Sydney

Wednesday 21st

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. 

Trev and Elizabeth their two girls 

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.

On the Road again

Saturday17th

Set off from The Shed about 10ish to get to The Wyre River. Stopped at Geelong for a lunch stop the arrived at our beach cottage on the Great Ocean Road. It was very high up on the cliff face,certainly you could walk down but not a hope in hell walk back! These places are so like North Cornwall, but without all the shops. Here there is one Motel with a bar, a bit  expensive $10 for a pint of larger. Or The General Store which again over priced but if you were stuck it's ok.

Anyway we had a lovely wander along the sand,the sea is freezing have brought my swim stuff but not sure I'll go for a dip!  Klara is getting better every time we go down to the sea, but still not totally gone in for a swim. Not too bad don't really want soaking wet dog in the car!  

The weather a little cooler today, so much so Mick set to work and lit the enormous wood burner we have in this huge 2 bed roomed beach cottage but has no sun in afternoon so felt cool when we came back. Warm now 

Cooked lovely dinner, roast chicken with lots of veg. Elli tried out some of the recipes we learnt at Maggie Beers farm shop, excellant.

Sunday 18th

While we where having breakfast several Cockatoos  came up to our balcony for food and happily obliged.

Went for a drive along to Apolo Beach and Marina. Saw a Koala on the way smiling down on uses well as many pretty birds.

Walked along the harbour arm where families where fishing.then as we were going back to the centre strip of shops. Elli spied a Farmers Market, not as good as in Port Fairy but brought some nice bread and I sampled the local wines.

Then went for coffee sat on the nice seafront green. Klara is fascinated by everything,cars, people other dogs,which there where many, and is finding hard to know which way to turn!

The view from our cottage!

We went back to our Beach cottage for lunch, then back down the beach. I stayed for a couple of hours with my book giving M & E some time on their own. Getting back Mick thrashed me at Canasta and after dinner Elli did the same. Run of bad luck.

Monday. 19th

What a nice surprise as we where having breakfast when  Elli looked up to see a Koala sitting on the tree opposite.

We left for our journey home about 9.30 stopping at a cafe called 'La Hoot ' great coffee and pictures of owls everywhere. Arrived back about 2pm washing on. Elli is having trouble with her new internet which is disappointing for her.

Melbourne with Diane

Wedneday 14th

 Caught the 8.30 train into Melbourne, Diane was there to meet me. After dropping my bag off at Diane's  house ( 5 min walk from station)  we had a coffee and decided to go back into the city for Chinese Dumplings,  after walking up and down in China Town we found the Dumpling House. Had fab lunch.

After lunch we walked down to the Eureka Sky Deck and went up to the 88 floor to see fabulous sights of Melbourne. 

This is the view of the Football, Tennis and Cricket stadiums from Eureka.

We the wandered through the Crown Hotel Casino nearly as big as those in Las Vegas! Diane had a $10 bet on the slot machines and after about 20 goes finished on a win of $2. Last of the big gamblers!

Came back home on the tram pass all the parks and hospitals. Evening in with Sam (Diane's daughter and Harry their lodger. Great day

Thursday 15th

Slept well and started on another busy day. Caught the train to Melbourne Central where we saw the Marionette Clock as it chime 11 am, the back of the clock dropped  and play Waltzing Matilda, with various characters moving round. 

The Shot Museum was opposit so we went to have a look. Very interesting, what a job in hot weather pouring out hot lead.

On for a walk through The Lanes of Melbourne finding many lovely little shops. Brought myself a lovely scarf then went to the Lindt Chocolate Coffee Shop for morning a late 11's. On down to the river, as had decided to do a river cruised down to Williamstown.

The next cruise was 2.30 so with a fat hour to spare decided to go back in the Lanes for lunch.,More food!!

The cruise was lovely, and with a cool breeze we saw all the sights of Melbourne this time by boat. In Williamstown had a big fat ice cream before catching the train back home. Temperatures have been up in the 30's today.

Knackered sitting on the bed with cold drink.

Friday 16th

Caught the tram into the City, wandered around Queen Victoria Market. Lots of fresh fish,meat, fruit and veg. Then a  wonderful  selection of cheeses,cold meats etc.  followed at the back with all the tat, tourist stuff , clothes, and Opals quite a mixture. Had lunch from the market stalls before meeting up with Diane's relatives at Southern Cross Railway Station. 

Whilst walking to catch the tram we came across a Ladies Hairdressers $20 for a dry cut . After seeing all the photos Diane had taken of me time for a trim ! Will see you in January Paul, never fear!

Meet up with Diane's relatives, Brenda offered her place for a visit to Ballerack and may well take her up on it in November.

They say Melbourne is the biggest food capital ever and I can quite believe it!!

Caught the train from Southern Cross back to Keyton to meet up with Elli. Back to the shed and had a lovely dinner and a couple of glasses of the red stuff!.

Quilting and Friends & Pie!

Saturday 10th

Went to Elli's quilting group in Castlemaine. Meet some lovely ladies all made me feel very welcome.

The different patterns of quilts is quite remarkable. I might start but will only be a bag or something small.

Some of the ladies work on their quilts for years. Tracy (Elli's best pal) had just had her quilt machined top stitched and went to pick it up to 'show and tell' very lovely soft pastel shades. Some of the other quilts were very vibrant and bright.

Would you believe I won a raffle prize, a bottle of fabric wash. Made Elli really laugh as I don't do half the washing she does!l

Sunday 11th

Vicky and Julian along with Patrina their golden Labrador came over for a BBQ. Patrina is with them for the first year of her life as she is being trained to be a guide dog. Mick and Elli are hoping she will not pass the testing as they would very much love to have her as company for Klara. But at the moment she is proving to be very very good. 

The two dogs had great fun as we all did, chatting, eating and drinking all day. Mick still insisted in cutting the grass he can't just sit and chat.

Monday 12th

Had a lovely day with Elli driving into the suburbs of Melbourne showing me all the houses her and Mick have lived in. Her mums house and Ivan's (the man next door!) then went up to Mount Dandenong and had lunch in 'The Pie in the Sky' aptl named, unfortunately it started to rain so we did not go round the Rhododendrons gardens. Lovely little gift shops so brought some pressies for friends at home.

This is a floating Pie! On a bed of thick Pea and Ham soup,very yummy!

Tuesday 13th

Just having a quiet day at the shed! Slept in as had a restless night went out at 3am to star gaze. Elli's is catching up on paperwork and me on emails and stuff.