Tag: adventure

THE RETIREES VISIT THE SOUTH ISLAND ACROSS THE DITCH blog 495 Episode 4

19TH MAY TO 10TH JUNE 2026

Day 9   Dunedin to Lake Tekapo.

Before leaving Dunedin, we decided to visit The Dunedin Museum Toitū Otago Settlers Museum that features the history of arrivals and immigration to Dunedin. Located in the central city, it focuses on the social history of the region, featuring life-size depictions of early immigrant boats, pioneer portrait galleries, and stories of past and present arrivals. The key highlights for me were:

  • Smith Gallery featuring hundreds of portraits of Otago’s early pioneers.
  • Immigration Boat Exhibit a life-size depiction of the interior of an immigrant boat, giving a sense of the long journeys from Britain.
  • Different forms of transport including “Josephine,” a green steam locomotive transported from England in 1872.

Smith Gallery, Ship gallery exhibition and early transport exhibition

Moving on from Dunedin we drove north to the Moeraki Boulders on the beach of the same name, off State Highway 1, between Hampden and Moeraki. The Moeraki Boulders are massive, naturally spherical calcite concretions scattered along Koekohe Beach on New Zealand’s South Island. Exposed by coastal erosion, each boulder weighs several tonnes and measures up to two metres high. We walked up the beach checking out these unique boulders, then made way through the bush above the beach to the cafe on the beach.

Boulders on the beach and returning to the cafe

Sitting in the sun we ate fish and chips taking in the unobstructed view of the beach and its surrounds. As soon as we recived our lunch we were joined by a young cat, likely a stray, and he greedily snapped up our leftovers. Travelling through the Waitaki Valley we headed to our destination a B&B called Serendipity located at 20 Hamilton Dve. Lake Tekapo. It is a two-storey house with a fireplace, and we had much joy in lighting the fireplace warming us and the house. It had a deck facing the village and the lake although views of the lake were obstructed by other houses.

The café, the road through Waitaki Valley and the mist.

Day 10 Lake Tekapo

We arrived in Lake Tekepo late in the evening. Our accomodation was 5minutes drive from the centre of town but still carried some of the early settlers landmarks. After starting the fire we got down to the serious business of playing cards and snacking on cheese and the like. Next morning Kerry and I walked down to the main road passing a stopover/dump station for camper vans and sheep pens known as Tekepo Sales Yards which once served as a central focal point for high-country farmers gathering to trade livestock.

The lake, the pens, the dump station and the mountains

After breakfast we climbed aboard the car and headed to the famous statue on the shores of Lake Tekapo: The Sheepdog Memorial. It is a life-sized bronze sculpture of a Collie sheepdog perched on a pedestal of local rocks. Located 100 meters east of the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, it stands as a monument to the hard-working dogs that made high-country farming possible. The memorial was just around the corner from our B&B but already there was a crowd of people at the monument and the Church.

The Sheepdog Memorial and Church of the Good Shepherd

The Church of the Good Shepherd was in sight of the memorial and unfortunately it was defaced by scaffolding to enable repairs. So, we walked to the church and entry was not permitted. The church and grounds were closed from Wednesday 20 May – Friday 29 May 2026 to facilitate earthquake strengthening work on the bellcote. As access to the interior was not possible, we walked on to a footbridge crossing the waterway entering the lake. The footbridge was a modern construction replacing at least 2 other bridges and connected to the carpark serving the tourist shops but empty at winter time. We walked around to the Dark Sky Project building. The Dark Sky Project is a world-renowned astro-tourism venture that offers guided stargazing tours, multimedia astronomy exhibits, and dining in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Inside the building was several multimedia astronomy experiences, fabulous views over the lake and a coffee shop of course. Whilst enjoying our coffee I noticed a huge telescope inside the building so I took a photograph hoping I would do it justice. The centrepiece telescope displayed is the historic 18-inch (45.7-cm) Brashear Telescope, a famous Victorian-era refracting telescope crafted in 1894. Have a look at the surface of the hot chocolate that Kerry ordered. Yes its Saturn.

The footbridge, the Brashear Telescope, Dark Sky Project building, and Kerry’s hot chocolate

 We were keen to join one of their tours. There are 2 tours on offer: the Observatory Tour (Evening stargazing tour at the University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory located on the summit of Mt John and the Crater Experience (Stargazing from a purpose-built, sheltered crater enclosure for a highly immersive viewing environment). We chose the Crater Experience as the drive to the observatory on top of the mountain at night did not appeal to us.

After purchasing our tour tickets, we decided that we would drive to the Mount John Observatory. It is a comparatively short drive to the foot of the mountain but that is where a comfortable drive ends. We made it to the car park before the crowds fortunately and I was able to snap this panoramic photo of the observatory hill. I walked toward the edge overlooking the village below and then turning a further 90 degrees I snapped a further panorama.

Time for another coffee and lunch so up we went to the Sky Café with its space scene at its entry. Here Kerry purchased her perfect drink vessel, and we perched on top of the mountain to have our lunch when joined by a flock of sparrows. They sat in that thorny bush until we moved on and then it was lunch for them.

The observatory and café, overlooking the village and lake, 90 degrees to the right, the observatory close up the café entrance, sparrows in thorny bush, solitary island in the lake.

We went back to the village and while walking through it we read that Bill the Bard was delivering a performance on the lakes edge starting at sunset. Well, we rested for the rest of the afternoon as we would join Bill for his performance and then go to the Crater experience. Sunset and we sat at the listening circle awaiting Bill’s arrival. Dark Sky Project was alive with people in the restaurant and then Bill arrived in an old station wagon, and he hopped out in his kilt to unload his gear. This was a bloody cold night and the wind up his kilt must have chilled. At first, it was bill and the 4 of us but by the time bill had unloaded the 44-gallon drum fireplace and his drum we had another family join us. The moon was almost full; the sun had almost disappeared behind the observatory on the mountain and Bill started on his drum. He told his story and we had a sing-along then he produced an umbrella which he raised and lit with light providing imitation of the Milky Way. For this performance he left it to the audience to determine his value, so we rewarded him modestly but retained the memory of Bill the Bard.

Sunset at the lake, Dark Sky alive, the moon, the mountain, the fireplace, Bill and his magic umbrella

We enjoyed a fish and chip dinner in a Chinese café (yes, I am still puzzled that we ordered in one café and went next door to collect the meals from a different café which we consumed in the first café). Refreshed and watered we went back to Dark Sky project to board our bus to the Crater Experience. Barry waited under a rather threatening sign but the threating arm was a shadow from a mannequin. Right on time the bus arrived, and we began our Crater Experience. There were about 20 of us on the bus. Fifteen minutes down the main road we turned off into the bush and wound our way to a circle of shipping containers and sundry sheds. Our astronomy hostess was from the University of Canterbury the institution that operated the Mount John Observatory and manned the café with students. We went around the dark sky, and she pointed out salient points. Her assistants meanwhile lined up two telescopes for us to use to more closely observe the sky. It was a very enjoyable but very cold experience, so it was great to get back on the bus.

