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Speaking of the weather; Looking good on Saturday. [a little TOO good if you ask me]

Clear sunny 7 -20 degrees
Sunrise and sunset approx 5:45. First light 0522.

Places for breakfast:

Estabar on Newcastle Beach opens at 7am
Newcastle Bakehouse on Hunter Street opens at 5am
Goldbergs on Darby Street opens at 7am

No need to rush after the sunrise as there is still plenty to photograph around the Newcastle Baths. As Peter said, Estabar doesn't have a big menu but the view is hard to beat.

Looks like there is at least 4 of us and maybe 5 if Cameron is able to come. Car wise, it would be better to get to the airshow in one car if we can. If 4 of us, we can fit in mine. If 5, I can leave my car in the CBD as long as someone drops me off at the ferry in Stockton on the way back from the airshow/sunset.

Should be a great day

Peter,

were you planning on taking your Kata bag on this trip? I'd be interested in having a look at it as I need a replacement for my Lowepro minitrekker.

cheers,

André

Thanks Andre. Goldbergs is slightly over-rated (by my friends) but still good. NC bakehouse serves a decent brekky. Don't know much about Estabar. I am sure any of those would be more than good enough.

If we have enough energy there will be a sundance meet on the 19th... at Merewether...
http://www.flickr.com/groups/sundancers/discuss/72157624954059368/

surenj wrote:Goldbergs is slightly over-rated (by my friends) but still good.

Agreed but for breakfast, that is probably their better menu. Plenty of other places on Darby if we decide to venture there.

If we have enough energy there will be a sundance meet on the 19th... at Merewether...

Don't think my dogs will let me go to two sunrises in a row, they like their morning walk

radar wrote:Agreed but for breakfast, that is probably their better menu.

Lets lock in Goldbergs then.

radar wrote:were you planning on taking your Kata bag on this trip? I'd be interested in having a look at it as I need a replacement for my Lowepro minitrekker.

Sure will be André. And my new Sigma 150-500 will be along for a workout as well.

As for other matters:
- Goldberg's for brekkie is fine by me too.
- I think car pooling is essential. 30,000 people is hell of a lot of cars on those two roads. In a single car at least we'll locate each other when we arrive.

According to the Newcastle council website Newcastle Baths don't open until 6 am so we'll not be able to drive in to the carpark. There's parking in Shortland Esplanade just before the carpark entrance gate.

BOM Info:
"Seas: Below 1 metre increasing up to 1.5 metres around dawn" High tide is 4:58 am and seas are described as dangerous so we should have some wave action on the rocks as well. We'll need to take care if getting near the sea though

Mostly sunny 7-22 (but it will be hotter at Williamtown I suspect)

stubbsy wrote:According to the Newcastle council website Newcastle Baths don't open until 6 am so we'll not be able to drive in to the carpark. There's parking in Shortland Esplanade just before the carpark entrance gate.

I've been there earlier then 6 and the gate was open, maybe I was just lucky but as you say, parking shouldn't be an issue on the Esplanade.

BOM Info:
"Seas: Below 1 metre increasing up to 1.5 metres around dawn" High tide is 4:58 am and seas are described as dangerous so we should have some wave action on the rocks as well. We'll need to take care if getting near the sea though

Just got back from the baths, seas were very big, I'll post some images later on. From what I read, it should be abating through the night but still big tomorrow.

Be prepared to have wet feet or a zoom. Water temperature is 17C so it is actually not too bad in the water, I was in at the baths, as waves were coming in, the waves were close to knee high and that was close to the end of the pool closest to the baths!! Got out before it would have gotten waist deep

We will have to take care for sure.

cheers

André

Just been speaking to a mate who knows someone at the RAAF base. As of Thursday there were 15,000 presales for Saturday and 12,000 for Sunday.

Their expected transit time is 2 1/2 to 3 hours from Newcastle to the base. Which is what it takes to drive from Newcastle to Sydney

stubbsy wrote:
Their expected transit time is 2 1/2 to 3 hours from Newcastle to the base. Which is what it takes to drive from Newcastle to Sydney

Sounds fun!! Looks like we may be leaving after breakfast for the airshow. Anyway, I'm flexible and we can certainly talk about it in the morning.

cheers,

André

radar wrote:We will have to take care for sure.

I hope someone can swim because I will need rescuing...

I guess we could change location to Merewether pretty easily? or would it still be too dangerous?

stubbsy wrote:Their expected transit time is 2 1/2 to 3 hours from Newcastle to the base

Damn, I left my portable plug-in cooler thing in Sydney!! Does anyone have one?? Would come mighty handy while stuck in the car...

I will bring my cooler bin in anycase..

Can someone send me a link (PM) with the exact meeting point?

Guys, this was an awesome day, from sunrise at newie baths, to the airshow (which had great traffic all things considered), to a beautiful sunset topped off with a great dinner at stubbsy joint. Great music and company! The drive back to Sydney was a bit hectic and had to stop for a half hour snooze, but all worth it.

We need to tee up another one of these soon.

I have not yet looked at the pictures yet, but predictions are tasty, especially for the sunset ones.

Thanks to Suren, Peter and Andre for a great day.

I agree Gerry - it was a great day despite a rather inauspicous start.

Thanks for organising this Suren.

What a day!

Thanks to André, Peter and Gerry (Especially for driving all the way up!), we had a very successful safari.

Thanks Peter for a great meal to round things off at the end!

I am looking forward to seeing some images.

Certainly was a great day, thanks Suren, Peter and Gerry. Haven't had a chance to process much except for a pano stitch. Hope to post it later.

cheers,

André

The boys hard at work....

The three of you just couldn't stand still Too much Vibe caffeine for you Suren, probably sugar rush for Gerry and maybe ants crawling on Peter

radar wrote:Too much Vibe caffeine for you Suren

Yep, That warm V drink still had it's caffeine intact. I guess Gary had just had 16 spoons of sugar. I don't know what Peter was on, but I want some of it. He didn't even drink any coffee all day!

from all the pics that went up...it looks like you all had a great time!

surenj wrote:The boys hard at work....

suren hard at work - working them angles...

Nice use of the grad Gerry. I look like I am in an awkward position!

Nice use of lines there Gerry...now if only Suren behaved and stood at the pinnacle rather just off to the side!

aim54x wrote:Nice use of lines there Gerry...

Here here... You know what, we should take turn and model as silhouttes for each others photos...


Some people got more exercise than others...



Gerry trying to get the best angle on the pump house...

surenj wrote:Gerry trying to get the best angle on the pump house...

thats not very flattering for my arse? and where's my glamour glow? Also while your there could you give my chicken legs some tannage...?

biggerry wrote:thats not very flattering for my arse? and where's my glamour glow? Also while your there could you give my chicken legs some tannage...?

Didn't know you were so figure conscious. Next time you will get a warning so you can powder yourself..

surenj wrote:you will get a warning so you can powder yourself.

excellent..