alafloat : Change of Plan

Hi Everyone

Now astonishing breaking news Noreen and I did not manage to get to Papua New Guinea!!! It would appear that Noreen is an undesirable alien who the PNG government would not allow into the country(( Ok who dropped us in it telling them that Noreen and I were the leaders of a coupe and Noreen had ambitions of becoming the Queen of PNG,)) The reason wasn't quite that Bizarre but almost, Noreen only had 5months and 2weeks left on her passport and apparently the PNG rules say you must have 6 months. Anyway the outcome was,, we didn't get on the boat. As seasoned travellers we know the futility of arguing with any sort of beuocratic red tape, to retain your sanity and get on with life just walk away and get on with the rest of the trip. My dads quote "a good soldier never looks behind him, only ahead.
It was only right that Mary and Roger continued with the cruise, having looked after us two for the past six weeks they looked as if they needed a good rest??? luckily we had gone to the ship by car and Roger had put it in secure parking ready for the return journey he soon arranged for me to collect it and drive us back to Runaway Bay. We then had to decide what to do next, On one of our previous visits we attempted to get to the Blue Mountains but couldn't go because of ranging bush fires -, So that was it we have just completed a 7day, 1242 mile round trip to a town called KATOOMBA in the Blue Mountains this time it wasn't on fire just the opposite. They say to see the mountains, waterfalls, rain forest, and spectacular rock formations at their best you should do it in the rain, WE did thats not quite true the weather was damp and the day we walked the rain forest it did rain. but to see the mist below you creeping through the valley bottom is quite awesome, We decided to go Ausie B&B as it was a long drive we did a overnight at a place we knew from previous trips and stopped at Port Macquarie great little place staying over night at the Hastings Valley Motel I can recommend it everything you need for an overnighter, our accommodation in Katoomba was just as good staying at the Blue Mountains Heritage Motel opposite Aldi and the YHA you can see by the location it was cheep However we could not have been looked after better if we had gone 5 star the breakfast was huge the rooms very comfortable also within walking distance of some of the best walks and views in the mountains. Anyone who is a camera enthusiast its such a wonderful experience three days walking 223 Pics You say WHY! I reply because I can??????? a walk stated as 2 hours would normally take us three because of my constant stopping Noreen says she is fed up of me say "look at that"" each to there own
We had a great few days had a wonderful experience, met some great people from all over the globe including a couple from Manchester (Gorton) funny the people you meet. The visit was well worth the drive and it gets another tick on our TO DO LIST.
We return a week today just enough time to get a bit of fishing in??

God Bless to All
Buggerlugs Downunder