And then it Rained

The gentle rain on the roof of the carriage was the first indication that today was not going to go as planned.

Our First delay was because a Storm flooded one of the Tunnels. So while we slept, *someone was sent find out if it was safe for us to continue.

By 9:45am we were at Wangaratta waiting again - this time for Paramedics to attend a Medical Emergency.  

Needless to say we were not going to be in Melbourne by 10:45 am.  

We finally pulled in to Broadmeadows Station at 12:20.  

Our Excursion to the MCG had been cancelled and we were taken directly to Lunch.  

Passing familiar streets to a non-existant commentary as neither the Driver or Guide had ever had to 'Do a Tour' before.

(Maybe they could be forgiven because they were both from Adelaide!)

The Eureka Tower was the World's tallest residential building when finished in October 2006.

It is named after the 1854 Eureka Stockade Rebellion with references being incorporated into it's design. 

It hosts the Annual Eureka Climb where participants climb the 1642 Steps to the Observation Deck

(Current record is 7 minutes to climb 88 Floors).

I can tick this one off the list - 

ONE Floor counts doesn't it?

The Observation Deck on the 88th Floor is currently the Highest Public Vantage Point in the Southern Hemisphere.

And WOW what a View!

If you want to see Melbourne  - Then this is the place to be.

It was hard to choose which photo to post.

We enjoyed ALL the activities Skydeck had to offer including going out on "The Edge"!

And then on to the 89th Floor - The Highest Restaurant and Bar in the Southern Hemisphere

Featuring a Modern Australian Menu the Meal was simply elegant.

From here it was back on the Coach to rejoin Our Train and continue our Journey.

*Total respect to people who do this so we can be safe.

Newcastle

Today's Off Train Excursion was our choice of activities in the Hunter Valley NSW. 

Alighting the train at Maitland station we Bussed it to the City of Newcastle.  Situated on the Mouth of the Hunter River, it is famous for it's Coal.

We enjoyed a Tour by a Local Guide who fitted in an enthusiastic 2 hour snapshot of the town and it's History.

before Lunch at Scratchleys Restaurant where we watched the Shipping Traffic on the Hunter River.

After which we had some Free time which we spent perusing the exhibits at the Museum including the Potions and Pestilence Exhibit which made very interesting reading indeed!

We can't leave Newcastle without mentioning  Nobbies Lighthouse. Just the 3rd Lighthouse built in NSW after Macquarie and Hornby Lighthouses.

At just 10 meters high it is dwarfed by the Signal Station and Port Watch buildings.

The rest of the day was, what Long Distance Train Travel is all about...

Watching the scenery go past.

The driver slowed down as we crossed the 785 meter Heritage Listed Hawksbury River Railway Bridge "So you can get Photos".

Tomorrow is ... another day another adventure!

The Great Southern

Last Year, The Great Southern Train Journey ended in Brisbane. 

This time we are doing the Return Trip.  

Deciding it was better to keep moving, we arrived at Historic Hanworth House on the 1st Bus from the CBD - So we were a bit early and had the opportunity to watch the Crew Set up for the Morning Check-in.

We enjoyed a beautiful 2nd - no 3rd Breakfast for the day on the Lawns while waiting for all our fellow travellers to arrive.

And were welcomed and given a Brief History of the Property by the Incredible, current owner, Ms Maria Vecchio AM.

After which we were bussed to the Acacia Ridge Freight Terminal where we connected with the Train. 

Comprising 28 Carriages at an average length of 711 m, she is way too big for the City Rail Stations.

Let the Journey Begin...

It would seem that all we do on board is Eat -  Meals on Board are very much a part of the Journey Beyond experience.

This is the Lunch Menu - and it will be different tomorrow!

It kept us busy for some of the 8 hour trip to Coffs Harbour which was our Destination for an Evening Dinner by the Sea.

And who wouldn't love to have dinner just meters from THIS beautiful View?

Tomorrow we wake to a new City and a New Adventure.

Australia by Train

I was warned!

