St David's Day in Sydney

---

Thursday 1st March:

Ow! My feet hurt. Sooooo much. But it is absolutely worth it. We've been very

dedicated tourists today but only after a long Skype call with my sister first thing

this morning. I know you can't have a hug on a Skype but at least you get to see each

other and it was fun walking the iPad round our apartment and showing Jane the view of

the opera house from our balcony. I couldn't ever emigrate and leave my family behind

but technology definitely helps to make a 4-month break much easier to handle.

We had a great breakfast today sitting in the aparthotel's restaurant overlooking the

harbour bridge. There aren't many restaurants with quite such a great view. We really

are very lucky.

Then we took the bus up to the top end of the city and hit Paddy's Market in Chinatown.

Managed to get all sorts of bits and pieces including an umbrella and a rain jacket.

With the awful forecast here this week, this seemed like a good investment. Then we

jumped on the ferry to Manley. This journey took about half an hour and as the reality

dumbfounded the forecasters and the sun shone from a blue sky, this was a lovely way of

seeing more of this wonderful harbour (pretty sure it's the world's largest). We found

a lovely restaurant near the beach and had great fish and chips. And then we went to

the beach itself and it is really lovely. The sand is incredibly soft and there's no

seaweed and no pebbles to ruin it. A bit chilly at first but there were lots of people

in the water mostly surfing and a few like us, just enjoying a paddle.

When we came back to Circular Quay we jumped on another ferry and went round to Darling

Harbour. Sadly as we arrived there, the heavens opened so our early morning anti-rain

purchases were put to use. As we walked round the harbour we found the ING Direct head

offices and then headed for the monorail which we took back into the city. It's a weird

feeling not being able to see what's holding you up just a bit above the traffic and all

the people. We had a wander around the shops and food outlets, ate again, and then

bussed back to Circular quay and what, for the week at least, is home. And a very comfy

home it is too. I could never afford to live here but it is a fantastic perch for a

visit.

Not sure yet what we'll do tomorrow but it has got to involve less walking. My tootsies

need a rest!

---