Barry under threat, the Crater, me and the telescope, Kerry and the telescope, the night sky and the moon through the telescope.

Home to bed and Lake Tekapo to Christchurch tomorrow. Keep watching for Episode 5 here on THE RETIREES VISIT THE SOUTH ISLAND ACROSS THE DITCH.

THE RETIREES VISIT THE SOUTH ISLAND ACROSS THE DITCH blog 495 Episode 3

19TH MAY TO 10TH JUNE 2026

Carrying on from Episode 2 here are the photos from the upper floor.

Burt Munro and the World’s Fastest Indian

Having spent the morning at the museum, Barry and I now wanted to see the collection of Bill Richardson and his friends. We only had a tourists map and it didn’t look to be too far to walk; so, we did and it was a bloody long way. On the way we saw some more street art, the Town Hall and Fat Bastard Pies. When we finally arrived; yes, you guessed it we needed a coffee, so, the first place we checked out was the café. It was uniquely decorated with memorabilia – number plates as lamp holders on the ceiling, old radiator covers advertising “the grill”, and the tabletops made from recycled timber from oil barrels. Even Elvis made an appearance.

The cafe and the sights/sites

The museum was made up of the collections of Bill Richardson and his mates and what tremendous display.

The girls discovered there was fashion on display also and merrily left the boys with the cars,trucks and buses. By the time we had viewed all the cars, we were confronted with the walk back to the Ibis. This time we caught a cab to Queens Park to have lunch. We had been advised to try the café in Queens Park, and we had had enough of walking. Lunch was okay but more enjoyable was the cooling milkshake. It was here that we received some very sage advice “Practice safe lunch – use condiments”. So, we did.

Having rested we decided to walk back to the hotel. Passing the Fat Bastard Pie Shop then the Town Hall, we knew we were close to home. That evening we resume our card playing and plotted how we would avoid parking fines in Tay St.

Day 7   Invercargill to Dunedin           

Visiting Dunedin was more of the same – take the longest route to get there and find interesting things on the way. Stop number 1 was at Fortrose café for morning tea/coffee. The Fortrose Cafe is a charming, neighbourly stop on the Southern Scenic Route in Southland, New Zealand. Known for hearty meals, fresh cabinet food, and 24/7 fuel, it is the perfect spot to grab a bite or a coffee after exploring Slope Point or the Catlins. Well, we didn’t do either of those things we just needed coffee. Stop number 2 was Waipapa Point Recreation Reserve, the Lighthouse, the NZ fur seals and the long drop toilets.

Fortrose café, Waipapa Point Recreation Reserve, the Lighthouse, the NZ fur seals and the long drop toilets.

The fur seal in the pictures above must have been a bit off colour. We discovered a mess of half-eaten fish and squid not far from the seal, who lay in the grass unperturbed by the human visitors. I decided my readers would not need the evidence of vomited seafood. The lighthouse is all that remains of the facilities. – The keepers house has long since gone. Interesting, cold and bloody amazing – one group of tourists and likely locals were wandering around in shorts and T-shirts.

Sandi had read that there were petrified forests in Curio Bay which lay between Invercargill and Dunedin. It is a coastal embayment, best known as the site of a petrified forest some 180 million years old. It also supposed to host a yellow-eyed penguin colony, the endemic Hector’s dolphin and Southern right whales are occasionally observed offshore. Not today a lonely fur seal was resting up in the carpark showing signs of a recent scuffle. We were uncertain of where we might see the forest. Since returning home I have googled the articles on the forest and it appears that the forest is made up of trees stumps visible above the tide, fallen logs that now appear as different coloured ridges and tree stumps in basalt. My photos won’t show any of that.

Corio Bay – the bays and the basalt from volcanic times, seaweed fight the tide to hold onto the rocks, the fur seal showing his scars.

Our lunch stop was in a small coastal community overlooking Catlin Lake. The day was overcast and showery, so we took shelter in the Pub. The dining room has an open fire blazing away and we enjoyed the warmth and the food. A couple of the local lads were interested in what we were doing there in the off season and we chatted with them about their town.

We moved onto Owaka for a further break. To remind me of our visit I photograph the Lions Club Playground and the painting of the lighthouse screening the public toilets. We were joined by a small flock of sparrows to help with consuming our biscuits finally arriving at Rosy at Roslyn 15A Fifield Street Dunedin.

Lions Playground, and the public convenience

Our accommodation was a small semi-detached house on the side of a hill in Fifield St Roslyn Dunedin – warm and comfortable. We could not access the garage to park the car, but we were to learn that this was the drying room and laundry with the previous tenant’s laundry still drying in the garage. After purchasing supplies for dinner we settled in, prepared dinner and enjoyed a wine and a hand of cards. Tomorrow we will walk through Dunedin.

House in Dunedin

Day 8   Dunedin

A good night’s sleep followed by breakfast set us up for the day to walk through Dunedin. Barry drove us to Woolies (a recent change to the supermarket change). The chain completed a nationwide rebrand from its former name, Countdown, to Woolworths in 2024 to align with its Australian counterpart. There we parked on the top floor of the carpark and ventured off to find the Railway Station. It was overcast and drizzly, so the brollies came with us. It was a fair walk to the station, and it was not the usual suburban rail stop. Dunedin Railway Station 22 Anzac Avenue, Central Dunedin is a prominent landmark and tourist site in Dunedin. It is speculated by locals to be the most photographed building in the country, as well as the second most photographed in the southern hemisphere, after the Sydney Opera House.

Dunedin Railway Station, The High Court, Cadbury Fry building (original home of Cadbury’s chocolate in NZ) and Street art on the Woolies building

The station is huge suggesting the importance of Dunedin when it was built. Dunedin required a station for a wide range of activities: it was a commercial and industrial centre, close to gold and coalfields, with a hinterland that was dependent on livestock and forestry for its economy. There were 3 previous stations but by 1906 a new station had been built to replace the earlier stations. The station is constructed of dark basalt from Kokonga in the Strath-Taieri with lighter Oamaru stone facings, giving it the distinctive light and dark pattern common to many of the grander buildings of Dunedin and Christchurch. Pink granite was used for a series of supporting pillars which line a colonnade at the front. The roof was tiled in terracotta shingles from Marseille surmounted by copper-domed cupolas. The southern end is dominated by the 37-metre clocktower visible from much of central Dunedin.

The booking hall features a mosaic floor of almost 750,000 Minton tiles, completely renewed in 1965, in an exact replica. A frieze of Royal Doulton porcelain runs around the balcony above it from which the floor’s design, featuring a locomotive and related symbols, can be clearly seen. The main platform was 1,570 ft (480 m) long.

Ticket Office in the booking hall, the booking hall floor from above, the main platform, first floor balcony, the Passchendaele WW1 memorial at the entry,

Today, the station services daily sightseeing trains to Middlemarch or Pukerangi via the Taieri Gorge, and to Palmerston. There are a number of different uses for the station building, one being an interesting moving art display.

