australia | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Coober Pedy Opal Mine

April 14, 2017 by David Herd

Incredible landscape

Coober Pedy Opal Mine

Coober Pedy Opal Mine, nowhere else in the world have I seen colours similar to outback Australia. Red earth, blackened trees and a beautiful blue sky.

I took three Japanese students, Yukako, Megumi & Noriko & travelled from the Gold Coast in Queensland, through Broken Hill NSW to Cooper Pedy on the first leg of our journey on the way to Uluru aka Ayers Rock.

Excitement

The girls started clapping wildly when they saw the kangaroo sign so you can imagine how excited they were when they saw a live one.

Here we are in Coober Pedy

You know when you are near the town when you see all the mounds of dirt & gravel.

OK, what are we waiting for?

Let’s go & check out this underground village.

My trusty Holden Commodore was our transport on our marathon journey all through the Australian Outback we traveled 7,300 kilometers which was around 82 hours behind the wheel.

Mini mountains everywhere

Coober Pedy is a town in northern South Australia, 846 km north of Adelaide. The 2011 census showed its population was 1,695 (953 males, 742 females, including 275 indigenous Australians). The town is sometimes referred to as the “opal capital of the world” due to the quantity of precious opals that are mined there.

Men at work

This was our first indication of work happening around the mines.

Coober Pedy Opal Mine

As you can clearly see not all the people live underground.

Opal capital of the World

There are quite a few opal shops, restaurants and a variety of accommodation ranging from four star to backpackers and caravan/camping areas.

Desert Cave Hotel

The hotel has rooms above ground and in underground caves, this relaxed hotel is a 14-minute walk from the Big Winch Lookout. For an excellent discount just book through THIS LINK.

Big Winch Lookout

The famous historic Big Winch Scenic Lookout with 360 degrees view of the town.

Is this Coober Pedy art?

To be honest with you I have no idea what it is. 🙂

On the other hand….

This may well be the brother of “Tin Man” from The Wizard of Oz. 🙂

On the subject of movies

This monster was apparently part of a movie set that has been abandoned and left here as a talking point.

We have finished the first stage of our Journey.

Next stop is Uluru aka Ayers Rock.

Thanks for visiting my Coober Pedy Opal Mine photo blog.

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Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Australian adventures

Great Ocean Road

Melbourne

Port Macquarie

Sydney landmarks

Australian seafood

Mr Wong

Remembering Melbas

Coober Pedy Opal Mine

Brisbane

My life in 2003

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Road Trip South Australia

April 13, 2017 by David Herd

Road trip with Japanese students.

Road Trip South Australia

Road Trip South Australia reminds me of the last frontier and the road trip I took in 2003. Three Japanese students, Yukako, Megumi & Noriko & I travelled from the Gold Coast in Queensland, through Broken Hill NSW to Coober Pedy in South Australia, a fascinating opal mining town where most of the population live in underground houses, then on to Ayers Rock and back home to the Gold Coast via Hervey Bay where we went whale watching. On our marathon journey all through the Australian Outback we traveled 7,300 kilometers which was around 82 hours behind the wheel.

The above photo is at Tenterfield on the New England Highway.

Peter Allen Motor Inn

This famous Australian singer son writer was born in Tenterfield. For a discounted room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Listen to Peter sing one of his famous songs about the Tenterfield sadler.

The first stage

Across NSW to South Australia.

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Our first day on the road, we will overnight in Broken Hill.

Trades Hall in Broken Hill.

The Trades Hall is Broken Hill’s most historically important building.

Broken Hill in outback NSW.

Broken Hill over 1,100 km (680 mi) west of Sydney and surrounded by semi-desert.

For a very good discount on a Broken Hill hotel just book through THIS LINK.

Typical outback building

In the 19th and early 20th century Broken Hill was home to a community of Afghans. Afghans worked as camel drivers in parts of outback Australia, and they made a significant contribution to economic growth when transport options were limited. The camel drivers formed the first sizeable Muslim communities in Australia, and in Broken Hill they left their mark in the form of the first mosque in NSW (1891).

Wilmington South Australia

Wilmington is a farming community, known for sheep, wheat and barley, but more recently for the planting of olive groves.

Road Trip South Australia, the general store

Wilmington is 305 kilometres north of the state capital, Adelaide.

This was at Byron Bay near the start of our journey.

Such lovely young girls, Noriko Megumi & Yukako. Thanks for visiting my Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia photo blog. Next stop is Coober Pedy.

