Newcastle

Another overnight Greyhound journey was briefly livened by the guys having to push the bus out of the Big Prawn Roadhouse at 3am but otherwise passing uneventfully. After going through Ballina and regretting not being able to drive to Rathdowney, Queensland, we find ourselves in Newcastle. Here on the main beach there’s a strange combination of surfers waiting on their boards to catch a wave and huge ships lining the horizon waiting to fill up with coal from the mile long trains loaded from the mines. We’re in the world’s biggest coal exporting area and also on the doorstep of the Hunter Valley an area famous for its Semillon and Shiraz wines. After a very pleasant day spent quaffing wines in various vineyards I confirmed that I like neither, however strangely I seemed to have developed a taste for 21yr old Port. Must be after effects of Coolangatta.
Last night we went to see Newcastle United Jets football team scrape a one nil win over a ten men Melbourne Victory, who are current A League leaders but played like the bottom end of the Vauxhall Division. Not really like being at a football match at all with bright sunshine, picnic areas behind the goals and no police. However the most noticeable difference between here and home was the referee’s warm up before the game. They trotted up and down the sideline solemnly, practising putting their arms up for offside and corners and didn’t even get slagged off by the crowd. Off to Sydney tomorrow which is bound to be the World’s Best Something as well.