First floor moving Art display

After leaving the station we sought a coffee shop for morning tea. In this eclectic shop, there was a painting which looked like a copy of Gainsborough’s “Blue Boy”. I had mistakenly thought it was a portrait of Charles 1 (the Stewart beheaded by the Commonwealth) but when writing this blog my memory was the Blue Boy not Charles. My apologies to the poor waitress who I assailed about their connection with the Stewarts. It was quite an arty place as can be observed in the photos below. Barry was sneaking a photo of the poster on the toilets.

Toilet poster

After coffee we moved on to the centre of Dunedin – the Octagon. So leaving the café we passed the Law Courts Hotel and Kerry decided we should view the Law Courts. The old building has been extended upon providing the new entrance with scanning and security provisions. One of the security officers gladly showed us through two courtrooms vacant of any business that day. Familiar layout but no public gallery for the higher courts – interesting. We made hard work of finding the Octagon. We walked past the Chinese gardens, some more street art, then the First Church of Otago (formerly St Andrews Presbyterian Church).

Law Courts Hotel, and street art

We finally arrived in the Octagon and octangle square the centre of the business/commercial district of Dunedin. It was at this time that I became painfully aware that street post boxes were as rare as hens’ teeth in NZ. NZ Post now hides in retail outlets, and they are not visible to a visitor. However, in a corner takeaway store in the Octagon was the post office and I finally posted my pocket full of postcards. I don’t know if it was the winter weather, but the Octagon looked sad to me: as though forgotten with some closed shops and not much colour. But there were some highlights like telephone box and the Robbie Burns statute.

Telephone box, and the octagon

We decided to finish the day with a visit to Tunnel Beach on the Otago Peninsula. The wildness of the peninsula had been tamed by the construction of a long path to the beach but having walked down to the first viewing platform we looked back and decided that was enough – walking back up will be too hard for us elderly folk.

Tunnel beach from above. I don’t think I would have survived the climb back up.

Having curtailed our plans, we decided to return to the B&B via the local coffee shop. Rossalyn Fire Station: no longer in service it had been turned into a coffee shop with magnificent views across Dunedin. After a rest and coffee, we moved onto the B&B and a night of cards before bed.

Fire House cafe and view of Dunedin from the cafe.

Tomorrow Day 9, we plan to travel to Lake Tekapo some 3 hours plus away. Still a long way to go travelling the South Island. Read more when THE RETIREES VISIT THE SOUTH ISLAND ACROSS THE DITCH blog 495 Episode 4.

THE RETIREES VISIT THE SOUTH ISLAND ACROSS THE DITCH blog 495 Episode 2

19TH MAY TO 10TH JUNE 2026

Day 5.                Today we are headed from Te Anu to Invercargill but we had to stop for coffee at the smallest coffee shop. It was clearly a diversified income stream for the laundry operating behind it as our barista came from the laundry to serve us.

Invercargill was 2.1/2 hours away and we would be staying at the Ibis Styles in Tay St. Invercargill. It had been our plan to look for stops on the way – yes, for coffee but stops of interest. There was one thing common about all the scenery, and this was the plantations of pine trees. Plantation forests are dominated by Radiata pine (Pinus radiata). Introduced in the 1800s, this incredibly fast-growing species is used for everything from structural timber to pulp. While plantation forests are strictly managed, the South Island faces a significant ecological crisis from wilding pines. These are self-seeded, invasive pine trees often Contorta pine and Douglas fir. These wilding pines choke out native alpine vegetation, use vast amounts of water, and ruin natural landscapes.

On the way to Invercargill, we expected to pass over Clifden Suspension Bridge. Wikipedia says “The historic Clifden Suspension Bridge is located in Southland on the South Island of New Zealand. Built in 1899, this 111-meter wooden and steel bridge spans the Waiau River and features a Category 1 Historic classification. Originally built to replace a ferry punt and connect the region, it was the longest suspension bridge in the country. It was closed to vehicular traffic in 1978 when a modern bridge was built nearby. Today, it is pedestrian-only and serves as a popular roadside stop for photographs and historical appreciation.”

So, here we are at Clifden Suspension Bridge.

The Bridge and its history, the Waiau River

Out comes the coffee and biscuits and we appreciate the work and effort to construct such a bridge in 1899 in the wilds of the South Island. Suitably refreshed (Barry had picked up some Scotch Fingers whilst I had picked up a packet of Biscoff biscuits and prepared vanilla latte sachets, Kerry had her Spicy Chai Latte and the thermos of hot water) we motored on now following the coastline. McCracken’s Rest just off the main road, caught our eye for our next stop. No idea who McCracken may be nor why he rested here (no sign of a grave) but it has awesome views up and down the coast. From here we are closer to Stewart Island than Invercargill! We are right at the bottom of the South Island. According to a sign nearby “Locals appreciate McCracken’s Rest for its stunning coastal views and proximity to attractions like Monkey Island and Gemstone Beach.” After reading this Barry needed to see Monkey Island.

McCracken’s Rest, up and down the beach (Stewart Is in the background) Tuatapere history board.

We drove to Monkey Island a rocky knob which becomes an island at high tide. Well, Barry scrambled up one side, and I thought I chose an easier route up the other side but oh No! I was wrong and tumbled backward knocking my head. Very stupid and dangerous for me having previously broken my neck surfing and now with my head screwed on by a fusion of my C4 to C7 vertebrae. But I am still here to write about it. Kerry watched my fall from the beach causing her great grief. Not a high point of our holiday but a lesson learnt by me.

Monkey Island

I had no side effects from my tumble other than a bruised ego and an annoyed wife. So, we moved onto Riverton for lunch visiting the Aparima Hotel. We had an enjoyable lunch in a warm cosy atmosphere. There seemed too many locals having lunch and enjoying themselves, so I googled The Aparima Hotel and found according to google that it “is a well-loved historic establishment” on the South Island. “It had burned down in a devastating fire in 2013, but the site has since been successfully rebuilt as the Aparima Restaurant & Bar.” We can attest to that.

Aparima Restaurant and Bar

We moved onto Invercargill arriving at our hotel around 3.00pm Saturday. Barry and Sandi had plans of visiting Stewart Island, but their enquiries changed their minds. They could not do a day trip and would need to stay overnight. Whether that was a seasonal thing or not, they decided to do things with us which changed our very loose plans. The hotel was not as expected either. It was in one of the main streets of the CBD and there was, despite our being told otherwise, no onsite parking. Parking on the street was free on the weekend but after 8.00am on Monday the parking on the street would be free for 20mins only. This still didn’t give us secure parking off the street. On the positive side, we had comfortable rooms and access to a lounge which gave us plenty of room to play cards and prepare meals and lunches.

Day 6                 The following day Barry revealed that he had discovered a motorbike museum nearby. Now Barry is still riding and couldn’t wait to view the museum. The legacies of George Begg and Burt Munro are displayed at Classic Motorcycle Mecca. Classic Motorcycle Mecca and E. Hayes & Sons. are also located in central Invercargill and showcase New Zealand’s incredible motorsport and engineering history. Most of the motorcycles in the collection were originally acquired by Tom and Heather Sturgess. In 2016 Sturgess announced that he had undergone major surgery, and that the collection of almost 300 motorcycles, eventually was sold to Transport World in Invercargill to be relocated to new premises in Invercargill.

