Newcastle

I need to go back to Sydney very quickly. Another passenger told me that a Grand Prix sailboat event was taking place in Sydney this weekend. So, as we left Sydney harbor we were surrounded by sailboats.

Now to Newcastle. Yesterday focused on animals. Today included two gardens of flowers and fauna.

The Hunter Valley is known for its coal production, wineries and horse breeding. It also hosts both The Hunter Regional Botanic Gardens and Hunter Valley Gardens. This area is approximately 1 hour from Newcastle.

We began with the Regional Botanic Gardens. You know the tour might be a challenge when the first offering is mosquito spray. They were everywhere but the spray did the job. The garden is a fully volunteer operation. In spite of being rather small, they have done a wonderful job of displaying a variety of plants.

And then there were native plants.

A couple of intruders.

We headed for the Hunter Valley Gardens that was much bigger and much more formal.

As I walked out of the gardens, I looked across a nearby lake. I surprisingly saw a golf driving range with players launching balls into the lake. I was told that a big net rests on the bottom of the lake. At the end of the day, the staff raises the net and recovers the balls.

Finally, as we left the complex our little friends wished us well.

We are cruising the next two days so I will bounce back from Whitsunday.

Cheers and be a good boy and good night Joey.