I know, this might not really fit the theme of the bushwalking theme there was lots of walking and there was one epic cache.
The beloved was on one of her other side of the planet adventures so I had time for one of my eeensie weensie get aways. Love my airplanes and the new Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel had a spotters package so yours truly stepped up for a little escape. Lets lash out, and include a train trip, that way, I will avoid the outragious airport parking fees, that even with the airport's discounts, are from a different planet.
Set sail from Canberra on a Public Holiday Monday. There was not a spare seat ont the train. My neighbour spent the trip coughing and spluttering so I waiting to see whether I have caught what he had.
Let me join the chorus, it is outrageous what fares are charged from the city to the airport terminals.. $17 one way. How does encourage people? If I do this trip again, I have sussed out nearby train stations that avoid this travesty. After arrival around 17:00 and my jaw dropping into the permanently openned position, due to the room views, I finally managed to drag myself away to the international terminal to soak up the environment. I just love the vibe of airports, the tangible excitement of the travellers. Grabbed myself some Nandos and then went back to my rom where I had my nose pressed firmly against the window until beddy bo bo's time. AND what a beddy bo bo's time that was. I can't remember such a comfortable bed ! Perfect.
Up before dawn, nose pressed against the window to watch the early morning arrivals. Fantastic dawn. Then down to the equally stunning buffet breakfast. I had checked the weather forcast and the next day was going to be wet and ordinary so I had planned on doing one geocache near Manly so me thought, today was my chance. I walked to Mascot to avoid the stupid airport surcharge and caught the train into the city. Then followed a Manly Fast Ferry trip to ..... funnily enough - Manly. Turning on the GPS led to a little surprise. The what I thought would be a 1 km ish walk turned out to be a 3.2K as the African Swallow flies hike. The reason for the Monty Python references is because...... it was Monty Python inspired cache. And the 3.2k hike was not what one could call flat! It was up and down steep hills and how glad I was when the GPS signaled I had arrived.
There followed a beaut adventure with many MP inspired giggles. The cache involved some MP inspired adventures and when time came to find the prize. there was a surreal sunbeam shining down through the trees (shrubbery) and was glistening on the actual cache itself. Wow, but then I needed to return to the Manly Ferry terminal. I was quite dehydrated by then but it was wonderful to be refreshed by the sea breezes on the top-deck of the ferry as it returned to the Quay. When I got to the hotel, the first beer did not touch the sides.
The next day proved that weather forecasters are on the ball. Grey old drizzly day. I caught the airport shuttle to Domestic, found the viewing area closed and then thought I would hike back. Bad idea. I got soaked (but I did find the COMCAR meeting place and saw a driver I had met in Sydney during G20). During a dryer bit, I did go to the Hotel's rooftop viewing area and grabbed some happy snaps. Headache was beginning to set in (thanks train neighbour) so an early night was called for.
Another beaut buffet breakfast and then back into the city for the train-trip home. THe train is more comfortable than the bus ( I went 1st Class) but jeepers, it is not quick!
The beloved was on one of her other side of the planet adventures so I had time for one of my eeensie weensie get aways. Love my airplanes and the new Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel had a spotters package so yours truly stepped up for a little escape. Lets lash out, and include a train trip, that way, I will avoid the outragious airport parking fees, that even with the airport's discounts, are from a different planet.
Set sail from Canberra on a Public Holiday Monday. There was not a spare seat ont the train. My neighbour spent the trip coughing and spluttering so I waiting to see whether I have caught what he had.
Let me join the chorus, it is outrageous what fares are charged from the city to the airport terminals.. $17 one way. How does encourage people? If I do this trip again, I have sussed out nearby train stations that avoid this travesty. After arrival around 17:00 and my jaw dropping into the permanently openned position, due to the room views, I finally managed to drag myself away to the international terminal to soak up the environment. I just love the vibe of airports, the tangible excitement of the travellers. Grabbed myself some Nandos and then went back to my rom where I had my nose pressed firmly against the window until beddy bo bo's time. AND what a beddy bo bo's time that was. I can't remember such a comfortable bed ! Perfect.
Up before dawn, nose pressed against the window to watch the early morning arrivals. Fantastic dawn. Then down to the equally stunning buffet breakfast. I had checked the weather forcast and the next day was going to be wet and ordinary so I had planned on doing one geocache near Manly so me thought, today was my chance. I walked to Mascot to avoid the stupid airport surcharge and caught the train into the city. Then followed a Manly Fast Ferry trip to ..... funnily enough - Manly. Turning on the GPS led to a little surprise. The what I thought would be a 1 km ish walk turned out to be a 3.2K as the African Swallow flies hike. The reason for the Monty Python references is because...... it was Monty Python inspired cache. And the 3.2k hike was not what one could call flat! It was up and down steep hills and how glad I was when the GPS signaled I had arrived.
There followed a beaut adventure with many MP inspired giggles. The cache involved some MP inspired adventures and when time came to find the prize. there was a surreal sunbeam shining down through the trees (shrubbery) and was glistening on the actual cache itself. Wow, but then I needed to return to the Manly Ferry terminal. I was quite dehydrated by then but it was wonderful to be refreshed by the sea breezes on the top-deck of the ferry as it returned to the Quay. When I got to the hotel, the first beer did not touch the sides.
The next day proved that weather forecasters are on the ball. Grey old drizzly day. I caught the airport shuttle to Domestic, found the viewing area closed and then thought I would hike back. Bad idea. I got soaked (but I did find the COMCAR meeting place and saw a driver I had met in Sydney during G20). During a dryer bit, I did go to the Hotel's rooftop viewing area and grabbed some happy snaps. Headache was beginning to set in (thanks train neighbour) so an early night was called for.
Another beaut buffet breakfast and then back into the city for the train-trip home. THe train is more comfortable than the bus ( I went 1st Class) but jeepers, it is not quick!
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