So, we visited the museum and what a phenomenal exhibition it is. We started in the café which had some interesting bits and pieces. After coffee (of course we had coffee!) Barry and I entered the museum. Gob smacked at the number and variety of motorcycles, we wandered through the ground floor where we discovered the original elevator for the building and the original mobile washing service run by Mary Watson on her Indian Scout motorcycle and side car. How did the Messerschmitt three-wheeler get in there? And the twin rider Whizzer from 1948?

One of the two buildings with The Café beside it, the museum entrance and ground floor showroom, Mrs Watson’s Indian Scout, the Messerschmitt and the Whizzer.

But there’s more downstairs.

Photos              Push bikes and the George Begg Collection

But there’s more upstairs from the ground floor. However I have run out of space so to see the World’s Fastest Indian you will need to go to Episode 3

THE RETIREES IN PERTH W.A. FOR THE CELESTIAL FESTIVAL

Blog 494

Perth

We feel as though we have just got off the merry-go-round and we get back on to fly to Perth to support our youngest daughter treat Perth to the Celestial Festival. Carly puts together packages for readers of the books by Sarah Maas presenting a themed festival in a gothic setting so they can all dress up and “play” in the make-believe world – Yes, a masked ball! Hundreds of young and not so young people dress up and travel to each festival around Australia and Kerry is the dressmaker.

This adventure started Thursday morning with travelling by early morning flight to Perth and settling into our hotel the Europe in Murray St. Our plans would be shaped by the demands of the festival. Carly and her family were travelling on a later flight and staying at the QT Hotel; a little classier than the European. Kerry has relatives here just outside of Perth and we had plans to catch up with her cousin Ken and his wife Yena and a more distant relative Zenith.

We dropped into our hotel and left our luggage and then went exploring to find out what was around us. Murray St mall was 2 blocks down Murray St., Town Hall, where the festival would be held was nearby the mall and St Georges Tce. and the docks area was nearby. The architecture of the pre-Federation period, the statuary, and street furniture particularly at St Martins Centre was impressive. We had dinner with Carly and family at the Beef and Wine Company in St Georges Tce. and wandered through nighttime Perth. Some of our photos are below.

Photos – the Bell Tower by night, St Martins Centre

Kerry caught up with Carly regarding organisation for Saturday after which we caught the train to Yanchep, 56 klms north of Perth and part of the city of Wanneroo. Last time we were in Perth (quite a few years ago) the rail finished at Joondalup. The extension has been designed to allow the trains to travel at 130 klms per hr + or so we were told by a proud Rail worker, possibly a driver also catching the train to Yanchep.

The rail station is large and modern with 900 parking bays for residents travelling south. It seems someone has put some thought into the future of the rail line. Kerry’s stepbrother’s stepdaughter Zenith lives all the way out here. Zenith, her sister, and her mother and stepfather (Kerry’s stepbrother) had lived with us for a short time in Holland Park in Brisbane. So having determined that they were not related in anyway, we had remained friends with Zenith. We chatted with Zenith who is a proud owner of 2 French Bulldogs about “family”. We decided we would go to the beach for lunch. Zentih drove us to a beach side café with a terrific outlook over the beach and obviously popular even mid-week. We passed one couple coming back from the beach. Now g-string bikinis are now common place but for me, I find them unflattering on many girls who wear them and this girl was a point in question. However, there was a “knight” on a push bike riding hard to catch up with her. He called out “you have left your swimsuit on the beach” to the g-string bikini girl. We don’t know what happened after that, but he was closing in on her quickly. At least lunch was nice and we had a superb lookout at the view not just the girls.

Photos

We finished up at Yanchep after visiting the bottle shop to buy a bottle of whisky. Years ago, Kerry’s uncle Barry Ashworth, now deceased, and I developed a “partnership” – when we were together in person or by phone, we would have a drink of a single malt whisky. After Barry passed, Kerry’s cousin and Barry’s son Ken carried on the partnership. As we were catching up with Ken on Sunday, I purchased a 12-yr old bottle of Ardbeg single malt from the fair isle of Isla. We visited Isla some years ago and I had a fondness for the island’s whisky.

We travelled with Zenith to the rail station where we bid her goodbye and climbed aboard to return to Perth. That night we took a walk amongst the lights of Perth.

Saturday was the night of the festival and most of the day was taken up with a walk in the streets and then the festival in the evening at Town Hall. Our walk took us to the gardens of the Supreme Court of WA where a few pieces of bronze depict bits of the history of WA and some obscure pieces such as the pen nib bronzes depicting the rulings of the Courts I suppose. From there we went to the bell tower and the locks of love amassed on the wire fences to the statues in the parkland, the green bridges connecting bits and pieces then St Martins Place and its walk through a small piece of WA history from the Dutch to the English to the colony then the state and federation.

Photos: Trinity Arcade, Percy Button bronze, explorer and politician Alexander Forrest statue, the Old Supreme Court building now a museum of early law enforcement in WA, various statues in Stirling Gardens

We ended up at Perth’s oldest colonial structure – the original Court house. It is located between Stirling Gardens and Supreme Court Gardens, off Barrack Street, adjacent to the Supreme Court building. It is a single-storey cream rendered building, with a wooden shingle roof. Completed in 1836, it is the city’s oldest surviving public building. The Old Court House currently houses the Old Court House Law Museum, operated by the Law Society of Western Australia, which focuses on the history of the law, legal issues and the legal profession in Western Australia.

We returned to the hotel to rest and then Kerry met with Carly and her band for preparation for the festival. What happens at the festival stays on Facebook, so I won’t bore you with all that. I was surprised to bump into Ken’s son Arden who had come to help Carly with knocking down and packing up all her gear.

Sunday was a day of rest for everyone but us. Ken and his wife Yena arrived to take us on a tour to Cottesloe Beach, and I presented him with the whisky. A broad smile decorated his face. So, we enjoyed a grand tour to Cottesloe and onto the beach with Ken giving us his version of history of Perth. The Sculpture by the Sea Exhibition was celebrating its 21st anniversary and Sunday was the 2nd last day. On arriving at the beach, Ken dropped Kerry, Yena and me off and went on a safari to find a carpark. Kerry bought the guidebook in readiness of Ken’s return and then we waited. Ken found a park some 800m away. Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe is a premier free outdoor art exhibition held annually on Perth’s iconic Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia. The 21st exhibition featured over 70 sculptures from local and international artists along the sea wall, sand, and grassed areas.

Photos of some artistic pieces in St Georges Tce on the way to Cottesloe Beach and the Sculptures by the Sea.

We strolled through the exhibition for a couple of hours until we could feel a thirst coming on. No chance of sitting quietly looking at the sea so we moved onto our lunch destination and enjoyed the quiet and the refreshing drinks. Ken continued our tour dropping us back at the Europe Hotel just on dusk. Ken and Yena are a happy couple which is great to see and good company.

