Happy Days Caboolture Bus Tour Part 3

12th March 2015

We enjoy a scenic drive north bound through Freemans Waterhole, Mount Vincent and arrived at Pokolbin via Cessnock: we are visiting the Hunter Valley Gardens!

 they are nestled amongst the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges.  60 acres of beauty - an intended legacy by the owners for Australia. Bill an Imelda Roche were the original owners of Nutrimetics but sold that to create these gardens. They are nestled amongst the foothills of the Brokenback Ranges.

 a Golf course in the water!

 and the gardens' map:

 we are getting for our train ride

We could not sit all the time, because we all were too heavy for the train,

we had to get off for a while

Nevertheless we enjoyed the ride -

particularly as it was a really hot day!

but ...

after enjoying an ice cream we continued our explorer tour!

Maureen even taking photos whilst sitting on the grass

 and we had lots of fun in the Story book gardens

 Hansel and Gretel's house = the toilet rooms

 Isn't the door nice?

 Who's sitting here?

 and here? ---->   the three wise monkeys sorry men



 Inspirations for our next bush trimming or hedge cutting

 and of course lakes ...

and a chapel:

and from inside:

And back at the motel for another dinner

 and entertainment called Australiana show:

 Sam, the Terranova company owner always ready for entertainment:

 even Elvis Presley came

 and a tramp

 a night full of jokes and laughter!



Happy Days Tour Caboolture Bus Tour Part 2

11th March 2015

 

Sydney, we are coming!! - after 5 years finally back !

 

on the way to Sydney crossing the Hawkesbury River

 

 and here's Sydney! Yeah!

 I love that bridge!

 and the Opera House

 and finally in Sydney Harbour

 Short discussion between Mavis and Cecile what are we going to do?

 Uwe and I know what we love to do!

 Then it's time to go on board for our cruise

 Always getting very excited when I am in this city!

 there comes the bridge ....

 Sitting inside

 but not for long .....

 Since 2007 Cockatoo Island is a touristic spot - our first touch down now:

 

very interesting with its boatbuilding and convict history.

we are looking around ....

 and so do our friends Ann, Greg, Maureen and DJ

 spectacular views from the hill

 all carved by hand

 the shipbuilding part of the island

 Tunnel for protection in war time and short cuts for transport of material

 

As Uwe told me only very late that there was a power station, we raced back once more to get some photos for our son Matthew …

 

 … and almost missed our ship. We arrived when they had already removed the jetty and thrown off the lines! So we had to jump on board !

 and enjoyed our lunch.

 But when the Sydney Harbour Bridge was in sight again,

nothing could hold me inside!

 my favourite spot on the boat!

 Queen Victoria was there to greet us

 Mavis met her grandchild and daughter - look her happy face!

 our busdrive took his bicycle to get back to the bus

 It was absolutely beautiful day on Sydney Harbour  with perfect weather,

so nice to visit this lovely city again.

 

Tonight, we went out for dinner to Gosford,

to the Central Coast Leagues Club,

where we enjoyed a buffet "all you can eat".

 

 The view from the Leagues Club

 And after "all you can eat" we needed another walk,

so we walked around the Gosford City Park.