55 years on - "Taking Coals to Newcastle"

[Flyfrequently]

The genesis of this trip came about after Missy our 15 year old granddaughter asked me about my Year 9 school camp- where did I go and how was it.
Set me remembering and thinking....... as I turn back to the time in September 1969....

 

[SYD]

Is that Elon Musk’s dad?

Sorry, as a former Novocastrian I’m onboard.

 

[Seat0B]

I’m another ex-Novocastrian who’s following along.

 

[Flyfrequently]

The conversation with "Missy" about 15 year olds on school excursions was quite timely, obviously she was about to go on Camp - and for us, there was a DSC promo on!
Having just booked Vanuatu for late April, it dawned on me, I was 80 SC's short of attaining Platinum.

As we have both retired (finally/again!) and deciding to pare back our Community commitments for the year, it was an easy decision - let's go to Newcastle for a few days, haven't been there since 1969!

Of course, it was the last day of the DSC promo and with a 9 point per dollar Qantas Hotels on offer.
J flights to NTL were sub $500 each, even though it's only 90 minutes - I would get my 80 SC's
Booked whY CR home for no particular or smart reason
Flights done, time to sort accommodation. Initially booked Novotel Newcastle Beach via ALL app, then at nearly midnight hastily booked "Noah's on The Beach" - would do further research in the morning to eventually cancel Accor and go with Noah's.

Reviews were mixed, but Noah's won it on location and free parking.
Only 4 months to go, had to get through Christmas, New Year and Victorian School holidays in the meantime (read summer in our tourist town.)

 

[Flyfrequently]

Is that Elon Musk’s dad?

Sorry, as a former Novacastrian I’m onboard.

You mean the bus driver or Sister whose name escapes me @SYD

 

[Flyfrequently]

Sunday:
As our flight was leaving early evening, we had a leisurely Sunday morning at home rather than our usual overnight stay closer to the Airport. Took us just as long to get from home to Tulla as it did from MEL-NTL.

Checked in, over to oversize baggage and through security quickly and up to the very crowded J lounge.
Enjoyed a bowl of Wonton Soup.


QF1892 was delayed

Actual time in the air was just over an hour.
Great service from CSM Jessie and found the E190 adequate, tasty Beef Ragu.


We will be doing this metal in April BNE-VLI so nice to know what to expect for a slightly longer flight.

Collected our hire car, upgraded to a Mitsubishi Outlander (never seem to get a car we are familiar with!)

At our digs by 10 pm.

Quiet reflection on the balcony.
Looking forward to the next few days through the eyes of a once was 15 year old girl.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Monday:
I love it at dawn, watching early morning folk go about their dog-walking, jogging and surfing before starting their day.


But back to why we are here!

On my list of things to do was to locate the place I stayed at in September 1969.
The Salvation Army ran The People's Palace back then and thanks to Google, I was able to find its location, it is now the Music Conservatorium of Newcastle.


The People's Palace was an interesting choice as there were "male guests" in house as well as we 25 or so giggly 15 year olds from a single sex school - what were the Nuns thinking!

This is the front entrance from early 1900's and below on Monday.

I have a photo (somewhere) of me with 3 mates standing on the back steps under The People's Palace sign, taken before we went off on our daily bus excursions.

I wanted to see those steps again and I did.


I then stood on those very steps just smiling on the inside.....sorry no photo.

But happy that I had accomplished what I had set out to do in "Taking Coals to Newcastle" - essentially doing something pointless or unnecessary

And from now on, we can just play tourist and enjoy the beach and very pleasant weather.

 

[Flyfrequently]

More of Monday:
On the list also was the Newcastle Museum but as it was such beautiful weather, our next stop was the Anzac Memorial Walk at The Hill.
Very moving and interesting to read the inscriptions along the way.


I could look at the views of the coast line and Newcastle City all day but as it had warmed up, a trip to the beach beckoned.
Mr Flyfrequently body surfed, I dipped my toes in before dusk, and headed to our balcony for a cheeky vino.



Chose to head to Distrikt Press Bar at Mercure Newcastle for dinner - delicious tucker and attentive service by Michael
shared the Zucchini Croquettes - yum!

