Category: Travel

I didn’t have the best night’s sleep. Had a really bad headache and kept waking up. So it was lucky that Amy decided to sleep in this morning. In fact, I was the first awake just before 6am. I showered and dressed and got the girls up. Then we hit the road. We certainly saw some sights on the way home and could not believe it when we saw this calf being towed down the highway. So cute.

Around 8am we finally stopped near Taree for breafkast.

I had a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich and got a tea to go.

It was a much nicer day – blue skies and sunshine. And of course the ever present road works.

Unfortunately we arrived at Oliver’s way before lunchtime but Amy desperately wanted the Korma curry so we decided to get it and eat a bit further up the road.

Service was pretty bad – maybe because we were too early for lunch I don’t know. I think the young guy serving just didn’t have a clue. After we waited for 5mins he informed up that the rice wasn’t ready and would take another 10mins. I suggested we just have it with mashed potatoes – which luckily were ready. Christy amused herself with the love bucket and my spare change.

Back on the road. Unfortunately Amy couldn’t get a great photo of this trike and it’s little caravan.

And finally we arrived in Sydney… and the traffic… and so many trucks…

It was a little daunting – give me country highways any day! We gave up finding a nice picnic place to stop for lunch (the one we passed wasn’t sign posted) so ended up pulling into a truck stop.

Than finally we were coming down the escarpment and into Wollongong.

We had a very warm welcome from the pups and were thrilled to find Mum & Dad had been busy cleaning all our outdoor areas and the girls bedrooms. I really do have the BEST Mum & Dad. It’s so appreciated as I haven’t been able to do much since hurting my ribs  and I was getting further behind with everything.

Now I just have to tackle the laundry…and repack… before we head off for Easter on Thursday!

When we woke up this morning we decided it made sense to head home and have an extra full day at home before we head to Canberra for Easter. So we got up and got the car packed. Then headed to the indoor pool for another sauna and swim.

On the way back I took a photo of this sign. Can’t believe that I was the one who spotted it :-).

I showered and dressed and we went downstairs for a last visit the British Lolly shop…

and Bakers Delight. Christy will miss her freshly made cheese rolls.

We had an early lunch – using up some leftover food – falafel wraps for Amy & I.

followed by a very decadent, post-lunch bowl of ice-cream (all in the name of using up supplies) :-).

Then it was time to say goodbye to Surfers Paradise

and head back to NSW. Love these tunnels.

Christy was loving all the sugar cane so we pointed out the mill when we passed it.

Later she settled in the watch Diary of a Whimpy Kid again.

At one of our toilet stops we were quite surprised to see these chickens. That’s the highway you see through the trees so I hope these crazy girls know where they’re going.

Unfortunately we did come into some pretty horrid weather. Not fun driving in this I can tell you.

It continued to rain on and off for much of the trip.

5.5 hours later – around 6pm we drove into Kempsey. We spotted a Dominos to stopped to get some dinner. While there I looked up trip advisor to see what was the best rated motel. And we found the Kempsey Powerhouse Motel. I was a bit uncertain but it was fabulous. I’ve posted a review on trip advisor but it’s still pending.

We were pleased with the decor, it was spotlessly clean, the owners were very friendly and it was only $103 a night.

One we bought in our things from the car we enjoyed our pizza.

then hoped into bed with our various electronic devices. Christy was especially happy because you could borrow DVDs for free and they had The Neverending Story 2.

I stayed up with her till it finished then it was off to snoozy land for all of us.

It was well past sunrise when I woke up this morning but Amy was kind enough to get my camera and take some photos. Later she was even kinder and Christy and her went out to gather breakfast. In case you’re thinking the girls are wandering all about town on their own – the shopping center is right under our apartment complex – and one the reasons we love it here. Today they bought back Iced Chocolates from Gloria Jeans and a cheese & garlic bagette (our new favourite) from Bakers Delight. As you can see it was a very decadent morning and I got to enjoy these in bed :-).

Around 9.30am we headed to the car and were off to Movie World. I wanted to go to Wet ‘n’ Wild but the girls really wanted to go back to Dreamworld. Unfortunately it was MUCH busier than last Saturday (Queensland school holidays start tomorrow).

Don’t you just love my twins? Amy’s idea as Christy was dressed first. All I can say is wonders will never cease :-).

We we entered they headed straight off to the Scooby ride and I set up camp for the day. I took my kindle to read but actually just spent hours people watching and checking facebook occasionally :-).

They did a few more rides, including Wild Wild West and Amy went on Lethal Weapon, before they went off to play some games. I NEVER usually give them money for acrade games but they must have caught me a weak moment. $20 later and they were the proud owners of these neck ties and Amy had a pink zebra :-).

Amy and I shared vegetarian nachos for lunch.

They were delicious and we loved that you could eat the bowl as well :-).

The girls rode Scooby again and Christy even went a third time – even though there was a 45min wait time. While waiting Amy had this slushy with ice cream on top – it had a fancy name but I can’t remember it.

Around 3pm my backside had had enough sitting and we went through the shops (as we still had some money left on gift cards). We got some lollies and the girls got a couple of tops each. Christy was happy that we got to the see the parade. Personally I think it’s the worst parade in the world and the biggest waste of 15mins. But at least there was no wait time involved. The first time Kevin & I went to see the parade we waited around 30mins – we were NOT impressed (esp. being used to Disney parades).

Then it was time to head home. I sat outside with a magazine and a cup of tea, enjoying the late afternoon play of light on the buildings.

While the girls had a teddy party on the bed :-). Now this is what this holiday was all about – the girls bonding and reconnecting as sisters (and friends) – in addition to me not having to feel guilty for not taking them to Alaska :-).

At 5.30pm we headed down to the beach. Sadly our first (and probably only time) this holiday.

Our reason for being here – to explore the Night Markets. We love these and always buy a few things, and spend way too much money. On this trip we bought some bandanas for the dogs, a lovely vase for me, and the girls got new headbands, sludge (which they always get) and did some sand art. Oh, and we bought some yummy looking cupcakes to have later.

We stopped in at Noodle Box on the way home to pick up some dinner….

which we enjoyed back in our room.

After dinner the girls played with their sludge while we watched a Disney Movie. Don’t know what it was called but it was quite cute.

Then it was time to dive into the yummy looking cupcakes.

They looked too good to eat but I was fearless and cut them into thirds so we could all try some of each. And I have to say they tasted as good as they looked.

Tomorrow : Rain is forecast so we’ll most likely go shopping and see the Justin Bieber Movie (Amy is dying to see it). And Amy has been complaining of a sore ear so we might to the visit the Medical Center.