Two peaks in the distance stand at the entrance to Nelson Bay.  Then much closer as seen from Shoal Bay. Cloudy one day, dazzling this morning.

 

An old gimmick outside pie shop selling prize winning multiple varieties of this favourite despite the foodies and health consciousness in Nelson Bay.  Cool rainy day and a good appetite and a smoked chicken and camembert pie was outstanding for $6.80 and had a sprinkling of caraway seeds on top - yumm

So often the camera is ready and you wait for the best sight to appear then wait some more and more and then you could be lucky....

Mr and Mrs Obama and family are holidaying in Indonesia in several cities.  In the course of that can Obama charm the powers that be to keep on the straight and narrow?  Security and anti-terrorists activities could be hinted at but where to start as it may be seen differently by the 'man' on the street in that country.  Only a brave guest would be so bold.
Above, old double-deckers were taken out of moth balls for the day for excursions in Sydney amidst the chaos arising from new light rail construction.

a sour mystery object

Leaving the old historical trains behind moving to Vivid in Sydney to a dark shot. That evening, Fairyfloss or Cotton Candy or Candy floss was spun like magic.
One quantity was furled into a ball about each minute and cost $14 for the waiting queue.. It wrapped around a novelty hand held illuminated stick.

Playing trains.  Every time you go to Central from out of town a whole lot of facilities have changed.  An atmosphere of automation and facelessness has grown. Other things have been there from day one and are comforting to recognize.
 A least an enquiry counter remains staffed even when the staff seem an incongruous group of contractors.
 Homeless people take shelter in the big colonial doorways so it is not all bad in providing shelter. However, the homeless, in that manner, would never be found there even in our most depressed years. The haves and the have nots.  The next generation is unaware of how things were.  Better or for worse.

 Historical railways and nostalgia at Central Station.  The Southern Aurora was the overnight service Sydney to Melbourne, 956ks, 1962-86. The arrangments was of sleeper rooms, lounge cars and a dining carriage with tables, white tablecloths and all the rest

Progress? On a recent journey the overnight first class service had a brown paper bag delivered containing the items for breakfast.  Maccas has set the standard!

 

Travels from Victoria to NSW

Into wilderness.  To begin the horizon was circled by mountains with familiar blue haze. Open country and broad green valleys led on to woodlands while the sunshine and cloudless stunning blue skies were memorable.

An early disused single railway line followed beside us now adapted to an adventure trail and a tall timber  tressel bridge of note was observed decaying.

Where was the path across the mountain range?  A path suitable for summer driving where long stretches have no fuel, food or drinks or mobile coverage.
Into the forests of Kosciuszko National park which were quite tall with thick green undergrowth and straight stretches that changed to endless windings on a steady, not steep, climb to the very tops of those once distant hills in sun and crisp windless conditions.
The road had a good surface, was narrow but no way perilous while dry underneath. There was a crossing over the wall of a dam at Tumut Pond Reservoir.
The green gums changed to strange leafless trees whose bare branches appeared lifeless and formed  unusual low spikey expanses up hill and down dale.

Patches of light snow began to be seen in shadowy gullies, probably the very first snow of the season, it was by the road sides then in places in a thin cover over the road all of which was a great novelty.

A notable little shelter hut came next then eventually the hydro electricity installations and a return to civilization, workers and twincabs,

then a cluster of ski related buildings in Cabramurra, including a cafe.

This worthwhile mini adventure trail is closed over winter between the long weekends of June and of October. For one, it gives access to the lake, the dam and the hydro works.
Continue past Mount Selwyn (resort) to Kiandra and down to Adaminaby etc and that section of road is kept snow free.  At Kiandra for something different, an alternative route scoots across the open tops towards the town of Tumut. 

 Chilten, Vic, has frosts and verandah posts in the little main street which is in original style like stepping back into the days of the gold rush.  Minus the crowds!

  One often has to remind oneself that members of an organization or a religion etc all think differently and have diverse beliefs at the same time as going along with the core principles.
 Also, ideas can be latched onto as privately upheld views that don't have much foundation in the traditions.  Diversity is the name of the game.  Is brain washing done to overcome this diversity as in spy rings or in cults?  Or there are rules and dogmas to establish basics.

 

Chilly morning just south of the border several days ago.  It is possible that frost is seen in a suburb or two in Newcastle, is hard to say.  Frosty autumn leaves - rare.