Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 64 - 25th January

Day 64

Another day out today as Cerys's school holidays draw to a close.  We went up to the central coast to visit a place called Amazement Farm and Fun Park.

From magical mazes to friendly farm animals and many more amazing attractions and activities on offer. the Amazement Farm and Fun Park turned out to be loads of fun for Cerys and I.

We explored all of their magical mazes, where I needed help from Cerys to get out.

There were plenty of friendly farm animals that we saw and even scheduled petting shows.

There is also the bird sanctuary area, kids playground area, rhino play unit, yard activities, sporting games, giant board games, and mini kids bike track and bikes, 

Cerys even got to brush one of the ponies before we went to the Big Barn Café, which offered some respite from the heat when we were hungry or thirsty.

On the way home we were fortunate to avoid an accident when a lorry collided with a car in the lane next to us. I accelerated to get out of the way of the accident rather than brake, then watched in my mirror as the lorry pushed the car sideways down the road.  Then it was out of sight and there was no traffic behind us on the motorway so I don't know what happened to those involved. I was just glad we had avoided what could possibly have been very serious for us.

Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 63 - 24th January

Day 63

Today we had arranged to go back to Darling Harbour to visit the Lego exhibition, so we set off after breakfast and headed off to Luna Park where we left the car before walking to Milson’s Point Jetty.

We caught the ferry from here to Pyrmont, stopping on the way over at McMahon’s Point, Balmain East and Barangaroo.

McMahon's Point

Balmain East

Barangarropo

Pyrmont

We got off at Pyrmont and walked along the water’s edge past the Maritime Museum.

Our destination was the new International Convention Centre where the Exhibition was being held. We spent the rest of the morning here looking at the massive constructions made entirely from Lego Bricks

Dr Who's Tardis

An ant

A platypus

A giant Lego brick made out of Lego bricks

A koala

A kangaroo

A killer whale

An eagle

A spider in a web

An enormous rocket

The Sydney Opera House

A lifeboat riding waves

When we had finished here we went to the Hard Rock Café for lunch. I know they are a chain and wherever you go into one around the world you know exactly what to expect but I really enjoy the atmosphere and food that is available here.

I was not disappointed, it was as good as I had expected.

Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 62 - 23rd January

Day 62

Today I had been tasked by Amy to take delivery of a new dining table and bench from Freeman's. Not only was I to take delivery of it, I was expected to assemble it as well.  So helped by my not so able apprentice Cerys, we patiently awaited it.

Then it arrived and the guys brought it in and left it with us. All contained within four large cardboard boxes

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I then taught Cerys that the thing we had to do was unpack everything, check it was all there and remove all of the packaging before starting to build. She was an avid listener and said 'that's not what Daddy does, he leaves all the rubbish around him when he builds it'

So after unpacking everything we duly removed all of the packaging, with a brief interlude for her to pop a lot of bubble wrap and set about building it up. 

My Little helper

There is a story behind this furniture and it is that many years ago the Canadians shipped boatloads of Elm to China for use in the building trade. The Elm was used to make doors for houses and now that the houses are being demolished to make way for new, modern buildings, the doors are being re-cycled. One Australian company has sourced a lot of these doors and is turning them into household furniture for sale in Australia, complete with the original imperfections from their use as doors. This is what Amy and Justin have chosen for their new dining table

Pretty soon the table was completed, now for the bench

The bench was even faster so we were completed in double quick time.  Cerys then decided to be the first to use it and ate her lunch on it, sitting on the bench.

That was it, work completed for the day.

Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 61 - 22nd January

Day 61


After that long but very enjoyable weekend of ODI cricket I decided to stay in today and try to get my blog up to date.

I failed miserably though, pretty soon giving in to a day of watching TV from the comfort of the sofa.

Australia & Ashes 2017 - 2018 - Day 60 - 21st January

Day 60

Up very early this morning and went up to see view from top of the hotel. I then went down to reception and settled my bill and checked out before breakfast.

What a view

I was first in the restaurant for breakfast and enjoyed the food for the last time. It was quite relaxing having choice of foods without being in a line.

Nobody in the restaurant

I then returned to my room to collect my bags. Then, after depositing my keys at reception I got my car out and set off to return it to the car hire terminal. From here I hopped on a shuttle bus which whisked me off to the airport. After checking in I did not have much time before the plane was due to leave so I made my way to the departure gate.

We were soon boarding and on reaching my seat I found myself sat next to a charming lady who said her name was Effie who was of Greek origin, so it could have been Ephe I suppose.  She was travelling with her partner Connor (who was sat across the aisle from me) and Con’s three kids.  By the time we landed I felt as though I had known her all my life. We did not stop talking the whole trip and I more or less got to know her whole life story. Or so it seemed.

On arrival at Sydney I quickly got my suitcase from baggage reclaim and made my way to Express Pick up where Alfie was waiting to whisk me off to the SCG where I was to meet up with Nigel for the 3^rd One Day International between Australia and England.  When I got to the ground I had missed the first hour and we were already 2 wickets down

The members stand at the SCG with the ladies stand in the forground

I bought some beers and made my way up to the seat where I met up with Nigel who had been there from the start. We were sat in a sea of Australian supporters which made for some interesting banter. 

Without going into it in detail, suffice to say that England won not only the match, but the series as well going 3-0 up in the series of 5 matches. Highlight was Josh Butler scoring a century with a two off the very last ball.

Series winners

Series losies

Butler on reaching his ton

Needless to say, it was difficult getting away from the ground after, but we got onto a bus eventually and headed away. Nigel got off before me, heading towards Double Bay and I continued on to Circular Quay, after we said our goodbyes. The ferries had stopped running when I got there but by various means of transport I eventually got back to French’s Forest at about half Past midnight. A very long day to round off a very long, but extremely enjoyable weekend.