Spring fever

It's all happening – the new travel brochures are being launched for 2010. Yesterday I joined the Insight Vacations people to have a lovely lunch at Pier Restaurant in Sydney's Rose Bay (divine seafood) and to hear what's on the menu for next year. Top news is the 'Select' program for independent minded travellers. Choose an orientation tour in each city or a range of 'Experience' packages. This is flexible and fun. More information from www.insightvacations.com

The picture here is of Brian and Wynne Eldridge, winners of the 2008 Get Up & Go award for most the adventurous traveller (60 years and over). Brian and Wynne are enjoying their prize trip to India. In the summer edition of the magazine (out end of December) we'll publish Brian's memories of this fantastic trip. What super troupers they are.

And something to ponder on this week: the Aussie dollar against the US$, buy a few bucks now - it's at an excellent rate. Buy while high, I say! And a trip to the US will be cheap, cheap, cheap.

This takes the cake!

I've been sorting through some photographs I've taken on my travels and came across his cake one. I have happy memories of these cakes. I was in Adelaide and had a day to spare before going off on a Captain Cook cruise on the Murray last November. I wandered around town to see what was new since my last visit. Saldechin is a splendid old bank building that has been converted into something special in the cafe/restaurant bar area. You can eat breakfast, lunch, cafe snacks, yum cha and an Asian Cajun dinner here. And in the afternoon enjoy these splendid little morsels with a choice of a sophisticated selection of tea available.

Adelaide is a foodie kind of town isn't it.

Saldechin is at 21 King William Street and you can see what's on offer at www.saldechin.com – and did I mention the martini bar there?

To the back of beyond

Just flown up from Sydney and at Brisbane airport waiting for a connection to Charleville. Heading for the Qld gateway to the outback for a couple of days and so looking forward to it. It's great to get out of the city and be in the middle of all that space.
I was watching as I went through security, second time today, as a fellow traveller was down on his knees, undoing his shoes, and stuck down there. Then he had to take off his belt - all par for the course I know but how about a couple of chairs for the older folk airports? Then again, how about remembering to wear slip-on shoes travellers ? You have been warned.
Looking out on the tarmac now and see a very small plane getting baggage loaded on to it - I think that's my transport! Off I go.

Dry July

Just had an excellent weekend at Coffs Coast on the north coast of NSW. Only 45 minutes by plane and you are in the lovely region of mountains, national parks, brilliant coastal beaches, charming hinterland towns and the main event is Coffs Harbour a burgeoning country coastal town. Good restaurants and cafes spread the love and coffee mets high expectations.

Sawtell was the location doe Saturday's Chilli Festival - al things hot and heavy. Lots of punters, and stalls selling the best of bottled heat.

This is the area to spend the winter holidays - not too hot, not too cold - just right!

State of Origin

Tonight's the night – again – for the State of Origin game. When I was in New Guinea a couple of weeks ago it was the lead up to the last big game. PNGers are State of Origin crazy - favourite team being the 'maroons', there are 'blues' and 'maroons' flags in the big supermarkets, adults and kids alike wear football jerseys, even if the shorts or pants are threadbare - the football top is de rigeur.

In Tufi, near the dive resort there's a large field that doubles as the airstrip and on Origin night, people come from far away (often a two-hour canoe paddle through the fjords) and settle on the grass for an open-air telecast. It's all a bit primitive but the sense of occasion is felt. And when the game is dine and the winners are celebrating, best not to gloat too much amid the PNG fans - it can get a bit hairy if your team is not part of the collective consensus.

Back on track

Well, the best laid plans . . .often go astray. I wasn't blog-savvy enough when I started this and during my trip to London and Scotland I tried to add material but just couldn't work it. Anyway back at the office now with the trip behind me and our clever Get Up & Go art director pointed out the simple way to get started again.

The trip was sensational and many of the folk on the bus tour were Get Up & Goers, mature, funny, well-travelled and ready for anything.

When I sort through my photos I'll download a couple to this site.

London: Economic woes? yes, but as the sun shone for three days in a row, the atmosphere was wonderful in the city and everyone came out to play in the sun. Deck chairs have been put out into Green Park for the sun worshippers. 

Newcastle-on-Tyne was the surprise. I expected a post-industrial drabness to greet us, but the city shines with hope and energy. It's a young city because of the university and there is obvious evidence of layers of fascinating history. But more about that in a future edition of Get Up & Go - and more about Scotland in my next blog - now that I know how to do it . . .

Leaving Scotland

Farwell to Scotland
It's been a quick wqeek as i travelled from Edinburgh to Glasgow, not the 35 mile trip across but by way of Inverness and the Isle of Skye. The Highlands are awesome, perfectly unadulterated, no signs, cables, advertising on the hillsides make it a clean sweep of mountains. Signposts are modest and discreet and all have a welcome attititude.
fave spots have been Rosslyn Chapel - no not because of the Da Vinci Code - I'd read about it before the book made such an inpact - Holy grail indeed, don't think it's buried in the chapel.
I've tasted haggis - not bad, drunk the coffee - pretty bad - met many Scots - great folk and flashed the plastic at a couple of shops.
More to tell later.
Off to London to see the Queen tomorrow.
Ed

Sunny Newcastle

Have just had a lovely day wandering around the Geordie town of Newcastle-on-Tyne. The sun was out and all the locals were taking their clothes off at a great rate of knots. We came by train from London, fast as, and an excellent trip. Staying at the Hotel du Vin, doesn't sound too 'Northern England' but it's housed inside the shipbuilding area of the city, which is where the hotel's theme comes from. Tres maritime!
We are overlooking the river and its many bridges (seven of them) - bit of a spin out looking to the Tyne bridge which is a miniature Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was designed by the same engineer, in a Lilliputian kind of way has a Sydney feel if you spy it through the terrace houses - are we in The Rocks.
Opposite the hotel on the bank of the river that is the Gateshead side is a magnificent building - The Baltic, a grain silo turned into a beautiful space for exhibitions and all forms of fresh, new creative, artistic endeavour. Along from The Baltic is a mighty silver slug - that's what the locals call it. 'The Sage' is a vast entertainment complex that reflects the river and the city.
Newcastle has been a pleasant surprise, it is a vigorous city and sweet to the eye. There is a variety of architecture that goes back to the Roman occupation - those Romans knew a good bit of real estate when they saw it.
Off to Edinburgh tomorrow . . .what a hoot!