GUT2407

We need to keep each day short and probably not till October, thinking about three days up to Lismore to see her dad, then back via Dubbo over about two weeks.

One day we ran into a waiter in a shop in NZ (after over a month we had got to know him pretty well) he asked for some help to work out what money he needed to use, he had so man6 different currencies it was no wonder he was confused. Aus$ NZ$ Us$ € £ Yen Lira and about a dozen I didn’t recognise.

This went into the account we paid from. Dr says she thinks “No more cruises” but hope springs eternal. The money is earmarked for a road trip letter in the year, no more than about 150km a day and a few two night stays. (Might turn it into a pie hunters trip). At least on a road trip I can take Maxy along.

If you pass through Merriwa the mint lamb pie is absolutely delicious.

Ross bakery is, in my opinion, even better.

Well, pulled the pin on my last cruise. Did it on Monday, was a little surprised by questions as to why. But pleasantly surprised to get the money in my account today.

And staff here are paid a pretty good wage. Minimum adult wage is Australia is around $20 per hour, no $2 per hour and hope tips make up the difference, but you might get a bit of sticker shock at menu prices. I often round up for great service, but part of me wonders if that is so I don’t end up with as many coins to cart around. Unfortunately some will hear the accent and expect a tip, they have been conditioned by your countrymen who just have to tip, especially in tourist areas.

I expect one day to find Brocolli in one of their cakes. The one on the Highway, or the one in Greenhills itself?

Ouch? Been coming down, maybe turn your van into a pool

Bet it was Baker’s Cottage?

For once in my life I was being serious. There were reports of a house fire in your vicinity the other night. But they do say you have better odds of winning lotto than your house being hit by lightening. So maybe I should buy a ticket this week.

I had my 15,155th Valentine’s Day on Tuesday.

I must disagree, a scone at brekkie can be wonderful, and of course a bikkie at brekkie is a right treat.

Hope that house fire the other day wasn’t too close to you

Let’s just put it this way out of all the people on this site, there are a small handful that could reach me off line, Gbenjo is one of them, and at one point when I was at my lowest physically and emotionally one of the first calls I got came from him.

Totally agree, but why all the full stops? It’s a word not an acronym.

But who the heck do you ring. (if you aren’t cruising Celebrity etc)

Without the commentary (often pre recorded) it doesn’t actually qualify under Australian Tax law.

Be aware that the Ghan and IP are expensive, when we did our circumnavigation of Aus and NZ cruis8ng Syd to Perth and train back was about 20 days but cost a few thousand more than the 33 day cruise.

Thanks all. Things are going pretty smoothly so far. all the retiring done, some minor paint8ng hopefully next week. Went shopping today for quotes on the contents tha5 need replac8ng. Now that was scary, I was expecting 6 or 7 K, yeah sure, about double that. One lift chair in a couple of years went from 2k to nearly 4, they don’t make our mattress anymore but the nearest is 2 grand more than we paid. So make sure you have enough contents cover on your insurance.

That is a hard question, we have cruised with a few if you are a regular NCL cruiser probably stick with them, for us firs5 pick has usually been Princess and Celebrity, but enjoyed NCL too (only done one with them but it was fine)

My suggestion is usually consider flying to NZ, spend a few days, then cruise to Australia (probably Sydney) spend a few days, then fly home. (Or into Syd out of NZ) try t9 get a cruise that includes Hobart and Melbourne.

You say a “cruise to Australia” from where? Most ships come to Australia in October. O4 are you planning on flying to Australia and are interested in a local cruise.

But it is well known that I am scared of neither man nor beast except for herself.

Been one since new, just doesn’t do a thing for the tv antenna.