Highways and traffic congestion

[autocoupler]

Between xmas and new year we travelled back to QLD from the Canberra area. Wanting to recount some old associations we made our way across to Muswellbrook from Wellington, we had never been that way before and what a great drive it was, we almost had the road to ourselves.

After a night at Muswellbrook it was up the New England Highway, which is often criticised but we had a good run stopping at various towns in between. Murrurundi was one place of interest as my Wife wanted to take some pics of an old family grave, alas, the old mid 1850's sandstone gravestone was defaced and broken. We were there 15 years before and all was good, so shoulda, woulda, coulda is the message I guess.

Stayed with friends at Tamworth that night and off to Port Macquarie the next day. It's been years since we travelled that road, damnit, 1970's even. Back then the road was at least 50% dirt and corrugations, but is now a great drive with a large part of the journey being 110 km/hour, and even allowing for the 50km of winding road over the Great Divide it's an excellent road.

Port reminded me of the Gold Coast, congested, crowded, overgrown and overrated (sorry interest haha). I guess our memories of visiting the town when we were kids clouds the ability to form an opinion void of emotion. We nearly gave it the flick, but right at the death we secured the last bed in town. Yeah, pays to book ahead, but it wasn't a definite stopover, so we got lucky.

The following day was the horror part of the trip. Apart from a 20 km section, the Pacific highway was a parking lot between Port and Macksville, the culprit being the usual roadworks, as well as traffic lights in the centre of Macksville acting as a flow retardant. Why would you place lights in a small town anyway, stuff the locals, sooner they bypass it the better, it's all about me hehe. From there to Coffs Harbour (another town that needs bypassing) to catch up with rellies, then off to Grafton where some well earned schooners of Tooheys old was had.

The next morning the plan was to head north up the obstacle course called the Pacific Highway, but remembering seeing signs the previous day saying there was a 55 minute delay at Woodburn, we decided to take the inland route to Ballina via Casino and Lismore. This was a good decision even if it was 50km further, it was a lovely trip, somewhere we hadn't been before and a good uncongested road.

Where this road joined the newly completed section of the Pacific Highway just south of Ballina, it was a non stop trouble free trip home. When the roadworks are finally completed, the Pacific will be a great resource, it's just a pity our pollies over many years had chosen to ignore the benefits of value adding to Australian infrastructure. Oh that's right, they've been artificially increasing the population for forty plus years and thought of nothing else derrrr. But that's another story :angel:

[Unicorn]

Port reminded me of the Gold Coast, congested, crowded, overgrown and overrated (sorry interest haha).

Yes, it's changed quite a bit even since 1997 when I first started working there. Being midway between Taree & Port we always shop at Taree unless there's a specific reason to go to Port. This time of year Port is very busy, but even in the quiet times, there seems a general lack of understanding with drivers as to how to use a roundabout. :laugh2: I guess as a footnote we probably prefer Taree as Port "ups" it's prices (even the supermarkets) during holiday season, not to mention it was the place my anxiety / panic issues arose, hence perhaps my hesitation to be there.

We did go there for the New Year's eve fireworks and were amused by a pair of drones flying in amongst it. (I'm sure the crowd would have applauded had one been wiped out by a "surface to air").

[interest]

Port reminded me of the Gold Coast, congested, crowded, overgrown and overrated (sorry interest haha).

It is when all you bloody blowins hit town, Us locals eave the center of town to you tourists, you take up all the parking, all the vantage spots BUT it's the price we are more than prepared to pay, to let you out of towners & blowins take the chance to see what a beautiful place we have chosen to live in.

Pity you didn't let me know you were coming, could have had a coffee before you headed off.
But I suppose you couldn't wait to cross the border so you could go backwards in time?
UP THE MIGHTY BLUES!! THIS IS OUR YEAR. YOUR REIGN IS OVER!!!

[Unicorn]

The following day was the horror part of the trip. Apart from a 20 km section, the Pacific highway was a parking lot between Port and Macksville, the culprit being the usual roadworks, as well as traffic lights in the centre of Macksville acting as a flow retardant.

