Holiday in Yarrawonga, Victoria, Australia

We departed Melbourne after lunch on Friday 22 July 2016 and Jeanette drove the 3 1/2 hours from Wheelers Hill to the beautiful country township of Yarrawonga in Northern Victoria on the border between New South Wales and Victoria.

it is a drive straight up the Hume Highway to Benalla and then across to Yarrawonga.  Weather was cold and there had obviously been plenty of heavy rainfall as paddocks and roads were very wet and every dam was full to over flowing.  The crops were in excellent condition and everything looks terrific. 

We checked in at Murray Valley Resort at 4.20 pm and had unpacked by 5.00pm.  Accommodation is clean and comfortable unit style wth 2 bedrooms, lounge and kitchen. 

We decided to go to the Golf Club for dinner and had a most enjoyable meal, then watched the AFL match on the large screen between North and Collingwood. But decided that we would go home to our unit at about 9.00pm. We slept well throughout the night and woke at about 7.00am to the sounds of birds and a perfectly clear blue sky.  We hoped for a warmer day.

Whilst the sun came out early morning, it was a false dawn because we continued to have regular heavy rainfall and winds  of gale force.  In the afternoon Ken decided to play nine holes of golf on the Lakes Course.  He played by himself and had a 45 strokes off the stick and one lost ball.  The course was very heavy and sloppy in places, in fact this afternoon several holes on the beautiful Murray course beside the meandering Murray River were closed because of the water, but he hopes to play the Murray course next Tuesday afternoon.

Jeanette cooked dinner in tonight following us watching AFL at the golf club and enjoying a couple of drinks.  

Sunday came with a bleak forecast and it lived up to that although dry.  There is a farmer's market down by the foreshore.  But a bitterly cold wind also impacted.  Spoke to Peter Bateman who now lives in Silverwoods Estate, here in Yarrawonga and has just returned from Boort. He commented how wet it is and how good the crops look.

We will catch up with Peter for lunch and dinner over the next few days.  We also arranged to play golf on the Course in his estate (Black Bull  Golf Course) on Thursday.  By that time he hopes everything will have dried out.

This afternoon following lunch we are going to the golf club for a time then back for a swim and spa in the superb heated indoor pool.

It really is relaxing just doing nothing and being under no pressure from builders, architects or trades. This is very much the relaxing week we have needed. This has been an extremely busy period with the completion of our new home, the move and the unforeseen stay at the hotel and then the confusion as to unpacking and the challenges despite our inventory of boxes and planning.  We have both needed a relaxing break and hopefully the weather will improve over the coming days.

Monday brought much the same cold overcast weather early morning, but the radar showed a clearing outlook, but with another cold front with strong rainfall and cold winds arriving late afternoon.

Ken again spoke to Peter Bateman and we are meeting for lunch on Tuesday at The Naked Tree and then we arranged to have dinner at the best restaurant in Yarrawonga on Wednesday evening, then we will play golf at the Black Bull course on Thursday.

with the weather slightly improving late morning, Ken decided to play golf at Yarrawonga and Mulwalla Golf Club , Murray Course.  Most of the competition players abandoned their game so there were very few people out and about. The weather cleared with the drizzle making way for periods of sunshine and there was little wind.  Ken hit off at 11.20am and played good solid golf off a handicap, reflecting the slope of 127, being 21  .  He had a gross 90 with a net 69 so was very pleased.  Jeanette met Ken back at the lounge of the Golf Club where we had a quick drink, before returning to the Murray Valley Resort.  Then had a swim in the heated pool before changing.  We are eating in tonight.

During the night we heard very heavy rainfall on the roof and Ken's plans to play 9 holes were dented when the Murray and Lakes courses were closed for the day because they were too wet following the overnight storm. We spent the morning at the resort, then departed to visit the Newsagent before going to the Naked Tree cafe and restaurant in the middle of town.  We arrived a little early and Peter had made a booking.

