Olivia’s pronouncement earlier today mid way through yet another coastal walk as she sat on a particularly sunny clifftop.
I think however she expressed something we are all feeling after a particularly exhausting couple of weeks – since we left Byron on Boxing day in fact.
We have covered many miles and crammed much into a relatively short space of time, but now with Melbourne beckoning– 16 days in a lovely city centre apartment, 10 minutes walk from the tennis and 200m from the main shopping street- we need a break from Mavis and driving.
Much has happened since Christmas: we spent New Years eve on the steps of the Sydney Opera house watching the fireworks; got caught in a traffic jam of UK proportions as we escaped the city heading south; spent a really interesting couple of days in what has to be the planets strangest capital city- Canberra; and met up again with Indra, Johnny, Mish and Tash who in 4 meetings have become true friends and who we will miss greatly when we finally head home.
Firstly Sydney. We figured that we are in Aus for New Year so there is only place for us to be. Unfortunately so did another 1,499,495 people.....it was pretty packed. However, having got to the city centre by about 2pm and found a great space we spent many hours eating bad fast food and drinking overpriced beer, but it was worth it. Sydney opera house and the harbour bridge are the iconic views of Australia, so seeing a great firework show silhouette them has to be a highlight of the trip. We managed to escape back to Mavis at a pretty reasonable hour and subsequently spent a pretty lazy new years day recovering in 35c heat.
I think however she expressed something we are all feeling after a particularly exhausting couple of weeks – since we left Byron on Boxing day in fact.
We have covered many miles and crammed much into a relatively short space of time, but now with Melbourne beckoning– 16 days in a lovely city centre apartment, 10 minutes walk from the tennis and 200m from the main shopping street- we need a break from Mavis and driving.
Much has happened since Christmas: we spent New Years eve on the steps of the Sydney Opera house watching the fireworks; got caught in a traffic jam of UK proportions as we escaped the city heading south; spent a really interesting couple of days in what has to be the planets strangest capital city- Canberra; and met up again with Indra, Johnny, Mish and Tash who in 4 meetings have become true friends and who we will miss greatly when we finally head home.
Firstly Sydney. We figured that we are in Aus for New Year so there is only place for us to be. Unfortunately so did another 1,499,495 people.....it was pretty packed. However, having got to the city centre by about 2pm and found a great space we spent many hours eating bad fast food and drinking overpriced beer, but it was worth it. Sydney opera house and the harbour bridge are the iconic views of Australia, so seeing a great firework show silhouette them has to be a highlight of the trip. We managed to escape back to Mavis at a pretty reasonable hour and subsequently spent a pretty lazy new years day recovering in 35c heat.
Waiting for midnight....
And so to Canberra. The city was established in about 1912 and is in the middle of nowhere. Well not quite- it is mid way between Sydney and Melbourne, so avoiding territorial animosities- and that is pretty much close to the middle of nowhere!
It has a clinical feel to it. Wide freeways, lots of green space and every building seems to compete in its impressiveness, but there are no people there apart from a few fellow tourists and staff
It has a clinical feel to it. Wide freeways, lots of green space and every building seems to compete in its impressiveness, but there are no people there apart from a few fellow tourists and staff
manning the many public buildings. We were strongly recommended to visit the Australian War Memorial, so that was our first stop. Both Lu and I were quite taken aback by what proved to be an emotional couple of hours but I feel that having such a sympathetic and yet incredibly
knowledgeable tour guide contributed to that.
It compares to London’s Imperial War Museum but to be honest blows the socks off it (excuse any pun!).
Honouring Australia's war dead....
The National Gallery hosted an impressive touring Degas exhibition and an equally alluring gift shop for 3 young girls, whilst the National Portrait Gallery, which only opened last month, displayed Australia’s finest sons. From Captain Cook and many other founders through to politicians, Indigenous land rights campaigners, its famous sportsman and pop-stars, this was fascinating history in an amazing building. If you ever find yourself in Canberra.........
Back to the coast and several noticeable changes- not least the weather, which has cooled, but mainly the ocean which is at least 2-3c colder than our last time we were in it at Byron. Our speedos and bikinis have been put away and we have dusted off our fleeces and woolly pyjamas The south east corner of Aus features lots of small coastal towns, rocky outcrops, big surf and miles of golden beaches. We are seeing a lot of this as we now come off the main highway at every chance and just follow the ‘tourist routes.’ Stops at Nelligen, Batemans Bay, Merimbula, Mallacoota and soon Wilsons Prom and Phillip island should see us hit Melbourne by Friday, just in time for Mads and Geo’s 13th birthday. How old are we!
Back to the coast and several noticeable changes- not least the weather, which has cooled, but mainly the ocean which is at least 2-3c colder than our last time we were in it at Byron. Our speedos and bikinis have been put away and we have dusted off our fleeces and woolly pyjamas The south east corner of Aus features lots of small coastal towns, rocky outcrops, big surf and miles of golden beaches. We are seeing a lot of this as we now come off the main highway at every chance and just follow the ‘tourist routes.’ Stops at Nelligen, Batemans Bay, Merimbula, Mallacoota and soon Wilsons Prom and Phillip island should see us hit Melbourne by Friday, just in time for Mads and Geo’s 13th birthday. How old are we!
These grow so abundantly, Aussies class Agapantha's as weeds.......
The other thing we have come across is Tasmanian Camembert-nice- whilst all 3 girls have started reading with something of a voracious appetite. It is a great combo.
Take care and wrap up warm- I read that Europe is in the middle of a rather aggressive cold snap.
Andy
Take care and wrap up warm- I read that Europe is in the middle of a rather aggressive cold snap.
Andy
1 comment:
Hey you all great to read your blog as always, lot of culture!!!!! good on you!! sounds fab. Yes we are in the thick of ghastly cold weather gales and snow on the way this weekend , oh joy!!!!! still dark all day!!! I hope spring on the way soon! Wanting to wish Georgia and Maddie a very very Happy Birthday for today there! and tomorrow here!!! Have a fantastic day lovely girls teenagers!!! wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! enjoy it all in the sunshine!!! not missing anything here! how wonderful to have your birthday in the summer!! wierd I bet. Lots of love from us all Ella Oz Isabella and Luis xxxxx
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