Monday, March 22nd
FREDA: Sunday was a great day! We got up early again – to an absolutely gorgeous sunrise. We rented a “cute” Audi convertible and drove out west of Sydney into the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are about 75 miles west of Sydney. It is a combination of canyons and a rainforest that are an easy drive away so we decided that would make a great Sunday get-way from the City. It was beautiful drive – quite hot and I ended up with a sunburned neck.
So far the Australians we’ve met have been a friendly and relaxed group of people – I’ve never seen so many flip flops, even hiking/walking in the mountains. The guy at the rental car place was wearing a white long sleeved dress shirt, black slacks, and flip flops. (Jennifer, I know you’d fit in well here!) Everyone offers advice on things to do, places to see, etc. Mark forgot his tennis shoes and mentioned that to the clerk at the wine shop. The next thing I knew, we were at the Payless shoe store that the clerk (who had just talked Mark into a “lovely bottle of Australian Semillion” at $60 a bottle) recommended. Now doesn’t that sound like Mark! $34 tennis shoes and $60 wine!!!
I hate to admit it, but it’s taken us 3 days to finally feel normal and get over the jetlag. Last night we actually stayed up until 9 pm and woke up at 6 am this morning. The past couple of mornings we’ve been up about 5:30 and dead tired by 7 pm.
I showed Mark how to post, so he’s going to give it a whirl. Can’t wait to read his perspective on things!
Funny/different phrases:
Bottle Shop: Liquor Store (Freda picked up on this early on.)
Have a coffee: Get a cup of coffee
Resolve the contract: Settle up the bill (at the rental car agency)
MARK: I forgot to renew my driver’s license before we left, so when we got to the rental car agency they wouldn’t let me rent the car. Guess who got to be chauffeured around? The good part is the Audi was like driving a sports car through the mountains. Actually, I couldn’t stand not getting a chance behind the wheel so I drove back to Sydney. Driving on the left side and maneuvering the “round-abouts” was a little scary, or a “bit worrisome” as they would say. Freda said she loved the car, the way it “handled”, and the fact that the back seat is big enough for Abby and Molly. She just knows they’d love to ride around with the top down.
We can’t help but notice how similar the Aussie phrases are to what we heard in England. When we stopped for lunch at a quaint town in the mountains we wandered into an outdoor café that had just served a tour bus group. We commented to the waiter that it cleared out fast and she said that they were expecting only 10 people and 35 showed up. Being a Sunday they had only one cook in the kitchen and she said it was a “bit worrisome”. In America they would have expressed that situation a little more colorful, which I shouldn’t write here!
While we had the convertible we drove across the Sydney Bridge and looked at the city from the other side. The harbor is always busy and active with boats which make it fun to watch. On the way back over the bridge we drove through the toll booth designated for “toll tags” and saw the camera flash. They don’t have a “money collection” booth, rather all cars must have a toll tag or pay for the toll over the internet with-in 48 hours of using the toll-way. I can’t imagine this working in Louisiana. I’m still trying to figure out how to do it online myself and may have to break down and ask someone for help.
Final thoughts for the day:
STAY LEFT, when driving.
LOOK RIGHT, when walking across the street.
So far so good!
Mark and Freda's Wanderings 
Freda and Mark,
We miss ya’ll so much. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to pick up the phone and call you, Freda. And Mark, I’m missing my early mornings with Sammy! I was at Dad’s all last week so had no computer. We had the Peyton’s come in for the weekend for Sandy to order fabric for her client. I sent Katie’s pillow shams back with her and they are connecting on Tuesday. I think everything of Katie’s will finish for the weekend and so she is excited.
On a sad note, Linda Sciple died last Tuesday–maybe you knew that. You are probably gone at a good time. Bruce is having a Fox overload and very agitated about the health care vote on Sunday. I can’t say all the things he has called Nancy Pelosi.
We are so glad you are having a wonderful time. Loving your blog–feel like we are getting to go along with you. Any one remind you of Nan and Bobby?? Remember how it took her a few days to get adjusted also–sort of overdid the tablets that second day on the train.
Much love, Linda
Oh it definatley sounds like a place I would fit in very nicely! Maybe yall should ship me down there and I could meet up. And of course dad somehow finds a Payless on another continent. Next yall will be searching out a Lands End!
One thing I loved to do when I was in Europe was to write down funny quotes that I heard throughout the day. They can even be things yall say to each other. But they are good flashbacks for later!
Well keep having fun and I love you both.
We are both so glad you called!! It was wonderful to hear your voice–sounded like you were just over on Woodstock. I’m so glad you are having a great time. We just miss you.
Love, Linda