Monday morning and our return to Brisbane. Now we had 2 extra suitcases courtesy of Celestial Events. Part of the reason for our trip was to help bring the props back to Brisbane. The flight was on time but not without a hitch as we were turned around due to a fault in the plane. Finally picked up the car at the terminal in Brisbane. We couldn’t find it for some time and between the airline delay and finding the car we had to pay a late fee of $60 which I recovered from the airline. Back to normal. Next trip is to New Zealand South Island to experience a real winter! Get ready for “THE REITREES EXPLORE THE SOUTH ISLAND”

“THE RETIREES GO AROUND THE WORLD – Heathrow overnight and arrived in Singapore“

The trip from Dover was to prove a disaster. The American couple behind us shared their germs with the whole bus. They hacked and coughed the whole journey. We thought we may have avoided any of the contagion but this proved to be mistaken.

Our plan had always been to overnight at Heathrow so that the trip to singapore did not feel so rushed. Our hotel had a convenient roof top bar with views over the runway and a direct connection with the Terminal for our departure. We took advantage of the rooftop bar but I was oblivious to the signs that camers were not permitted until too late when the steward brought it to my attention in a most public way. Anyway I got some good photos which are below. Yes it does look like Concorde!

The flight to Singapore took about 8 hours and we arrived in Singapore in the late afternoon. One of the objectives was to stay in Raffles Hotel but a 6 day stay was absurdly expensive. We opted for the Park Royal Collection in Pickering near to Chinatown. We thought we would be smart and take a two day package at Raffles which included a chaufeur driven limo to or from the airport and stay the rest of the time at the Park Royal – which is not a shabby hotel by any means but a third of the cost.

The Park Royal Collection at Pickering is designed to minimise environmental pollution and they have achieved this in many ways included bedecking the hotel with trees and plants. When the cab from the airport arrived at the hotel we were taken back by the green environment encasing the concrete hotel. We were not disappointed by the hotel. The foyer and reception was modern with the general dining area just off the reception. To get to our room involved passing through some of the gardens and water features where we were actually outside the hotel 6 stories above ground. The room was very comfortable with large windows allowing excellent views across the local area. The bathroom and shower was particularly exposed to receive the views and I wondered how many people may be viewing us.

We were also surprised at how well located the hotel proved to be. The Hop on Hop off bus stop was across the road at Hong Lim Park in Pickering St and the 3rd last stop before the terminus. This meant the first bus came to the stop at 9.40am – very suitable for getting a sleep in then breakfast. And so it was that we caught the bus paying a 1 day fare. The bus drove down to Old Customs House on Marina Bay around the corner to the MBS Convention Centre which is across the road from the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel, famous for its massive ship-like structure, the Sands SkyPark, perched on top of three towering hotel buildings, featuring an infinity pool, observation deck, restaurants, and bars with stunning city views. From there we went onto the Suntec City Mall and the terminus. Only then did I pick up my camera as we journeyed through Little India, passed the Raffles Hospital, the Parkroyal on Beach Rd, round into the Muslim enclave of mosques and heritage centre, past the retail shops of Raffles Hotel, down past the boat quay into Chinatown and then back to the MBS Convention Centre where we got off the bus to explore further.

The convention centre can best be seen from the otherside of Marina Bay. In my photo below you will see the lotus shaped Art Science Museum. Behind is the convention centre and behind that the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. The convention centre includes a shopping mall easily the size of Indooripilly Shopping Centre here in Brisbane and three stories high. Exploring this area was amazing. The design and shape very rich and speaking of wealth. It had an indoor canal system emulating Venice, outstanding orchid displays, inteeresting shop fittings and a massive curved ceiling of glass to let in the light. From the outside of the Art Science Museum I was able to get a clear photo of the Sands Sky Park and the Lionheaded serpent; the symbol of Singapore.

The Sands Skypark offers (for a fee) a trip to the top of the hotel to look around the sights of Singapore so we made our way across the road scrambled through the mall under the Marina Sands Hotel towers and around to the elevators transporting us 56 levels above ground to view Singapore, and the exclusive areas enjoyed by hotel guests.

I took the next photo to show the ships at anchor.

And another panoramic photo this time of the CBD.

Behind the hotel is Gardens by the Bay an enormous botanic garden. Its website describes it as “Gardens by the Bay is a showpiece of horticulture and garden artistry that presents the plant kingdom in a whole new way, entertaining while educating visitors with plants seldom seen in this part of the world, ranging from species in cool, temperate climates to tropical forests and habitats.” It is so big that golf cart type transport is available and in the climate of Singapore and being on top of the Equator, they are necessary but not free. The bar was not open and we could see the residents were enjoying themselves so we decided to go and see the gardens.

We returned to the ground to make our way through the crowd back to the exit to the gardens. We walked through the shopping mall again. At the reception to the hotel we came across a magnificent bouquet of flowers pictured below and there after my photos take you on the journey we followed just to find our way around the gardens.

Although we did not get to see a great deal of the gardens, we were both tired and happy to return to the hotel and rest. We caught the bus back to the hotel planning to rest then walk to the bay for dinner and the light show. All went well and we were back at the old Customs House seated in a harbourside restaurant called Superloco to await the light show which we had been told would start around 7.30pm. After dinner we moved around into the adjoining park. My photos show our restaurant and the light show. When walking to the hotel we came across and illumination of a tree but it certainly was not yet Christmas.

Back in the hotel we rested till the following day. Catch up with Day 2 in Singapore when I post “THE RETIREES GO AROUND THE WORLD – Singapore Day 2“

“THE RETIREES GO AROUND THE WORLD – DAY 2 SS NIEUW STATENDAM – Queensport & Edinburgh then Shetland Isles.”

The ship continued to rock and roll gently through the night. Kerry found this disturbing and I slept like a baby – except for the dig in the ribs from Kerry who wanted me to worry about the rolling with her. With the dawn we passed a number of oil platforms until we entered the harbour of Queensport. The ship was too big to dock at Queensport so the ship lowered the tenders and we travelled to the wharf to disembark. The pictures below are of the bridge across the Firth of Forth where the River Forth meets the North Sea, and famous for its three iconic bridges (Rail, Road, Queensferry Crossing) near Queensferry, serving as our entrance to Edinburgh. Some years ago we attended the Edinburgh festival and attended the Tatoo. We stayed at Fife taking the train across one the bridges (there only being two bridges at the time with third under construction) and the reunion with the bridge reminded us of that trip.

The ship provided a bus shuttle which we caught from the Ferry into Edinburgh. After sought out where we were, we made our way to Waterloo Place outside Princes Street Suites. A man in a uniform brandishing a placard advertising the Hop on Hop off bus stood under Prince Leopold’s Arch selling tickets. The arch built in 1819 to celebrate the visit of Leopold Prince of Saxe Courburg seemed out of place and there was no explanation as to the reason for it. My research shows that the arch marks the entry of Leopold into Edinburgh connecting Waterloo Place over the Old Calton Gorge, with the arch serving as a temporary triumphal gateway for the royal visit. A significant civic event at the time, though this Prince Leopold later became the first King of the Belgians. As we passed the arch we commenced the red line tour passing the Scott Monument. The Scott Monument is a Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. It stands in Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, near Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station. In the distance you will see Edinburgh Castle. 

