Sadly our last day in Sydney with the Randalls. Today we went off to Sydney Olympic Park and went to a superb part of it that is a great children's playground, including a splash park. The kids loved it and ran through the fountains screaming and laughing.
After a lovely lunch at the Bicentennial park and walk, we headed home happy and tired.
So all is washed and packed and ready to go for a VERY EARLY start (4am get up) to go to New Zealand. It has been great and a huge thanks to the Randall's for all the food and laundry services and beer and wine and WIFI - a 7* service.
Callum is sad to leave ( wants to do more surfing), Isabella is sad that we are all leaving but I am sure everyone else will be happy to have normality returned. So next stop Queensland, snow and ice await.
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Friday, 15 August 2014
Thursday, 14 August 2014
Day 16 - more surfing and seafood heaven
This morning Callum woke with excitement as Roz and James were giving him and earlyh Christmas present - another surf lesson, but this time 1–2-1.
It was a lovely sunny day on Manly beach and Callum quickly donned his wetsuit and grabbed his board ready to face the waves. Apparently this time it was blue waves not white ones (harder apparently). He had an epic instructor called Kelly, who soon had him up on the board and before the lesson was finished he was learning to turn and ride along the waves, as well as paddle out over the surf (although that needs more practise). Despite being dumped a good few times (usually while trying to get out rather than surf in) Callum didn't give up and put his all into it. A huge step forward from the child that whinged so much about salt water when we started snorkelling last week!!
Well done Callum. I do have some video footage, but cannot get it off the memory card at the moment!
After that we all headed off on a fast cat from Manly wharf to the lovely bay of Watson's Bay for the explicit purpose of eating delicious seafood. It was Isabella's first time on a boat, but she soon was excited enough to sit at the front of the boat with me and Callum, and giggling as the wind swept her face.
We had a stupendous seafood feast at Doyle's and only had one piece of fish stolen straight off the table by a cheeky seagull!
Everyone was ready for an early night tonight.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It was a lovely sunny day on Manly beach and Callum quickly donned his wetsuit and grabbed his board ready to face the waves. Apparently this time it was blue waves not white ones (harder apparently). He had an epic instructor called Kelly, who soon had him up on the board and before the lesson was finished he was learning to turn and ride along the waves, as well as paddle out over the surf (although that needs more practise). Despite being dumped a good few times (usually while trying to get out rather than surf in) Callum didn't give up and put his all into it. A huge step forward from the child that whinged so much about salt water when we started snorkelling last week!!
Well done Callum. I do have some video footage, but cannot get it off the memory card at the moment!
After that we all headed off on a fast cat from Manly wharf to the lovely bay of Watson's Bay for the explicit purpose of eating delicious seafood. It was Isabella's first time on a boat, but she soon was excited enough to sit at the front of the boat with me and Callum, and giggling as the wind swept her face.
We had a stupendous seafood feast at Doyle's and only had one piece of fish stolen straight off the table by a cheeky seagull!
Everyone was ready for an early night tonight.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Watson's Bay, Sydney, Australia
Day 14 - 15 Divide and Conquer
These past couple of days Callum and I left Richard and family in Sydney (to get some work done - not a complete holiday for my hubby I'm afraid) while we borrowed Roz's lovely VW and ventured north to Raymond Terrace to see some relatives of mine.
Raymond Terrace is a near Newcastle and thankfully the sat nav did all the hard work correctly. Despite having to chug along at the slow Aussie speed limits (that people adhere to), we managed to arrive at my cousin's house without any excitement enroute - except for catching the news that Robin Williams had died.
To be totally correct Elissa is in fact my 3rd cousin I believe. My father's father (James Daly) is the older brother of Elissa's mother's father (Matthew Daly) or put it another way, she is my grandfather's brother's granddaughter!! Anyway we arrived to meet everyone for a lovely family lunch, including her two delicious little boys.
We chilled out that evening and had a chance to get to know each other a bit better and talk shop, as Elissa is a primary school teacher too. Meanwhile her lovely husband Rob kept Callum entertained with endless patience playing Super Mario! Santa if you are reading this, I think Callum wants to put that on the list
The next day, as it was rainy, we had the chance to visit Elissa's mum's house (Annette, being my Dad's cousin - are you keeping up still!!) It is funny because Annette reminds me of many of my Dad's sisters! After meeting her adorable dog we headed into Newcastle to something that all kids enjoy - soft play!
Callum went nuts and thoroughly enjoyed himself doing something so fun and familiar and be surrounded by kids. I think he really needed that. The place was similar to many UK venues, except the food was fantastic and so was the price. However the slide was really scary and if you look on FB Elissa has posted a pic of me on it. It was nearly vertical - honest!! Her 2 year old also had a good time and I felt v honoured when he wanted to go on the slide with me.
So after a great few days we beetled our way back down the motorway and I was relieved to hand back the car in one piece.
I look forward to keeping up with my cousin and swapping good classroom games in the future!!:0)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Raymond Terrace is a near Newcastle and thankfully the sat nav did all the hard work correctly. Despite having to chug along at the slow Aussie speed limits (that people adhere to), we managed to arrive at my cousin's house without any excitement enroute - except for catching the news that Robin Williams had died.
To be totally correct Elissa is in fact my 3rd cousin I believe. My father's father (James Daly) is the older brother of Elissa's mother's father (Matthew Daly) or put it another way, she is my grandfather's brother's granddaughter!! Anyway we arrived to meet everyone for a lovely family lunch, including her two delicious little boys.
