Week 12 February 8th to 14th.

Fig Tree in Janet's road


Gillian's home


Sydney at night

Watsons Bay at dusk

Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House

Chinese Garden

Darling Harbour

After the heavy rain of last week the sun began to shine again for the whole of this week.

Because we had visited some of the main tourist sights before Janet suggested some more unusual places to visit. On Monday we caught the cat to take us up the Parramatta River. This was a lovely cruise, but because of low tide we could not land in the town, so we returned on the next boat. After eating traditional meat pies on Circular Quay, we walked to the Australia National Museum where there was a fantastic exhibition of international prizewinning wild life photography. Each was so stunning we could not choose a favourite.

On Tuesday we took the train to Woologong and then another to Kiama to view the famous blowhole. Unfortunately it was not very active and Brian waited ages to catch a shot of the waves whooshing up through the gap in the rocks. Just as it happened his concentration lapsed and he missed it. We returned to Sydney and then caught the bus to Watsons Bay to sample the famous Doyles fish and Chips. and they were very good.

Wednesday was very hot and sunny. We headed for the Chinese Garden which is a beautiful tranquil oasis in the busy city. Brian took lots of beautful photos. We then walked to Darling Harbour and admired the stunning modern skyline. we then took the ferry toWatsons Bay via Double Bay and Rosebay, admiring all the amazing waterside properties. We bussed back to the city.

Our last day in Sydney was spent in the Powerhouse Museum where there is a fascinating collection of artifacts and costume, engines and machines and technology- something for everyone. The building itself is a restored power station. We had a quiet supper back with Janet aand drank coffee on the verandah overlooking the night skyline.

On Friday we had a good flight back to Melbourne where it was good to be with the family again.

The weekend was spent in Warragul, with Gillian, Valerie's oldest friend. She lives in a very nice mobile home in a little retirement village. She is happily settled there although she still travels a great deal. Warragul is quite a flourishing town South West of Melbourne set in beautiful rural rolling countryside. Gillian had arranged for her three daughters to join us for lunch at the local Golf Club, and they came with their respective children, ages from 4 to 21. It was so good to meet them all. Her cousin Maureen also came. She and Gillian had originally sailed from England as £10 poms in 1962. We stayed inthe local motel and left after lunch on Sunday. I spent some time getting Gillian started on researching her family tree before we left.