Goodbye New Zealand - Hello Australia

Wednesday 3rd February 2010

Awoke this morning still thinking about the apartment business and so phoned Cheryl Ryan in Aussie but she was out. I left my NZ contact details and a few mins later, her husband, Chris phoned. He explained that there had obviously been some mix-up and was unaware of any wheelchair. I explained that when we booked, the wheelchair wasn't an issue but that I had booked an apartment on the beach level of Manly Beach so that it was near everything such as restaurants, bars, beach and Manly Wharf to get the ferry into Sydney City Centre. We agreed to see what it was like when we arrived and I felt a little more assured that it would be OK. I spoke to Pat in Canada, always good to speak to her. She visited NZ in the 90's and thoroughly enjoyed it, I think the blog may be whetting the appetite for a return. Personally,

I think her and Brain ought to come to the UK first

The weather was glorious sunshine as we packed our cases and eventually, we had time to sit out and enjoy the last rays of NZ sun. I crossed the road and had a paddle in the sea. I was half tempted to swim but there wouldn't have been time to dry my shorts if I had done. Kenny took time out from work to say goodbye as he had promised and sat and had a coffee with us. It has been really good to see him again after about four years though I doubt he will come back to the UK for a while, having said that, it has been great to see everyone and we hope that things work out for them in their new chosen home.

Maxine came home to take us to the airport and Kath gave Kenny a present she had bought for Helen and gave Maxine hers which caused a few tears....ohhhhh, how sweet.

We left Bucklands Beach for the last time because even if we return to NZ, Darren and Maxine are moving from there next weekend. We departed at around 1pm for our Qantas flight to Sydney at 3.40pm. We said our final thanks and goodbyes to Maxine and checked in without issue although Kath's case was overweight by 4 kgs but fortunately, no surcharges. The flight left almost on time and we arrived in Sydney 3 hours later at 4.45pm (2 hours time difference) having travelled 1384 miles (2227 kms). The temperature was 27C (82F) and quite sunny and after passing through the most poker faced customs officer I have ever encountered, we collected our bags and waited for the taxi that had been booked to take us to Manly. We were joined by a younger couple who were going home tomorrow but had just returned to Sydney from the Gold Coast where the weather had been very windy. We eventaully reached our destination at the north end of Manly Beach and were greeted by Chris and Cheryl, who own the apartment. We were taken to the 7th floor and, as I suspected, it was on the top of the small cliff and although there is direct access to the beach via steps, I would never be able to push Kath up that hill from the town. I have expressed my fears and again stressed why I booked, or rather thought I had booked, the apartment lower down the beach at Absolute Beachfront. The plus side to this is that views are amazing. I know I have used the word 'spectacular' for some of the views in NZ on a few occasions but this is something to take your breath away. There are french doors from the bedrooms and lounge onto a balcony that is a couple of hundred feet above the beach and the views stretch across to Sydney Harbour. Chris called us to look at two paraquete's that land at the kitchen window-sill and tap on the glass until they open it and feed them with biscuit and bread. They even hop onto his hand but despite this, they are wild (see photo's). After showering and looking around, they took us down into town and dropped us off near the local restaurants and bars where we had steak sandwiches and chips and a few beers. We returned at 10.30pm as Kath liked to tell me it was really 12.30am in NZ. I will get this all the way home now I fear as we regain the time we lost on the way out eg. the 20th January that we never had.

We got taxi home which cost $11 (£6) which is expensive for such a short distance as the taxi from the airport was only $59 and that is an hour away. To be fair to Chris, he said that if we call him when we are ready for coming home, he will collect us, unless it's very late of course.

We have no definate plans for what we are going to do here, it is very much dependant upon the weather but I will keep you informed.

Bye for now.