Australia - Day 36 - 30th March

Day 36


I went to school today, it was grandparent Day at Frenchs Forest public school;

First off, all grandparents had to meet in the Assembly Hall where they were welcomed and addressed by Mrs Smith, the Head Mistress who outlined the programme for the morning.

Then we were shown by 'Ambassadors' to the classrooms of our grand children. Cerys was waiting for me when I got there with her friend Alyssa, whose grandparents could not make it today.  We had been encouraged by Mrs Smith to adopt any children whose grand parents were not there, so I adopted Alyssa for the morning. As it happened Alyssa and Cerys are best friends in school.

Cerys on the left of the photograph with her BFF Alyssa on the right

First of all they showed me their classroom work which included the books they are reading, drawings which have been put up on the wall and currently being worked on. What impressed me most was the ease with which they turned on the computer, signed in and showed me their blogs.

Cerys' picture on the wall

Alyssa's picture on the wall

Together at the work in progress table

Working on the computers

With Mrs Davidson, the form teacher

They then took me to see where they kept their backpacks during the day. All very interesting stuff!!

Then it was out to the playground to show me equipment they have at their disposal to use during play times and before classes.

And before I new it, it was time to go back to the Assembly hall for refreshments so I said my goodbyes to the girls and made my way back to the hall

Then I made my way to the car, in the rain, and decided to drive down to Balmoral Beach to see what it was like down there today.

When I got there I parked up and it was pouring down, so I sat in the car for an hour waiting for it to ease.  When it did ease up I took my chance and went for a walk along the beach and front. It was deserted except for a few people walking under umbrellas.

The best part of this visit though, was that I  was the only customer in the famous fish and chip shop on the front.  Normally this place is packed and you have to wait ages for your food because it is all cooked to order.  Not today though, it did not take long to cook and I was soon sat under the awning with rain bashing down on it feeling dry and comfortable eating the best fish and chips I've had in a long time.  Battered New Zealand Hake, gorgeous.

Australia 2017 - Day 35 - 29th March

Day 35

Day spent at home today.  Chilling out and waiting for a decorator to arrive.  Justin and Amy are getting a quotation for a lot of work and I had to meet him and show him around. 

Another one of my duties while I am here.

He came around at about 1100 and I gave him the list of requirements and showed him around.  He seemed to know what he was talking about and promised to get bnck to us tomorrow with the quote.

After he left I did nothing.  Just lazed around for the rest of the day.

Australia 2017 - Day 34 - 28th March

Day 34

Keith and Jill, Nicola's mother and father came to the house this morning to pick me up to go to Dee Why for lunch.  I have often wondered where the name came from so I looked it up.

Dee Why

The reasons for Dee Why's name remain unclear. The earliest reference to it is a pencil note in surveyor James Meehan's field book, "Wednesday, 27th Sept, 1815 Dy Beach - Marked a Honey Suckle Tree near the Beach". What it meant to him is not clear, but various claims have been put forward, including:

1. The letters DY were simply a marker that Meehan used to mark many other places on his map.

2. The name came from the local Aboriginal language that Meehan used to name many of the locations that he surveyed.

From 1840 the name was recorded as one word, 'Deewhy'. The term 'Dee Why' was also used to name Dee Why Heights or Highlands, which has been known as Narraweena since 1951, and Dee Why West, the name of which was changed to Cromer in 1969.

Little is known of the Aboriginal people who lived in the Dee Why area before European occupation, although there is evidence of a midden at the southern end of Dee Why Beach, and the indigenous people were known to fish on the then wider and deeper lagoon, where black swans were once seen in large flocks.

Dee Why plays host to many of the northern beaches main events including Australia Day and New Years Eve fireworks. 

It also is the site of numerous first class sporting events such as the Beachley Classic, Sun Run, Ocean Thunder and many more. The adjoining Ted Jackson Reserve has a fenced children's playground and a funky outdoor table tennis table. The area also boasts free WiFi.

Dee Why Beach faces slightly south east but its southern headland both gives protection from southerly winds and shape to any swell coming from the south. The point break here is a beauty, and local surfers converge on it in numbers when it's working. 

Dee Why itself is a key hub of residential and commercial activity along Sydney's northern peninsula and thus offers a variety of accommodation, dining, shopping and nightlife.

Jill and Keith at Dee Why Beach

Dee Why Beach really has it all! Set in a bustling beachside suburb full of cafes and restaurants, there is also lots of grass for a picnic or a bit of a run around and a lovely corso with picnic tables, showers and pram friendly ramps down to the beach itself.

There is an Olympic-size saltwater pool- perfect for serious swimmers, and a large shallow children’s pool next to it for splashing around in. The great little playground at the southern end of the beach has a large fenced in play area with climbing frame, swings and large pine trees to offer some shade.

We had a leisurely lunch in the On Shore restaurant and after a walk along the front we returned home.

In the evening I went with Justin to the Allianz stadium to see Australia (the Socceroos) play the UAE in a world cup qualification match. Not normally a soccer fan I thoroughly enjoyed it.  

It was a really entertaining match and there was none of the aggressive type of behaviour from fans that you see in theUK as supporters of both sides were mingling amicably.

The Socceroos won 2 - 0 which sees them remain in third place in the table, of which only the top two progress to the World cup finals.  Their next match against second placed Saudi Arabia is now of particular significance.

Australia 2017 - Day 33 - 27th March

Day 33

It was very hot today, hovering around 30 degrees and I went down to explore the Chowder Head area, which is a very small part of the Sydney Harbour National Park.

Sydney Harbour National Park

The Sydney Harbour National Park is a protected national park comprising parts of Sydney Harbour, its foreshores and various islands. The 970 acre national park lies within the Sydney metropolitan area and has been created progressively, since 1975.

The national park protects the mainland and island areas of Bradleys Head, Clark Island, Dobroyd Head, Fort Denison, Georges Head, Goat Island, Middle Head, Nielsen Park, Rodd Island, Shark Island, Sydney Heads including the Quarantine Station at North Head and The Gap bluff at South Head. The national park also protects the waterway between North Head and Dobroyd Head, defined as the North Sydney Harbour Aquatic Reserve. Parts of the national park lie outside the harbour and face the Tasman Sea.

The area that I had chosen to visit was Chowder Head, a small area which offered a somewhat steep at times walk around this part of the Park and was facing inwards towards the harbour.

There is a loop walk which is the best way to access the views from Chowder Head. This walk enables you to explore the history of the area whilst enjoying the views of Sydney Harbour. The track leads up to Chowder Head itself for spectacular views. This is a great way to enjoy this pocket of Sydney Harbour National Park, and the sweeping city views in the distance.

 

I then took an optional side trip would lead me to an informal lookout on an unfenced rock platform. it was an overgrown track and I wished I had put some insect repellent on. What added to the atmosphere was the noise of the animals from Taronga Zoo which is located nearby.  I felt like I was in a Tarzan movie, the only things missing were the vines, and Jane.

This was a great spot to enjoy the sailing boats on Sydney Harbour, watch the ferries moving too and fro and see the golden beaches dotted around below.

   

I returned along the narrow overgrown track until I rejoined the main walking path. Here, the walk took me up to Morella St. and I eventually emerged to see fine Sydney homes overlooking the park and the Harbour.