We enjoyed a tasty lunch of fish and chips and talked for over 3 hours as Peter updated us on his move from Mount Martha up here to Yarrawonga.  He is well although he says he is carrying too much weight.

Following lunch we walked around the general area and Jeanette looked at shops etc.  

Peter advised that our golf on Thursday morning may be curtailed because the course is too wet after all of the rainfall of the last 2 months ,but particularly following the soaking and drenching of this last 2 weeks.  That would be disappointing but the Yarrawonga and Mulwalla Golf Club is also closed today after yesterday and last night's soaking.  We have also completed our washing so everything is clean again.  Ken also followed up by ringing our builder as to the continuing work at home.

Peter suggested several wineries for a visit and afternoon tea at The Olive cafe. That is a visit for afternoon tea later today.  We dined last night and enjoyed slow cooked lamb shanks, which were really good before returning back to the resort where Jeanette watched and enjoyed the Grand Finale of Masterchef (Australia). Ken has been engrossed in another Jake Adams thriller novel.

We are dining tonight at the Italian restaurant ( the best in town) and Ken has a good red to take along.  We will enjoy the night and see what tomorrow brings.

The restaurant Lussinos was about half full on Wednesday evening and we enjoyed a superb meal and talked incessantly .  It was an excellent choice of location and the food was just first class.  The weather remained inclement and as we left the restaurant another heavy shower of rain passed through the township, although the forecast suggests the weather is on the improve, with some sunshine breaking through late Thursday and the cold wind and rain will disappear on Friday.

We arranged to meet at Peter's home onThursday morning and we will then ascertain if it is possible to play golf at Black Bull Golf Course on his estate.  Ken slept in to 8.15am, most unlike him, but the day was somewhat clearer and despite water lying everywhere we felt that it may indeed to get out on the course.

Jeanette drove us into the Silverwoods Estate and we turned off the main through road onto Poppy Lane, where Peter had the garage door open and we parked behind his Merc and he had his golf cart loaded.  We quickly transferred the golf gear into the golf cart, then had a guided tour of his new home. It is a comfortable, contemporary new town house , well appointed and very nicely furnished.  Peter has done a nice job in furnishing and he is very well set up.

We drove through several small streets to the temporary pro shop, where we were advised that we could play all but one hole.  But it was extremely wet ,but we enjoyed our golf and only had 3 heavy showers of rain  and hail and the wind has diminished by quite a margin.  We both played well, Peter is a beautiful ball striker.  

There were not many out so we did take almost 4 hours to get around and Peter explained the planned Sebel 4 1/2 star hotel which will incorporate the club house on land known as "the point"with sweeping views over the lake. So down the track the clubhouse and pro shop will be located on a significant promenade and land jutting out into the lake.

Following golf, Peter and Ken returned to his home for a drink and nibbles and then dropped Ken back at Murray Valley Resort at 4.00pm, where he showered had a late snack and then we relaxed for th next 2 hours before departing for dinner at the golf club at Yarrawonga Club.

Back to do some preliminary work re packing as we depart for home tomorrow morning.

We have enjoyed a week away and relaxed and caught up with our friend Peter, visited his new home and enjoyed lunch, dinner and golf.   The weather has been cold, wet and windy and generally diabolical, but we have really enjoyed our time away.  We also realise that we needed a break, now we return wanting to get the work finished and move on.

Our Sale of 13 Caithness Crescent, Glen Waverley

Elsewhere we explain the process as to our plans to downsize and the necessity of selling our much loved home of 23 years.  We had completed the purchase of our new home and effected settlement and commenced the design and process regarding the project management.   

In July we holiday in the top end in Northern Australia firstly Uluru and then to Alice Springs before flying to Darwin where we commenced a wonderful holiday with APT travelling through the Kimberley's to Broome.  Upon our return home we approached our agent with the proposal to sell by Auction with a timeline of 29th August, 2015.  This was with the objective of achieving a quick sale given the booming market conditions and the frenetic buying behaviour of Chinese owners and investors.  This involved preparation and "dressing" of our home by design consultants and the removal into storage of quite a bit of our furniture.  It was more than uncluttering, but the house was beautifully presented when the first opening occurred.  We had an excellent result of some 22 couples and parties through in the first presentation. 

