Travels to NSW - Nelsons Bay,Hunter Valley --- March 2014

Recently we travelled to Nelsons Bay around Newcastle, NSW for a (Wallabies from Malaysia) reunion - a gathering of old Wallabie football club members who all were in the RAAF and posted to Butterworth sometime from the 1970's to early 2000ish.

We meet at an Australian venue every three years to relive the glory rugby days and fun we all had whilst posted to RAAF Butterworth.

2014 reunion was held in Nelsons Bay and hosted by Ken and Chris Honeyset.  There was a large gathering of about 140 members and spouses, some travelling from Darwin, Townsville, Perth, Tasmania, South Australia, NZ but the bulk of the crowd were from the East coast of Australia.

Our Saturday night function was held at the Nelsons Bay Golf Club.  Throughout the evening a compilation power-point presentation flashed over a big screen of days gone by, also video productions of funs and games had in Malaysia.



Pictures of Wallabies at the Saturday night function

Wallabies cake - our colours



Jean, Margaret, Lorrie and Di

We were in Malaysia at the same time, late 70's - we played basketball and football together and were part of the invaluable "Chook cookers" (money raisers).  A lot of fun had together!

Jean, Deb and KG

The Cameron kids - Karen and partner, Sonia and husband and Daniel

Margaret and David S and Di W

Rodney and John (Stretch) Murray

Billy G and Noaksie

Betty and Lilly

Dave

Flo (standing), JC, Moorie and Jill W

 

It was wonderful to reunite with friends and relive all those fabulous times we had in our younger days.  In 2017, the next reunion is being held in Georgetown, Penang Island, Malaysia.

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The Hunter Valley Wine Trail

 

Back in the early 1980's, on our posting to Williamtown, NSW, some of our times were spent around the vineyards quaffing cask wine.  On this occasion we were able to sample some of the finer Hunter Valley wines in a bit more style.  We stayed a couple of days in the Valley,  hired a mini bus to chauffeur us around a few of the vineyards and cellar doors.

We visited Sobel Wines, Ivanhoe, Pooles Rock and Tyrells vineyards, Smelly Cheese, Vodka Distillery and we lunched in an old brewery, we got around....

 



Ivanhoe Vineyard

Red rose bush

Poole Rock vineyard - rose bushes are planted at the end of the rows to depict either a red wine or a white wine

Tyrell's Winery - this one in particular was an old haunt in days gone by.



Wolfie and Janis Heims

 

Kev Smith

At Nelsons vineyard, a boutique vineyard - it belonged to a friend of a friend

An unforgettable sunset


The view is what TC is pointing to ...

A sundowner at Nelsons Vineyard - Dave, TC, Waldie, Jean, Smithie and Betty

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We stopped at Tamworth to see my long lost cousin.  It had been over 30 years since we had seen one and other.  Judy and Gordon are managing a motel in the town.  We enjoyed some of the Tong's wonderful hospitality, reminisced and walked down memory lane.  It was great catching up!

Cousin Judy and Jean

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We had come across this place before and stumbled upon it again on this occasion.  We were driving from Tamworth to the coast, going through the Guy Fawkes National Park and just before Grafton, the Nymbodia Inn.

 

 

Beautiful river views from the beer garden

Deck addition to house

The main structural area of the western-facing deck or Winter deck is finally completed. It has a lovely rustic feel in keeping with the rural theme. It's an area that has both interior and exterior access. It consists of a steel frame and a wooden floor and rails with aluminium stair treads and a concrete landing - Dave's solid trademark features.

Looking towards the sliding door into the house

A wooden bench area - wide enough for two people to lay upon or a comfortable seating area.  Some bright, comfy cushions will look nice there ... a later purchase.

Stairs leading from the concrete landing upstairs.  Later on the landing will be painted red.

Water tanks in relation to the deck.  The fibro cement wall will house the kitchen preparation area (to be completed when we return from the Tassie trip.)

A good view of the roof area, very tidily presented - insulation sandwiched between two pieces of zinculume.  It's called a Ritek roof.

Northern facing side

Courtyard or southern facing side.  The fibro cement area is where the barbecue and sink will be situated. 

 

Dave is very pleased with the finished product and very happy with the builder's job.

 

 Lizzi is also very  excited as she has her own little area upstairs so she can feel part of the household.