After a good night’s sleep we were woken by the dawn chorus of the noisiest birds in the world.    I was too sleepy to get out and take photographs thinking that tomorrow we have to be up early anyway so I’ll get piccies then!  But of course, tomorrow we will be up before the dawn chorus as we have to be at Newcastle Airport at 5:00 a.m.!

After breakfast Aunt took me to meet the neighbours.   A swallow greeted us from the overhead wires.

Welcome Swallow

Terry and his sister Marie introduced me to the swimming dogs.  They adore the water and use the pool more than their humans.  The fun part is jumping in and chasing after a ball.    They need no second invitation and use the pool at least four times a day!  Only in Australia!

Water Dogs

We then took a scenic drive to visit Colette’s niece Rose.  Her sister Mikki and her family were visiting from Perth.   Rose her partner Ross are in the process of fixing up a beautiful home with the most beautiful view over Lake Macquarie.   The garden attracts many birds too and we saw a Kookaburra but did not manage to get photographs

View over the Lake

Noisy Mynas (Soldier Birds) are seen everywhere

Ross is into vintage cars, boats and fishing so he and Earl had a lot to talk about.   He took us for a drive in his beautiful old Dodge.  I felt like the queen sitting in the back of this beautiful car.

Sam and his parents went first

Ross’s Pride and Joy

A Royal Ride

On our way home we stopped to take photographs of The Lake and to chat to a local fisherman.

A Boat comes out of the water

An Aussie Pelican gets a hand out

Silver Gull

We then went to Swansea Return Services League Club for lunch.  Everybody in Australia belongs to a ‘club’ where meals are served at a reduced rate to members and their guests. Every club has a casino – we decided not to gamble today!

We had prawn cutlets and chips – totally delicious

It was fun watching the bridge open for the tall yachts that needed to pass through.   Earl of course enjoyed all the water activities.  It was a bit windy today and quite rough on the lake.

Bridge Opening

On our way home we found a flotilla of black swans which are indigenous to Australia.    Unfortunately I had to shoot into the sun.

Black Swans

The swans were in front of this lovely Guest House

After this lovely outing we went home to rest and then went to Mass at 6 o’clock.  I was overwhelmed with the welcome I received from many of Leonie and Colette’s friends.   The priest was a hoot and gave a “Grinchy” explanation of how Christmas was not the most important Christian celebration.   He mentioned Madiba and prayed for the people of Africa who were in mourning for him while they also celebrated his life.   Leonie introduced me to him afterwards and I was touched that he remembered Mom with fondness.

It was a lovely end to a perfect day!

Tomorrow we are off to Melbourne and Tasmania  –  a weeks self-drive tour in each – hopefully I will be able to get internet connection to BLOG.