Hot Spots in Aus - Part 4 Sydney

Jackie dropped us at the railway station and we got set our our train trip to Sydney. The scenery was basically scrubby Australian bush, town with RSL, and repeat! However it was very pleasant, and nicer than flying.
Once in Sydney we transfer to light rail to our airport hotel. We have arranged for Brett (Robinson, from varsity days) and Rosie to pick us up and after a cross city trip we get to the rowing club. The view is lovely. This is where we have dinner.

Unfortunately my nightime photo didn't turn out as there were lots of twinkling lights on the other side of the Hawkesbury river.

The lady at the next table took this photo - shame it was a bit blurry

Brett.

 It is like time has stood still since we last saw them, and we enjoy our evening together immensely.
We didn't make an upgrade on the trip home, but I did take advantage of this: the self serve pancake press in the Air NZ Lounge in Sydney. Whatever will they think of next!!

Glad to be home - so disappointed about getting a cold, and the cough is still with me.

Hot Spots in Aus - the weekend .

I have had a bad night's sleep with coughing so Duncan andd Simon head off to swimming with Theo.

Take a breath - and pose for the camera!

Later on the boys all go off to putt-putt golf, and since Claudia and I are not feeling to well we just take it easy. Simon has the 1/2 marathon on Sunday. Jackie has been doing a lot of walking lately - but declines our offer to let her join the 10k while we look after the kids!

Snuggle with Dad

Theo loves dance - a bit of rap...

....a bit of ballet

We got up bright and early to watch Simon run. We chose a good vantage point on the steep hill by Bar Beach, so we get to see him twice. Theo and Duncan go down for a bit, hoping to run up the hill with Simon - the only person not panting was Simon!!

Coming up the hill with a high 5

and a smile

Look, I'm just not sure where Theo and Duncan are in this shot - they may have dropped off the pace!!

And a gritty smile for the sprint home.

 Great controversy as the race is really 21.6km not 21.1km, so Simon did really well in 1 hour 57mins.
After a short break Simon is out playing handball with Theo, then later on we go and play tennis - even I manage a few good hits.

Theo looks so tiny, commanding the court by himself

Lovely home cooked meal with a fabulous hot cross bun/custard creation for dessert!!

Hot Spots in Aus - Part three Newcastsle

The flight to Newcastle is very good - an especially good slice of lemon/ginger fudge cake. Newcastle is an Airforce base, hence quite extensive suburbs out here. Simon picked us up - time zones have changed again and the flight was an hour shorter than I thought it would be!!, so soon it was time to put Claudia and Theo to bed.

Wednesday is washing day for us. Claudia is off to Jumping Jacks, Theo is at school, so Jackie can get into a bit of painting! It is a fascinating process for me to watch - from blank canvas to well formed painting - I think she still wanted to touch it up a bit.

Jumping Jacks has a cute little tunic uniform.

Jackie is trying to put together a few paintings for a competition. She is lucky to have the back shed to spread out her art works.

Home from Jumping Jacks. A nice treat to cool down

 Duncan and I walk up to the newly completed IGA store. The front part is rather gourmet (like Sainsburys) and the back is all tall shelves and aisle (like Pak and Save). We are in charge of cooking tonight.

Duncan and Simon  took Theo to Krav Maga - Theo was surprised that we didn't know what it was! In fact it is a physical confidence course based on karate principles for young ones. Theo was very attentive and disciplined.

He showed me a few moves when they got home - and it all made sense!

Meanwhile Claudia and I made the Easter Goose which will lay Easter eggs. "Grandma, I know it's you," says Theo

Claudia has an early start on Thursday as she goes to university daycare with Simon. Duncan walks Theo up to school, and then we set off on our "Opal" transport card by bus. We took the tram up the waterfront to look at Newcastle beach - lovely sand, but dark and dangerous skies.

Tyrrell House which is the admin of the Anglican church - lovely building, well maintained.

The old Round tower and the new block of apartments - now which is nicer??