The Bus moves along the Royal Mile through the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, connecting the magnificent Edinburgh Castle, perched high on a base of volcanic rock, the Mile is overlooked by impressive, towering tenements, and into the Grassmarket. The Grassmarket is a historic, picturesque, cobbled square beneath Edinburgh Castle, famous for its lively atmosphere, independent shops, quirky pubs (like The Last Drop and Maggie Dickenson), diverse restaurants, and its past as a cattle market and site for public executions.

The Last Drop sits in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket district which was a small open space where local farmers brought their hay and other produce for sale. It was also the location of one of the main gallows in the city and crowds would flock in huge numbers to see the public executions. The Last Drop Tavern is located immediately next to the scene of public hangings which took place there back in the eighteenth century. Tenements once stood on the site, but these were rebuilt into the pub you see today using the old buildings’ original seventeenth century stone.

Maggie Dickensen Pub. Maggie Dickson was a fish hawker from Musselburgh and in 1723 she “fell pregnant” after a secret relationship with an innkeepers son in Kelso. The newborn baby died and Maggie decided it was best to conceal the body so the affair would not be discovered. However, the baby’s body was discovered and Maggie was found guilty of killing a child. She was returned to Edinburgh for execution, which took place in Grassmarket on September 2, 1724. Her friends and relatives took possession of her body, and placed it in a coffin and to be taken to Musselburgh for burial. The party paused en route for a drink and they noticed, the lid of the coffin began to move. Maggie was alive and well enough to walk the rest of the way to Mussleburgh the next day. She survived she was a “good friend” of the ropemaker and the early breaking of the rope allowed her survival. Having already been pronounced legally dead she could not be tried again and she lived another 40 years and known as Half-Hangit Maggie. She opened the pub in Grassmarket, and whenever there was a hanging going on outside, she would bring the accused a pint and say not to worry, she survived her own hanging.

Pictures of both establishments are above. Next stop was Calton Hill.

Calton Hill is a prominent, historic hill in central Edinburgh, famous for its iconic monuments, panoramic city views, and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site location. Key features include the unfinished National Monument (a Parthenon replica) and the City Observatory, offering stunning vistas of Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, and the Firth of Forth. Moving on we passed Holyrood House, now overgrown with trees and then the Scottish Parliament Building seen below on the left. As we finished our tour we came across H & T Pawnbrokers. Very elaborate establishment – certainly no Steptoe and Sons there.

We returned to our shuttle bus stop after grabbing a sandwich at the Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station, tired from sitting in the bus – that still happens to me that I need a nap in the afternoon.

Our next adventure is “THE RETIREES GO AROUND THE WORLD – DAY 3 SS NIEUW STATENDAM – Shetland Isles.” We have both enjoyed the BBC drama of “Shetland” and I was anxious to see for my self how this small group of islands could have so many murders occurring on a daily basis.

“THE RETIREES GO AROUND THE WORLD – CASTLE PEMBROKE to CRICKHOWELL (Ebbw Vale)”

We leave Pembroke to find our way to Best Western Hotel at Ebbw Vale. This proves to be an effort as the hotel is a former Government Health Services building and our GPS cannot find it. With a bit of guess work we strike it lucky and the proof can be seen below. This is a strange configuration, and our room is tiny with a view of the remaining health service building entrance to look at. After moving our bags into the room I find I have a water leak beside my bed but not significant enough to warrant moving rooms even if there were a room available. The good news is we have internet, but the bad news is there is no coffee making facilities or fridge in the room. Good news they don’t mind if we prepare our breakfast in the breakfast room. Management and staff are very easy going but the hotel leaves a lot to be desired. It will do for a few days. The photos below are from Ebbw Vale – not a lot of interesting things. We had chosen the town for accommodation not for sites to see.

After our hearty breakfast of cereal and coffee/tea we prepared a picnic (we brought our own flask, Vegemite, honey and butter which we keep cold on the window sill whilst putting our milk in the Hotel’s kitchen fridge). We drive to Crickhowell the epicenter of this region. We parked behind the information centre and were confronted by the call to arms for the Rotary Duck Race (note the venue “Bull Pit Meadow” how rural is that) after which we walked the main street of the village – from the Bear Hotel to the castle ruins. The streets are narrow (Kerry has to step onto the road to continue on the footpath) and the castle is a ruin and now the centre piece of the kids playground in the community park. There are bits and pieces of the castle, its keep and defensive wall within the village. The photos show part of a tower, a disconnected part of the wall set 3 m above part of the inner keep and a section of a second tower. From the top of the inner keep we have a view over the whole of the town into the hills.

We spy the spire of the local church and return past the old Bear Hotel where we find another part of the defensive walls being used as part of their front fence. Very quaint. We move onto the church we had seen from the ruins which turned out to be St. Edmund’s Church (Eglwys Sant Emyr). Inside the church is a record of the early history of life in Crickhowell – 3 sarcophaguses with death images formed on the top of the container – time had rendered the dates of the internment and identities illegible. The interior of the church was simple and dignified. In the church yard the former members of the community having passed over are recorded and remembered.

The countryside was vibrant and green. I am certain we had a coffee and cake before we returned to the carpark. My photo below is the countryside – don’t go searching for us drinking coffee.

Part of our reason for coming to the Wye River valley is to visit Hay on Wye famous for the bookshops that can be found in the village. However, I was not expecting to accidentally come across another ruin just off the country road. A moat and bailey castle from Norman times – it has likely been slowly demolished by farmers pillaging its stone until the ruin was included in the Cadw Trust. It turns out to be the ruins of Tretower Castle.

The internet tells me that the “Picard dynasty” in Wales refers to the family who held control of Tretower Castle in Powys after the Norman conquest in the late 11th century, founded by a Norman knight named Picard and continued by his descendants, including his son and grandson, who developed the castle into its stone form. After the Picard family, the property passed to other families, including the Vaughans and Bloets.

After this interlude we continued onto Hay on Wye. A small village on the banks of the River Wye with touches of its Roman origin still apparent, and like all these villages parking within the village is limited. We parked down near the old, abandoned cattle yards. There is a public book exchange and many different genre of bookshops. The castle that once was home to a minor knight, has been converted to a domestic residence. The market is still used and provides a place in the sun for coffee lovers. My photos include all of these.

It was very warm, and we decided to have our picnic down on the river. Unfortunately, the flask was not sealing properly and had leaked in the bag. Still we enjoyed our Vegemite sandwiches and coffee. Sitting in the shade of the bushy banks of the river, we cooled off quietly and met some other locals doing the same. One of the surprises was someone had carved in the stumps of dead trees images of local birds of prey. By the way we “forgot” to take the flask when we left the Best Western.

As we returned to our Best Western, we found ourselves crossing Brecons Beacon National Park. It is a national park named after the Brecon Beacons (Welsh: Bannau Brycheiniog), the mountain range at its centre. The national park includes the highest mountain in South Wales, Pen y Fan, which has an elevation of 886 metres (2,907 ft). Stunning picturesque views of rural Wales. We thought we had stumbled across an ice cream van stopped at the top of the peak but were disappointed – he was selling coffee.

