An early morning check in at Adelaide railway station where you await introduction to the staff before boarding. A small but compact compartment (see pic) with banquette seating which will convert into the sleeping bunks. Large picture window. A door leading to a miniscule ‘bathroom’ with a fold down steel toilet (Flush and lift slowly back into position). A fold down steel washbasin with hot and cold water – water runs away when you fold back into position and the piece de resistance is the shower with a curtain to stop everything else getting wet – on a train! Only one small hitch – the seating was back to engine which I hate. So yes folks I maintained my reputation and changed compartments to next door which fortunately was empty and faced the engine. Then off to the Lounge for a Welcome drink of bubbly and a quick round robin introduction to our fellow travellers (the train is divided up into sections and we were Gold Class A). Time for a brief chat and then into lunch.
In the afternoon people drifted off to snooze or finish unpacking in the neat cupboards before dis-embarking at Broken Hill for a short tour of this unusual silver mining city built on top of the mother lode. The stunning shock was a picture painted by a local man over 2 years – floor to ceiling, 180’ width, 10 tons of paint etc etc but fantastically good (see pic) with a 3 dimensional feeling – and it is stuck in a back room of his brother’s souvenir shop. Returning to the train it was time for dinner where we met a group of 9 Australians,(Gwen was available at a very young 77) friends for many years who periodically get together to go on holiday even though they do not all live in the same place any more. They kindly included us in the group and we learnt so much about where we were and what we were seeing. This was vital as what we should have seen was brown scrub land with few cattle or sheep. What we did see was green and in some places quite lush because of the rains! Rivers we passed were brown torrents and apparently the effects of this rain will last many months and mean that more cattle and sheep can be grazed on the land than has been possible for quite a few years.
Finally, to bed and David, ever the gentleman, took the top bunk – up the ladder. This meant that I had the window, and when the lights went out the moonscape was fantastical. Through the night I watched distant properties and we passed through small townships with a few street lights marking their boundaries. Occasionally we stopped at industrial areas but there were no names and no people evident. The best thing was the stunning night sky full of stars and no light pollution. In the morning they came at 6.30 with coffee so we could go to the lounge and watch the dawn coming up over the hills forming the start of the Blue Mountains. From then until the Sydney suburbs was spectacular scenery. Altogether a memorable trip.
After our interesting but probably less than restful night we thankfully checked into our hotel back on The Rocks and – went shopping! We had 3 days of leisurely exploring, with a wonderful Sunday spent with the ex-Chief Exec of Scottish & Newcastle and his lovely wife – Tony and Chris – who welcomed us into their home in Double Bay (see pic for view from house) and took us out to Rose Bay for lunch. We took full advantage of Sydney Harbour ferries which are brilliant, culminating in a trip on our last day to Manly Beach for a swim in the surf (see pic). We also did a wonderful tour of the Opera House. Oh yes, David says I should mention that I changed the hotel room 3 times which he feels is a record even for us.
PLEASE NOTE – we were not responsible for the flooding in Melbourne, which happened days after we had left.
In the afternoon people drifted off to snooze or finish unpacking in the neat cupboards before dis-embarking at Broken Hill for a short tour of this unusual silver mining city built on top of the mother lode. The stunning shock was a picture painted by a local man over 2 years – floor to ceiling, 180’ width, 10 tons of paint etc etc but fantastically good (see pic) with a 3 dimensional feeling – and it is stuck in a back room of his brother’s souvenir shop. Returning to the train it was time for dinner where we met a group of 9 Australians,(Gwen was available at a very young 77) friends for many years who periodically get together to go on holiday even though they do not all live in the same place any more. They kindly included us in the group and we learnt so much about where we were and what we were seeing. This was vital as what we should have seen was brown scrub land with few cattle or sheep. What we did see was green and in some places quite lush because of the rains! Rivers we passed were brown torrents and apparently the effects of this rain will last many months and mean that more cattle and sheep can be grazed on the land than has been possible for quite a few years.
Finally, to bed and David, ever the gentleman, took the top bunk – up the ladder. This meant that I had the window, and when the lights went out the moonscape was fantastical. Through the night I watched distant properties and we passed through small townships with a few street lights marking their boundaries. Occasionally we stopped at industrial areas but there were no names and no people evident. The best thing was the stunning night sky full of stars and no light pollution. In the morning they came at 6.30 with coffee so we could go to the lounge and watch the dawn coming up over the hills forming the start of the Blue Mountains. From then until the Sydney suburbs was spectacular scenery. Altogether a memorable trip.
After our interesting but probably less than restful night we thankfully checked into our hotel back on The Rocks and – went shopping! We had 3 days of leisurely exploring, with a wonderful Sunday spent with the ex-Chief Exec of Scottish & Newcastle and his lovely wife – Tony and Chris – who welcomed us into their home in Double Bay (see pic for view from house) and took us out to Rose Bay for lunch. We took full advantage of Sydney Harbour ferries which are brilliant, culminating in a trip on our last day to Manly Beach for a swim in the surf (see pic). We also did a wonderful tour of the Opera House. Oh yes, David says I should mention that I changed the hotel room 3 times which he feels is a record even for us.
PLEASE NOTE – we were not responsible for the flooding in Melbourne, which happened days after we had left.
After a long absence (mainly due to an overwhelming sense of jealousy) I have again ventured back to the Listons on the go blog. This was a bad idea as the intrepid, yet luxuriating, travellers again allowed the green eyed monster to ambush me. :) I have to say though that I am a willing participant in the slide show marathon that I am hoping will happen when they finally decide to come home. David - thank you for less pictures of you in shorts. Linda - looking great! Talk again soon. :)
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