Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 85 - 15th February

Day 85

My very last day in Australia this year.  I got up early and went into Manly for a last look around. It was a very hot day and there was a lot of activity on the beaches.

I couldn't stay too long though as there was still packing to complete at home so I headed back after one final stroll down the Corso.

I reached the ferry terminal for one last look around Shark Beach before jumping on a bus back home.

When the others returned from work we packed my stuff in the car, picked the kids up from school and took a trip down to Balmoral beach before I had to leave.

We could not leave here without visiting the Bottom of the Harbour fish shop for the best fish and chips in Sydney.

Then it was time to go to the airport.  I checked in and we said our tearful goodbyes before I went inside for departures.  

The flight back was on time and within the next 30 hours I would be back home in Wales. Here's to next years visit.

Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 84 - 14th February

Day 84

Spent most of the day sorting out, and packing ready for my flight tomorrow. I did take time out though and went to the Belrose Hotel for lunch.

It wasn't busy and I spent a relaxing hour there. They have really worked hard on refurbishing this place and the new menu is excellent. I would thoroughly recommend the Belrose for lunch. 

I then returned home  and did a bit more packing. I even found time to make a cheese and potato pie for dinner.

When the kids came in from school we went outside bug hunting for Cerys's new 'bug box' that she had made in school. Dylan got excited when he found this foot long lizard at the bottom of the garden. Much too big for the bug box though.

After Dinner Amy helped me to get my packing almost to completion. The rest can be done in the morning.

Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 83 - 13th February

Day 83

During a leisurely day at home, I went on the short trip to Canon's premises a McQuarrie Park to pick up a new camera.  Amy's friend Joyce had arranged it for me and it was ready on reception when I got there. I then hurried home to have a play with 'my new toy'

Later, Alfie, Amy and I went for our traditional ‘last supper’ before I was to head home. This time we went to Catalina in Rose Bay.

Amy had decided she would drive home so Alfie said he would drive there. We set off for the trip around the harbor and arrived in Rose Bay fairly quickly.

Rose Bay

Rose Bay is the home of Sydney Seaplanes and the former home of the huge Catalina Flying Boats which used to deliver the Mail from the UK to Australia coming in to land in the bay just here. Of Course, this is how the restaurant here got its name.

The restaurant was amazing. It was the day before Valentine’s day, yet it was heaving.

We took our seats and had a great view of the bay and in no time were being served food and drink. The food was spectacular, but the highlight had to be Alfie’s ‘first ever’ plate of oysters with flying fish eggs.  Always a favourite of mine but I was amazed at meat lover Alfie taking it on and actually enjoying it.

All in all, another great night dining out in Sydney.

Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 82 - 12th February

Day 82

Had a leisurely start to the day before going in to Circular Quay to meet some friends from Newport, Hayley and Dave Poole who had recently arrived in Sydney.

We had a most enjoyable lunchtime drink in Buckley's, catching up on matters from home before they set off on more exploration around the city and I headed back to French’s Forest.

Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 81 - 11th February

Day 81

After the kids had been swimming we went to Barangaroo for lunch today.  We parked at the reserve and walked back to the Meat and Wine Company for lunch. Cerys and Dylan enjoyed the excuse to get on their scooters,

There are a few of these in Sydney and I have always enjoyed eating here.  This time was no exception.

The service was excellent and the food was outstanding. The way the waiter we had fussed over the kids made it all the more relaxing

After lunch we went for a long walk around the reserve and let the kids have a good run around.

This was my first time here and I really enjoyed seeing the Harbour from yet another angle. We saw the entry into Darling Harbour and then across the Paramatta to the North side of Sydney Harbour. There seem to be new things to see every day here.

When we arrived back at the car Alfie dropped the rest of us off at the Ferry Terminal to catch the boat across to Milson's Point and he drove round to meet us on the other side. From there it was a short dap home, but Cerys and Dylan were soon asleep after their exhausting day out in the heat of Sydney.