We then traveled on and accidently stumbled across the Brecon Mountain Railway. The Brecon Mountain Railway is a 1 ft 11+3⁄4 in (603 mm) narrow gauge tourist railway on the south side of the Brecon Beacons in Wales. It climbs northwards from Pant along the full length of the Pontsticill Reservoir and continues past the adjoining Pentwyn Reservoir to Torpantau railway station. The railway’s starting point at Pant is located two miles (3 km) north of the town centre of Merthyr Tydfil, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, South-East Wales. It is very popular so booking in advance is necessary. We booked our tickets for the following day.

We returned to our hotel and as I recall we went for a walk through the town and had dinner at a pub. Nothing flash although the locals thought it a bit of a posh nosh.

The following morning, we returned to the railway and here are our photos of the ride. Thanks to Wikipedia the history of the Railway follows.

“The Brecon Mountain Railway was founded in the mid-1970s, by Tony Hills (1937–2015). Hills was a long time railway enthusiast who by 1970, had established a base at Gilfach Ddu on the Llanberis Lake Railway where he stored the locomotives he purchased. In 1977, he purchased five miles of trackbed of the abandoned Brecon & Merthyr Railway at Pant and moved his collection there. Construction of the BMR started in 1978, with the grant of a Light Railway Order in 1980. Track was laid between Pant and Pontsticill in 1979–80. At Pontsticill the station house was renovated, the old waiting room was converted into a small workshop and a storage shed was built. Seven bridges were repaired or replaced. The railway opened to passengers in June 1980 using the engine Sybil and one carriage.

Between 1982 and 1996, a large station and workshop were built at Pant. These provide passenger facilities including toilets, cafe, shop and booking office as well as the extensive workshop used to build and maintain the railway locomotives, carriages and wagons.

A 1+1⁄2 miles (2.4 km) extension from Pontsticill to Dol-y-Gaer opened in 1995. The railway was further extended to Torpantau, just short of the southern entrance of the Torpantau Tunnel, with passenger services commencing 1 April 2014.

By 2016, the original waiting room building at Pontsticill, which had served as a workshop for a period, was converted into a steam museum housing various stationary steam engines and three of the smaller locomotives. All of the stationary units were connected up to a steam distribution header and boiler, which in 2017 was still awaiting commissioning.”

My photos show the station at Pontsticill with the attach museum and workshop, and the trip up to Torpantau. There the train disengages turns around and takes us back to Dol-y-Gaer where converted carriages serve as cafe and refreshment stop. My photo shows Kerry in the queue.

The trip and drive took most of the day. Overnight we investigated visiting the Big Pit and the Blaenavon Heritage Railway the next day. Unlike the Brecon Railway this one is an all-volunteer association keeping the steam train running and it incidentally used to service the Big Pit so whilst the train goes to the Big Pit it’s not synchronized with what is happening with the Big Pit. The railway visits 4 stations in a round trip of about 1 hour. One of the stops is the Big Pit. We knew nothing of these arrangements and learned as we went. The stations are Big Pit Halt along a short branch line then back to Furnace Sidings Halt where we bought our ticket and then two more stations (they call them “Halts”) Whistle Inn Halt and Blaenavon. We caught the train to the Big Pit and on reboarding the train we eventually did the whole of the train ride.

2025.10.22 Blaenavons Heritage Railway brochureDownload

The Big Pit is a short walk from the branch line station and after entering the Big Pit recetion area we were directed to the waiting room. There we awaited our guide who takes a group of about 10 people to a preparation area where we were fitted out with safety gear and handed in our phones and cameras.You won’t see any photos of the mine tunnels as photos underground are prohibited. Then the group enter an elevator to descend 300 feet or 90 m underground to experience “mining”. The trip was very sobering. This was a tough life more than I could understand without experiencing this tour. We learnt about the darkness of the tunnel, the risks of suffocation from dangerous gases, the heat and uncomfortable environment in which to work the long hours of the miners, their children, who often worked with them, and the horses which lived in the mines quite often Shetland ponies. The tour lasted at least an hour and half. This was longer than we had allowed so we were concerned that we did not miss our return train ride back to the station to where we had parked the car. We need not have worried. After a short period standing on the station, we got the train and finished the whole journey and returned to where we had left the car. Below is a picture of the preparation area. I used what was available on the web site – don’t bother looking for us.

We returned to Ebbw Vale and our hotel to prepare for the following day.

The following day we visited Cyfarthafa Castle and Blaenafon Ironworks ( the featured picture above shows one of the iron presses from Blaenafon Ironworks). Cyfarthfa Castle is a castellated mansion that was the home of the Crawshay family, ironmasters of Cyfarthfa Ironworks in Park, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. The castle was sold in 1908 to the local council, who decided to use part of the ground floor for a museum, which still operates. The museum includes paintings, including two by James Inskipp. The rest of the building became a secondary school, and it was opened in 1913, operating as separate boys’ and girls’ schools. In 1945, they amalgamated, and in accordance with government policy the school was redesignated as a Grammar school under the name of Cyfarthfa Castle Grammar School. It became a comprehensive school in 1970, under the name Cyfarthfa High School. My photos are below.

From there we tracked our way to Raglan Castle. Raglan Castle is a late medieval castle located just north of the village of Raglan in the county of Monmouthshire in southeast Wales. The modern castle dates from between the 15th and early 17th centuries, when the successive ruling families of the Herberts and the Somersets created a luxurious, fortified castle, complete with a large hexagonal keep, known as the Great Tower or the Yellow Tower of Gwent. During the First English Civil War, Raglan was occupied by a Royalist garrison on behalf of Charles I but it was taken by Parliamentarian forces in 1646 and its walls slighted or deliberately put beyond military use. After the Stuart Restoration in 1660, the Somersets declined to restore it and it became first a source of local building materials, then a romantic ruin. It is now a tourist attraction. We spent time going through the ruins and sought refreshment, but the café was well hidden. We finally found the cafe – outside of the castle allotment in the courtyard of the neighbouring house. We sat down in the shade and then caused a minor disturbance because the waiter took the order incorrectly but to their credit, they admitted their error and provided us with a refund for the mistake. My photos of the ruins and the café follow including the CADW brochure.

2025.10.22 Raglan Castle brochureDownload

Blaenafon Ironworks.

We traveled back through the Brecon Beacons National Park to visit the Ironworks and as it was a different road we encountered a local swimming hole surrounded by people and sheep. The photo is below. It was late afternoon when we arrived at the Ironworks largely hidden by overgrowth of the surrounding trees. This is one of the steel mills ever present through out Wales during its industrial years. The entry was tiny and manned by a husband-and-wife team. She was clearly American, and they recently returned to Wales and took up this position. Seemed an odd fit. However, the recreation of life for the workers in the preserved ironworks was excellent.

