And now for Sydney

Well lots to catch up on!  It's been so busy, and intermittent internet access, so here's where we've been and what we've been up to.

So to finish off in the UK, Friday and Saturday were the days of the conference, and it while I wasn't the one with all the responsibility of the organizing, there was lots to do and assist with.  The conference went really well, plans are on the go for next year's event, and that will our turn.  I didn't get any chance to do the 'Long Walk' on Saturday, which was a shame, could have used the exercise,  and all of a sudden I was on my way to Heathrow to catch my first of the long flights.

Got to Heathrow Saturday night around 8pm, checked-in my baggage and off to the plane.  Nice big NEW plane, Singapore Air is fantastic - they look after you very well.  But wouldn't you know it, over the next twelve hours felt a distinct cold coming on, assisted by the young lady two rows behind who coughed and sneezed her way to Singapore.  Oh well.  Left Heathrow at 10:10 pm, arrived in Singapore one day later at 6:45 pm, deplaned and made my way to the next flight which left at 8:45 pm to Sydney.  Arrived in Sydney at 6:45 am Monday morning.  At some point you totally lose sense of how many hours you have been in flight, and what day it really is.  By the time I got my cleared immigration, picked up my luggage, and made my way through the airport it was about 9am.  Oh, time for a coffee.  (Australia's even better for coffee than we are - there are coffee places everywhere that do cappuccino, lattes, etc.  It's actually more difficult to get a regular coffee here.)

Sydney Cove from the
steps of the Opera House

Here I am in Sydney, doesn't seem quite real.  Caught the train to downtown Circular Quay.  This is Sydney Cove right at the bottom of the central district of Sydney, and where the Opera House is.  It's a beautiful spot made for walking, with a park and museums on the other side, and also the place where the cruise ships come in (as you can see)

Lord Nelson Brewery and Hotel

The place I had booked was in The Rocks area of Sydney, a very old part right past here, that was originally where the ships warehouses, workers, lower class, and all the neat stuff that goes along with that lived.  It has been in many places restored, and gentrified, but is a very neat area to be in, and within walking distance of the downtown core, Sydney Harbour, shopping, aquarium, gardens and museums.  So true to the location, this is what my home for the next few days was - the oldest continuous running pub in Sydney and a local brewery - The Lord Nelson.  If you ever go, stay here, great rooms, food and ambience. Oh and the beer is really good too.

So for the next couple of days all I did was walk around Sydney and explore.  Lots to see, went to a couple of the museums, the aquarium was good, Hyde Park, the botanical gardens were fantastic - and they want you to walk on the grass, lie down and have a rest, step into the rose gardens and smell the flowers - but mainly I just walked around.  It's more hilly than I thought, so definitely a good workout.  There is some amazing and beautiful iron work on the balconies and houses - apparently it was the pig iron used as ballast in the ships.  There was a time when it was ripped away as garage, but luckily now it is being restored in most places.

Can you guess?
Under the Sydney Bridge

Another piece of history is this unique structure located directly underneath the iconic Sydney Bridge.  Can you guess what it is?  I will say that it is a very useful item.

 Lyn arrived on the Wednesday, met her at the Quay and we decided it was time for some sun, sand and surf.  So off to Manley we went - a 20 minute ferry ride from Circular Quay to a beautiful beach where we had lunch-yummy salt and pepper squid, wandered around and spent the afternoon just soaking up the sun.  Water was chilly but who needs to swim yet?  This little beach is where the ferry comes in - you can rent kayaks here.  A 5 minute walk directly across the 'corso' or walking mall brings you to the main play beach.  What a great afternoon.  Back to Sydney late afternoon and had a wonderful dinner with our cousin Kate and Joshin.  Thanks guys, it was so good to see you and catch up.

Our time here is over - early morning to the airport for the flight to Melbourne...


.