect with Barb and in no time her visit was over.

Girls, Aren't the Men on this beach Hot !!!!!

On Bondi

It has been a great joy seeing old friends again and seeing this country through their eyes, love you both.

I Have Some New Friends

Hey Guys!

Duckie is my new best Friend

She doesn't talk much!!!

What until my Dad gets home

Its been raining here! Too much actually. Ugh! Other than my walks, we have been laying low this week. Auntie must of felt sorry for me, cause she got some toys for me. My friend "duckie" loves to horse around! She squawks!! And I have some yellow balls too (wrecked the squeaker in one already! Cheap toys! oh well . . . ) Not much else new. Oh ya, I got my first chase in yesterday! I gave a good run on a grey cat out back. Almost had it too until it ran up a fence! Dam claws!! Geesh! I gave it a huge bark or two!! Wasn't long and auntie was calling me back. Happy with my accomplishment, I ran back to see her. Figured I gave that cat what for! Grr.... And the other day, I couldn't go out of the house the other day too. Just out the front door stood a doe and her two fawns. Uncle Dave wouldn't let me out!! The nerve! I had to go!! Anyway, it wasn't long and the deer left. When I went outside, I gave everything a good sniff before going back in. I'm always on the look out! Oh, in case you are wondering, haven't seen the skunk again . . . can you imagine??

Hope things are great and you both are having too much fun!!

Love,

Maphew oxox

Boy, I Was A Dirty Dog

Hello.

Boy, I was Dirty!!!!

By the way I'm wearing blue contacts, what u think?

I feel so clean now!!!!

Well, you can imagine with another end of a camping trip, I got a bath!! Auntie likes to give me lots of them and I have to admit I like them too. Especially when I get out and run around like a mad man!! Ya Hoo!! I'm starting to look like a bear, so I will have to be careful if our next adventure is in the woods! Its now hunting season here! Yikes! Picture it, me stuffed and placed on a wall above a fire place!! OMG!! Wouldn't you just die?? Stuffed Scottie!!! . . . just kidding . . . Anyway, wanted you to know that I'm still having a blast and being spoiled rotten! I have Uncle Dave wrapped around my paw! It's great!! Auntie is jealous! hee, hee . . . got to go, uncle Dave is gonna give me a treat, I just know it! Yummy!!

Love,

Maphew oxox

Awesome Camping Weekend

Hello "My People".

Don't I look like a Camper Dog

Dave I'm going to put out the fire for U

Happy Trails

Here's another update. We went camping again! This time we went to Lumberton for a sleep over in the woods. It is about a 30 minute drive west of Cranbrook. Our spot was really dusty and you guessed it, I got really dirty! I also marked everything (as you can see with my pic with uncle Dave)!! I kept really busy checking everything out. At night I got to wear a glo-stick necklace! The other camp people kept saying how pretty I was!! Geesh, don't they know I'm a boy!! I have to admit the necklace was really cool! When it got dark, I impressed everyone cause I kept guard with my back to the camp fire looking out and beyond! No animal sightings and I think auntie was happy about that (and the fact that she could see me at all times!). Though, I could tell something was nearby (saw a coyote the next morning across the swamp near camp . . . hmm . . . friend or foe?). Anyway, it got a little chilly so it was nice to crawl into a trailer with a furnace. ahh, heaven!! And the next day we went for a jeep ride too up to Kyako look out (on top of a mountain - not sure of the name of it). It was really cold!! Good thing we didn't stay long. brrr . . . fall is definitely upon us . . . until my next adventure, take care.

Love,

Maphew oxox

PS. Hope your having a blast!!



PPS. Miss ya . . . skype soon, ok?

Dad, Why? Aren't You On Skype

Hello.

I'm here, where the Hell are U!!!!

Auntie & Uncle why isn't he online

I really need to chat to u, I miss you soo much!!!!

Just checking in . . . are you there?? Uncle Dave was in the office, so I jumped onto his lap, then to the desk . . . I looked on the computer screen and you were not there . . . perhaps another day . . . hope all is well.

Love Maphew oxox

Maphew See's A Skunk, I Thought It Was A Kitty !!!!

Hey everyone!


Guess what? We took a different way home tonight from our walk and I bet you can't guess what happened? Anna-Lisa and Dave chatting by the house before we were going to go in for the night, when I thought I had met a new kitty on our block!! I was about three car lengths away when auntie yelled at me! What?? She had alot of nerve!! I mean, just because the kitty looked like me . . . and with the exception of having a nice fancy white racing stripe down its back to its tail, how was I suppose to know it was a SKUNK!! Geesh! Well, auntie wrecked my chances of a good chase! And uncle Dave too cause he stuck to me like glue! All I wanted to do was play!! How sad to see it run away! (note to self, may consider bolting next time for a meet and greet . . .hmm). Since it has been darker earlier, we can expect the unexpected in town . . . if its not the attacking deer, its the wondering skunks! What next??? Well, just wanted to share my excitement!! Hope all is going great in your neck of the woods . . .


Love,

Maphew oxox

Maphew's Visit With The Cousins

Hello Guys!

I love it when someone watches live TV with me!!!

We are watching for Kitty's

I love Amy, but I think she love's me way too Much

Spent some time with family last weekend. Laurence's sister and kids and mother came for a visit here in Cranbrook, BC. Amy, my human niece, stayed at my side ALL the time!! And we did everything together. We went for truck rides (auntie drove), watched TV (Ugly Duckling 14 times! ugh!), looked out the window and went for lots of walks. She has way too much energy for me! She ran my feet off!! I was very tired at the end of each day! As you can see I still love my bed. Ahh, heaven! I was happy to grab a quick nap when she wasn't looking. Thank goodness!

Wow that was one exhausting weekend!!!!!!!

Just hanging out this weekend. Will go for a bunch of walks, and maybe another jeep ride. The weather has cooled off a little. Its only 14'C today. Must be the mountain air. Hope it warms up!! I feel like going for ice cream! Yum!

Until my next update . . .

Love,

Maphew oxox