Yes, going north from Port is still a bit of a pain. However since the expansion works started the road from Sydney to Port would now have to be one of the best in the country. (Especially since the Bulahdelah bypass was completed). I travelled it all quite a bit and during the works and it was a shocker. During construction at times from home to Port it took me 2+ hours to do what is now a 40 minute trip.

[Goldseeker]

I feel sorry for the people who live in the towns that highways now bypass.

Have a look at some of the towns now as compared to 10 years ago before they were bypassed.

For example, Seymour, Holbrook are two that come to mind.

These towns were thriving now most of them are just surviving.

[robbiegal]

but did you get the new $1 from the mint on new years day?
we were in Sydney so not here this year

[autocoupler]

We did go there for the New Year's eve fireworks

I bet if you had criticized the place on the night you would have gotten more bang for your buck :laugh2:

And yes the highway will be a ripper when finally finished.

Pity you didn't let me know you were coming, could have had a coffee before you headed off.
But I suppose you couldn't wait to cross the border so you could go backwards in time?
UP THE MIGHTY BLUES!! THIS IS OUR YEAR. YOUR REIGN IS OVER!!!

Hehe the trip was poorly planned I suppose, we weren't certain about calling in, but in the end we did. Would have been good to look you up so will have to be better organised next time. I did visit an old mate who I hadn't seen for years, he's done really well for himself, but I reckon all those who choose to move there must be rolling in it :biggrin: Actually he has a fantastic collection of framed jerseys, guernseys whatever which you would be interested in, but the collection falls away considerably because there's no maroon QUEENSLANDER XXXX multiple origins among them

It was good to get home and claim back that hour which was stolen earlier in the trip, but I do like the idea other Aussies have of winding the clock forward one hour so they can experience the new year first :yahoo:        

I feel sorry for the people who live in the towns that highways now bypass.

They reckon that's the price of progress. Personally, I preferred it when the roads were dirt and there were less people, well..........maybe not too much dirt :angel:

but did you get the new $1 from the mint on new years day?
we were in Sydney so not here this year

No darn it :dash1:, the Daughter and Son in law went to Kangaroo Valley for new year and to celebrate his birthday which also happened to be on the same day, so we headed home before then.

[Unicorn]

I bet if you had criticized the place on the night you would have gotten more bang for your buck :laugh2:

:laugh2: .... You're probably right Auto!! What I do know is that Miss Uni (18) really wanted the large "Stitch" (from Lilo & Stitch) plush toy on the clowns. Little Mini Miss Uni (6) had a go for her but didn't manage to get the 5x1s or 5x6s needed, but she did get a small "my little pony" set for her efforts so at least she was happy.

Funnily enough on last nights local news they had the footage taken by drones in amongst the fireworks in a news story. Looked pretty good actually so they must have been of a high standard.

[autocoupler]

Miss Uni (18) really wanted the large "Stitch" (from Lilo & Stitch) plush toy on the clowns.

Gee whiz uni, those clowns have been around forever, whodathoughtit! Good to hear the little one was a winner as well :yahoo: Just thinking about those clowns a bit, I'm wondering if they will ever be renamed "The Canberra Senators" Reckon they would look great all donning togas  :biggrin:

[gabby]

UP THE MIGHTY BLUES!! THIS IS OUR YEAR. YOUR REIGN IS OVER!!!
[/quote]

Mate I'm afraid you have the colours wrong.    Can't give up the crown yet - another 8 straight to win:wavemulticolor:

[Nevol]

UP THE MIGHTY BLUES!! THIS IS OUR YEAR. YOUR REIGN IS OVER!!!

Mate I'm afraid you have the colours wrong.    Can't give up the crown yet - another 8 straight to win:wavemulticolor:
 Spoken like a true Queenslander!!!

[Fulvio]

What is this rubbish of which ye speak?

Coloured $2 coins, maybe? :angel:

[autocoupler]

Usually found on the back page, but probably not in Melbourne :angel:

[Fulvio]

Usually found on the back page, but probably not in Melbourne :angel:

I never read the back page. Its printed upside down, and is usually flogging TV's or back to school stationery.

[autocoupler]

I guessed that :angel: :biggrin: