Showing off our Town

I heard during the week that one of my mates, Brenda and her companion Charlie B., would be visiting Newcastle yesterday on one of my favourite cruise ships, Seven Seas Mariner. Brenda is one of the guest lecturers on the next leg of the current world cruise. 

I whipped off a quick message asking Brenda if she would like to catch up with Robert and me. We arranged to meet Brenda and Charlie at the Cruise Ship Shuttle stop where we had previously collected cruisers for a spin around the area. As we approached the site where we were to collect them there was no sign of the shuttle. After some furious messaging we discovered that the shuttle stop was in a new location. 

With Brenda found I settled in the back seat with she and Charlie B. Robert, our chauffeur, launched into his tour guide spiel while Brenda and I gossiped away. 

Back Seat Driver, Charlie B, with his companion Baary

As Brenda had visited Newcastle on several occasions we did not need to give her the full tourist treatment, Nevertheless Robert pointed out many of the historic buildings in the city.

Our first stop was for a stroll along the Newcastle Memorial Walk where we looked at the exhibits and admired our stunning coastline. Robert added the role of photographer to that of chauffeur and tour guide.

Some of Newcastle's beautiful beaches viewed from the Memorial Walk

Charlie was happy to pose along the walk

Charlie was careful not to fall

Brenda and I posed with a shy Charlie

After our stroll I was keen to show Brenda and Charlie our backyard on Lake Macquarie so we drove on to Warners Bay.

Robert left Brenda and I to chat while he went in search of some Australian delicacies for her to share with her shipmates. 

Brenda, Charlie and I sitting across the Lake from our home

Charlie kindly looked after the treats for their shipmates

After so much touristing we were in need of refreshment at a local cafe.
Brenda chose something sweet.

Charlie was dwarfed by some of the public art along the Lake's edge

We were so grateful to Robert and Charlie for leading us

We returned Brenda to the shuttle in plenty of time to brush up on her talk for today

It's always great to catch up with friends. Thanks to Brenda and Charlie B. for sharing your day with us.