Sydney days 3 & 4


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Oceania » Australia » New South Wales » Sydney
January 19th 2013
Published: January 19th 2013
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Steve and I set off on our own today to explore the peninsula. We drove as far as Palm beach stopping for coffee in one of the many beachside cafes. Parking was a problem ie we had to pay for it, so we didn't stop too long, just long enough for a quiet relax and read. We then ventured further to the other side of the peninsula where the ferries went to and fro and boats were moored up. It was much quieter and we went for a swim. The temperature was going up and up so we took a drive with the air conditioning on and took ourselves down to Dee Why beach and stopped for another iced coffee. Parking is more available here and free, also there are trees on the beach so some shade. I sat and read and Steve went for another swim. Feeling hot we went to the shops, air conditioning is wonderful! Then the clouds came and it all started to cool down. We went back and met up with the guys before heading down to the beach to play on the surf, this time with a body board. It's more difficult than these ten year old children make it look. Off they go on a wave and I'm left standing there, still it was fun. We were informed by Harry that the temperature in Sydney was a record, the warmest day since 1939 and that was when records were first recorded. Just our luck. A storm blew up in the evening, the temperature dropped and it hammered down, just like an English summer day.
Next day we left the house at 6.30 to go to the market at North Sydney. The roads were quiet at this time. The market had a flavour of the flower market we go to in London but with meat and veg rather than flowers. After sampling the local coffee and buying some local produce we returned home. Next we were off to the market at Paddington. The houses were beautiful with filigree fretwork on the balconies and very close to the city centre what an amazing place to live in but horrendously expensive as you might expect for beautiful houses so close to centre. The market was full of beautiful things, designer gear and had the flavour of Camden market. Leaving here we went to drop the car off in town then took ourselves off to Hyde Park, with its Captain Cook Monument then past the library to the Botanic Garden. Sydney festival is on in January and there is a lot to see and do, an Alexander the Great exhibition which I am sure we will visit at some point. We walked through the botanic gardens and found many prehistoric looking birds called ibis which are bordering on annoying, we persuaded a young boy to frighten them away, he didn't take much persuading. They are performing Wind in the Willows here by the lake. We walked on to the Opera House which was buzzing and alive with people, Aborigines were playing their didgeridoos and other instruments. As in London there were other street entertainers on offer.We bought a 7 day ticket for $44 that allows us to access buses, trains and ferries so we can get around Sydney and the wider area. Taking the Ferry back to Manly we saw loads of boats sailing in the harbour, ferries going back and forth, speed boats and even a water skier. Arriving in Manly we shopped and watched more street entertainers then got the bus to Freshwater having a lovely
Street entertainerStreet entertainerStreet entertainer

I'm forever blowing bubbles
chat to a local lady that likes to feed each and every dog she sees, and two Irish guys a dad of 82 and his son who like to come out here every year, they thought prices were higher the year, but still worth every penny!A walk and Moussaka a la Mrs C for tea, we watched some you tube excerpts so funny then Steve was feeling tired we went to bed!


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Sydney HarbourSydney Harbour
Sydney Harbour

Coming back on the ferry
Dobroyd Head Dobroyd Head
Dobroyd Head

Walking with friends


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