The final leg

Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008, Charlestown, New South Wales, AU, 9:20 AM

Yesterday we flew from Cairns to Sydney, rented a car again, and began the tedious journey northward to my pen pal's home. There are many no-cash but-we'll-fine-you-big-time-if-you-don't-pay toll roads and we needed to avoid them as we didn't have the right sticker and the rental car company wasn't in the mood to provide such. Three hours later we emerged into Julie's cul-de-sac and scooted up the driveway to a warm welcome and a great fish and shrimp dinner.

Today we will explore the Hunter Valley wine district.

The view from our motel room is astounding: Lake Macquarie to the left, shrouded in fog 2 minutes after I saw it and wanted a photo!, a treed area in front with all sorts of strange bird sounds, and a city off in the distance like Brigadoon. It was a hard scene to view, but since someone has to do it, we tried hard not to smile as we volunteered.

Hard to believe we start for home in two days. We're trying to devise our perfect Australian trip if you can come but once, a combination of both our journeys, and I'll post it when we settle on it.

Again, g'day.