Featherdale Wildlife Refuge
Sat. Feb. 18, we went out to Featherdale Wildlife Refuge with Carrie and kids, (Geoff was at an all day conference). We went by train from Strathfield to Doonside, and walked, not knowing is was just a little too far and it was a little to hot, on the way home we went by bus, then train. An adventure in transportation with two kids and two prams!! The refuge had an unique set up with some of the animals able to venture out of their special places and join the people, but they could retreat to where people were not allowed. So we had some up close and personal encounters with emus, kangaroos and koalas, not to mention the occasional snake.
This is Tom getting to know a diamond backed python.
It's true!-- the koalas are very cute and cuddly!
Carrie, Terry and Daniel with an oh so soft koala!!
I think we will adopt this one!--they actually have a foster-a-koala program!! (how 'bout it Patsy???)
Albino ostrich
Funny little penguin sharing space with a feisty ibis.
Terry and Daniel feeding a hot and tired Kangaroo.
Mama kanga with nursing joey.
Flying fox, also known as fruit bat. ( I think, have heard several different versions)
A very hot tasmanian devil. His ears glowed red with the sun behind him!! But the name apparently comes from the sound he makes.
Baby koala in the koala infirmary receiving extra fluids for dehydration, poor baby, but he is in good hands!
On left, mama with joey in pouch, daddy (boomer) on right. They were tired of the humans and turned their backs!
Albino Wallaby
Big crocodile! He did not have the option of wandering with the humans!! Thank goodness!! Big jaws!! And strong tail!
Tom and Linnhe at the train station waiting for the train home after a long, hot, but fun day with the animals!
Mallinsons and trip to Blue Mountains
Carrie and Daniel
One of the great blessings of this trip has been to visit with Geoff and Carrie (Wheeler) Mallinson and their children, Daniel, 2 yo. and Linnhe, 5 mos. We have joined them at MacQuarie Chapel for Sunday services two weeks in a row. And they have shown us around some of the areas that they hope to have an impact through their ministry with WEC. I have been able to babysit a couple of times (yeah!!) and it has worked out that we will be able to use one of the WEC apartments. This past Sunday after church, The Mallinsons drove us up to the Blue Mountains and we hiked DOWN the mountain edge (only part way, which was enough) to view and play in one of the Wentworth Waterfall's pools.
Geoff loaded up with 2 kiddos for the hike!
After hiking through the woods on gently sloping trails, we headed down the steep parts, most of which had steps, some cut into the stone, all with hand rails. good thing!!
There were stepping stones across the top of the falls, this is sorta looking over.... don't get too near!!!
Tom coming down one section of the path.
This is looking down at the group, Geoff, with kids, Carrie and Tom.
We met this large(about 2 1/2 feet nose to tail) lizzard on the path, he was quite good about posing for us, was not in a hurry to scamper away, although he did finally scoot over to let us pass. We saw him on the way up also, as he was entertaining another group of hikers on the way down.
We made it to a nice rest area, this is looking up to the top half of the waterfall.
Tom and Terry cooling off in one of the refreshing pools at the bottom of this section of the falls.
Terry with Linnhe cooling off in the shade of a rock overhang.
Tom and Carrie take a little break near the end after hiking back up. My hands were firmly wrapped around the railings climbing up, no time for pictures on the way up. It was a great hike, but we only did a small fraction of it. We will have to go back and do the hike around the inside ledges of the canyon.
Long Reef Beach with the Forbes
On Sat. (Feb. 11), after having a very pleasant lunch with the Forbes, Greg, Ann and Owen, took us to Long Reef beach, north of Sydney. As you can see in the pictures, very beautiful blue sky and water. The waves at low tide were very powerful and while the Forbes are used to body surfing in such conditions, Tom and I were quite physically exhausted after being bowled over by the waves. Looking north up the coast, there is a golf course on the edge of the beach (that patch of green on the upper left). We hiked up to the point you can see in the distance. The red tent is the rescue squad shelter. We actually got to see the rescue squad in action, they had to take the motor boat out to rescue a couple of kids caught in the under tow. successful rescue.
This is looking back from the point. There were many surfers out in the water, I quess this in one of the places for fun surfing. Greg and Anne's older son's both surf, but we didn't get to see them in action. This day they went to a different beach to try spear fishing.
rt. Tom's back (blue shirt) center: Ann Forbes left: Greg Forbes (Greg was a professor at the U of R)
Ann on the left, Owen in center digging in the sand, and Greg in hat and purple towel.
Darling Harbor
One of the old ships in Darling Harbor, part of the Maritime Museum.
Australian Flag flying over the harbor with Sydney in background.
Looking sort of southeast across the harbor, again with the city in the background.
Looking Northeast, the same bridge as in previous picture.
Terry in center of unique water sculpture/fountain, with water gently flowing in circular path toward center. There are two water-free walkways to the center.
Uni Buildings
This is a selection of the beautiful building on the Sydney University campus, called the "Uni". This first one is the physic building where Tom spents most of his days.
This is St. John's College, next to where we are currently staying.
This one is the Great Hall.
Nephew Mark & Coastal Walk and Fountain
Proir to leaving San Francisco, we were able to meet Mark in the Mission District for coffee. He was able to take an extended coffee break from his job, thanks Mark!
This is looking back up the coast. The flowers here are gorgeous!!
This the Bondi Beach. The Coastal walk starts at Bondi Beach and goes along the coast, over cliffs, and around several harbor beaches. Even through an old cemetery on the very edge of the ocean! We took the bus from the University to Bondi on Sat. and hiked about 6 miles to Coogie Beach.
This is the Iceberg Club at Bondi (pronouced "Bond-eye") Beach. Notice the built in pool on the edge of the cliff, people can swim laps and have the wave wash in with out dragging them out to sea. clever!!
We are living in a huge old building, similar to a castle. This is one hallway leading to our rooms. Over the weekend, there were only a couple of other people here, we only saw them at breakfast in the "Late dinningroom". There is an Octagon section of rooms. Anyway, wandering around the empty and dimly lit halls was sorta like being in some Jane Austin novel. Actually we were hoping to find a wardrobe!! Also there is a grassed courtyard with a rose garden and benches!!
The University grounds are lovely, with fountains complete with ducks, swans and ibis! Tom was able to catch the rainbow in the fountain!!
