AAPT- Around Aust by Public Transport 2021

 ..with uncertainty  We have been SOOOOO lucky regarding Covid borders/ lockdowns. Now all we wanted to do was to escape Sydney and get back to the ACT. We left the Vibe, masked- wasn't a bad place to stay I felt we were almost there when we arrived at Central. The station is still a bit disrupted while they complete the Sydney Metro. The Grand Concourse remains though- What a surprise when we went to get a coffee (knowing the quality of train coffee!). In the marble floor was a fantastic map of Australia- too big to get in one shot. I just couldn't resist! It was actually mapping the original rail lines across Australia. Safely on the train in 1st Class. Guess what? No different from Economy on this train. 3 carriages come to Canberra, two carriages split off at Goulburn and continue to Leeton. We were racing, mistakenly thinking we had to be in the ACT before 4pm to avoid having to isolate. Made it by a minute but it didn't matter. One had to leave Sydney by 4pm- well and...

 Penultimate day of our adventure so a totally self indulgent one- a day at NSW Art Gallery to see the Archibald 2021 and Archibald100 exhibitions. Booked times, masks and social distancing and we were set. I enjoyed this year as there were many and varied entries. The winner got there for many reasons but my choice remained Fozzie Says a lot about the man. The Sulman Prize I don't really get the requirements, or rather how the winner meets the criteria. My personal choice wasn't the winner- no surprise. Here's the actual winner although the oic looks better than the original! The Wynne Prize ( in broad terms, landscape) is always puzzling and this year is no exception. The winner Again the pic colours are much stronger- it is a quite pale work. My choice was Entitled Treasured Island". Having just lapped Australia, the detail of the work is 1st class- missed no corner of the island! A very engaging piece. These can all be seen on the gallery website. The A100 featured...

 Overcast and threatening, but we always look for the sun! Business first. Pleased to meet with Harry, our dear $ advisor, and get continuing good news.  I have to say Beresfords have lived up to their website for us. Proves it's good planning and not lots of $ that make the dream  Off walking  down through McMahon's Point, ferry to Maritime Museum...loitered . So many interesting buidings. One day I'll organise my collection of building photos,...or maybe not. Milsons Point across Lavender Bay- stacked! Work in progress- unusual. Called The Ribbon. Wonder what's inside. One of my faves- beautiful light. No respect for the man but the building is spectacular.  And last one here, at Barangaroo. No idea how far we walked but sure was tired. Watched the news to see how Covid restrictions are going. We are wearing masks anyway, no close or casual contact locations visited. Looks like we will make it. On that hopeful note ends the 68th day. We are indeed fortunate...

 We must be a bit tired. Woke late, stayed in late. No real plans so decided to take a new light rail to Randwick. After having watched the road disruptions over the years. Verdict: big tick. I can't believe the question about getting Stage 2 in Canberra over Capital Hill....this one goes over significant inclines in Surrey Hills. Enjoyed breakfast at Randwick, booked Art Gallery tickets,and made a brief visit to the local church. Curiousity satisfied. From the tram..a bright spot un a grey day The rain had really set in so we went to the movies in the hope the weather would improve for sunset and the Sydney Soltice at the Opera House. But no....as we waited in the cold...it was cancelled  Just too wet and windy. So we did a quick overview of progress around the Opera House renovations. Found a great visual of its construction history. There were many different screens. So, no sun, no solstice show, only thing to do was to retire to the Opera Bar- pleasant. On the way back alo...

 Is it wise to pause in Sydney with the current Covid  cases emerging? We tossed around just transiting but as our program had been built around the SSO subscription  concert (which we had already deferred twice) tonight, 19th June. Also we have another meeting appointment on Monday. We agreed to keep the same approach as we've had all the wsy round- care and compliance.   A short walk to the station, and a congenial guard. He advised to skip Hamilton and go to Newcastle interchange- no need to change platforms there. A mizzling run through many little stops in attractive Hunter countryside. I've made a collection of the station signs for later use. Who knows, I may do another photobook! Reminded us of our Portillo 32 stop train trip to Whitby Uk. One that I'll pursue is ..to find it's origins. HAMILTON is a significant name in our family history. The wind was absolutely blasting in Newcastle.  By the time we reached Hawkesbury it was pretty gloomy.  Howeve...

 Friday June 18th. Rest day!  I haven't commented much on our accommodation choices to date as that will be part of my summing up, but have to note this quaint architectural feature in Dungog. Open the door, lovely room, have had smaller.... But wait, where's the bathroom? Through the sliding mirror door! Dungog does feature some lovely historical buildings. This is also where my paternal grandmother was born and schooled. The Historical Society has a fantastic (and useful) museum. They have "blue plaqued" the whole main street. CWA have been here a while...   More pics on FB. The town could be one of those that dies a slow death but I think not. They have developed a MTB facility that has stimulated increased tourism. The guy who started bike repairs from his truck mow had a thriving in-premises business which includes sales. A beautiful old pub has been refurbished as accommodation; we were lucky to have a tiur through - sure gives new meaning to shared bathrooms. I...

 Farewell Coffs. XPT again - same conductor as from Brisbane, just a different sector. He said "Welcome back". 500gms over with my luggage, bah! We didn't book cases through, I can easily lift 20.5kgs! It was a curious route for travel interest. Only saw the sea for one fleeting moment. The first section was totally through sub-tropical forest- Sawtell, Urunga, then Nambucca Heads- lovely Pointsettias at the station Scenery became more interesting then. We were in dairy country, farms and cows. It seems to be recovering from the floods but damage still evident. Spotted a couple of temporary bridges- clearing well underway.  Through Macksville and it's great river, Then into family history territory- Wauchope, Telegraph Point, Taree. The mighty  Hastings River....flood prone. Taree station.. wrong side! But maybe this little house has some significance for my Dad- opposite the platform. Or was it a school? The track then turned west, via Wingham and Gloucester, through...