DH likes Long distance Train Travel and we are kicking this one Off the Bucket List!

XPT Overnight to Sydney.

DIY Breakfast arrived at 6:30 am

Luggage stowed at the Train Station by 8:00am

And by 10:00 we were desperately seeking Coffee at the end of the Tram line - because nothing was open on a Sunday Morning!

Back in Town we wandered around The Rocks Market doing some Christmas Shopping while we were there.

Also in Town was the Disney Wonder Cruise Ship Which attracted plenty of attention as it dwarfed the Harbour Bridge.

No time to get too Lost down at Circular Quay we were back on the XPT this time Overnight 

Sydney to Brisbane.

This Old Girl sure needs some Love and attention.

If this is First Class - I shudder to think what the "Cheap Seats" were like!

What we were paying for was a lockable door a Loo (shared with next door) and bunks - although extremely hard - were a place to lay down for the overnight trip.

There was an evening meal and Breakfast before arriving in Brisbane at an unearthly 4:00 am

(Obviously Stowaway Frog was not impressed with the Early Morning.)

I promise - the next Train will be Better!

Working against the Clock

 Why is it when you have a deadline everything seems to conspire against you?

First the hinges gave way on the Security door - Easy fix. 

Then a week later the Lock broke OK THAT needed immediate attention.  

While we are at it we may as well replace them all and install the Emergency Key Lock box too!

NOW can we get back to work?

We need help - and even Stowaway Frog offered with his new Frog sized Ryobi Drill.

Fortunately DS#1 was available to help install the waterproof Wedi Boards and then DS#2 was also able to spare us the time to get the Domus Shower base installed.

It was very heavy and being semi recessed into the floor made it awkward to manage.

And with that we have run out of time.  

We had hoped to have the tiles on and be waiting for our Shower screen by now.  

Next week we need to be somewhere else!

December - Week One

And when you think you have all your Ducks neatly lined up...

Enter "Murphy's Law"

It started with my Mother needing a New Phone and Microwave Oven in the same week and the inevitable "I don't know how to use this modern thing" .

Christmas Decorations were - Once again kept to the Bare Minimum.

Distractions, Sidetracks and the Inaccessibility of the Tree and Decorations meant that This was it!

Oh well - There's always "Next Year"

The Bathroom Project saw the Plaster up 

(We were only replastering the bottom of the walls so I was pleased with the finish on the jointing.) 

And it all had to be Sealed and Painted before the Electrician arrived.

He was't able to do everything on our list so will be returning in the New Year.

And just when we were getting a run on the Reno it was Swap tools to deal with some Storm damage.

Our damage was insignificant compared to Others With only unblocking gutters and the Leucadendron needing an extreme Prune.

And speaking of Damage - Spare a  thought for this young man who was stuck blocking the road with a Broken Wheel Hub.

The local Bus was diverted and there he sat (for Hours) until a specialist Tow Truck arrived.

Distractions dealt with and underfloor Plumbing completed.

Finally we were able to get the flooring back down  so no more draughts!

 

November

Once again I am playing 'Catch Up' So - What happened in November?

The First Weekend in November is Demonstrating Simple Cake Decorations to the Children at the Whittlesea Show.  

Each year we hope we will get some new Members for our efforts.

At home, we Introduced DGD#2 

(Little Miss H) to Our Fairy Garden.

Looks Like Grandpa is a bit Big to play in here! 

She also Celebrated her 3rd Birthday with a Cat Themed Party.

Her Cake was made by Mum (DDIL#1) from the Iconic Australian Women's Weekly Birthday Cake Book.

The rest of the Month was taken up with Renovating the Bathroom. 

It's a Long process if you are to do it right.

Flooring had to be removed to prepare for the Shower Base to be Installed.

When we removed the Tiles from the Shower recess wall we found a Power point or in fact the back of one.

At some point in time a Plumber didn't think that THIS could be a Safety Issue.

Fortunately the Month ended with the arrival of the Electrician and moving the Power Point was added to the list!