Both went the Beef of the Day, Scotch Fillet


Dessert of the day for me was Bailey's cheesecake - no pic of the Apple Crumble for him



I do like that Reception buzzed us in to park

 

[Flyfrequently]

Tuesday:
At dawn, it seemed the clouds and showers were rolling in


Though by 9.30 am we were blessed with sunny skies and walked to Nobby's Beach



Planned our trip to the Newcastle Museum but the heavens opened and again and trying to get a park relatively close by was doing our heads in!

So took a bit of an exploratory road trip to where some friends lived in 1989 when the earthquake struck, near Beaumont Street Hamilton.

Back to our digs at Noah's


Then a very pleasant dinner at Bistro Dalby at Novotel Newcastle Beach Hotel


Weather looking good for Wednesday so the plan is Nelson Bay.
The museum will wait for another day.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Wednesday - our day of "fives" -
beaches, jets and dolphins!

What a cracker of a day to head to Port Stephens Shire!
Enjoyed ambling around Nelson Bay looking over to Port Stephens

Salamander Bay


And Shoal Bay for a picnic lunch


As we headed back, coming up to Williamtown, 5 jets roared above us, not quick enough to get a photo but this image is from a local planespotting social media page.

Back to Newcastle with a stop at Stockton Beach


Sat on the sand and just watched the water and the world go by at Stockton.

And from our balcony back at Noah's, spotted 5 dolphins, just wasn't quick enough to get a photo of them above the water.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thursday:
Newcastle Museum here we come!


An early start, we fluked a park within 500 metres (Mr Flyfrequently has a thing about paying for parking but it is what it is!)

The Museum is located in the historical Honeysuckle Railway Workshops - on Workshop Way.

We spent quite a few hours wandering through the Exhibitions, "Dinosours: Surviving Extinction"

learning more about the people of Newcastle with the Faces on The Wall, and the history through music, surfing and the '89 earthquake.

The Fire and Earth show giving an insight into the heat, danger and hard work of coal mining and steel industries.


Really enjoyed our time there, highly recommend it especially for the younger generation, rather than living and learning through Tik Tok, Snapchat, Roblox etc. - I'm the Dinosour here!

Wandered the Honeysuckle Foreshore


30° now, back to Newcastle and a dip in the water before an early dinner

Love a good Bahn Mi!


Last day tomorrow, decided not to chance T24 and spent the $20 each to get row 5 on E190 for a more comfortable ride home.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Friday:
And just like that, our five days have come to an end. We woke to the most amazing sunrise.

As the hotel gave us a midday checkout, we took our time before heading over to the beach for a final swim - it was hot 33°!
Saw two folk hit the concrete about 20 metres away from us, fortunately many quickly rallied to their aid.

We sat in the shade observing a group of school kids, working on a school project giving their teachers a bit of good hearted lip, they would have been about 15 years old

And true to form, one of them left her books on the table - a quick sprint and I reunited said teenager with her school work - when relaying the story to Missy's Mum, she laughed and said " that would be her" - I replied " & that would have been me!"
With no lounge at NTL, we stopped by Distrikt Restaurant for some lunch


And last stop was The Star Hotel for the muso in us.
Off to the airport with plenty of time to spare.
Plane was on time


Glad I'd paid $20 each for the extra legroom seats - row 5 on E190 ,the better side is behind J single aisle.


Home in time to see the planets align

Stopped by our local Pier and saw Venus

We think!

 

[Flyfrequently]

Home to a flat battery


15 year old grand-daughter Missy came over on the long weekend just gone to check out our photos, but also she rummaged through a few boxes and found the photos from 1969 that I had been looking for!

On the back steps of the People's Palace 1969

And now.

Also went to Lake Glenbawn back in the day.



We were just so cool!

No one in my family picked me out in the group photo below, most said the girl in the red dress as "she's the centre of attention "
Nope - I'm sitting down in the pale pink and navy striped top - with sunglasses on.


My thoughts about Newcastle - way more hilly than I remember.
It was pretty drab weather back then in August '69 but February is a great time to visit.
The city is much bigger than I imagined. Really enjoyed our 5 days, 55 years on.
Thanks for tagging along.