We chilled out that evening and had a chance to get to know each other a bit better and talk shop, as Elissa is a primary school teacher too. Meanwhile her lovely husband Rob kept Callum entertained with endless patience playing Super Mario! Santa if you are reading this, I think Callum wants to put that on the list
The next day, as it was rainy, we had the chance to visit Elissa's mum's house (Annette, being my Dad's cousin - are you keeping up still!!) It is funny because Annette reminds me of many of my Dad's sisters! After meeting her adorable dog we headed into Newcastle to something that all kids enjoy - soft play!
Callum went nuts and thoroughly enjoyed himself doing something so fun and familiar and be surrounded by kids. I think he really needed that. The place was similar to many UK venues, except the food was fantastic and so was the price. However the slide was really scary and if you look on FB Elissa has posted a pic of me on it. It was nearly vertical - honest!! Her 2 year old also had a good time and I felt v honoured when he wanted to go on the slide with me.
So after a great few days we beetled our way back down the motorway and I was relieved to hand back the car in one piece.
I look forward to keeping up with my cousin and swapping good classroom games in the future!!:0)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Raymond Terrace, NSW, Australia
Monday, 11 August 2014
Day 13 - Look who got picked at the seal show
What a day! We managed to see giraffes (Isabella's favourite), Red Pandas (Richard's favourite) and binturong (tam's new favourite) -all in the one day at Taronga Zoo.
After seeing the lovely bird display, we had a gorgeous lunch over looking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and harbour, followed by the seal show. Callum refused to sit with us and plonked himself 2 rows from the front at the end of a row next to a stranger (no surprise to anyone who knows him!- or my slack parenting skills). Then part the way through the show he was lucky enough to be chosen to meet a seal and shake hands with it. Very lucky boy and I had to do the walk of shame down the aisle in order to take some pics. All good, even the commentators sarcastic comment of " not confident are you."
However shame of shame when later in the show a different girl was looking for a volunteer and chose Callum as well! Along with the audience I thought this was too much! and we all cheered and clapped when he was soaked by the seal while taking a bow! What can I say- it was only fair!
All being said he was so chuffed and wore his wet red jumper with pride!
We also went to an extremely well presented spider talk and can tell you lots about funnel webs and red-back spiders.
To end the day my fab sister-in-law cooked a delicious roast lamb. Yum yum.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
After seeing the lovely bird display, we had a gorgeous lunch over looking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and harbour, followed by the seal show. Callum refused to sit with us and plonked himself 2 rows from the front at the end of a row next to a stranger (no surprise to anyone who knows him!- or my slack parenting skills). Then part the way through the show he was lucky enough to be chosen to meet a seal and shake hands with it. Very lucky boy and I had to do the walk of shame down the aisle in order to take some pics. All good, even the commentators sarcastic comment of " not confident are you."
However shame of shame when later in the show a different girl was looking for a volunteer and chose Callum as well! Along with the audience I thought this was too much! and we all cheered and clapped when he was soaked by the seal while taking a bow! What can I say- it was only fair!
All being said he was so chuffed and wore his wet red jumper with pride!
We also went to an extremely well presented spider talk and can tell you lots about funnel webs and red-back spiders.
To end the day my fab sister-in-law cooked a delicious roast lamb. Yum yum.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Taronga Zoo, Sydeny, Australia
Day 12 - Surfs Up
We have been spending a few lovely days in Sydney's northern beaches area, staying with Richard's sister and family. The cousin's have been getting on really well and we have been busy walking up to the Barrenjoey lighthouse (it's the one you can see on Home and Away). The weather here is not as warm as Queensland but we have been lucky so far that it has been nice.
On Sunday Callum received his first birthday present - a 2hr surfing lesson! He was in a group lesson with mainly teenagers and adults but he absolutely loved it!
Big thanks to Aunt and Uncle for such a good pressie. He managed to get up of the board quite a bit. All of this took place on world famous Manly Beach.
Today we are off to the fabulous Taronga Zoo and then tomorrow Tam and Callum are off to visit some relatives leaving Richard here in Sydeny. We are off to visit my paternal grandfather's brother's granddaughter! Figure that one out -my third cousin maybe?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
On Sunday Callum received his first birthday present - a 2hr surfing lesson! He was in a group lesson with mainly teenagers and adults but he absolutely loved it!
Big thanks to Aunt and Uncle for such a good pressie. He managed to get up of the board quite a bit. All of this took place on world famous Manly Beach.
Today we are off to the fabulous Taronga Zoo and then tomorrow Tam and Callum are off to visit some relatives leaving Richard here in Sydeny. We are off to visit my paternal grandfather's brother's granddaughter! Figure that one out -my third cousin maybe?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Sydney, Australia
Sunday, 10 August 2014
Day 10 Australia Zoo
Friday was a special day. After leaving Noosa at 7.45am we made our first stop at a lovely coffee shop- The Coffee Cove. This fab little coffee house sold a great range of gluten-free cakes. Yum yum.Next stop an hours drive south to reach Australia Zoo, just in time for it to open. The zoo was created by Steve Irwin and family and is still going from strength to strength even after his death in 2006.
We had the delights of meeting lovely koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles and cassowaries. We also had the delights of meeting a gorgeous red panda and Sumatran tigers including a baby born at the zoo last year.
The funniest part was when a bush turkey stole Callum's bag of kangaroo food, much to his distress and our carefully concealed amusement.
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