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Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

March 28, 2017 by David Herd

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Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip seeing lots of friends & in particular caught up with Karen Greenwood an old girlfriend from 1991, 26 years ago. As you can see see still looks fantastic. 🙂 So many great memories came flooding back, it was certainly wonderful week Surfers Paradise. We are at Franks seafood cafe on Chevron Island.

Here we are 26 years ago.

I couldn’t resist posting this photo from 1991.

Melbas on the Park

I first visited this iconic bar on New Years Day 1982, 35 years ago. The reason I am so sure of the date is it was the day after my unforgettable NYE on Sydney harbour with my overloaded boat being showered by sky rockets.

First stop Kingscliff only a 40 minute drive.

Just a quick stop for a very good breakfast and some photos.

Breakfast at Kingscliff

The name of the cafe was Kettles On & the breakfast was excellent.

Miles of deserted beach at Kingscliff

Certainly an idealic place to live.

Kingscliff to Yamba

About a 2 hour drive to Yamba on the Clarence river, this is my first visit to this pleasant little coastal town.

The sea was angry that day my friends….

Many thanks to George Castanza. 🙂

Discounted room rates at Yamba through THIS LINK.

Mexican

Strangely Mexican food has never been on my list of favourites.

Mexican! That’s not a Mexican, this is a Mexican.

My apologies Pablo.

Yamba to Port Macquarie

A 3.5 hour drive with a stop at Grafton for a Maccas.

Old habits die hard…

Over the years I think I have stopped here at Grafton 20 times for a strawberry shake.

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip, Port Macquarie.

The mouth of the Hastings River in Port Macquarie.

Centre of town

Port has quite a large shopping centre & a population of 80,00 & growing rapidly.

Expected growth

A very popular area with a good climate and about a 4’5 hour drive to Sydney.

Port Macquarie to Gosford.

With a brief stop at Newcastle to say hi to my old mate Barry Madden.

Barry Madden

Barry & I worked together in the mid 90s with NRMA as financial planners.

The Settlers Tavern Gosford

A terrific T Bone at Settlers Tavern at 2 Hely Street, West Gosford. They have a great menu for a local pub, check it out on THIS LINK.

Early morning workout

It was a perfect Sunday morning for a workout for these rowers.

Gosford to Sydney

The final leg of my Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip.

Maroubra Beach

One of Sydney’s famous southern beaches.

Chaotic Coogee Beach.

Late afternoon & most people have gone home or to the pub. 🙂

For a great room rate in Coogee or anywhere in the world just book through THIS LINK.

Classic Australian pub picture

This is the Robin Hood hotel at Waverly, however years ago these fabulous pictures were found on most Aussie pubs.

It was a great drive down from from Surfers Paradise to Sydney stopping at Kingscliff, Yamba, Port Macquarie, Forster-Tuncurry, Gosford & Coogee. Also dropped into Maroubra which is a place I have not seen for over 50 years. Just click on the links to see my photo blogs.

Thanks for visiting my Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip photo blog.

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Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach

March 26, 2017 by David Herd

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney where on a sunny weekend thousands of people head for the pubs & restaurants as well as the famous beach.

Beach or the pool

Decisions decisions, the answer is whatever you prefer. 🙂

The pool & surf club are an iconic landmark

What a fabulous setting, absolutely breathtaking. Located right beside the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club.

The main attraction is the beautiful beach.

This is around 5pm so most of the crowd have gone home or to the pub.

Rock pool at northern end of Coogee Beach.

Late afternoon as the sun sinks in the west.

Copacabana or Coogee

Seeing the beach volley ball always reminds me of Copacabana where I have been lucky enough to visit 8 times between 1999 & 2010.

This is what brings the crowds

Magnificent Coogee Beach.

Wonderful views from these homes.

Can you imagine how much it would cost to live here?

The average Coogee home price is $2,627,000 for a house & $1,o39,500 for a condo. However these overlooking the ocean & beach would be double that.

Here are serviced apartments for rent.

Amazing location overlooking the beach, ideal for a long stay. Use THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.

Would you prefer to stay in a Dive?

Don’t be fooled by the name, the location is fantastic overlooking Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney. Book the Dive Hotel through THIS LINK.

Picnic in the park

Check out the seagulls waiting for some scraps. 🙂

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach BBQ

Cooking facilities are available here.

Coogee Bay Road

Lots of restaurants, cafes & flash cars.

Lots of sidewalk cafes

Plenty of places to eat in Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney.

Coogee Bay Road

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney.

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

As you can see the traffic is bumper to bumper & finding a car park is like winning the lottery.

Coogee Bay Hotel

One of the most famous hotels in Sydney and possibly the busiest.