Merelyn commented that a number were neighbours and window shoppers, but her expectations as to the type of person and the general value was confirmed.  She commented that the wonderful views and the size and variety of the rooms were the selling points.  But she also cautioned that this was an unusual property with the stairs and large garden.  So we waited and waited through another 4 openings and we were subsequently advised that we had 5 firm offers, but only 2 in the range that she would want to sell it at.  There was then a period of uncertainty and reflection as we waited for guidance from Merelyn, but one of the keen buyers has dropped out, two others have entered the race, but with undefined offers and there is one very keen person, who has travelled back to China.  She is an Australian / Chinese resident who is marrying a Chinese national from Shanghai in February 2016.  Merelyn will put an offer / proposal to her on her return. 

We also reinforced our desire to rent the property and only have one move.  That of course is secondary to a sale at the best price. 

Time passed and despite further openings, we heard nothing from Merelyn or her offsiders as to progress, and without being apprehensive we hoped for a quick result. 

On Monday night , some 12 days prior to the Auction date we received a telephone call from Merelyn wanting to review and discuss our strategy and approach, because we had some issues.  We agreed, but were somewhat disheartened and waited the tine for the scheduled meeting at 6.30pm.  Merelyn arrived and appreciated that we were nervous, then went through recent events before producing a signed unconditional contract for an amount above and beyond our wildest dreams.  

We celebrated with champagne and can only describe a sense of relief. It means that we can now progress and finalise design plans and be quite relaxed. 

Subsequently, we negotiated a lease from settlement date of 8 December, 2015 through to 8 May 2016 by which time we hope to have our new home constructed and ready for occupancy.

This is a great result, delighted with the sale process and the ending price consequence as well as the ability to achieve a long lease which means we will only have the one move. 

The planning and Construction of Garden Court, Wheelers Hill. Design : McLauchlan and Associates of Mount Waverley and Construction by Alamode Constructions of Pattersons Lake

We purchased the site of our new home in Wheelers Hill in Febrary, 2015 with settlement scheduled for May, 2015. 

Following our return home from our holiday in the USA and specifically our time visiting with Bonnie and Gil in San Antonio, we were both convinced of the need to move, downsize and eliminate stairs as well as the size of the garden.  We approached our agent Merelyn, who had a property further down our street for auction, which Ken liked but Merelyn and Jeanette both knew it wasn't what we were wanting and needing, but she said she did have another property in the "dress circle" of Wheelers Hill that was just about to be put on the market.  Jeanette and I visited in early February 2015 and Jeanette immediately realised the potential, but there was a lot of work required.  Ken also liked the area and the size of the property at 870sq metres, but was not sure of the numbers.  We had our architect Rob McLauchlan visit, and he said you could demolish and rebuild or proceed with a substantial renovation using most of the existing shell but adding substantially and gutting the interior.

This was a challenging time, we did preliminary work on each alternative, but in the short term realised that 75 % the roof and the outer walls could be retained. Rob taking the initiative then totally redesigned the whole house and we decided to leave the back 2 bedrooms in tact and make cosmetic changes to the interior of those rooms, whilst totally demolishing the interior throughout the rest of the home.

After some 8-10 weeks of reviews and considering various alternate designs we departed upon our holiday to Northern Australia and the Kimberleys, whilst Rob put our renovation / rebuild out to tender with 5 different builders.  We kept in touch and he warned us that several were saying this was substantially bigger than we originally planned. Upon returning to Melbourne he presented us with a summary of the tender outcomes and a suggestion that we interview 2 builders, who are somewhere near our desired spend, but he also knows their work and quality.  At the same time we visited a Melbourne based high quality builder, known to Ken through golf at Kew, to gauge the quality and finish standards that our architect is specifying as a minimum.  It was very worthwhile and we came away well pleased.

