Sunday, 26 June 2016

Australia & New Zealand - Day 31 - 26th June

Day 31


Leg very stiff this morning, but no pain.  Mobility average. So I decided that I would go out with the family today rather than stay at home.

After breakfast we went to Lane Cove Aquatic Centre where the kids were to have their weekly swimming lessons.





















After watching Cerys and Dylan, who seem to be coming along very well in their lessons, we took a ride to Bondi. It was a bright but very cold morning and I was surprised by the number of people out around the beach area.


















Cerys didn't seem to feel the cold though.


We then had a walk around Bondi market and Amy got quite excited about lunch. We were to eat at a traditional fish and chip shop.  She went for chicken and mushroom pie and chips with curry sauce.  I went for cod and chips with mushy peas. It was delicious




After lunch Cerys and I went back over to the beach to watch the surfers ............


......when we came across something you don't see at Barry Island every day!

Camel rides on the beach!





Australia & New Zealand - Day 30 - 25th June

Day 30


Today I had planned on going with Alfie to the Allianz Stadium to watch the third and final test between Australia and England, but as it was not due to KO until 08.00pm local time I decided to spend a few hours in Dee Why.

Previously I had only passed through here on the Manley bus but it always appealed to me so I thought I'd spend a few hours here before heading back to get ready to go out this evening.  Alfie dropped me off at the sea front and I arranged to see him later.

It was a beautiful morning with very little cloud in the sky if a little chilly but there were scores of people out enjoying the day.

I started to take photographs but realised that I had forgotten to put a charged battery in the camera, so all the photographs following were taken on my iPhone.





















I started to walk around towards the swimming pool where there was a delightful cafe where I bought a water and a sandwich to take wth me on my travels. Just out at sea beyond the swimming pools, thee were surfers riding some decent sized waves and the water was very volatile at times.

























After a while spent here I decided to go along the cliff top walk towards Curl Curl. I took more photographs along this route.


























Unfortunately, after I had gone about 1.5km I had an accident.  The path was narrow along the top of the cliff and when a couple approached from the opposite direction, I stepped aside to let them through and my right foot went straight down a hole. Struggling to keep my balance I jarred my left knee, not a lot but enough to cause pain at the top and sides of the knee.

I decided that it would be better to go back, not knowing how far there was to go if I went ahead.  It took a while and I was in a fair bit of discomfort and I eventually go back to the front and saw a restaurant, The On shorethat had room outside so I headed for it and sat at a table outside.  I thought to give my knee a rest so I decided to have some lunch here and ordered some food and drink.




















Sitting there talking to the waiter, who was from Reading, it appeared that the pain had subsided so I asked for my bill.  When it arrived I settled it and stood up to leave and suddenly there was excruciating pain down either side of the back of my left knee and I could not move my leg forward or back. I was riveted to the spot. Feeling rather silly I sat back down and waited a while to have another go.

This time I got some forward movement but my leg was straight as a rod and I moved off with slow and shuffling movements.  I wanted to get to a spot that Alfie would know when I would ring him and was helped across a zebra crossing, presumably because I was too slow and I rang Alfie, told him the story and waited at the place he had dropped me off at.

Back at home we rang for an out of hours doctor and after paying $200 dollars (which I can claim back against my insurance) I was told to take Nurofen, and keep the leg raised and on an ice pack. If the pain persists tomorrow I am to see about arranging an MRI scan as the doctor believes I have torn the tendons. 

Obviously, I did not make the match.  I'll see what it's like tomorrow.

Friday, 24 June 2016

Australia & New Zealand - Day 29 - 24th June

Day 29


Morning started by taking Cerys and Dylan to school with Amy then while Amy was sorting out the renewal of Cerys's passport at the post office I popped in to the Forest Way hairdressers for a trim.

Forestway Shops





















I didn't realise that the barber was a Sioux Indian.  I came out scalped.  That's me sorted until Christmas now.

Me after the attack.





















After this Amy needed to pop to the doctors in Willoughby  so while she was there I had breakfast in a quirky little restaurant called Tricycle.