Sunday afternoon session

Noisy and busy at the Coogee Bay Hotel.

Coogee Pavilion

Coogee Pavilion is a multi-storey dining destination created by Sydney hotel baron Justin Hemmes.

Surf club entrance at southern end of the beach

What a perfect day for taking photos.

Southern end of Coogee

Grand Pacific accommodation & the Barzura Cafe.

Coogee Crown Plaza

Sunday session at the Crown Plaza.

Crown Plaza is a great location

Great views over the beach from this excellent hotel, Use THIS LINK for a terrific discount on a room with a view.

The older side of Coogee

Many parts of Coogee are quite ancient as you can see, probably worth several million as a development site here in Arden Street.

This one is certainly worth preserving.

Not sure if it will be kept as a private residence or a guest house.

Overlooking Coogee Bay

As you can see Coogee is quite hilly.

Important safety message

When on the beach in Australia make sure you always use sun block-out, wear a hat & swim between the flags.

In recent years I have had many skin cancers removed, doctors tell me the damage was done many years ago before I turned 16 years of age. In those days we NEVER wore hats or used sun protection.

Things looked a little different in 1936

It was called Belmore Rd in 1930

Fabulous old photos.

How about 1905?

It certainly wasn’t Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach then. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney photo blog, before you leave please check out Maroubra Beach which is a few kms south of Coogee.

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Gosford Central Coast NSW

March 24, 2017 by David Herd

Gosford-Central-Coast-near-Sydney-Australia

Brisbane Water

Gosford Central Coast NSW is located on Brisbane Water just 80 km north of Sydney. Growing up in Sydney this area was where our family would spend our annual holidays.

Breakfast at Tommys Cafe at Gosford

Before driving to Coogee in Sydney I decided I needed a good breakfast.

Scrambled eggs & avocado

On Turkish toast of course. 🙂 TripAdvisor rate #6 of 101 Restaurants in Gosford.

A delightful spot in Gosford Central Coast NSW

I wish I could find Turkish bread in Thailand.

Perfect sunday morning in Gosford

From Gosford it’s just a short cruise to the magnificent Hawksbury River,

Starship Cruises

The “Lady Kendall” will take you on a 2.5 hour cruise for $37.

Gosford Sailing Club Club

Located on the foreshore of Brisbane Water. Check it out through THIS LINK.

Shooting some photos

I never go anywhere without my Canon. 🙂

A perfect place for a row.

Opposite the Leagues club.

Gosford Central Coast NSW Central Coast Stadium

The stadium has picturesque views over the Brisbane water.

Quality Inn the Willows

Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

The Settlers Tavern

A terrific T Bone have Settlers Tavern at 2 Hely Street, West Gosford. They have a great menu for a local pub, check it out on THIS LINK.

All the meals were excellent

My friend Geoff had the pasta & his ex fiance Nana ordered a huge meal of steak & seafood. Geoff is a regular visitor to Thailand, follow THIS LINK to see his 50th birthday party.

Time to head south to Sydney.

The last leg of my road trip is just a short drive south to Sydney along the Pacific Highway.

And here I am approaching the bridge.

It’s been a great drive down from from Surfers Paradise to Sydney stopping at Kingscliff, Yamba, Port Macquarie, Forster-Tuncurry, Gosford & Coogee. Also dropped into Maroubra which is a place I have not seen for over 50 years. Just click on the links to see my photo blogs.

Thanks for visiting my Gosford Central Coast NSW photo blog.

Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.

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Forster Tuncurry north coast

March 24, 2017 by David Herd

Arriving at Tuncurry

Forster Tuncurry north coast NSW was my first stop on the way from Port Macquarie to Sydney in March 2017. A population of over 18,000 people it is a holiday destination for many Sydney people who are only a 4 hour drive away.

Over the bridge to Forster

The bridge is 631 metres long and was built around 1956, prior to that it was a half hour ferry trip between the two towns.

View from Forster to Tuncurry

It is really a magnificent looking structure.

A fisherman & a pelican

Who is going to catch the first fish? My money is on the Pelican. 🙂

Up a lazy river……

There are so many places here you can go by boat.

A boating paradise.

More water than land around Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW.

Talking about boats….

This one is almost identical to the boat I owned in Sydney in the 80s. One of my most interesting experiences occurred on NYE 1981 on Sydney Harbour, follow THIS LINK for the story of THE GREAT ESCAPE.

The main St in Forster

As you can see the main street is nothing to get excited about.