Subsequently, we met the two preferred builders and we liked Dean from Alamode and Rob was happy to progress to tender/ contract negotiations.  In addition, we had to define the contract issues and then specify the variations / additions outside the formal contract.  We agreed to details and then signed a contact with a development timeline of 27 weeks from commencement date of early October, 2015.

Jeanette then had to follow through and complete selection of colour schemes and fittings, before we were to embark upon our holiday in October / November  , 2015.  All went well, but upon our return from overseas, Rob advised that we need to consider a major and expensive change to the Windows on the Southern and Western sides of the home.  We subsequently, met and agreed these changes with Dean and Rob, but this delayed work over the December / January period by 3 weeks.  All proceeded well, if not as quickly as we wanted.  Settlement on 13 Caithness occurred to timetable and we became tenants from 8 December, 2015.

We then experienced that frustrating period where you move from all of the internal work of electrical and plumbing.  But we were to receive another frustrating and expensive item of expenditure, when the new boiler was installed for the in floor hydronic heating, only to then ascertain that the manifolds in the new extension of the Master bedroom suite and the manifold at the rear required replacement and updating.  This proved both expensive and time consuming. 

Finally, as much work was rushed and progressed, we were advised that we could move in Mid May, 2015 but that quickly led to the realisation that this would necessitate a period of hotel accommodation beyond the 8th May 2015 our final date on the lease. So despite our planning and the detailed inventory of boxes and furniture, we had to have 9 nights in Hotels, before we moved in. 

It wasn't what we wanted but it was beyond the control of Dean and his team.

So we moved in to a home still substantially a work in progress.  There was a bevy of activity as various items were finished.  We still had ongoing issues with the hydronic heating which wasn't commissioned until some 3 weeks after our moving in, but we are in and really delighted. 

There remains a myriad of items to finish, but the quality is as we wanted , both the design and layout is superb and there are no steps apart from the front door/ porch and back door and pool fence step. 

The  sandstone paving s a significant feature, as is glass wall in the formal dining / Lounge area.  The front water feature is still to be finalised in design prior to construction.

The garden will be a work in progress although the watering system is near complete, the front garden is also nearly finished in the planning and now requires execution of the build. The solar panels are on the roof, the water tanks will be installed next week.  The pool security fences are to be installed over the next 10 days, then we will instal the three gates.  The gates are one of the last items because they have to comply with firstly, the security requirements with the pool, both rear and front, then the front gate has to be placed between the side entrance to the garage and the second pool security / safety gate. 

We do have some blinds and window coverings but the balance of curtains and blinds come next week. 

We also have a range of cabinetry still to be delivered for fitout to our walk in robe, garage storage and the shed.  There remains much unpacking of boxes and other items, but we are remarkably settled for such a short time.  We then move on to the internal decoration, where whilst we are well established after some 8 weeks in the home, there is a need for assistance, guidance and support from a quality interior designer and decorator.

This has been a challenging and tiring project to renovate and rebuild a home which will give us the environment and living style for hopefully the next 15 years or so. 

We now have a property in a very good area, with quality design and fit out to our desire and planning.  The build is of an excellent standard with high quality finishes.  The plans and floor layout is comfortable, with good quality fittings throughout.It does meet our aspirations, has been completed close to a demanding budget without compromise as to quality or scale.  A good architect with a quality builder have delivered.  We are delighted.

22nd October 2016 Depart Lofts du Vieu-Port and board Oceania Regatta

We woke at about 7.15am and the weather whilst remaining overcast is drier than the last 2 days.  We have now brought our suitcases down from the loft bedroom together with our clothes and Jeanette has packed everything in an orderly manner. 

Following showering we are ready for breakfast. We do feel somewhat frustrated by our inability to much at all here in beautiful Montreal, because of the incessant heavy rainfall.

