Our Travels FOR 2019
These thumbnail images link to Our Travels 2019
March 2019 - Australia (SA)
Flinders Ranges and Murray River
The first part of our holiday was by 4-wheel drive with Australian Iconic Tours. We explored around and to the north of Wilpena Pound - including several gorges, Parachilna with its ancient fossils and Blinman, where we toured a mine.
We walked up to the Wangarra Lookouts with their spectacular views into the Pound. Our return to Adelaide included a quick stop in the Clare Valley for a nice spot of wine tasting.
The second part of our trip was on the Murray Princess for a short cruise down and up the Murray River, starting and finishing in Mannum. Lots of wildlife and interesting scenery - oh, and great food and company as well.
We finished our holiday with a bumby ride on the Indian-Pacific back to Sydney.
April-May 2019 - Singapore, UK, France, Singapore
Family visits and Scenic Sapphire cruise on the Saône and Rhône
Our Europe trip started and ended with stopovers in Singapore to visit family and help with jet lag.
Our first stop-off in Europe was to visit family in the UK, in Cheshire and London. Then we travelled to France on the EuroStar to Paris for the beginning of our Scenic adventure.
The Scenic Sapphire took us from Challons-sur-Saône to Avignon (on the Rhône) with many side trips to châteaux, wine tastings and mediaeval villages. A great trip, making wonderful new friends, consuming far too much and experiencing the föhn wind.
We took so many photographs on this trip that we had to split our presentation into Parts A and B.
October 2019 - Australia (TAS)
Flinders Island revisit
This was our second visit to Flinders Island, and on this trip we stayed at the Mountain Seas Lodge at Loccata. The lodge is a very nice place with an exceptional host, great food and suited us very well.
On our first day, we repeated the Trousers Point Walk (this time walking northwards) with lots of birds and nice views of the rocky shoreline and offshore islands.
On the second day, we went up the western side of the island to Emita, Killiecrankie and Palana.
The third day started with a drive up to Walkers Lookout, then east to the Patriarchs and Cameron Inlet, before heading south to Lady Barren and then finally home.
We really enjoyed our short stay on Flinders Island and would love to come back again sometime.
October 2019 - Australia (TAS)
Three Capes Lodge Walk with the Tasmanian Walking Company
The Three Capes Lodge Walk is one of the best ways to experience this spectacular part of Australia. Most of us have seen pictures of the sea cliffs but have never experienced them from the land.
We were lucky with the weather, with rain on only part of one day. The track is fairly easy except for the many steps and some boardwalk.
Many thanks to our great guides and band of fellow walkers for a most memorable experience.
November-December 2019 - Antarctica
Oceanwide's basecamp adventure on MV Ortelius
At last I got to Antarctica - this has been on my bucket list for a very long time!
We were especially lucky with calm crossings of the notorious Drake Passage and good weather except for one foggy day. Lots of penguins and sea birds. A few seals and some distant whales. It was hard not to take too many photos as the scenery is so photogenic. Mastered the zodiacs, snowshoes and warm clothing.
Oceanwide's MV Ortelius was great with 200+ wonderful passengers plus marvellous crew led by Captain Yuri. The meals were pretty special as well. The incredible Expedition Team were ably led by Clouds and supported by an amazing group of people - and we had Dr Karl as well!.
All fabulous - thank you to all for a most rewarding experience! Thank you also to World Expeditions.