Home safe and sound.

Update: The early counting seems to confirm that the
roadside monstrosity took out the UGLY award, in answer
to some queries as to what it was... I have no idea!!!!
There was a sign, just visible in the first photo, but the
object made such a negative impression that I have no
recollection of what it said.... Sorry.

It's all over bar the shouting.

We paid a visit to the old Dubbo Gaol, but were allowed to leave.

Well they worked Wazza over pretty well first, but then we were allowed to
leave.

This is a "Big Red Kangaroo" doing what they do best during daylight hours
on a hot day, they are naturally nocturnal, thus the suicidal tendencies on
the roads at night.

This feeder for the giraffe's is about 8 or 9 feet of the ground, they sure
are tall suckers.

But majestic to look at, one of my favourite animals.

The Australian/Celtic Standing Stones at Glen Innes.

Set in a lovely park this site is quite powerful and mysterious.

I have shown you lots of the beauty spots and sights of Australia, so as a
balance I thought it only fair that I show you some of the plain ugly things too.
This is a roadside memorial? to ... something and we voted it as the ugliest
thing we encountered on the whole trip.
Please enbiggen for the full horror of this site to become visible.

So there can be no suggestion that this is a rigged result though,
I have included the next two photos to be judged by the viewers
in this same category.

I propose that we call them exhibits 1, 2, & 3, and invite your votes as to
which is the ugliest.... (sort of mirror, mirror on the wall.....)

I don't want to influence your voting in any way, but, here's a closer view
of that roadside thing, just in case you wanted to see it again.


I would like to thank you for your company on this holiday trip, between
all of you and Wazza too I couldn't have asked for better company.

The road home.

We have had our week in Sydney and now we will take another week to get
back to Brisbane.

First stop out of Sydney was the "Blue Mountains" with Katoomba high on our list
of places to see, this is Evans lookout, there is a rare "Blue Gum forest in the
valley shown here.

With the aid of a zoom lens you can see the sandstone cliff face here.

The "Three Sisters" at Echo Point Katoomba would be among the most
photographed natural objects in Australia.

This is the view in front of you when you visit Echo Point, its a pity it was a
hazy day, the mountains really do look blue on a good day and the sky is such
a bright blue it would seem to be photo shopped.

Imagine the force needed to split this gigantic rock, (about the size of a
three story building) probably struck by lightning we guessed.



The three photos above are just a sample of how wonderful the countryside
looks around this area at present.

The sign say's it all, I don't think I need add anything.

Wazza and my old mate A B (Banjo) Paterson, this was at the site of Banjo's
birth at an old mill just outside the rural City of Orange in NSW.

In the park adjoining the information centre there is another monument
to Banjo


There are very good botanical gardens at Orange, shown here is apple blossom.

A sample of the many acacia (wattle) trees that are on display at the gardens.

Set among rolling green lawns its a lovely shady cool and pretty site.

Orange has a cold winter climate so there are quite a lot of deciduous
trees and a little "Fall" colour.

In the main though it features our ever present Gums and wattles.

We liked the signs at either end of the town of Murrurundi


Werris Creek is a small railway town, there are five of these figures
which are made of thousands of 6 to 10 inch long lengths of 5/8 inch
round stainless steel, like this one, operating the "gates" they all have a
railways theme. (they stand about 10 to 12 feet tall)

Still more photos of Sydney.

If you are lucky you will get to visit Sydney sometime.


If you are Really lucky you will see this amazing sight as your plane comes in
to land.

If on the other hand your visit is on an overseas liner you will get off the ship
here, only metres from one of the world's most exciting Cities.

Sydney is built around one of the world's most beautiful harbours, it follows
that the homes of city's "well off" will be based around this harbour.

It also follows that there will be a huge flotilla of very expensive boats
based here for the wealthy to play on.

There will be a need for these peoples children to be suitably educated
and private schools such as this are admirably suitable to do that.

For those of us who fit the more regular mould this vehicle offers an
economical and fun way to see the ciy sights, You can hop on and off
as often as you like to have a look at the sights and there is a pretty
good commentary as you travel.

I can't recall what some of these buildings were but they make interesting
photos, so who cares.

Same comment as above but look at those sculptured figures!!!!

The imposing State Library building

The ANZAC memorial shrine located in Hyde Park, there is a remembrance
service here every morning at 11 am

I think this was St. Andrews?, a magnificent building anyway.

The Sydney Casino located at Darling Harbour.

A suitable introduction to "The Rocks" area, in the shadows of the Harbour
Bridge which was built overlooking this historic precinct.

Some of the typical terraced houses of the area have survived to
become exclusive office suites or doctors surgery's.

My favourite toilet in all of Sydney.... urinals only... sorry girls.

Even the warehouses were built on the "terrace" basis.

A beautiful mural of an early Quay area (which is only a few metres away from
here anyway).

This photo must contain every geometric shape known to man, and a lovely
mural of the opera house too.

More of the lovely old terrace houses.

When I was only a boy growing up in Melbourne these huge cast-iron
mailboxes were everywhere, now very much a rarity.

The very gracious Queen Victoria Arcade, claimed by many to rank among
the finest shopping arcades in the world.

The leadlight windows shown on the previous photo, this time from within.

There is a simply beautiful hanging clock here, it is enormous and has scenes
depicting Australia's early history around the four sides as well as an
hourly chime activated by a little man pulling on a rope

The arcade is built on three levels and is home to some very exclusive little
shops and galleries, many opening by appointment only.
My only regret about this magnificent building is that I didn't take any
photos specifically of the floor tiling, this is a work of art in its own right,
please enbiggen this photo to get some ides of the detail contained.

Atop the whole length (which is considerable) of the building runs
this beautiful glassed domed roof, complete with the central dome shown below.

Short of lying on my back and getting trampled by the hordes (which I know
you didn't want to happen) this was as good as I was able to get of the dome.

Something not to be missed when you visit Sydney..........
The Queen Victoria Shopping Arcade. opposite the Town Hall and easily
visited by getting of the underground rail at "Town Hall" station.