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Published: February 19th 2011
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G'day!!
Wow...where do I even start?
Okay, after a lovely relaxing train trip back to Sydney...I found my way to North Sydney where I met up with Johnno, Waybe, John, and Di in Lavender Bay. The sailboat was a comfy 45 footer and named Namadgi. I dumped all my stuff in my state room took off my shoes for the rest of the boat trip!
We sailed past the opera house and into Rozelle Bay for the night. Had a lovely happy hour with beer and chips and cheese! Later that night we had a nice dinner with wonderful aussie wines. Saw a nice fireworks display over the city...it was either in my honor, or for the big cruise chip passengers.
Got rocked to sleep that night.
The next day we took a wander through the Sydney fish market. Then, cruised over to Cockatoo Island. This island has a lot of history...but this is just a snibbet of it...
From 1839-1850 a prison (gaol) and in 1900-1930 becomes the Commonwealth Naval Dockyard.
From the 1930's it was mostly ship building and repairs for big Naval ships, and refits of submarines. Today the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust assumes control of the island,
and is working on major restoration works and activities to attract the public.
Anyway, lots of history and lots of neat old buildings to wander through. It was fascinating.
After a pleasant lunch, we went up river for awhile and were picking out our favorite mansions on the shoreline.
Dropped Di back in town, and headed for Watson's Bay for the night. Got some good wind for sailing. Was a little tricky avoiding the ever present ferries! But Wayne and John were experienced sailors, and knew exactly what to do. I got to steer for awhile.
Watson's Bay was a fun place to around. Hiked around the bluffs and South Head and even got to check out a nudey beach!
Happy hour was fun...I think the best part of the day. A quiet relaxing way to end the day.
Scrabble that night. Had fun beating the boys.
The next day we headed out to sea bound for Botany Bay. The seas were a confused mix of wash, so we made a decision at Bondi to come about and go back to Manly for a swim. Manly is a nice little town, just a ferry ride to Sydney. I swam in
Shelley Bay Aquatic Reserve. Saw some nice fish! The boys body surfed in the Manly surf. Manly men!
Happy hour that night was good. Dinner was a Ratotoui, and lovely wine. Then, played a game called 'Articulate'.
The next day we took the boat to Balmoral Cove for a walk and a swim. Swam in the shark netted area. Saw a small tropical fish with loooong blue tentacle things following his little body. Musta wandered off somewhere from the Great Barrier Reef.
Back at Watson's Bay, Johnno and I jumped ship. Drove thru icky Sydney traffic, and suburbs, only to land at Royal National Park. Took a lovely stroll and admired the long beautiful coast. Played the ABC game ((Brad...this is the travel game you taught me on the way down the Alaska Highway). The drive to Durras was to say the least...stunning. Johnno and Di have just bought an investment property here, so we are here for a few days working on the house...amongst other things like walks on the practically isolated beach, and a hike up to pidgeon house, and a swim in the river.
The hike was brutal. All up hill, with several million steps...but totally worth the view once there. Saw a 3 foot long goena (lizard on the way down). Went for a swim in the river afterwards. Once back at the car I looked at my feet...was wearing thongs...only to discover I had leeches in between my toes and on my legs. I totally freaked out. Johnno was laughing and helped me scrape the ugly little buggers off. Fifteen minutes later on the way back home, I felt a gummy bear feeling texture on my leg (above my knee). OMG...another bloody leech. I screamed for Johnno to stop the car, and we quickly got that god forsaken thing off me.
Later that night sanded varnish off the doors. Watched Red Dwarf (the old British science fiction comedy series) and drank lots of good aussie beer.
Today...took little Benji for a walk, fed the Rozella parrots out of my hand, watched the sulfer crested cockatoo and the king parrots eat from the feeder. The king parrots are crazy...they even come into the house...looking for more seed.
There is a mob of kangaroos that live around here. They are toooo much fun. Even got to see a little Joey jump into Mum's pouch.
That is all for now....I have got to start demolishing the kitchen....literally.
Cheers for now from sunny Australia
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tom
non-member comment
see food?
try any fish or shellfish yet? you can keep the leaches!