A tunnel under the street, leading out onto Newcastle beach has some wonderful murals.

A sign is up suggesting that the beach is not suitable for surfing today - but a few hardy souls are in.

Great contrasts of sand and sky

The arch of bricks says "This arch was upgraded in 1906"  Still seems to be standing the test of time.

Apartments and hotels spread right out along the headlands

We had a bit of a wait for the ferry to Stockton - the coal-mining side of of Newcastle.

The ferry

It is very old with old Australian Pubs and tiny miners houses nestling close together - still well kept and in good repair. We cant find anywhere nice for lunch, so take the 4 minute ferry ride back to the city and have a lovely lunch at 6 Degrees. Then we hop on the tram and go to the interchange where we will get the train to Sydney. Back on the tram, to the bus connection home.

Don't look so surprised - they can do lovely food in Aussie too

Simon and Jackie go out to dinner so we make hot dogs for the kids.
Friday is our Hunter Valley Excursion - with a little bit of wine tasting thrown in. Fortunately Simon has to go into work later in the day, so he is happy to be the sober driver.

Jackie tries a few wines.

We go to an old historic place for lunch - called Circa 1876

The amuse bouche before

The amuse bouche after!

I chose entree and dessert. My dessert had some Australian components - like wattle seed creme.

Gosh - more pictures of  Duncan eating

Simon and Jackie

The old rooms were furnished with many of the original items from the house.

This table has seen many a dinner!!!

The house also has an extensive vege and herb garden.

I feel a bit off colour with a cough and a cold and Claudia also comes back from daycare feeling off colour too.

Hot Spots in Aus - Part Two. Brisbane.

Using the rental car and  Google Maps is proving pretty successful and it wasn't long before  we were at Yaroomba where Robin and Chris are refurbishing a house on the Sunshine Coast. The pool at the back of the section has been completed, but work on the front of the house was about to begin

Beautiful pool with young plantings in place....

.....and the front of the section where the carport will become a outdoor seating area

...and a new carport makes the pool area more private.

 We take a short walk down to the beach at Yaroomba which is expansive and beautiful. Then we have lunch at a cafe before heading back to Brisbane.

Duncan and Robin

 The meal Chris cooked was superb - rolled stuffed chicken, crunchy roast potatoes, and fresh green beans and home-made gravy, followed by slow roasted peaches and icecream.
On Monday morning Robin and I went to a lovely shop where I had great fun trying thing on - especially things I probably wouldn't normally wear. I bought one expensive top.
Then Duncan and I went to Indroopilly Shopping Centre  where I bought 4 "everyday" items for less than the expensive top! We grabbed a bite of lunch as Robin had an Italian lesson.
That afternoon we drove out to Chris's work. (Chris had taken the day off, so stayed at home and planned out an overseas trip for them.) They would like to sell the business, but their business partner is 5 years younger, and not ready to sell.

Robin used to work here as accountant.

We were not allowed passed the yellow line unless we donned antistatic overalls.

There latest project is designing and building software equipment for the Australian army.

Some areas are highly mechanised, and some require careful human workers. They are running two shifts to get this latest order out.

A fire a few years ago meant that they took the decision to expand - and build two storeys.

 Hannah came round to visit late afternoon. Jim is away as he markets Wagyu Beef and has quite a few business trips to Asia.

Monty - about 5 months

Sunday is 4

Sunday and Monty

Duncan and Monty

 That night was my shout as a belated birthday treat for Duncan's birthday. We went to an excellent Spanish restaurant called Peasant and had tapas (shared platters) and some lovely - but expensive! Spanish wine.
Tuesday Morning we went for a drive up My Cooth-tha to look at the extent of Brisbane, then down to the Botanical gardens where we enjoyed a stroll around the well curated areas of different focus.

Rob and Duncan

Artwork lizard

..and the real thing!

After a quick lunch we took the rental car back to the airport, and awaited our flight to Newcastle.