Nice little coffee shop

I’m happy as long as I find a good coffee shop with the daily newspaper. 🙂

If you have the time take a cruise

Unfortunately I was heading south to Gosford so I didn’t have time for a cruise.

Cruise prices

Not too many alternatives here.

You could have fun on this boat

As long as your friends contributed to the fuel cost. 🙂

Forster Tuncurry north coast weather

An absolutely beautiful climate in Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW.

We always seem to come back to the bridge

No doubt it is the most memorable landmark in the area, and probably even the whole NSW coast.

Over the bridge & back to the highway.

Next stop Gosford, thanks for visiting my Forster Tuncurry mid north coast NSW photo blog.

For an excellent discount on your room rate in this area just book through THIS LINK.

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Yamba Clarence River NSW

March 22, 2017 by David Herd

Wonderful NSW coastal town

Yamba Clarence River NSW

Yamba Clarence River NSW Coast has a population of just over 6,000, which tends to triple in the holiday season. The economy is based on tourism & fishing. Yamba was my 2nd stop after leaving Surfers Paradise where I had spent a week catching up with friends.

Mathew Flinders was the first European to visit Yamba Bay in July 1799.

If you live in Yamba you gotta have a boat.

The fishing is wonderful all along the NSW Coast.

If you don’t have a boat…

Go to one of the seafood restaurants along the Clarence River.

Or buy fresh seafood here

Then sit in the park close by and enjoy it. 🙂

Or perhaps here

I really love those Sydney Rock oysters (double this price in Sydney) plus the fabulous prawns.

Here is the place to eat

A nice park overlooking the water is the perfect spot to polish off your prawns & oysters.

You can watch the waves rolling in

The surf was fairly rough today on March 10th 2017.

Beautiful deserted beach

Not quite deserted, I can see one person. 🙂

Moby Dick Motel

A good location on the waterfront, for a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Coffee or a tattoo?

Why not do both? 🙂

Yamba Clarence River NSW Coast

Yamba certainly has a nice friendly feel about it.

Another waterfront motel

You may like to compare room rates to the Moby Dick motel, just use THIS LINK for a great room rate.

Room with a view

When the Pacific Hotel in Yamba in northern New South Wales opened in 1934 it was lauded as “the most perfectly appointed place of all seaside resorts north of Sydney”.

The view from your room.

Eighty seven years later, the Art Deco pub still stands majestically overlooking her namesake in this town at the mouth of the Clarence River.

For a terrific room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Thanks for visiting my Yamba Clarence River NSW Coast photo blog. Next stop is Port Macquarie, check out the painted rock art by the river.

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Rio beach babes

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Sydney Harbour

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Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

March 20, 2017 by David Herd

Breakfast at Kingscliff

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW was my first stop after leaving Surfers Paradise where I had spent a week catching up with friends. My plan was to travel down the coast to Sydney stopping at various coastal towns on the way.

Kettles on

Very popular for breakfast as you can see.

Eggs Benedict for me.

Cooked to perfection. 🙂

Huge breakfast for my brother Ian.

There is nothing wrong with his appetite. 🙂

Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW

A fairly typical coastal town with lots of coffee shops, tourists & terrific beaches.

For instance

Miles & miles of surf & sand & deserted at 9am on Wednesday March 8th 2017.

Short walk from the beach to the shops

Kingscliff Northern Rivers Coast NSW is a tourist destination with a population of a little over 6,000 with beach and estuary access for swimming, surfing, fishing and all types of water sports.

Choppy surf today

Kingscliff is only 14 kms from Coolangatta airport.

Location

It’s obvious why Kingscliff is so popular given how close it is to the Gold Coast.

A beautiful day

Kingscliff by the beach.

Kingscliff estuary

A nice peaceful picnic area.

Picnic area beside the estuary.

Grab the morning paper & relax under the trees.

Time to hit the road & head south

I got an amazing deal on my hire car from Apex, 6 days hire and drop it off at Sydney airport for only $150, a special relocation deal.

Here we go

After an excellent breakfast I’m on the road again.

Hundreds of new townhouses

So many new homes, the demand is obviously here.

Other towns heading south.

All are nice little seaside villages, I may well wind up in this area when I return permanently to Australia in the next few years.

This was Chinderah on the way to Kingscliff.

One lazy pelican and Mount Warning in the distance.

The highway to Byron Bay.

I thought I would bypass Byron Bay and head for Yamba.

Road tunnel

Cutting through the hills.

Inside the tunnel

Lucky for me there is very little traffic.

Thanks for visiting my Kingscliff Northern Rivers NSW photo blog.

