Sunday
We had a slow start to the day and then we had arranged to meet up with Paul and Emma Egglestone who were in Sydney today for 6 hours doing the airport run. We set off about 11 and got the train into the city from Beecroft station using the Opal card that Marc left when he was here nearly 2 years ago. The fare was only $2.60 max for the day on a Sunday, interesting journeys people watching both ways;the French girl from Amiens on the way out being chatted up and the three young Aussie girls who had been to the beach singing beatles songs on the way back. We got off at Wynyard station and walked round to Circular Quay and on to the Opera House bar where we had a drink while we waited and watched what was happening around us. Paul, Emma and Charis arrived and we moved into one of the restaurants further down as it was too noisy to hear and extremely hot at the Opera House. We had a great catch up over lunch and then they left to go and meet Iona at the airport and we wandered down to a Homeground festival which was going on outside the Opera House. We sat and watched the native Australians dance competition for a while and then went into the weaving tent where they were making baskets, before heading back for the train home. As we were leaving we saw people arriving dressed up in all their finery to go into the Opera House; a day of different cultures, different races, different dress, different music, different beliefs and customs but all human beings under Gods heaven.

Monday
Cloudy day today so we set off with Graham, Lesley and Tim to go into Sydney on the train. We walked down to Circular Quay, watched the boats and then round to the Opera House on Bennelong Point where we booked in for a tour at half past twelve. The story of the planning and building was fascinating and the big concert hall was incredibly impressive. We wandered round the Rocks for a while before getting the train back and then jumping into the pool at Tims. We enjoyed a roast beef dinner together cooked by Tim.

Tuesday
We were off to the Blue Mountains today, David was driving as he needs 120 hours practise so he took Tim and Chris and we went with Graham and Lesley. We stopped at Bilpin which was the centre of apple country and had a brew and a piece of apple pie. Onwards and upwards into the mountains, where most of the villages and towns are on top of the mountain and you look down into the forested valleys. We stopped at Govetts leap and walked to Bridal Veil waterfall which was a lot further than the 15 minutes promised on the signs, a long way down lots of steps but worth it as we could see across to massive sandstone cliffs which were covered in moss, fed by water seeping out through the cliff as well as spray from the waterfall being blown across to us. We drove back into Blackheath and had lunch and then went onto Scenic World which was where we hoped to take the furnicular railway down into the valley. Chris said it had been closed for a while and they have rebuilt a lot of it and now the ticket covered the train, a cablecar ride, a skyway ride and a boardwalk in the valley, all for a cost of $39, no other options available. By this time it was getting near 3pm and there were masses of people queueing so we decided not to do this and drove round to Echo Point to see the Three Sisters across the valley. Went into Leura for a brew and a scone before we drove home slowly through rush hour traffic.

Wednesday
We drove to Palm Beach this morning, which took us about an hour and a half and stopped for a coffee overlooking the bay. We worked our way back down the coast past Dolphin Bay and Whale Beach and then onto Bilonga Bay, which was my Dads favourite beach. I could see why as it was very quiet herre with just a few surfers around, quite unspoiled. We had some lunch here and then went for a walk along the waters edge before setting off back home. We had a swim at home and got ready, then me and Graham went over to Jonathan and Katies for about 6pm and we went out for dinner to Banjo Pattersons cottage (a poet and the writer of Waltzing Matilda). We had a lovely dinner and a good chat, enjoyable evening.

Thursday
We had decided to go to Doyles at Watsons Bay for lunch but had some debate about how to get there. In the end we decided to get the train to Meadowbank and then the ferry down the estuary which stretches from the Paramatta river all the way down to Sydney Harbour. We all went up on top of the boat and then it actually poured down with rain for about 5 minutes. As good Brits we all ran for cover but by the time we had queued and got down the steps we were soaked. Back up on deck and the sun was shining again, soon dried out, long trip looking at all the houses, headlands, boats and coves, calling in at various places on the way including Darling Harbour, before going under the Harbour Bridge and into Circular Quay. We walked across the wharf and jumped on the boat to Rose Bay and Watsons Bay. We got off the ferry and had a look at Doyles on the beach but it was very busy and expensive so we decided to go to the take away on the pier, which now has a place to sit in and eat. I had Barramundi and chips and it was delicious. We walked up to the Gap and looked out at the Pacific Ocean, a beautiful, hot, sunny day. We grabbed an ice cream as we got back on the ferry to Circular Quay and then the train home. We used Opal cards and the price limit for the day was $15 so we had our moneys worth today, train to Meadowbank, Ferry to Sydney, Ferry to Watsons bay and return, train home. Another swim once we were back home.

Friday
The 4 of us set off to Brooklyn to go on the Riverboat Postman trip today. A drive of about half an hour up the coast to the Hawkesbury river and then onto the boat for a three hour round trip. We had coffee and Anzac biscuits in the cabin as we set off to call at 7 settlements on islands up the river, which have no road access. At each place we stopped, the person collecting the post bag and giving the boatman a postbag in return, got an Anzac biscuit as well. We had a running commentary from the Captain about the history, the crossings, bridges and buildings of the river. We went up on the top deck for most of the journey; it was very hot and sunny but with a bit of a breeze, which was very welcome. We had a very nice ham and cheese salad with a big bun for our lunch. The last place we stopped was Milsons Point, population 11, where we were welcomed to the Republic by the President who sat in his throne at the end of the jetty. A jolly good trip. Home and another swim before getting ready for an evening out with David in Newtown. As David said the morning after, “What happens in Newtown, stays in Newtown”. Suffice it to say, we had a few drinks, ate at a Vegan restaurant and had a good evening.

Saturday
We went off to Parklea market for a browse around and Chris was buying some food for a big family BBQ tomorrow. Graham and Lesley went back home and we went on to visit Joan in her new care home. She was just sitting down to lunch when we got there so we sat at the table with her and had a chat for a while. She seemed to be on good form and the place and the staff seemed very good. Chris and David stayed on for a while but me, Graham and Tim went to Carlingford Mall for a bit of lunch and to do a bit of shopping. We arrived home about 3 pm as the rain started, we have been so fortunate, it has only rained a couple of times briefly in all the time we have been here, the worst was the day on Philip Island, when it was just drizzle all day. This was real rain, pouring down, so time for another swim I thought as I sat down with a brew and then woke up an hour later. Out this evening to Chalio Thai restaurant in Beecroft.

Sunday
Of to church this morning and then went for a walk down the reserve again. A warm and sunny day. Made some lunch and started getting ready for a family BBQ and get together later on this afternoon. Greg, Di and Nicky arrived first, shortly followed by Jona, Katie, Nate and Charlotte and Kathy. Joint effort in preparing and cooking dinner, enjoyed by all.