The Ironworks is a former industrial site which is now a museum. It was of crucial importance in the development of the ability to use cheap, low quality, high sulphur iron ores worldwide. It was the site of the experiments by Sidney Gilchrist Thomas and his cousin Percy Gilchrist that led to “the basic steel process” or “Gilchrist–Thomas process”. In 1904 the Ironworks ceased production completely. Work restarted briefly in 1924 but was commercially unviable. The forges at the site were still being used and helped with the production of steel shell during both world wars but was mostly used as a storage yard for the National Coal Board. One of the remarkable things is that some of the workers lodgings have been restored to present certain periods from 18th century through to the 20th century. I thought this might be an uninspiring attraction but quite the contrary it presented considerable history of industrial Wales.

2025.10.22 Blaenafon Iron Works brochureDownload

Time to move on from the Best Western as we were due at Chateau Rhianfa Plas Rhianfa, in Anglesey – a far cry from the Best Western. On the way we will look at Harlech Castle before finding our way to Chateau Rhianfa Plas Rhianfa, Glyngarth Menaii Bridge Read on in my next blog “THE RETIREES GO AROUND THE WORLD – CRICKHOWELL (Ebbw Vale) TO CHATEAU RHIANFA PLAS RHIANFA, GLYNGARTH MENAII BRIDGE.”

THE RETIREES GO AROUND THE WORLD – BRISBANE/SAN FRANCISCO USA

Ever wondered what it would be like to go around the world dropping in at various points of call, visiting relations and friends and visiting new points of interest? Well, we did wonder and now I am here to tell you what it was it was all about. Welcome to our holiday blog – The Retirees go around the World in 51 days.

It started with booking a cruise from Japan to Taiwan and return then taking fright at the cost to travel to Tokyo to catch the cruise ship. This caused us to investigate traveling around the world with connecting flights starting with a flight from Brisbane to Sydney, then Sydney to San Francisco departing on 24th January 2025 and arriving there the same day due to the time zones.

Our son Ben collected us from the airport and put up with us visiting them in their home for 5 nights enjoying spoiling grandson Angus and learning about Jee’s progress with Angus #2.

We played Garage – getting out boxes of cars and trucks and racing them down the track. We then had a mess, and we had to pack it away under grandson’s supervision. Then we visited his preschool at Saint Joseph’s Basilica, played in the park with a new friend and found a new park developed over a discontinued rail line.

Photo

It was just a few days with them but being so far away makes it difficult to connect. Gus is such a personable child I never feel as though we have been away. After those glorious few days, sadly, we waved goodbye. Angus is a joy for grandparents – not so sure it’s always that way for Ben and Jee.

Ben took us to the airport where we then flew from San Francisco to London Heathrow, where we collected a hire car from Green Motion Car Hire. The car collection point was outside of the airport, but the hotel shuttle bus got us to the collection point easily. From there Kerry drove to our accommodation in Hove. A tip for all travelers – ensure you understand the local rules regarding parking. Brighton / Hove Council has made parking on the street a costly dance to avoid the parking costs and fines. We found ourselves finding overnight parking up to 200m away from our B&B in weather down to freezing at times. The parking could easily cost £30 per day on the street. My cousin Therese (Terri) and her husband Mick (former residents of Hove but now gite owners in France) met us at the B & B and wisely had parked their car with friends outside the parking limited areas and caught a cab into Hove.

Read on with my next Blog – The Retirees go around the World –San Francisco/Brighton-Hove.

THE RETIREES AND FRIENDS VISIT PERTH AND MARGARET RIVER – days 8 & 9 Back to our Itinerary in Margaret River

Star Date 2nd August 2024

Our next destination was the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse located on the headland of the most south-westerly point on the mainland Australia.

The light tower which is built of local stone was originally designed to show two lights – a higher white light and a lower red light. Although the foundations were completed, the lower light was never installed. It was opened with great ceremony in 1895. Until June 1982 the lens was rotated by a counter weight driving clockwork mechanism, and the beacon was a pressure kerosene mantle type. A radio navigation beacon was commissioned in 1955 and operated until 1992. The lighthouse was automated in 1982. The lighthouse, besides being a navigational aid, serves as an important automatic weather station. The lighthouse’s buildings and grounds are now vested in the local tourism body and the single (1960s) and double (1980s) communications towers that were north-west of the lighthouse, seen in older photographs of Cape Leeuwin, have been removed.

We approached the lighthouse from Augusta. The rock below commemorates the landing of the first settlers in 1830 from the Brig Emily Taylor . From that point you look out across a broad bay and behind us you can see the rock walls protecting the new marina. Immediately behind the memorial is a rock shelf decorated with the seaweed washed ashore. A bit further along is another memorial this time to Capt. Matthew Flinders RN aboard the HMS Investigator 6th December 1801 when he sighted Cape Leeuwin and commenced mapping the coast of Australia. Atop of the memorial are the features that can be sighted from this point such as the conjunction of the Indian Ocean and the Great Southern Ocean.

The reason we came this way – I don’t recall but the vista of the lighthouse emphasises the remoteness of this point. The light keepers house and other out buildings and water tanks can be seen on the right hand side of the photos. The entrance takes you into the coffee shop and gift shop and then you make your way through each of the following buildings with museums and artifacts all of which i think is to disguise how far you have to walk to get to the lighthouse. Finally we got to the reason for coming here today – to see the meeting of the two oceans

The climb to the viewing deck of the lighthouse consists of 176 steps. Enough said.

Returning north along Caves Rd we encountered the Lake Cave. It is a stunning crystal wonderland, situated deep beneath the earth. The entrance of the cave lies at the base of a spectacular sinkhole. Visitors descend a staircase through an ancient sinkhole called a doline, gazing up at the towering karri trees from the floor of the sunken forest. Inside the cave a tranquil lake reflects the delicate crystal formations that grow from the cave ceiling and dazzling crystal formations dominate the cave roof, while the unique ‘Suspended Table’ is perfectly reflected in the tranquil water below.

Droplets hang from the tips of straws and stalactites before dropping to the cave floor or into the lake creating ripples in the water’s reflections. The unique ‘Suspended Table’ formation, which weighs several tonnes and seems to defy gravity as it hovers above the clear lake water is one of the unique features within the cave. We took a guided. They say there is moderate physical exertion required to enter this cave. Don’t believe it for a minute – easy going down but when you make your way back up the staircase of the magnificent doline do it at your own pace.

Looking at the photos we start at the Visitors centre and from there you walk out onto a deck above a huge sinkhole – you have to see it to believe it. As you go down there are a number of changes in direction and this has alot to do with the return journey being exhausting. You will see a large rock lying on its side (from the left down photo 8) and this is a staligmite that collsaped during a recent bush fire almost sealing off the entrance to the cave. The photo to the right of the staligmite is the hole it came from. The inside the cave is like a fairyland. Photos 10 and 11 show you the suspended table formed by flood waters through the cave. The final photo #17 is the doorway to the tunnel that was drilled to release the flood water to preserve the cave.

Well we have visited many caves around the world, but we were about to encounter the worst return to the Visitors Centre – up the stairs. Well I don’t know how many stairs but both Kerry and I took at least half an hour to climb out of the hole and that was it for us that day. Dale and Zdravka patiently awaited our climb and I may have had a nanny nap going home. Tomorrow we will go north again to Busselton – no stairs.