We have a sense today of starting to head home. At Sydney turn right. From slowly getting further away we are just about to start getting nearer. Its going to take a while though!
A leisurely breakfast before saying fond farewells to Gareth and Sue, who are heading to Brisbane. A quick coffee with Mike and then a wander through Hyde Park and down to Circular Quay for one last gawp at the harbour bridge and the opera house.
Then it is short walk to Central Station to pick up the Indian Pacific train to Perth, via Broken Hill, Adelaide, and the Nullabor Plain. We might be travelling posh these days but we are still backpacker enough to walk to the station with all our bags - have just saved at least 5 bucks, but more importantly stopped us getting ideas above our station!
Canapés, fizz and a slightly cheesy musician greeted us on the platform before boarding the 32 carriage train bound for the Indian Ocean. 3 days till we get to Perth - not sure if Nareesa will kill me, the other passengers or herself first.
Beyond the suburbs of Sydney the first stage of the journey is up through the beautiful Blue Mountains, so named for the blue haze that hangs in the air over them. Some spectacular gorges and waterfalls, even from the train and then as night falls we settle into the rhythm of train travel - slow rattle and roll!
Fellow passengers are the usual eclectic mix of oddities, mostly Australian but with a smattering of folk from all corners of the world. We are trying hard to deny we are part of the greying demographic that frequents these things, but it is getting increasingly hard to sustain that position. Ah well, just sit back and enjoy. The sparkling wine helps! As does the excellent food at dinner.
I could get used to this!