Story so far: Countries
Feb
9
2011
Part of the irony is that as much as neither if us like or eat McDonalds, we have been semi-hypocritical since we’ve been in Australia and have used McD for their free wireless internet. The free only means not paying for IT, although not really free as we have been buying coffee – which has varied massivley from branch to branch!
So the main irony is that today ( Weds Feb 9th ) we have used our last coffee card for our last free coffee so that we could get to use their free wifi to check-in online for our flight out of OZ!
Feb
8
2011
The trouble is, it could be one of two things. And it is!
On the one hand, its the crappy weather here in Byron Bay – so whats brewing? – poss a storm or two! Typical really of our travel weather …A week of scorching heat in Sydney (a City), then when we get to the coast to spend two nights in the (locally..) famous seaside town of Byron Bay (NOT a city!) and the weather goes all English on us!
BUT, on the flipside, the other thing brewing is Stone and Wood — a microbrewery here in Byron Bay. Reminiscent of several English micro’s in that it ISN’T 150 years and IS brand new and making some seriously cracking beer. Although the choice is only really two beers, their main Premium Ale is the best I (Mike) have tasted in OZ. Honestly. And I (Mike) am saying this not because we randomly stopped by there today on a whim and ended up there for almost an hour having good chats with the master brewer (Brad) and his co-worker Rick, as well as being given three beers to try, but because their beer is abso fab! It was probably the freshest beer I’ve ever had…literally straight from the brewing tank, less than 2weeks old. Bloody beautiful! Its good to be back in this area for their beer alone!
So with 2 days of pretty constant rain/drizzle, its off to another microbrewery in Byron tonight (Buddah Bar) to enjoy a free minibus shuttle, Happy Hour drinks and live rock/blues/funk !
Nov
29
2010
…. GNOMESVILLE.
Honest! There’s a little spot of the Wellington Forest near Bunbury, WA, that is forever red and white; and a multitude of other colours. But mostly red and white! The distinctive red and white of Gnomes!! And the Home to the Gnomes is a place called Gnomesville. You all with us so far?!!
At a random T-junction in the forest is a volunteer force of relocated gnomes – all placed there by loving owners for them to be visited by any who pass that way!!
Nov
23
2010
We knew that the good weather was soon to break; and it has! Gone is the hot sun in the clear blue sky, and what has arrived are clouds from over the sea!! Okay, so its less humid, but when you got air-con that aint no worry! The last of the good days was signaled with a big moon in a slightly cloudy sky (see pic) But hey, the good news is that from Perth we are off to Adelaide by plane as there arent any campervan drives, and apparently we can expect 30+ degC…big smiles all round!!
Talk about a long exposure!
Aug
17
2010
A brief post to let you all know that the internet in NZ is not wifi so posts over the next few days will be brief with maybe no new photos! As soon as we find a cafe / bar hotspot, more blogs will be added. We are in Rotorua today, going to Waitomo (caves etc) tomorrow.
Stay Tooned please!
Aug
2
2010
Good job too cos we got ours conviscated at US Customs on the way in from Canada on the Greyhound! The fact we had a potentially dangerous laptop, I paid for our entry visa with Jane’s card, we had knives in our hand luggage mattered not at all. But oranges: dirty things!! bad fruit, bad fruit! To make matters worse we didnt declare them on our customs form – although Mike did ask that if we had declared them could we have kept them?? … Americans and sarcasm does not a cocktail make!!
So we are now in Seattle for days – first impression is that it is a cool place and we found a brew-pub within 72 minutes! Staying at the Green Tortoise Hostel (look it up) which is as a true hostel should be with communal kitchen and common room; plus daily trips and free dinners!!
Prob gonna go to the Science Fiction Museum & Hall of Fame tomorrow (Geek ALert!!) then the hostel has a pub crawl arranged for evening! Follow that with a 4hour coach journey to Portland on Wednesday (our Tenth Wedding Anniversary – no cards please!!) makes for a good few days.
Jul
3
2010
And we finally saw the illusive Canadian bear. One was a baby eating at the side of the road, the other slightly bigger also along the roadside:
May
24
2010
Long time no blog sorry all!
Had a great time in San Fran – managed to walk all the way up the big hill that you see in the films. We didnt really intend to but we were $4 short of the cable car fee!! Got the Holiday Inn for $56 per night which is tres cheap!!
We walked up to the Ferry Building which is a good local landmark along the waterfront…strolled down to the famous Pier 39 which is full of tourist gift shops, chain eateries, and ice cream shops! Not our bag, baby, so went on to the area where the sealions famously hang-out. They’re cool but collectively they stink! Went to the Thirsty Bear brewpub for dinner which was a great place. The best bar so far. 9 beers inc 2 based on English beers (which were a good effort). Had a Sample Tray of all in 5oz (1/4pint) glasses (see pic)
Drinks are in me!
.
On day 2 we retraced our steps but on the Trolley Bus and Trams so went up to China Town for lunch (about 10 non-Chinese out of 250 eating!). Then wandered through Little Italy for a beer. PM we went to Castro which is the gay area and went to a couple of bars, inc one where we joined in a quiz night hosted by a drag queen!
May
15
2010
So I was 41 yesterday hence no new post. Although I wanted to share my happiness at being 41 with you all, I was too busy sharing a bottle of champagne with Jane to do anything else! Until we opened another bottle!!
A big TA to those who sent messages via Facebook though. That took about 2 hours to type back.!!
Today – May 15th – we went to four wineries in the local vacinity which was, as expected, informative and quite tasty!! Most of the tastings were free, and yes we did end up buying a doz bottles of a cheeky little red! The views from these vineyards is stunning! – there will be photos on this site come tomorrow!
Now, at 6 in the evening, we are sitting on the balcony (still big sun and about 75degC!!) with Robin playing guitar (fairly well btw) drinking some American (hard) cider before heading off out to a piano bar for the rest of the evening. We are hoping to go either to San Fran (70mile north) or Santa Cruz next week for a couple of days….car hire may be the way forward although keen to use the buses and/or Amtrak: we’ll see.
May
13
2010
So, settled quite nicely near San Jose, CA; about 70miles south of San Fran, in a place called Morgan Hill. Yes, we know it sounds like it should be a soap like Knots Landing or Falcon Crest, or Dawsons Ridge! Its actually quite pleasant, what-ho! Kind of like a big Shrivenham. Plenty of bars and coffee shops and restaurants; inc a brewpub which makes a very goood raspberry wheat beer. (Honest, it IS nice!)
Staying with the very hospitible Robin & Tamara, who fortunately are keen on sampling local beer and wine products!! No car, but looking forward to using the local buses to get around. BUT: they have a pool onsite with jacuzzi! Get IN. Literally!
My 41st tomorrow so looking forward to suitable celebrations – this may be my first “adult” bday abroad?!!