Fortunately, we have visited Montreal previously and seen several museums and galleries, explored the under ground shopping and associated areas.  But there remained much that we had hoped to do. Perhaps the highlight was the superb Basilica Notre Dame, unbelievably beautiful with stunning stained glass windows, a magnificent pipe organ and one of the loveliest Catholic Cathedrals that we have seen anywhere in the world. 

Ken did explore more of the Old Port area and enjoyed what he saw, but everything was just so wet. 

At 11.00am we are being picked up by our Blacklane driver and taken to the Port where we join Oceania Regatta for our cruise from Montreal to Miami.  We are both excited and we will again see several friends along the way. 

The weather conditions continued to deteriorate with constant downpours of heavy rainfall and strong winds. 

The trip to the cruise terminal which is in a temporary structure takes approximately 20 minutes and we are dropped right beside the entrance and ushered to the foyer whilst our luggage is taken aboard independently.  We are through Customs and Immigration in 10 minutes and then given our stateroom cards (8004) and advised that lunch is served in the Terrace Restaurant and our suite will be available at 12.30pm-1.00pm.  We enjoy the lunch and the weather only gets worse.  

Come 12.45pm our suite is available and we are very pleased with the size and the fitout. 

We then meet our butler named Eric, who offers to assist with everything. We decide to defer Our champagne until later in the voyage and then unpack, prepare for the life saving process in muster station A in the forward lounge.  That all goes well and we then change for dinner in the Grand Dining room a stunning dining venue.  We enjoy the whole evening including the first night show in the lounge, which provides a taste of the entertainment to come.  All in all the boarding and departure has gone very smoothly, the ship is lovely and best described as sumptuous in the fit out and furnishings.  There are several staff who we have seen on previous Oceania cruises which we have completed. 

The first dining experience can be a challenge but we have a great night with people from Florida and Toronto.  A most enjoyable first day, but concerns remain as to the strong cold front passing through Canada. 

5th November,2016- Arrival in Miami and drive to Daytona Beach and Hilton Head Island - Bluewater Resort and Marina

We awake bright and early to see the ship dock in Miami  a beautiful city from the Cruise terminal and it is a stunning morning, although heavy rainfall and storms are expected early afternoon. 

The sunrise is pretty and the colours of the city at this early hour are quite striking. We have breakfast in the dining room having cleared our suite by 08.00am as required and we then make our way to the Grand Dining room for breakfast and to thank the servers who have looked after us so well over the 14 days of our cruise from Montreal down the St.Lawrence River and then down the east coast of USA.  We had previously said goodbye to Margaritya and Michael our room stewards and Eric our butler.

We do enjoy a delightful breakfast, then thank several staff members. We then are waiting for clearance and departure with ours scheduled for 9.00am. In the interim we say goodbye to both Shawn and Corey Tennant and Bob and Susan Foster whose company we have enjoyed on tours and over several dinners. We finally depart on time and then collect our luggage and then are mistakenly advised that there is a shuttle downtown to the Dollar Car Rental Centre, but subsequently find it is only for the airport.  So we end up taking a cab at a cost of $34.50 and eventually arrive at approximately 9.55am expecting to pick up our car.  The 2 staff are engaged with a very large family wanting to hire 2 large SUV vehicles and we are eventually served at 1040am but then find our vehicle is located elsewhere ( in another suburb) and are driven to pick this up.  We arrive at the next Car rental office only to find they have no vehicles available, but will have one (Jeep Patriot) in 20 minutes.  This eventually arrives partially clean at 11.30am and we are ready to depart.

Over the last half hour the weather has deteriorated significantly and we are faced with torrential rainfall and many cars are pulling off the I95.  

We have a difficult  4 hour 30 minute drive initially in dramatic and dangerous rainfall storms, but the further we travel north the better the weather is becoming. But the winds remained very strong.

Following a consistent drive where we have both shared the time averaging 75 miles an hour we arrive safely at the Hiton Daytona Beach, having driven passed the Daytona International Motorway / Speedway.

