The adventure begins...... again

The cruise Maria went on with her sister and mum made such an impact on Mum that it's worth telling the story.

Maria and Grace's mum Isabella had come out to Australia in 1957 with her own mother and youngest brother - her father and other brothers were already in Oz. Two women and one young boy who had grown up in a very rural town in southern Italy (to give perspective right on the toe of Italy in the province of Calabria) where they had been farmers and although they also had a small place in the town, they were basically rural people.

They set sail on a very large boat, albeit with other Italians making their way to Australia. They had rarely travelled outside their province and here they were on a large boat going to a country they knew nothing about.

They were too scared to do much outside the cabin, other than to go to the dining room and let's face it, in those days cruising was not as we know it today.

Isabella often talked about her journey to Australia and how she would like to have that experience again – before she passes. 

So as her 85 birthday approached Maria and Grace discussed this and as luck would have it, Grace found a 3 day cruise to nowhere, but would fulfil her dreams.

As Don and Maria were back in Sydney tending to the beachside apartment and had made time to attend their friend's wedding, Grace booked the cruise and, on the 8 Feb saw the 3 of them set sail.

Isabella was in her element - she relived her memories and given her 2 highly adventurous daughters who took her to all the events on boards, the shows, the degustation, Isabella experienced her voyage all over again and then some.

The three of us cruising

She was astounded at life outside the cabin. She kept saying over and over how she didn't get out of her cabin (she had been a little ill with all the inoculations she had to have prior to coming to Oz) and if she had she would have seen all of this. (Personally, we didn't think she would, because in those days ships provided a function, ie to transport people, rather than entertainment - but we let her think that.)

We wanted her to enjoy it for what it was. And enjoy she did. You couldn't wipe the smile from her face (even weeks later, she is still thanking us over and over).

Mum was certainly seen in a new light - that of a young woman sailing to the other side of the world wondering where she was going to and what she would find. (Luckily, she found our dad otherwise there would be no us!)

Disembarking back in Sydney Maria met up with Don and Zingara and headed south. Could hardly contain our excitement! This is it!

Illawarra - Towradgi

Aeiral of Zingara

First port of call was Towradgi in the lovely Illawarra region. Don honed his droning skills and with school holidays over, we practically had the place to ourselves! 

Maria was able to catch up on some TAFE work. Her "office" is now complete with dual screens, phone 

Maria hard at work

(mobile) to speak with her learners and internet by tethering off her phone. The big comfy chair is actually the passenger seat that swivels around.

Next stop was Huskisson where Don had a job reglazing a window at a friend's home. The weekend we arrived at Husky (as it is affectionately known) was the weekend of the annual triathlon (apparently been going for the last 13 years) and the population of the tiny coastal village swelled from its usual number of 3300 people to standing room at the pub!

Huskisson Pictures

Maria deciding
which movie to see

We turned up to have a meal at the said pub and hopefully a dance on the Friday night, but the place was so packed and the line so long to order, we headed in a different direction. We walked to the other side of the small town and found Huskisson Pictures. The building was built in 1913 and the outside facade still had that old time look. 

Peter, the owner and Maria

We headed inside and found a small counter that dispensed old fashioned (Admit one) tickets and the necessary munchies along with a comfy lounge to sit on whilst waiting to enter the theatre. In the warmer months you can also sit outside as tables and chairs were set up.

We bought our tickets and headed into the cinema. Once inside, sitting on the plush red chairs (the theatre would hold approximately 50 people), we noticed the little things that the owners, Peter and Jan had done to make it just that bit more comfortable for their patrons - a number of cushions to put behind sore backs or raise a patron a little higher (like Maria) and booster seats for the littlies. 

Husky Pictures is a must if you are travelling this way. Way better than those big fancy impersonal movie theatres and a lovely personalised service. Best of all? The ticket price for everyone was $11. Check them out http://www.huskipics.com.au/

Oh and the movie we saw? Bohemian Rhapsody! Awesome movie! And if we had stayed in town a little longer the following week there was going to be a singalong to the songs from the movie.

The following day we decided to check out the triathlon. It was quite a big deal with lots of people about almost like a party atmosphere. We browsed around the stalls - mostly biking and sporting accessories, but nothing really took our fancy except... 

Great Aussie Swim Parka

Daryl, Maria and Cindy

We came across Cindy and Daryl. Now picture this. Maria not a seasoned camper like Don. She works out she needs to get to the amenities block, so she brings along a warm fleecy dressing gown for this, which is all fine at home, but not to walk anywhere from 10-200 metres to an amenities block in full view of everyone. The white dressing looked like something old (older than us) people would wear, flapped around in the wind and basically looked tired and it had to go. Cindy and Daryl to the rescue with their Great Aussie Swim Parkas.

Maria modelling the Parka

What is it you ask? Well it's a longish coat, with a hood, but the inside is a towel. It is designed to wear from swimming pool (like Maria will ever get in one) to your tent, car, wherever, and it keeps you warm and the towel dries you off. Perfect for Maria to wear to the amenities block on the cooler mornings and perfect for her in the winter! Check them out - one very versatile piece of clothing - https://www.swimparkas.com.au/

As we have a rule that if something new comes in, then something has to go. Someone will be the recipient of a white fleece dressing gown when it gets dropped off at the Op shop.

Speaking of showers. Amenities blocks are interesting. Usually a row of toilets and a row of showers, and not necessarily closed as there are lots of vents to allow air to come through and of course outside noises. Whilst in Towradgi Maria marvelled at the lovely bird sounds whenever she was in the shower block. Oddest thing was when she went to use the amenities in Huskisson, it seems the same birds followed her - until it dawned on her it was her thongs. She was told to wear thongs when showering in public places and when the thongs got wet they kinda squelch in a variety of sounds - very similar to birds. 

The Fat Bike

Don's new toy

Don had been toying with getting an electric bike. Whilst at Towradgi he came across John who was upgrading fat bikes into electric bikes. This bike allows you to ride on the beach on the sand, bicycle paths, roads and other terrain. A bike that goes up to 25 kms an hour and with a battery where you can travel 40 kms before recharging, Don was sold. 

It's his new toy and a fantastic conversation starter that sometimes sees him getting back much later than anticipated given the amount of people that want to chat to him about the bike.

Dancing in the Streets

Dancing in the Streets

A lovely afternoon was spent at Angels Bayside Cafe where there was live music by Emma Jene a delightful vocalists that entertained us and the street crowd for several hours. Of course we got up to dance, which made others do the same! We loved that people came up to us and thanked us for just doing what we love. Julie Gunn we could have had classes down here.....

Local identity Raven

Doing the Nutbush

Enjoying the atmosphere

So where to next? We are heading further down the South Coast along the coast road....