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Published: January 6th 2011
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Buildings with Boats in the Bay
Just a corner of the fabulous harbour area, which looks fantastic from any angle. Thursday 30th December – North of Sydney Harbour Bridge
Arrived in Sydney early AM (after no sleep) and headed to beautiful Kirribilli:
Spectacular views – Amazing images of otherworldly coast and iconic city skyline as the plane flies past the city, banks over the sea and heads back in to land.
Jacqui and the gang – Warm welcomes from Jacqui, Rhubarb and Jackson (Cavalier Spaniels) as we settle into the Australian vibe.
Bridge and Opera House – Just a stone’s throw to the iconic bridge, with the opera house the other side of the water – strange to see these in real life after so many 2D images.
Friday 31st December – In a rush to Celebrate
After a long lie in to recover, a quick visit to Manly Beach and then back for the celebrations:
Ferry to Manly – Another “must do” experience, as we watch the world go by on the way to and from Manly – surfer dudes aplenty on the waves and a cool 30 degrees for those enjoying the UK weather!
Ferry across the melee – Confusion reigns as the police force us out of Circular Quay, as we try to
Manly Activities
Beach volleyball on the long, sandy and beautiful Manly beach. get the last ferry back to Kirribilli for the celebrations – finally manage to get the 6:20 before the whole system closes down until after midnight!
The main event(s) – Seriously grateful for a friend within a 5 minute walk of a prime view of Harbour Bridge! Major pyrotechnics at 9 and 12, although the much publicised alcohol ban seemed more of a theoretical concept than a reality…
Saturday 1st January 2011 – Black Stump, Barbie and Bondi
Fun packed (some would say insane) start to another beautiful day in paradise:
Beyond the Black Stump (runners see below) – Seemed like a good idea at the time – 3 hours sleep and a 5:30 start to get 20 miles north of Sydney centre for the best kick off to 2011 you could have. A 10 mile run through bush, hills, boulders, more hills, kookaburras and some more hills with about 60 other lunatics, most of whom were actually taking the 20 mile option!!! Quite sanely, when confronted with a choice of 16k or 33k, Deborah chose the “stay in bed” 0k option…
A proper Aussie barbie – Off to Paul’s (thanks for the lift and support
Harbour Ferries
A nicer way to traverse the bay area could be hard to come by. Star Line ferries in all shapes and sizes head out from the Sydney Harbour quays. mate!) to meet the family and sample a full-on OZ Barbie, including a steak the size of a small country.
Bondi surprise – Not only did Jacqui pick a great seafood restaurant but thoughtfully arranged for helicopter, rescue boats and police (riot control unit) to put on a show as we eat – never found out whether it was a floater or drugs bust, but no sign of fins and red water…
BTBS – A 7AM New Years Day run with 16k (Party Pooper) or 33k (Full Monty) option. Vaguely organised (no times, positions, marking, marshals or water stations) through classic Australian bush, some of which was heading for the vertical and none of which was marked out! 33k option included a short ferry ride with 4 hours being considered a pretty respectable time! First started in 2001 as a recce to assess the damage after extensive bush fires, and although participants returned tired and blackened, they enjoyed it so much, they decided to come back each year. Not for the faint hearted and advertised as "not beginner-friendly".
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Laura
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This looks like a good time...amazing experiences, especially the camping Deborah!! Thank you for our Christmas presents. L x