The Hilton is right on the famous Daytona Beach and we had planned to eat that evening at Joes's Crab Shack, but with the nasty wind Ken cancels our booking.  The beach here remains a real mess some 2 weeks after Cyclone Matthew has decimated the beach.  We are surprised to hear that the beach was significantly damaged and see water rose up over the walkway, some 12 feet above normal sea levels and indeed flooded the ground floor of the Hilton and adjoining properties. 

Jeanette is delighted as we have a superb room with (1105) with Seaview room with full glass floor to ceiling windows and we enjoy the terrific views over the rough cascading surf which is extremely rough.  We decide to dine in house and with the wild winds and occasional showers this is a sound decision. 

Our room is comfortable but the room and the hotel is an older style hotel in a superb location.  We awake to a clear blue sky on the Sunday morning, the cruise seems far distant and we look forward to the drive to Hilton Head Island from Daytona Beach (about a 4 hour 45 minute drive).  Included in our booking is a complete buffet breakfast which we thoroughly enjoy.  We are on the road at about 9.10am after filling up with gas.

This is an enjoyable drive which we have completed on several occasions, but even at this early stage we are becoming aware of the significant damage caused by Cyclone Matthew.  We are advised at several stops that areas of Coast have been decimated and there is shocking damage.  We inquire as to Hilton Head Island and are informed that there are many areas still closed after some 10,000-12,000 trees have been downed and have destroyed property etc. 

We soon travel North and continue to witness massive destruction and emergency workers struggling to effect the clean up and open all roads and restore services.  But we are warned that we will be shocked by what we see on the island.  We turn off Interstate 95 and onto the 278 toward Hilton Head Island.  We cross the bridge to the island and then travel to the Bluewater Marina and Resort.  The roads are clear but everywhere there are trees which have been uprooted and then the SES has been cutting up and clearing the fallen and destroyed trees and some 1400 homes have been damaged.  

The resort is beautiful and we see the new pool and two additional buildings are completed and occupied. The resort is untouched until we hear of the wharf/ Pier has been totally destroyed.  The next door marina has many damaged boats.  We are informed that the Country Club Of Hilton Head golf course has Lost over 500 trees and predictions of another 400 will require massive pruning.

As we check in our friends Kathy and Frank Bogg from Duluth arrive and there is great celebrations and hugs. 

We are in Suite 6221 a 3 bedroom / 3 bathroom unit,in a significantly better layout, to that which we used last year.   The girls go out shopping for our initial food and supplies.  We then have a drink and sit talking for about 2 hours.  We then dine at the famous Hudson's Seafood restaurant, where we enjoy a good meal , but the place is so packed and noisy. 

Ken has made a booking for golf at The Country Club at 12.40pm and Frank and Ken play with an assistant pro and another good player.  The course is in excellent condition on the fairways and greens but the trees are a real mess.  Ken has never seen anything like it  , with whole areas where the trees have been ripped out of the ground. We do not finish our round as we finish 17 holes at 5.30pm and it is too dark.  The round has taken almost 5 hours in carts but we did stop for a break at the 10th Changeover.  We played well, with Ken having 88 off the stick including  birdie on one of the par 3 holes.  Frank was several strokes behind, but won the 17th hole.

Dinner was in-house and prepared by Jeanette and Kathy.  We sat talking and also making arrangements for tomorrow night re the counting of votes for the US election. 

We awake to another perfect morning and Ken and Jeanette have a presentation at Spinnaker and meet Stan Lewis, Senior Sales Executive, Bluewater Resort and Marina ( his cell phone 843 422  1672) and he presented an range of interesting scenarios including our Embarc / Club Intrawest issues.

Following this we have morning tea and then sandwiches for lunch and then depart early afternoon for The Harbour Town resort are in Sea Pines.