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Rio beach babes

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Sydney Harbour

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Kitchens Robina Town Centre

March 19, 2017 by David Herd

Fabulous Robina food court

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast is the largest and most expensive in QLD costing a whopping $160,000,000. Combining bars, cafes, restaurants along with 40 fresh food retailers. Spread over two levels it features eateries from local hospitality heavyweights such as the Honeyeater Kitchen from ex-Songbirds chef Trent Scarr, David Hayles’ Betty’s Burgers and James Brady’s Mr Pigs Bakehouse; alongside celebrity chef George Calombaris’ first Queensland restaurant, Jimmy Grants.

Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast

The whole place is quite spectacular, I will certainly visit again next time I’m on the coast.

Pure Meats

Butchers have come a long way since I grew up, I clearly remember them having sawdust on the floor. Here is an explanation from an old butcher explaining why;

When my Dad and I butchered, we used it as a safety enhancement and for ease of cleanup as was mentioned. No, we wouldn’t have meat on the floor, but it seemed as the floor would get slippery over time, and without sawdust, it was only a matter of time before someone would slip and it didn’t matter much what you had for footwear.

Often we wore cowboy boots as you basically stand for 8 to 14 hours at a time and it seemed easier on you, but as you can imagine they aren’t known for tractive abilities. If you are packing a 135# or so hind, you really want your feet to stay under you. We never would have worked without sawdust on the floor in the back, the front we left sawdust free but eventually it would make its way up there.

It is a pain though tracking sawdust all over the place, in your vehicle, etc.

Naturally the beef must be hung. 🙂

Why is meat hung you may well ask;

Meat hanging is a culinary process, used in beef ageing, that improves the flavor of meats by allowing the natural enzymes in the meat to break down the tissue through dry ageing. The process also allows the water in the meat to evaporate, thus concentrating the flavor.

Fish Lab by William Wu

Not only is this a good looking restaurant they also have a “drying room” next door. Follow THIS LINK for more about it.

The drying room

I have never seen anything like this before in a food court.

One of the many cafes

There is certainly lots of choices where to have a coffee here.

Too many coffee shops are never enough. 🙂

Not too sure if they are all making a living, and I’m guessing the rents are astronomical.

Such a feeling of space.

The high ceilings and open plan gives a feeling of space.

Spectacular roof at Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast

The architects have really done a great job here.

Lucky Luciano’s

I wonder if it’s a mafia hangout? 🙂

Woolworth’s for some serious shopping.

As you can see Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast caters for everything.

Farewell from Robina

Thanks for visiting my Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast photo blog.

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Holiday Inn

Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

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Great week Surfers Paradise Australia

March 18, 2017 by David Herd

Catching up with old friends March 2017

Great week Surfers Paradise Australia catching up with lots of old friends, here I am at Melbas with Michael Wood & Greg (Noodles) Craig. This was my first stop before driving south to Sydney via Kingscliff, Yamba, Port Macquarie, Forster, and Gosford.

Melbas on the Park

O’Malleys on Cavil Avenue

After Melbas we wandered down to O’Malleys to have a couple more drinks and watch the rugby league.

The view from O’Malleys

Overlooking the famous Surfers Paradise Beach.

Great week Surfers Paradise in Cavill Avenue, what a terrific poster.

That photo is always going to grab my attention. 🙂

The Avenue in a new location

The Avenue moved across the road to make way for a new property development.

Orchard Avenue Surfers Paradise

Certainly on of the most famous streets in Surfers Paradise.

Costa D’oro restaurant

I can remember eating at this restaurant over 35 years ago.

Corner of Orchard & the Gold Coast Highway

You can clearly see the light rail tracks that stretch from Helensvale to Broadbeach.

Certainly one of the highlights of my trip.

Caught up with Karen Greenwood an old girlfriend from 1991, 26 years ago. As you can see see still looks fantastic. 🙂 So many terrific memories came flooding back, it certainly made it a Great week Surfers Paradise Australia. We are at Franks seafood café on Chevron Island.

Here we are 26 years ago.

I could’t resist posting this photo from 1991.

Fabulous breakfast

Green Days restaurant on the corner of Bundall Rd & Ashmore Rd offer my favourite breakfast.

Green Days restaurant

It is difficult not to feel totally relaxed here. Open for lunch every day & dinner Friday & Saturday.

Two of my best friends

Ross Kennedy & Bryan Dart are two very old friends, we met for a few drinks at the Benowa Tavern.

Talking about old friends

Here are two of my oldest friends, both in years I have known them & years they have been on this planet. Tony Murphy aka Murph the surf & David Robertson aka Chocolates.