March 28 - A Little Road Trip

Last week we travelled from Sydney to Canberra and back.  Canberra is Australia’s capital city and is a great stop for any tourist.

Our trip began with a train ride to Wollongong.  We picked up our rental car at Unanderra and drove on to Kiama, Ulladulla, Mollymook and Bateman’s Bay.  I love the sound of some of those place names.

The road down the coast was scenic but it was our stops that were really great.  Kiama is famous for its blowhole.  It is here that the ocean water surges into a crevice in the rocks.  Because there isn’t enough space for the volume of water, the water then surges up in a mighty fountain-like cascade.  Quite spectacular - especially at high tide.

Our next stop was the beach at Mollymook where you can literally walk for miles at low tide.  We spent the night at Bateman’s Bay, a last stop before the highway turns inland toward Canberra.

I loved all the experiences of the day - the water spray at the blowhole, the sand under my feet at Mollymook and the crab pasta at the Stingray Restaurant at Bateman’s Bay.

I will write more about Canberra in my next post.  There are two pictures with this post today.  The first is at the Kiama Blowhole and the second is of the beach at Mollymook.

 

 

Kiama blowhole

 

Mollymook beach

 

 

 

 

March 19 - Morning Coffee

For the past three weeks I have enjoyed my morning coffee at the beach.  It is one of my favourite times of the day.

Lyle and I have been staying at a beach town an hour or so north of Sydney on the east coast of Australia.  Our holiday unit is just over a ten minute walk to the beach itself - and also to my favourite coffee shop.

Freestate Coffee is a very narrow shop.  All ordering is done inside a busy space. The tables and chairs are set up on the sidewalk outside. I like to take my coffee across the street where I can sit at the beach front and watch the waves.

My morning coffee stop has been made even more enjoyable because of the attentiveness of the coffee shop staff.  I think they may have noticed my “Low Vision” identity badge and began giving me special attention.  Generally they greet me by name, remember my coffee order, and are careful when placing the full take-away cup in my hand.  This recognition and special attention has been a great start to my day.

At home, I often enjoy coffee with friends in a variety of places, but these past three weeks have been special.

There is a photo with this post.  I am sitting on a low stone wall in front of
the sandy beach.  In the background the rising sun is just beginning to light up the waves.

 

Sue on the wall in front of the beach

 

 

March 10 - The Australian Reptile Park

This past week we had an amazing day at the Australian Reptile Park.  Of course, the best part was that we were there with our daughter and granddaughter, but also I was excited to be able to see and touch some of the animals.

One of our first stops was an informational talk about a few of the reptiles.  It was obvious that Ranger Laura loved her job, and because the crowd was relatively small she invited us to come forward for a closer look.  I stood at the rail beside Lexi and we patted the bumpy hide of a small alligator and the satiny skin of a python.  I was hesitant at first as I couldn’t see clearly and didn’t want to touch the head of either of these creatures.  However, Jenny and Laura guided my hand so that I could touch these reptiles safely.

Another amazing stop was at the koala enclosure. Jen had paid for a picture so we all trouped into the enclosure.  We were all able to pet the koala.  They have such soft fur - but also sharp claws.

At another enclosure I was excited to see two fat echidnas waddling close to the fence of their habitat.  On previous visits to the park, the echidnas had always been too far away for me to see.

I would highly recommend a visit to the park if you are in the area.  The Reptile Park is located just over an hour north of Sydney, close to Gosford.

There are three pictures with this post.  In the first picture I am standing beside a very cuddly koala.  The second picture shows Lexi patting an alligator.  In the third picture I am touching the satiny skin of the python.

 

 

Sue with Koala

Lexi petting an alligator

Sue touching a python

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 4 - Flying Blind

This past week, Lyle and I flew from Edmonton to Vancouver.  As usual, I registered as a legally blind passenger.  When I boarded the aircraft I was wearing my low vision badge and I used my white cane. Lyle’s seat had been changed to an exit row and I was now four rows back from him and on the other side of the aisle.  Essentially I was travelling alone.  I was mildly annoyed when I wasn’t given the required safety briefing but I didn’t complain.  The flight was already delayed by over an hour and I just wanted to get going.

We had a relatively uneventful flight over the mountains, but as we approached Vancouver Airport the trouble began.  We were flying in heavy rain on final approach to the runway with the flaps and wheels down. At about 300 feet above the ground the airplane suddenly lurched forward and the power surged.  Immediately the cabin lights were turned off.  The airplane veered crazily from side to side as we made an abrupt turn into the clouds. I felt as if we were out of control and I imagined that the pilots were struggling from flying visually to a sudden return to instrument flying conditions. We eventually regained altitude and went around for another approach.  This time we came in for a smooth landing.

Lyle and I have flown hundreds of times over the years, but for me this was the most frightening experience ever.  I was very concerned about a possible crash landing. I think that that day I wasn’t the only one flying blind. For that short period of time the two pilots on the flight deck were also flying blind. We all had a lucky escape.