The Philippine Attack On Port Stephens! (Finale)

26-04-2007

Well like a really great pork adobo, all good things must come to an end. Hmmm and like all great holidays, twas fine and sunny on this last day.

Look guys, blue sky. Is that the sun? I have forgotten what it looks like!

We were determined to make the most of it before we all left at 14.30 (thankfully we talked the Gina/Ron and Annabelle parts of our family to stay till the afternoon) and as such we hurriedly had breakfast (I had the pleasure of risking poisoning everyone by cooking it).
Gina and I had the right idea, racking off to Salamander Bay shops again while the rest were left behind to pack up the tents/food/bedding/etc. :-)

Everyone should have a best mate like Gina!
One of those people who who know that fun should be had at every possible time. Something many out here seem to not comprehend.
Here we see her modelling a ice cream container - its a trend that hasn't caught on yet.

On our return we found a nice clear camp site (thanks Ning, Ron and Annabelle) and we were soon on our way to Shoal Bay beach for the kids to have a swim and us to chat before lunch.

Shoal Bay shops!

Shoal Bay beach!!

The improvement in weather certainly brought out the human race in droves. Parking was instantly harder and societies human vermin examples occasionally contended with.

Gina daydreaming about winning Lotto!

Dangerous water conditions had us move back around to a more sheltered position near the Mt Tomorree walk again. While this is a nicer spot for lunch, it is situated near a mental hospital (or similar) and the patients are sometimes let out for air.
While this is not bad in itself, the sight of two old blokes pashing each other vigorously was almost, ALMOST enough to put us off our adobo. The Colonel would have been most impressed. Sadly thought, they stopped and walked off together before I could get a photo. Perhaps they went back to the taller guys room for some, ahhhmmmm, loving.
OH GOD - THINK I AM ABOUT TO LOOSE MY LUNCH!

A Kookaburra!

Anyway after lunch, some shots around the beach and a very friendly Kookaburra, it was time to head for points south.

The same Kookaburra, but this time not a bum shot!

The convoy set sail again just after 14.30, separating at Hexham as Ning and myself were heading off to Maitland (shopping) and the Neath Hotel (dinner).

Finally some sun - now its water time!

Now it should be pointed out that the car was already packed to the rafters. Boot couldn't fit an ant, while the kids even had stuff on their laps. Still Ning went on a spending spree in Maitland at 'The Warehouse', leaving us to find more room for a rice cooker, milkshake maker and some DVDs.
Finally after prising her from 'The Warehouse' where supposedly "Everyone gets a bargain", I had the pleasure of catching up with my great mate Nathan at the, now, infamous gunzel bridge in Maitland. The asawa had given permission for a bit of train photography time before dinner.
A few train later and we were off to Neath, via Farley due to floods, where our fave hotel put on a beautiful rump steak and "George The Ghost" did his bit with a Coke can to prove his existence to a disbelieving Ning!

It was a long and dark trip home, and despite our best efforts we were unable to make a sighting of the famous Kearsley Moose.

Twas our first trip away with the extended Philo family and a great time, despite the occasional spousal nagging. I for one am looking forward to the next one................

Every foamer needs a little dribbling time!
So it was I stopped at the gunzel bridge in Maitland for some choo choos with me mate Nathan.
5009 5008 are seen passing on an up coal!