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The Iconic Opera House
Art farty piccy I know! Time for an update! So what have we been up to in the last few months? Well, let's begin with the Easter Weekend in Sydney. We woke to rain in Brisbane on Good Friday. As luck had, within a few hours we were walking around Sydney Harbour in the Sunshine! Brisbane had its wettest weekend in April since records began......but that wasn't a very long time ago! So what a stroke of luck to be 1000km south and in the sunshine. Carolyn had a nervy night on the Thursday, and was quiet most of the morning on Friday! Nerves had kicked in! At 5.00pm that afternoon, she would be about 500ft above the harbour at the summit of the bridge, alone! Well, not alone as such, but certainly not with me by her side. The summit of the harbour bridge is not for the faint hearted and by the way, I am the faint hearted! So we said our goodbyes and she was in the 'briefing room'. I made my way to the bridge pylon, paid my entry fee and climbed the stairs to the top of the pylon where I assumed my position, camera in hand, ready to see her
Harbour Bridge
Caz climbed to the top of this....mad! emerge onto the twisted metal structure of the bridge on a narrow platform above the six lane highway and railtracks that span the bridge. I had to wait for over an hour whilst she went through safety briefing, a breath test and then the long haul and steep ladders before she emerged above the road level. I was concerned she had decided not to do the climb, but not Caz! Ever determined, she emerged second in her group and looked nervously confident! It was amazing to watch Caz scale the bridge and climb to the top and I was wrapped for her. I took a few shots and retreated to the best pub in the Rocks. A few beers were the order of the day. When Caz finally returned, she was on a high, and rightly so, she had accomplished something she had always wanted to do. A fine weekend followed, great wine, lovely food, superb harbour walks and the usual trip on the harbour to the Northern beaches, Manly, where we had a lovely walk around the headland to sit and look over the Pacific Ocean. We returned to Brisbane, a wet Brisbane, on Monday evening and woke up
The Best Pub in Sydney
Nothing beats blowing the froth off the top of one in here. to blue skies on Tuesday, but unfortunately work! We seem to have had blue skies since, and whilst a little cooler at night, only about 13/14 degrees now, the days are still lovely and warm (25/26) .
A month working, with a few day trips here and there, a swim at the beach and stroll by the ocean was the plan for April, to save a few dollars for the next trip, a long weekend away for May Bank Hol, or Labour Day as it is called here. So on the Saturday morning, Caz and I, our neighbours Ali and Dario, bro John and Angela and our friends Jackie and Steve, headed two hours North to Noosa. We had a lovely lunch by the river and then drove to Coolum to check in to Hyatt Coolum. It is a sprawling resort, set in hundreds of acres, with it's own private beach and 18 hole championship golf course. We arrived at reception and it felt like a hotel in the far east. We jumped in golf buggies and were driven through the resort to a block of four rooms. We checked in and wandered down to the 'village square' where there
The Bridge Climb
Caz on her ascent are a few bars, restaurants etc. I recall arriving back to our rooms somewhere in the early hours! I also recall standing on the first tee at 7.30am the following morning, I think! The first 9 holes were a bit of a blurr, I do recall loosing quite a few balls! I also remember loosing the match! By the end of the round, I came good and then we adjourned to the bar and snooker room where the competitive bloke thing started all over again. Meanwhile the girls were wandering around the boutiques of Noosa. They all made a purchase! Monday was a far more sedate day, 'milling' around the streets of Malaney and Montville in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast.
With Caz due to fly back to the UK on the 22nd for a couple of weeks, we decided that this weekend we needed another weekend away on our own. A little romantic break. With many seaside jaunts, we decided to drive West into the hills. Caz has recently got her new car so, roof down, we headed up the Cunningham Highway for an hour and a half to Boonah and the edge of the Scenic Rim. Queensland
is not reknown for it's fine wines due to the humid climate, but here at least they have warm winter days and cool nights so there are a few wine growers and we headed to the Karoomba Vineyards and Lavender Fields, for a glass of wine and lovely lunch overlooking the vineyards and the mountains. After lunch we travelled into the mountains to a lovely Bed & Breakfast, with Mike and Christine as hosts ( pommy guys ). Chris was the head tutor at the Royal College of Music in Manchester and she had a room set up with Grand Piano and other musical gizmo's. She gave us a rendition or two, then cooked us a lovely meal which we had on the balcony outside under the stars......it was cool out but just so very starry and stunning! In all a fantastic weekend.
Back to work again now, Caz due in the UK soon, so everybody look after her.....she can't wait to see you all.
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Chris and Nikki
Chris
Cool picture!