We are now back in Sydney with Chris. We set off from Corindi a couple of days ago and spent 9 hours driving down to Newcastle. It was Anzac Day (which is like the Aussie remembrance day and where Anzac biscuits come from). Sadly as we were driving we missed 'Two Up' which is a game that is played in the pubs on this day and this day only. It replecates heads or tails which is what the soldiers used to play in the trenches. Basically there are three coins and people place bets on weather when they are flipped it will land with at least two heads or at least two tails. The whole thing is just run on trust and people gamble amongst each other, it sounds like loads of fun, but unfortunately we were all squished into the van singing songs and missed the whole thing.
Eventually we arrived in Newcastle and spent a couple of lovely days (well rainy days actually) but still very nice days with the Vallenders. Highlights included Michelle's amazing cooking - particularly the date pudding with butterscotch sauce and cream!!! Sam couldn't believe that when presented with the dish her kids were just like, 'Oh thanks Mum', Sam thought it was the most amazing pudding he had ever seen (and so well presented it should be served in a restaurant). Yesterday Me and Will went for a bike ride through the bush which was really nice, actually it was really nice when we swapped bikes and I got to ride the cool, speedy one!! Meanwhile Sam had stayed behind with the boys and spent the afternoon building a skate ramp on a derelict patch of land (he also managed to stand on a nail but went to the lady who lived next door (who he had never met) and asked her if she could clean it for him!! Who says travelling isn't good for confidence) Don't worry though he has had his tetanus and it looks fine and only hurts when he stands on it (and I'm not sure that's true as he seemed fine on it when he was riding his skateboard this afternoon).
So we set off this morning for Sydney and we are now back with Chris and Will is planning the next build of our travels, her balcony. So tomorrow we are off to the hardware shop to buy wood and nails and stuff - whoopie!! Hopefully the balcony will be done and dusted by Sunday so he can catch the good swell and meet up with his friend Ferg.
Picture attached of Will and Sam on the scary ride at Wet and Wild.
Your blog set me wondering if the Aussies sing Waltzing Matilda in the pubs on Anzac day. That is Ronnie Drew's version of the song. I suppose they do as I think he collected the song, 'And the band played Waltzing Matilda', on a visit to Australia. It's about the Gallipoli landings and the terrible losses that the Anzac soldiers suffered and it makes me cry bucketloads - as does any Ronnie Drew ballad. I'll play it for you when you return and we can have a good weep together.
ReplyDeleteDate pudding with butterscotch cauce sounds amazing. Not that I should eat them but 'afters' don't figure very highly in our house. Yesterday I had pinapple chunks but one should be grateful for small mercies as it might have been mouldy blueberries or one of Mum's pears.
I think it's good that Will builds things as he goes along. He seems like a demented astral visitor laying down his mark in strange worlds and leaving future generations to ponder. Do you suppose that fence was to keep in the inmates or to keep out the kangaroos? Do you imagine that demented astrology woman had the balcony built so she could more easily worship the sun (or the moon, or mercury, or venus or mars etc,)?
Are you going to take in an Opera whilst in Sidney or is a visit to the loos enough culture for the 3 of you? You could take Chris along with you. Or perhaps she has had enough of Opera for i seem to recall that her ex hubby was a professional opera singer? Still, she has the balcony to remember her alien visitors by. Give her my love.
Love you loads
Dad