To say that we receive a shock is an understatement, because some 1,000 trees have been uprooted and destroyed and the marina and ship storage area has been closed with the piers and wharfs in the marina, usually home to some of the most expensive luxury Yachts and motor cruisers have all been moved, the long wharf usually with plenty of tourist activities and ferries has been totally destroyed and there are large rescue ships, dredging vehicle and ships all undertaking major infrastructure recovery steps.

We do sit in the rocking chairs enjoying delectable ice creams before having a short walk.  The famous striped lighthouse has again been repaired over the last few days and reopened, but the surrounding jetty and restaurant areas are all closed and needing major repairs.  So we have experienced amazing scenes of the ferocity of nature reflected via the Cyclone.  The forecast recovery suggests 10,000 -12,000 trees damaged or destroyed with almost 1,500 homes substantially damaged.  Many golf courses remain closed.

This has been a most enjoyable 3 days with our friends, the accommodation is outstanding, but we are shocked by the devastation to the beautiful island.  We sense recovery will be long coming. 

Forecourt at Hilton Daytona Beach FL

Our view as sun rises from our suite at Hilton Daytona  

We enjoyed our brief stopover here at Daytona Beach, notwithstanding the strong gusty winds. 

27th-29th June 2015. Three Days in Uluru and Kata Tjuta

We arrived in Alice Springs after an excellent flight with Jetstar flying almost across to Adelaide before turning North and flying across the Eyre Peninsula for our inland flight some 2000km due North to Ayres Rock.  After departing the aircraft we walked across the Tarmac in perfect weather without a cloud in the sky and 18 degrees celcius.  We were ushered into one of the AAT Kings buses for the short trip to the Aboriginal owned Ayres Rock Resort and dropped off at our Hotel the luxurious Sails in the Desert.  We were enthusiastically greeted with cool towels and a drink, before checking in. 

Our room was ready at about 13.30pm after we enjoyed a luncheon in the restaurant.  The room is #109 on the ground floor a short distance from reception.  We checked in collected our keys and had unpacked by 15.30pm and then decided to go for a walk and take in the general ambiance of the resort and area.  Ken then walked to the top of the sand dune out front and took photos of the sunset.

We both slept really well and it was 8.30am and time for breakfast before Ken took a 30 minute helicopter ride which took in both the spectacular Ayers Rock (Uluru) before we then flew 10 minutes to the equally impressive but less publicised Kata Tjuta or the historical term Olgas (Meaning many heads).  The weather was perfectly clear and Ken sat in the front next to the pilot and really enjoyed the scenery and colours. It is a series of enormous rock domes dating back some 500 million years.

Nothing quite prepares you for the immense size and the colours of dynamic reds and Browns of the rusting sedimentary rock.   We then flew around the magnificent Uluru taking in its stark size and proportions.

Later today and tomorrow we have tours to both Uluru and Kata Tjuta with detailed walks. 

Back to the Resort and time for lunch and we had sandwiches and coffee at the Aboriginal Training cafe called Kulata Academy Cafe and enjoyed the fresh food. 

Following this we returned to our room and received a call advising that our tour guide and coach were ready for our afternoon tour to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) where our guide explained the geological history of the area and we were then escorted over 2 walks over 3 hours to the Valley of the Winds lookout .  We received detailed explanations as to the unique flora including the Desert Oak and Willow as well as the Witchity Tree which has Witchity Grubs under its roots.  The Desert Oaks put down a tap root which will go down sometimes 60 metres to the artesian basin following which the tree spreads from a juvenile to a mature tree.  As a juvenile it looks like a pipe cleaner tall and pencil like but then spreads out into a luxuriant growing tree which survives the harsh semi arid climate.  We also admired the views of the Central Valley of the domes of Kata Tjuta embracing the 4 domes which we are able to access. The balance of the 36 domes are off side to tourists and are sacred ground for the local tribe/ owners. 

We then travel to a viewing area and platform from which we take in the magnificent sunset and the spectacular colours.  Our driver and guide then set up a table for a well provisioned nibble and drinks, which we enjoy for the next hour as we see the unique colours arriving with sunset.  The pinks through purples and reds are unbelievable.  It has been a long and tiring afternoon but totally enjoyable despite the walk being at times difficult and very challenging under very rough and uneven conditions.

