Sydney Visit

Friday 23^rd Kristin finished her Sydney based “Conflict and Negotiations Executive Management course” at the Australian Graduate Management School. Hopeful to have learnt some tactics for the future!

Kristin met up with Johan (who works at Volvo Truck Corporation in Gothenburg) who arrived to Sydney the same day, for an afterwork at the Sydney Opera House Terrace. Johan brought two very valuable gifts with him. A Hallands Fläder, (drinks for midsummer) and some Swedish candy!

Patrik flew down from Brisbane, and the three of us enjoyed an Italian Dinner at the Rocks (Sydney’s oldest part). A number of historical pub visits at the Rocks followed…

Hunter Valley

On saturday the 24^th we left “the Russels” hotel in the Rocks for a trip to Hunter valley. Our rental car, (again a Toyota Corolla) and a number of guide books led the way to the vineyards.

McGuigan was the first stop, where we not only enjoyed the wine but also the Cheese from the company’s own cheese factory.

Tyrrell’s was our next stop and at this vineyard we got the full tour of the manufacturing facilities and the cellar where large oak barrels (imported from France and America) held the wine for aging. The French oak barrels are VERY expensive for Australian wine manufacturers! But they are the best in the world. Tyrrell’s was well known for its Semillon, of which we got to taste the 1997, 1999 and 2005 (couldn’t try the 1989). Their Tawny (brown port wine) was very interesting. Yummy!

Rosemont Estate was our next quick stop, unfortunately not very impressive but the house was beautiful. We had an excellent lunch at McWilliams vineyard with fresh homemade pasta and we tried the Elisabeth Chardonnay, which was pretty good!

Next stop was the well known Lindemans vineyard. They had a fudge shop, much to Kristin’s delight! We only tried the Hunter valley wines at Lindemans, who produce wine all over Australia…

Time was running out and we wanted to manage at least one stop in the Upper Hunter Valley before closing. Realizing that the distance between the Lower and Upper Hunter is quite vast (75km) we had to leave in a hurry!

The way between the two wine areas was a surprisingly flat, dry, yellow and uninhabited, but on entering the Upper Hunter Valley the landscape became green again. Arrowfield winery in Upper Hunter Valley was our final stop for the day.

An old woman and her horse welcomed us at the B&B Wolley Fenn, in the middle of nowhere. The place was crowded with wild Kangeroos.

Blue Mountains

On Sunday the 25^th our destination was Blue Mountains before leaving the car at the airport. It is a long drive so we had to leave early. Going south from Hunter valley on “Putty Road”, we drove past large coal mining areas. They build their own mountains…

The Putty Road was very winding, quite a challenge to our Toyota. But the views where fantastic. We climbed a number of mountain tops on our way through New South Wales hinterland before arriving in the Blue Mountains.

We enjoyed many fantastic views this day, and maybe most worth to mention are the three sisters in Katoomba.
After a walk in the mountains we made our way to Wentworth falls, and the old post office for lunch. We have been very proud of our driving lately, but Patrik had a bump when he parked the car at a lookout spot in the mountains so we where a bit nervous when handing back the car at Sydney airport. However, we where ok. Luckily enough, the rental car guy didn’t seem to be concerned about a slightly dented number plate.

Cyclone Larry

Weather is different down here. Cyclones are not unusual in theses areas. Cyclone Larry which hit northern Queensland last week was although extreme. It has destroyed both houses and vegetation in a large area of Northern Queensland.

A rare picture of the devastation after Cyclone Larry

St Patricks Day

St Patricks Day is an Irish day of celebration.
Saint Patrick was the patron saint and national apostle of and is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. He is believed to have been born in the late fourth century and to have died on the 17 of March.
The Irish people across the world celebrate with parades, "wearing of the green," the Irish flags, music and songs, Irish food and drink.

Brisbane’s version of this parade went through the city on this Saturday. On its way through the city it passed our building. And of course we watched it. It was very much as the Cortège in Gothenburg. There were floats, marching bands, dancers and fire trucks.


Here is Patrik watching the parade.

Jolly green Irish.

One of the floats.

An old steam truck as the final number.

Afterwork!

The people in Brisbane are unaware of the happening we call Afterwork. When Patrik asked his workmates if they should have an Afterwork at Friday afternoon, they all looked at him wondering what the crazy Swedish guy meant.
Obviously the term doesn’t exist for Aussies. So Patrik had to explain the term and also that there is such things as Afterski and Afterbeach.

After a long lecture about the Afterwork they all agreed to go for one next Friday. Let’s see how it turns out.

Eumundi market

On Saturday we went to the market in Eumundi. Eumundi is 1,5 hours north of Brisbane on the way to Noosa. Eumundi had a very special animal life as well as a very interesting market. Camel where not strangers around here...
The Camels came to Australia to transport Australiens across the large desert areas on "calmel trains" and the military used to have a "camel pluton".

Kristin checking out the wildlife.

The market was full of wonderful flowers, sold by Queensland farmers.

Patrik found a exotic fruit smelling fruit sallad. It looked a bit like a corn with a green shell. Unfortunately we have not figured out the name of it yet, or how to eat it.


After the visit to the market we drove to Yarandina. A small town along the Bruce highway wich runs along the East coast of Queensland. Yarandina is known for its Gingerbread factory, but their gingerbreads look very different to our Swedish ones.

In Yarandina we found the most lovely Thai restaurant hidden away in the bushes.

The scallops where so wonderful we just had to take a picture to show you!

The Thai restaurant had its own cooking school, their own pond with lisards, eals, tortoises, and other wild animals. It was almost as the lisard was waiting for food. Coming up very close to our table.

A Water dragon enjoying a nice day in Sunshine coast hinterland.