After running around Sydney for a couple of days, the weather turned crappy and we jumped on a train north up the coast to Gosford. We were off to visit some friends of mine, Lynsey & Rich, who I haven't seen for ages... 10years in fact, Lynsey assured me, by way of her birthday celebration we last enjoyed together! It's been a long time and a whole journey for both of us since we were together in Quito, Ecuador running the Arribar together. Crazy times.
Lynsey & Rich have been out in Australia for more years now and are well settled in Copacabana, Central Coast with their two bundles of energy, Hannah and Gemma.
Our first night there, we got stuck into some of our duty free, before we were picked up by the "Happy Bus" - a common occurrence in those parts, apparently, where the pub sends out a minibus to pick you up and later drops you home... so no one has to be the designated driver... and a good thing too!
We went out to the Empire Bay Tavern & Restaurant with Lynsey, Rich, and Rich's brother Ian, to help one of Rich's footie mates celebrate his birthday...
Lynsey (right) with a friend
Ian & Rich
After quite a few drinks we finally got around to getting some dinner... oh my... fantastic!! Some of the best food we've had in ages! Amazing pasta with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes (molten to the last bite!) and a steak that was out of this world!! We we talking about that meal for the rest of our trip!
Yummy!!
Tadd was really enjoying the variety of Aussie beers, after being in Fiji with only a couple of options.
... and some more beer... and more steak! Yum!!
Needless to say, things got a little silly.
The next day we were up early - thanks to the little whispering cherubs (not so quietly) who get up at 6ish every day... so we all piled out of the house for a walk to the beach at Copacabana.
The cool temperatures weren't stopping the locals from enjoying the sand or the waves.
Very nice... but so are all the beaches in the area (we found out).
We stopped off at the beachside cafe for a round of 2nd breakfast.
Hannah enjoying her chips and milkshake... before she knocked it over :-(
And Gemma did stop chattering long enough to scoff some chips too
Before long, the girls headed off with Uncle Ian to climb the monkey puzzle tree.
Back at the house, we finally got to meet some of the local wildlife... a far cry from sparrows and robins we get feeding at home!!
The girls were kind enough to correct us that these weren't parakeets but lorokeets... gorgeous anyway you call them.
We had been told the kookaburras were really friendly, and, in spite of their HUGE beaks, you could stroke them without getting nipped.
Tadd making friends
He really was very tame... and we did get to pet him.
Great pals!
Amidst playing with the girls... Tadd had time to make himself a hat!
Hmmm....!
Later we went for a driving tour of the area
The view back south along the coast
Gemma came along in her Flamenco dress
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