Random
Well that was a random day, hence the title. We said goodbye to our pad in Sydney. It was cool and hip, even if we are more 'hip-replacement'.
We carted our cases along the street, into the tube, then eventually along another street to 'Jucy', our car hire.
As usual, with car hires, we signed away our lives, promising to be punished ever so severely if we got anything wrong or drove too fast. At regular intetvals, the Philipino woman who sorted the hire out, wagged an index finger at me and said "Be good, Stephen" (that's all anyone seems to say to me) We set off in our little car. We were determined to miss the toll roads. Partly because we don't really want to pay tolls and also because we wanted to take a more relaxed and interesting route. Within seconds of settling off, I realised that we hadn't ensured the toll-free route was on sat nav so we pulled over, only to shoot off seconds later when we saw the 'no stopping' sign. Seconds after that, we were plunged into a tunnel that went on for miles. Literally. We gave up all hope of rerouting and just followed the sat nav's commands. As it was, we had landed on the toll-free route so all was well in that respect.
The car was OK. It would have been better if it had brakes and air con. The car did actually claim to boast both these features. It just fell short of actually providing them. So, leaving plenty of room in front and winding the windows down, we sallied forth. Ironically, a lack of air con wouldn't have mattered up till now but suddenly it's started to feel all tropical. True, there were still regular outbreaks of rain, but it was hot rain. Layers came off. Kate even threatened to wear one of the dresses which has remained in her suitcase thus far.
We needed coffee. It was gone 11am. This is the wonderful thing about technology. You just write 'coffee' into your sat nav, then follow the thin blue line all the way to it. It delivered us to a shopping centre in a bit of a backwater called Gosford. Well off the beaten tourist trail. Random. Perfect.
We continued until our stomachs suggested a need for food. We turned off the road and ended up at the side of a huge lake. We attacked the rest of the meal we bought when we had lunch out in Sydney, yesterday. Delicious chicken and risotto which we just about managed to finish off this time, much to the fury of the local gull population. They didn't hide their disappointment.
Eventually we ended up at our destination of Newcastle. When we have mentioned to anyone Australian that we are stopping at Newcastle, they say "Why?" I suppose it's a good question. It feels very random. There is a vibe of affluence in days gone by. We are staying in a big old colonial style house. There are enormous shared spaces, kitted out with faded opulence. Every now and again, we see someone who says lots of words like 'yeah, perfect, awesome' and 'byoudiful' The street nearby is lined with second hand shops, but mainly either 'antiques' or retro clothing. There is a huge fridge in the main kitchen which is rammed with food. Who's is it? We have a small fridge in our room. Are there longer term guests here? The cry of "Hey man, who's eaten my endamame beans?" must be a regular one. The best thing is, there is also a full-size snooker table. Free, with no one using it! It all adds up to another random experience.
I had looked this venue up a few months ago as we are here on a Sunday and had the opportunity to go to church if there was one. There was. It was a Hillsong church. We've just been to it. They had an evening meeting and it was just an eight minute drive.
It was a brilliant meeting. About 80% of the church was about 30 years or more younger than us. At first it was like a rock concert but zeal and faith were very present and it was wonderful to be in Christian fellowship down under.
We have returned to our faded opulence, had marmalade sandwiches, a cuppa and a quick practice on the snooker table. (Me) I need the practice before seeing Ron and Joy in Brisbane when we eventually get there....
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