We return to the resort at 7.10pm and clean up and change for dinner.  We had a booking in Ilkari Restaurant, but upon being seated we decide against the buffet and decide to eat in the Walpa Lobby Bar where we both enjoyed a Caesar Salad.  Into bed at 10.30pm because we have a wake up call of 5.00am to be ready for our morning tour to see the sunrise and the beauty from the Uluru sunrise viewing platform.  We arrive at 6.45am having picked up a bus load of people from the various hotels and enjoy a hot drink and biscuits prior to walking the 400 metres to the viewing platform. 

We are then treated to an amazing morning with sunrise at 7.31am with an amazing caliedoscope of colours as firstly the sun climbs over the horizon and touches the various bushes before starting to translate the colours of Uluru and the the Olgas.  the viewing platform is called Talinguru Nyakunytjaku and we enjoyed the first rays of sun setting the Red Centre alight.

After sunrise we were bussed to a hop off point to commence our base walk of Uluru.  first up we walked from Kuniya Piti an Ulura sacred site, and hear the stories of the Tjukuupa (Anangu- the local aboriginal people-beliefs and law).  Story of the Mala Man. Next is the Mala walk which includes a visit into Kantju Gorge, where after rainfall the waterfall can cascade over the side of Uluru.  this is a most important area for the Anangu people, with a spiritual and religious importance over thousands of years.  They have lived here for over 30,000 years.  From here we walk to the base of the climb. 

Jeanette and I then caught a bus back.  We had covered 5.7 km and we were sore and decided against going on for another 5 km.  as it turned out we think we have made a very good decision. 

We returned and again had lunch of sandwiches and later this afternoon we again are picked up and we travel out for. Uluru sunset. We will again enjoy nibbles and a drink. 

This has been a wonderful experience and the Rock is amazing

Holiday Ayres Rock and Kimberley's Tour.

Day 1.   Holiday Ayres Rock and Kimberley's APT tour from Darwin to Broome, WA

Gavin picked us up from Glen Waverley to drive us to Melbourne Airport for our flight to Ayres Rock on Jetstar flight QF 5564.  We had an excellent trip and arrived at the Airport at 7.25am and were quickly processed through the bag drop and then through security. 

The flight of some 3 hours duration was pleasant and non eventful and after some 2 hours 45 minutes we had a spectacular fly over the spectacular Ularoo (Ayres Rock) with the contrasting clear blue sky and the vibrant red of the desert.  It was an exciting experience to witness this extraordinary monolith rise out of the desert floor and take on gigantic proportions.  We then landed with a sense of amazement and despite having seen many photos none prepare you for the majestic size of Ayres Rock. 

We collected our luggage and boarded the shuttle to the Ayres Rock Township and our accommodation at the spectacular Sails in the Desert hotel.  We were greeted with cool towels and a drink, checked in and before our rooms were ready had a club sandwich lunch. 

The facilities of the Hotel are excellent, the rooms recently renovated and quite comfortable.  We are in room 109 which is ground floor and near reception.  

Following unpacking, we went for a walk into the town, with the shopping centre being located close to the Hotel, we spoke and were advised that there is no requirement, but we can catch the shuttle which runs every 20 minutes. 

We purchased food for breakfast and some cheese and biscuits and drinks.

Ken has booked a helicopter ride for 10.00am tomorrow to fly to and over "the Rock" .

We are dining in the hotel this evening. It is 5.55pm and still quite light.  Tomorrow night we will visit the Rock and witness a spectacular sunset with its many colours. 

This is an exciting start to our holiday in Northern Australia.

The performance by Celtic Women of " You Raise Me Up "

The performance of You Raise Me up by Celtic Woman is an outstanding presentation of a beautiful song and lyrics and applies very much to our travels and our partnership in life.  We are fortunate but we have worked hard to achieve what we have.