The Tricycle Cafe















The water table in the a tricycle





















The counter























Then I went around the corner to a place I always like visiting.  Frame 88, otherwise known as gallery 88.  This is a very interesting place selling old and new products. A real eclectic collection of merchandise. 




















































Amy came in later and bought a plant and pot for the house........

Amy's new plant



















.....before we headed over to Glenrose for lunch and a look at the new shopping centre.




















Australia & New Zealand - Day 28 - 23rd June

Day 28


On a big day in the UK, the result of which would not unfold here in Australia until late tomorrow  I decided to take a trip down the Parramatta River to Parramatta itself.  Alfie said I would find it interesting so I decided to give it a try.

It was quite a long trip and I was on a Captain Cooks Cruises catamaran seconded to Sydney travel for some reason.

Captain Cook's hop on hop off catamaran 



















It was a very pleasant trip and the further up river we got the more impressive were the houses which lined the river, especially after we passed the Sydney rowing club.

The Parramatta River


















Sydney Rowing Club
















Houses on the Parramatta 





















I noticed on the display board that Olympic park was a stop before Parramatta and I decided to get off there to have a look at the Olympic Stadium.  When I got off I had no idea how far away everything was and I set off on what was to prove to be a considerable trek.

The stadium and surrounds were very impressive and it was worth the walk once I got there.

The Olympic Stadium














The train station seems to have been modelled on the Opera House






















I had spent so long getting here and back to the jetty I decided to call it a day and headed back to the city.  The ferry I caught this time was called The Dawn Fraser, named after one of Australia's most successful swimmers.

The wharf at Olympic Park 

















The Dawn Fraser 

Thursday, 23 June 2016

Australia & New Zealand - Day 27 - 22nd June

Day 27


Gorgeous  day today, sun out and blue skies everywhere.  Decided not to go to Maroubra but instead I decided to go to Double Bay and walk to Rose Bay.  So I had breakfast at home and then went into the city and took a ferry from Circular Quay to Double Bay.

At the Quay

A harbour ferry


































Unfamiliar with Double Bay I paid attention to a guide book and set out for Rose Bay.




Double Bay Yacht Cub

The beach at Double Bay


































Along the route I came across the Council chamber for Woollahra Council, a fine sandstone building called Redleaf.

Woollahra Council Chambers 



















I walked around the building and over the lawn and came across steps down to a netted semicircular pool area of the bay, surrounded by a jetty and fronted by a beach. There was a delightful cafe restaurant above the pool which made it an ideal place for a day at the beach.

Redleaf pool , also known as Murray Rose Pool 

The beach through the trees



































Moving on from here I eventually ended up at Rose bay.  This is where the sea boat trips leave and return to.  Between the wars it was a very busy 'airport' for the seaplane services between Australia and Great Britain.

Seaplane 

Coming in to land 











































Walking along the beach I saw a young boy catch a sting ray on his line then run off frightened calling for his mum.  It was only a small one though, and they did put it back in the sea. 




the beach at Rose bay


The mini Sting Ray




















Alfie said I should eat lunch at the Rose Bay yacht club and I thought I could see it the other side of the bay.

The yacht club in the distance, or so I thought


















When I got around there, the restaurant was not the yacht club, but one called Catalinas.  I walked in with my rucksack on my back and was asked if I had a reservation.  I said that I did not but they still found me a table.

At first I did feel a little underdressed when I looked round at the other diners but they were very friendly and I ordered my meal: -

6 Oyster with flying fish roe, chilli flakes and lime, followed by crispy skin Baramundi with white crab ravioli.  Accompanied by lemon and garlic mash and a rocket and Parmesan salad. It was washed down with a half bottle of Hunter Valley Semillon.

The bill was a bit of a shock, but I should have known and the meal was something special.  Without a doubt, the oysters were the best I've ever had.

When I got back and mentioned it to Alfie he said 'that's not the yacht club! It's only one of the top ten restaurants in Sydney.

That's the kind of mistake I don't mind making.

Inside Catalina restaurant 




The bayside terrace