Well after feeling really nervous about my trip into Sydney it all went well. Left with Elli at 6.15am to get to the airport in plenty of time as Elli had to drive to work after dropping me off. Panicing a little when Jetstar lady asked for Photo ID to print boarding pass,as I did not have any! But she did it anyway. Plane left on time and where soon on our descent to Sydney. At the train station got my Senior ticket for the days travel so off to the main train line to get to Central. Double decker trains here. Then had along walk round to find the Light Rail (more sort of trams). Had to make sure got off at Pyrmont Bay stop. People around where very helpful. Then only had a short walk to my hotel. It's not the Ritz but clean and central, although there is a predestination crossing right outside my window beeping away.
Decided on a shower then a walk about. Walked over the Pyrmount bridge and along Darling Harbour
Drive. Lots of cafes and restaurants. But went to Information centre for some ideas. Ferries, Helicopters, Markets, Museums and Botanic Gardens so much.
Walked further along to The Chinese Garden of Friendship,went on the guided tour.
It was nearly 4pm realising I hadn't eaten much all day went for a late lunch/early dinner at Adria's right on the harbour front. Greedy Seagulls are a pain here too!
Decided to use then ferries and going up river towards Olympic Park,after asking the driver if they returned as it was nearly 6pm by then he told me to get off at Abbotsford and get the ferry back to Circular Quay then back round to Darling Harbour. Enjoyable trip but weather not to good.
Back to the hotel for a beer and bed by 10. Bit hot, noisy but slept ok.
Thursday 22nd
I woke to the rain pouring down, but after shower and breakfast not too bad. Decided on Sydney Opera House Tour. Really good.
What a chance meeting talking to another lady on her own 'where do you live in UK ' she lives in Leek but thought I looked familiar. When I explained I live on Narrowboat and had been up Th Caldron Canal this year she remembered seeing Ed & I admired my boat and my smily face! Small world. Anyway brought a ticket for tomorrow's show of Velvet, a circus theme dance and entertainment. Only $35 for standing dance ticket. It will be an experience.
Just having my first McDonalds quick lunch and coffee,not too bad!
Weather looked iffy and after watching the Aboriginal guy on the Digerdo.
Chatting to a couple from Devon who used to live in Worthing who told me about The Queen Victoria Building so caught the bus.
It poured down for the rest of the afternoon so in a good spot. The biggest Quartz Christmas tree had just bee put up could not see top from bottom !
Got back eventually to my hotel about 7 pm. Had a drink or two with some of the local old guys had a fun time, all interested in the boat, Kev an old Merchant Navy Guy and Doug works on the Cruise Ships. Didn't sleep too good little noisy and too much beer!
One of the naughty boys who made me have a few beers wanted to be featured on my blog!
Here is Doug
Friday 23rd
Bit of a hangover!!! Also realised had a liquid dinner. Never mind walked to the ferry to meet Jan at 11am. Had a lovely day we where going to go to Watsons Bay but got on wrong ferry and ended back where we started,talking too much!
So went to The Rocks for lunch. Then had a wander round the Botanical gardens. Said my goodbyes to Jan after a lovely day catching up. Stayed in the City as went to Opera House to see Velvet. Chatted to a great couple from Chicago swooped email addresses in case I want to visit! It was absolutely fab show such talent, very raunchy.the guys had six packs to die for and the girls figures I'm sure all the guys nearly did! Wonderful walking back with all the city lights.
Caught the ferry back to hotel straight up the stairs to bed no beers tonight. Another day knackered but so much fun.
Saturday 24th
Up and out by 9 am meeting my cousin Linda at Davey Jones, (big department store) had coffee then walked through Hyde Park and had lunch overlooking the Navel base. Talked and talked about all our families,our Mums where so close! It was sad to hear that Joyce although she made her life in Australia,she always missed her sister, Pam and England.
Terry picked us up and went back to Alison ( their daughter) home they where baby sitting for Luc and Cleo. Continued to chat over a few glasses of red wine, then lit the BBQ . Brought me back home with arrangements made to take me out tomorrow.
Sunday 25th
Had another lovely day. Went for a walk to Sydney Fish Market everything so beautifully displayed.
So much lovely fresh fish took lots of photos this is just a couple
The wandered down to Darling Harbour south side and had a coffee. Linda and Terry picked me up from my hotel and we drove to a pretty jetty full of white Tupperware boats and had another coffee before heading to Watsons Bay. When we got there it was rammed as their was a Cider festival going on and nowhere to park. So went on to Bondi equally as bad. Stopped briefly to watch the surfers and hundreds of youngsters with hardly any clothes on!
Went up to the cliffs and got some tasty fish pieces and calamari from Fish and Chip shop and ate them out on a seat overlooking the ocean.
Then headed back towards town stopping at an Irish Pub for a beer, before dropping me at Central station to go up to Lindfield to have roast dinner with Elizabeth, Trev family and friends. Lovely beef and fab evening meeting lots of their friends. Grace's boyfriend kindly drove me back home.
How lovely the pubs around me are all closed on Sunday's PEACE!
Monday 26th
Weather was a little cloudy but great for walking Sydney Harbour bridge. Caught the ferry to Circular Quays and walked over bridge, chatted to a couple of girls going up at 11 they where a little nervous. Not surprising. View from the bridge are breathtaking. The bridge construction and design was undertaken by Long & Co in Middlesbrough England. We Brits did do something's Great!
After that caught the ferry to Manley. Had lunch at The Mex Co fab Tacos.
Came back to hotel and had a couple of beers before going out with Helen for dinner at Bondi Beach. Lovely to catch up with her, she is 7 months pregnant with her first baby and is blooming. So busy talking I forgot to take photo sorry Helen. When we came out a storm appeared to be starting. Boy did it rain!
Tuesday 27th
Weather still not too good so decided to spend time in the Maritine Museum and had a surprisingly great time. Went on a Navy Patrol boat and had my personal guide. Then boarded the Endevour, Captain Cooks ship. Proved to be a great morning.
Here's a boat Mick could reproduce all made of beer cans!
Then had a late lunch in the Street Food arcade South side of Darling Harbour choosing some good Indian grub. Spent the afternoon wandering round The Star Casino, still can't believe how much the Asian folk gamble.
Went back to hotel and popped down to the bar for a few beers meeting some other nice people and had another lovely chatty eve.
Wednesday 28th
Last day in Sydney got to pack and be out by 10am walked down to Darling Harbour and caught ferry round to Circular Quays walked round to then Opera House and had a coffee before returning to have lunch in Darling Harbour
, beautiful salt and pepper calamari salad and chips.
It's lovely looking over the waters. The ferries buzzing around all the time and there is always a different Cruise Ship in the harbour. Went back to hotel picked up my bag and made journey on light train to Central then the rail through to airport. All good. Shd be back in Melbourne by 17.50.
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