In Pictures:
A
The first leg of my journey around the Australian Continent turns out to be a most pleasant nine hour rail journey from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, on my way to Brisbane. The train, based on our 1970s High Speed Trains, and introduced in Australia between 1982 and 1987, leaves Sydney Central at 11.41, presumably every day. All this is new to me. Sandwiched between two diesel power units, around 5 or 6 coaches, A, B, and Buffet Car C, are First Class, the rest, “Economy”. My huge case was refused by the Company and was thus stored by me in luggage facilities at the end of coach B, where I was allocated seat 9.
The suburbs of Sydney seemed sprawling and took a while to come out of. Nevertheless, I tried to take in as much as possible as we headed out into, eventually, remote and rugged countryside, still showing signs of the longest drought on record, I am given to believe. My enthusiasm for hot weather didn’t seem to go down too well with a passenger I got into conversation with in the Buffet Car. However, I was wished “bon voyage” when the not unattractive blonde de-trained at Taree at around 5.30.
The train catering staff announce their services of lunch, afternoon tea and dinner with an enthusiasm from which we Brits could learn. In fact, the meals, although tasty, are reminiscent of those served in Cattle Class on aeroplanes. Nevertheless, all this is great fun, and I don’t want the day to end. The train weaves its way through hills, fields, and woodlands for hours on end. I just have to do this trip again! I shall, certainly, research the journey I am enjoying at the earliest opportunity.
This epistle continueth “in early course”
David.
On time arrival at Coffs Harbour 28/2/19.
David's Cruise 