Early start to get some proper drinks in!
Distance: Bus, 520km
Total Distance: 11105km
We were up at 5:30am to get the bus out of Sydney. You'd think it would be so we could get out before the rush hour traffic. Actually it was so we could got get a drink!
We stopped off on the north side of the harbour bridge for a light breakfast of fruit juice and cereals. We took a few photos and watched some huge ships navigate their way under the bridge.
It took a few hours to get out of Sydney. We were heading for the Hunter Valley, a wine producing area north of the city. The landscape of brown grass and green trees was replaced by row upon row of grape vines recently harvested interrupted occasionally by wineries. We found ours beyond a wedding venue and a concert arena, a building on a small hill with two wings and elaborately carved doors.
Inside we were treated to a number of not very appetising wine- but I'm not much of a wine fan, so what do I know? It's alcohol, that's what I know. Hence I got a spot next to the spare glass. Who's a clever boy? I am! Hick!
Whoever decided to send a bunch of strangers who would soon ba a team on a mini booze up first thing was a genius. Light headed everyone soon got chatting with far more vigor than previously. We soon found our banter and prattled away on the bus.
We had a little stop at the First Fleet memorial. This commemorates the men who came on the first fleet (let's not mess about with the names, eh?) to colonise the country for the British Empire. Most of them were convicts, no longer able to be sent to North America after the War of Independence. The fleet landed on what is now Australia Day, Invasion Day to the aboriginal people, which seems a fair name. However the fleet didn't so much invade as nearly starve to death. The land couldn't support European...It would be saved by the Second Fleet which would arrive nearly two years later, bringing more convicts, food, and women. The Second Fleet didn't so so well during the voyage though. The first had cost around £140 per convict to the government. The second was sold out to a group of ex-slavers who promised to do the same journey for less than £40 per convict. They crammed the men in, keeping them chained up with minimal food and water. Around 1/3 died. Some suggest this was the idea-with fewer convicts making it to Australia the fleet had more food to trade at the new colony.
That evening we were staying at an old sheep shearing shed, now a rural events centre for weddings and tourist groups. Some of our group thought it odd to want to get married in a sheep shed. Welcome to the countryside! Here we had a display off sheep shearing and even a try at it. The sheep were all last seasons lambs rather than the ewes which should have all been shawn at the start of summer. This meant they were lighter-useful when the 3 guys in the group had to carry them up the steps into the shed. It was very interesting for those who've never seen this kind of work before. I grew up with it being done each summer at home. Yet I've never used an electric hand piece (basically big hair clippers), only shears (big scissors). So I had my turn and was declared "very good" and "a natural" in the somewhat surprised tones of our host. Got myself a new trade! 😎🐏🐑
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