North Coast - Day 1

I'll be backdating these cause I'm so far behind in my blogging!

Left the house at 8:04.  Stopped on the Federal Highway for petrol and breakfast at the Scottish Restaurant.

Magpie at McDonalds

Left there by 8:52.

Along the drive we listened to several episodes of Thirteen Minutes to the Moon podcast.

Lake George had a bit of water in it.

We saw people falling out of the sky at Picton!

Parachuters at Picton

Parachuters at Picton

There were people having a chat in one of the emergency stopping bays on the M7, so that meant we all had to slow down to 40 for a good kilometre or so.  #grunt

We timed the trip quite well - Northconnex had opened a mere week before.  This new toll tunnel cuts off that horrible section Pennant Hills Road and you breeze through the tunnel instead.  This also means no traffic lights between the Federal Highway in Canberra and northwest of Newcastle!

Northconnex

Northconnex

That is, you *would* breeze through if buttheads didn't break down and ruin it for everyone!

Breakdown in Northconnex

Stopping did mean I could take a photo of one of the exists

Exit in Northconnex

#grunt

Breakdown in Northconnex

The tunnel does have some pretty light displays.  I watched a documentary on the tunnel and apparently it's to help keep drivers alert and interested.

Pretty lights in Northconnex

Pretty lights in Northconnex

No sooner had we gotten out of the tunnel than we get this sign

Accident on F3

Great.  Someone tailgating and/or not paying attention.

Accident on F3

Crossing the Hawkesbury

Crossing the Hawkesbury River

I always love the big dipper ride down to the Mooney Mooney Creek Bridge

Mooney Mooney

It's a pity you can't go and look at the bridge anymore (haven't been able to for years)

Mooney Mooney bridge lookout closed off

Near Gosford is the Australian Reptile Park.  I haven't been there since I was a kid..

Australian Reptile Park

Bridge over the Hunter River

Bridge over the Hunter River

At Raymond Terrace we stopped at the Scottish Restaurant for lunch.  Also got a bit more petrol.

Then continued on.

Bulahdelah Mountain

Bulahdelah Mountain

Look, our very own version of Animal Crossing!

Animal crossing

Crossing the Manning River

Crossing the Manning River

I think this is Middle Brother

I think this is Middle Brother

Arrived at Scott and Kerry's around 4pm.  So eight hours to get there, including two meal breaks and several breakdowns and accidents.

Guest room ready for us

Stu had a little lie down, and Scott, Kerry and Violet and I went for a little walk around the neighbourhood.

Entrance to estate off 10 Wonga Crescent, and a big boi kangaroo

Pretty flowers

Then chilled for a bit

Isaac

Potty cooked up a bbq feast

Potty bbqing

Dinner

Then had a relatively early night.