We've had a wonderful 12-days in Newcastle with the Barnard family. They have been great to be around and have treated us like family. We've played games, sang songs and "watched" Ruth and Andrew dance, (they go to dance lessons once a week). We've had an awesome opportunity to travel around to see many sights, and getting pretty good at riding public transportation. However, one day we got on a bus going the wrong direction and rode for about 15 minutes before figuring out it was going the wrong direction; we were on the wrong side of the street when we got on. We thought, "Ok, let's just ride the whole loop." (Great way to sight see!) At one point the driver stopped the bus and told us, "this is the end of the line". We told him what happened and asked what we needed to do. He said he takes a 20 minute break then starts the route over so we could just come back to that bus stop in 20 minutes and get back on. We were near a shopping center so Linda went looking around while David stayed and had a good conversation with the bus driver. To make a long story a bit shorter, he let us back on the bus without having to purchase another ticket, and then asked if we wanted 2 tickets to the "Sydney Royal Easter Show" which includes admission and all public transportation paid to and from Sydney. We gladly accepted not really knowing what it was. He said he was given the tickets but wasn't able to go. Well, we found out that the Sydney Royal Easter Show is pretty much a big state fair in Sydney. But, a couple of days later, we realized the dates for the Easter show is 26 Mar - 8 Apr; we're leaving this area on 20 Mar. So, we gave the tickets to our hosts and they are going to give them to someone who can use them.
On Sunday we took a 2 hour bus ride (in the right direction this time) to Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay. It was gorgeous! Here are a some pictures we took while there:
We hiked to the peak of that hill to get some awesome views - Tomaree Summit
Up we go!
Well worth the climb!
Time to shed the pant legs!
A treat after the climb
He's really laughing on the inside
Nelson Marina
Nelson lighthouse Tea Room
One of our favorite treats over here - Tea and scones with cream and jam
View from the lighthouse
Shoal Bay
It rained for about 5 minutes but we found protection under this tree
We worked Monday and Tuesday on a room in our host's house putting up insulation, sheetrock, and trimming out a closet.
We didn't work Wednesday so we took another bus ride, to the South this time, to check out "Caves Beach". On the return bus ride we got the same bus driver who gave us the Sydney tickets.
At the bus stop
Caves Beach - We were able to explore the caves since it was low tide
Colorful Crab
Lunch
Linda got a little wet on that one
Saying Goodbye to Anna and Liam
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