Last few days in and around Sydney

Erina valley probably has a nickname. Cicada valley.  After a while you get used to the idyllic countryside with a backdrop of cicada drone. We made a couple of trips to the Entrance. Wandered the promenade, took Connie on side shows, sat and ate. We said goodbye to Adam, Judy and Don.  Then there were 5.

We also took a drive to the Somersby waterfall. Rather pretty and unique with lots of pools for cooling down. Wonder what it would be like after torrential rain.

The next morning Becks, Mike and Connie drove to Sydney. We decided to take the scenic route. More walking in nature reserves where snakes make there homes (we didn't see any), and then off to church point (home of boats, sea and reminders of the sounds and $10 an hour parking fees).

It was new years eve and we met Mike and Becks friends for dinner. Sad to say we saw the 9 pm fireworks but missed the new years eve ones. They kept us awake tho and I do rather regret we didn't make the effort.

Now there are two of us sitting at the airport waiting for our flight to Hobart.

A family Christmas in Australia

We are sitting in Erina valley. Locusts are loud, rabbits are playing on the lawn with the dogs and chooks. Mostly happy until a doggy visitor bounds along and everyone scampers for their homes. We arrived here today from McMasters beach. And so we will go back there ie the start of our holiday. Picture a deck overlooking a lagoon. Cockatoos and kookaburras sitting in gum trees. Parakeets, ducks and pelicans flying by. Dogs trotting to the golden sands with their owners laden with towels and everything beachy. Barbeques, reading, swimming with the occasional walk at Bouddi national park or along the beach in either direction. Everyday felt the same but had something slightly unique. Sometimes there was a slight breeze and sometimes high tide bought pounding waves.  Sometimes the sand was burning hot while at other times sank underfoot. Christmas day was similar to others except Santa came overnight and there was pavlova after the barbecue and crackers during. It is the first time all the Keats have been together at Christmas for 15 years. Now there is a new son law, grand daughter and soon to be born grandson and us to join the party. Connie sang the Aussie jingle bells. "Dashing through the Bush, in a rusty holden ute, kelpie by my side, eski in the back ...". Then we said goodbye to Matt and then there were 8.

Then we moved on ....

Today we swam at Avoca lakes and wandered around the Entrance (reminded us all of the UK beaches as we wandered along the promenade).