Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 7 - 29th November

Day 7

Decided to spend the day in Manly today, but it was a wet start as the rain had come in.  Still went ahead though and caught the bus in.  When I arrived I got off near Queenscliff and walked along the front hoping to see some surfing.  By now the sun was out and people were venturing onto the beach.

There was no surf up though, it was poor conditions for surfing.

Looking out over the water Shelly beach was looking particularly appealing.

From trhe beach I headed down the Corso, the main street linking the beach to the ferry terminal. 

l spent some time in O’Neils and then headed for another favourite of mine, the New Brighton Hotel.for a drink. 

I decided to have lunch here and sat out on the first floor balcony taking in the world passing by below.

I had to watch out for the pesky gulls though who thought they could share lunch with us. 

After lunch I headed back to Forest Way to get a haircut but not before I had a brief stop in The Ivanhoe.

The Ivanhoe Hotel is a much-loved local pub, is located in the heart of The Corso in Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.  Offering a refreshing, timeless and sophisticated setting. The Ivanhoe Hotel has a strong emphasis on food, quality and produce. Behind the magnificent heritage facade, The Ivanhoe Hotel’s interiors channel a Hamptons-inspired coastal beach vibe while retaining the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere of Manly and that feeling of a local pub.

Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 6 -28th November

Day 6

After an early breakfast I decided to take a bus into Manly and then the ferry over to Circular Quay.  On my way over to the nearby bus stop I was accompanied by this wild turkey. Not much meat for the Christmas table there though!!

When my bus arrived he crossed the road and went into somebody's garden and I hopped on board for the scenic drive.  This route passed through Dee Why and Queenscliff on the way into Manly.

Soon after we arrived at Manly ferry terminal and I was lucky enough to catch a ferry out within minutes. We were soon underway passing the many small beaches that line Sydney Harbour.

After disembarking at Circular Quay I made my way to the Opera quarter for a different view of the harbour.  I had never been around this side of the Opera House before.  It made for some interesting shots.

Luna Park, a kid's favourite

The other end of the Harbour bridge

The Manly Ferry on its return Journey

Kirribilli House, home of the Governor General

The Opera house from the rear

I then headed over to the Botanical gardens and because of its immense area, I decided to take the 'Noddy Train' over to the far side and then to walk back.  

The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is a major botanical garden located in the heart of Sydney. Opened in 1816, the garden is the oldest scientific institution in Australia and one of the most important historic botanical institutions in the world. It is open every day of the year and access is free. Its stunning position on Sydney Harbour and immediately adjacent to the Sydney central business district, the Sydney Opera House and the large public parklands of The Domain ensure it is one of the most visited attractions in Sydney.

Despite the commentary on the journey it was hard to take in so I'll just show some photographs of things I came across during my visit.

Some recent additions

The flies are massive round here

This is a member of the lizard family called a Water DRagon.  This was about 2 foot long

The oldest glass house in Australia

I think this is a hornet of some kind.

After spending some time here I decided to head back, but not before taking in some refreshment in Buckley's in the Quay.

Time then to get my ferry back.

Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 5 -27th November

Day 5

Slept a little late this morning. When I awoke everybody had left.  Alfie to Melbourne, Amy to Dee Why after taking the kids to school, so I got my breakfast and got ready to go out for the day. I had intended to go to the Botanical Gardens, Mrs McQuarrie's chair and all that, but fate intervened to stop all that.

I could not find any house keys so I could not leave the house at all except to just walk in the immediate area outside. 

 About as far as I could venture today

I had no way to lock the doors if I were to venture out.  So I resigned myself to a day indoors doing nothing.  Except of course getting all my paperwork up to scratch, including the blog which had fallen behind due to internet shortcomings and emailing all my contact details back home.

Lady McQuarrie will have to wait for another day.

Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 4 -26th November

Day 4

The morning started just as any other Sunday here, with the kids getting ready for swimming straight after breakfast.  Today however we were going to Artamon first so I could arrange a hire car for the duration of the visit before Alfie would be taking the kids to Lane Cove for their lessons.

However, the price of the car hire seemed so high that we delayed a decision while we walked around and had a look at the various options available to us.  I saw Amy and Alfie in a deep discussion before something that I think is a little peculiar to our family occurred. Instant decisions!!

Amy came over to me and said ‘Dad, don’t pay all that to hire a car, we need a new one so if we go and get one today you can then drive our old Mazda for this and future visits’  Loving this spontaneity I of course readily agreed. When they were told the change in plans the little one's didn't mind missing swimming at all !!

We then drove to Dee Why to Col Crawford car sales and a period of  choice, colour discussion, price haggling etc took place until they had it down to a choice between a new Qashqai or a one year old X-Trail with two years warranty still on it.

We adjourned to the nearby Brookvale Hotel for lunch where Amy and Justin discussed the options until finally arriving at their decision. 

The Brookvale Hotel

So after quite a lengthy lunch we returned to Col Crawford’s and they duly completed the deal and they are now the proud owners of a new Nissan Qashqai Ti. 

 I, on the other hand will be driving an old Mazda called Maurice.

Ah Well! At least the kids are happy

By now the day was nearly over so we returned home to French’s Forest  for the evening.

Really don't like that missing apostrophe

Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 3 -25th November

Day 3

I awoke on day 3 after a decent enough sleep on the plane and soon after was served a cooked breakfast.  Just what I wanted to set me up for my arrival in Sydney.  I then went to freshen up and change out of my PJs into my travel clothes before a walk around the area.  When I asked where the Residence was.  I was taken to it but asked not to take photographs.  This was amazing.  A double cabin with separate toilet and shower as well as a bedroom with a double bed.  I was told that to fly London to Sydney return in this would cost in the region of £20,000 for two people.  I guess that’s why this is the one advertised by Nicole Kidman.  The attendant told me that this was the very one that it was filmed in.

As I was not able to take photographs the one's following have been taken from those already published on the web.

The Residence

The Residence Bedroom

Then it was time to strap in ready for Landing which went quite smoothly.  After a short delay opening the doors we were off.  Whisked through security in no time, found my luggage and left into the main concourse where Amy, Cerys and Dylan were waiting for me.

We were soon out into the early morning traffic passing by now familiar buildings, crossing the Harbour bridge and heading out to French’s Forest where I began to unwind.  After unpacking at leisure, relaxing and catching up with things family throughout the day  we got ready and drove to Dee Wy for dinner.  One of my favourite places in Sydney. The kids played on the beach with Alfie while Amy and I sat in a restaurant drinking wine and chatting. When the others joined us we ate at the Stella Blu Restaurant and generally had a great early evening.

Feeling absolutely knackered by now it was back home and an early night for me.