Farewell Party Week.

After my weekend in Sydney, and back in Newcastle the reality of my leaving Australia began to loom large. However, it seemed that my new friends in the Southern Hemisphere were not about to let me go without a leaving do or three.

First there was the last lunch at Souths League Club with Ray Walker, John Duggan and Peter Doyle.These  remarkable gentlemen have been stalwarts of my Tuesday lunchtimes since my arrival back in February. In Ray's case this tradition goes back to my first ever visit to Australia in 2002.

Ray Walker and Dr. John Duggan

They have forgotten more than I will ever know and still have a real grasp of domestic and world affairs. I have so enjoyed their stories, humour and above all their friendship....thank you chaps and I hope to see you again in the near future.

That evening we had a meal at The Bennett Hotel across the road from home (well, my recent home) with two of Jonesy's neighbours, Kaye and Margaret. We enjoyed our Chinese meal whilst chatting about my trip.

So to Wednesday, and the weather was warm and sunny after a coolish start, a typical Autumn day in Australia! I took the opportunity to get a cycle in and whilst heading onto the Foreshore I started chatting to a lady also cycling my way (well, not exactly in the same manner).

Newcastle/Stockton Ferry

It turned out she was a nurse and had been working at Ipswich Hospital in Suffolk for four years and living in the town of Woodbridge, Suffolk with her husband and children. What a small world this is in so many ways.

Christchurch Cathedral above Queens Wharf

In the ten years since I first set foot in Newcastle, I have never used the little ferry that crosses the Hunter River to Stockton. Today was the day to rectify this and I boarded with my bike for the five minute crossing. Stockton allows you to view Newcastle and Nobbys Head from a different perspective and with an easy to access cycle path I was able to speed (trundle) to the end of the jetty opposite Nobbys Head.

Ambitiously, I thought that I might cycle to the Stockton Bridge and then cross the river by road and cycle back through Mayfield and into Hamilton.

When I reached the bridge that spans the Hunter River a ride of about 5km, there didn't seem to be a cycle track and I didn't fancy trying to cross with trucks and cars whizzing past too close for comfort. I later found out that there is a safe path across the bridge between the two carriage ways but only accessible from underneath the bridge

Stockton Bridge shimmering in the distance.

I turned around and cycled back the way I had come and caught the ferry back to Queens Wharf. I did get some work done on the book that afternoon but the weather was too good to miss and who knew if that would be my last sunny day of the trip?

Wednesday night and it was Trivia Night at the Blackbutt Hotel with Team Clueless. I was going to miss these nights but I doubt if they will miss my brain cell as much! We couldn't repeat the feat of the previous week in finishing as winners but we were there or there about as usual.

Thursday's weather was cooler and dull and so my previous days actions seemed justified. Today I really got my head down to some work and am almost at the end of the book, just a few chapters to go. I hope that when it's published that some of you will buy it and read it! Keep looking for the blog to give you details please.

More friends at The Green Roof

Evening time and another gathering of dear friends. This time the venue was The Green Roof and I was joined by Denise, Janet and George, Renae, Alan, Ralph, Mara and of course Jonesy. Nice as these farewells are I'm not sure what they are doing to my weight loss regime!

Friday breakie crew at Cha Chas at The Junction.

Friday mornings had become an early start and out for a brisk walk with Jonesy and Colin. 5.45am is fine but since my first walk in February when it had been light and warm in the summer, it was now dark and chilly and Autumn. Regardless we walked and chatted (obviously not walking briskly enough) around Hamilton. As punishment for all those meals and for those still to come, Jonesy led us up and down the steps at Hamilton Railway Station a few times.

As usual we met up with Cookie, Jenny and Eadsey for breakfast at Cha Chas as some form of reward for our efforts. Good friends enjoying an early get together after some exercise and before a busy day at work.

There was no let up in the evening as I had been invited to dinner with Jonesy's ex next door neighbour Babe who I had known since 2002. Together with her daughter Natasha and good friends Gloria and Renae another excellent meal was provided. We toasted Babe's husband Gerry's memory, who we had so sadly lost last year and whom I was proud to have as a friend.

With Babe

With Gloria

With Natasha

Jonesy was at the office early as he had an appointment with a client and we met at The Alleyway Express for a $5 breakie. I put in an hour on the book before getting ready for an afternoon at the Races over at Broadmeadow Race Track.

Glenda had done her usual organising and galvanising of the troops for a Clueless day at the races. Managing to beg and borrow enough members passes to get us in for free, we had a great time. Michael  is probably the only one who has any real idea on the form of the runners, leaving the rest of us to bet relatively blindly. Dianne for example, bases her bets on the look of the horse (or is it the jockey?). Probably as good a method as any.I think it is important to set an amount you are prepared to lose and bet accordingly, that way you don't get sucked into the whole 'mug punter' scenario.

Clueless..at the races.

I'd bet on these two fine fillies anytime.

Trish, Les & Jonesy concentrating!

From the races we adjourned to the Bennett Hotel were we were joined by Katrina and Marcus, Stephen and Trudie and their son Toby. We moved into the restaurant and took over one corner where we enjoyed a fantastic evening of dining and laughter. I was presented with a 'Goodbye' card signed by all of Team Clueless, which was very touching and I could feel myself welling up as I tried to thank them all for their outstanding warmth and friendship. (The thought that they might be actually making sure that I left the country never even crossed my mind!). Brian and Sue gave me a musical bottle opener lest I go dry back home..thank you.

For my part I presented these dear friends with a 'Triffid' (Golden Trumpet Plant) to remember me by. It was agreed that Glenda would nurture this on behalf of the group. I just hope she keeps it away from young children and animals!

Thank you all.

It's a 'Triffid'

Bull Boy's won shouts Michael

Our evening was complete when Michael and Stephen discovered a Greyhound running in a televised race with the name of 'Bully Boy' and we all threw in $5 for a last bet. Incredibly, it won by a nostrils length and we won $40 each plus a sum to go into the Australian lottery for a chance to win the $70 million jackpot. (We didn't win but there you are). What a fantastic night with truly the most fantastic people. Thank you all, I'll miss you so much.