The summer sun didn’t appear today in New South Wales, as a rain storm settled into the area. Of course those of you who know me know how much I hate rain, but at least it was warm!
My camino-mate Aussie Will came to fetch me at the Westin this morning, and we drove up the coast to Newcastle. The weather didn’t deter us from a bite to eat at a sailing club at Lake Macquarie, one of the largest lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Will and I continue to argue about whether it’s a lake or a bay, since it’s salt water and tidal and has a cut-through to the ocean, but since it’s called a lake on the map, I’ll let that argument go.
Then we went for a walk along the sea at Mereweather Beach. There’s a newly constructed walkway honoring the ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corps) who served mostly in WWI. The path had lovely views of the ocean and the rocks below. And with the high surf there were even a few hardy soles out surfing. Newcastle is best known as a coal producing and shipping port. That business has declined in recent years, but the Chinese continue to be a huge export partner.
After a stop at the Apple Store (my phone camera suddenly stopped working, and the Genius Bar people were so very helpful — a case where the warranty makes sense — replacement phone provided and updated), we had a quiet evening watching the birds in Will’s yard. I’ve never considered myself a birder, but the variety and colors and sounds are mesmerizing. Rainbow lorikeets, galahs, rosellas, a kookaburra, and a sulphur crested cockatoo!
I was glad for a quiet meal at a home after a couple of nights of restaurants and even more to come. So we watched the birds and some tellie and hope for some clearer skies tomorrow.
Busch Gardens Bird Pavilion? They’re just the locals? Wow!
Wow!!!! Glad you had this recharge day with an old Camino pal!!!! Are you now a crazy bird lady?