Familiar Ground at last
Monday 29th December - Aaahhhh chillin
Today we were introduced to Si's parents Peter and Helen. It was lovely to meet them, they are so relaxed and easy going just like Si. Alex talked a lot to Peter about his kayaking and outdoorsy stuff. Pete told him about a 1.4km ocean swim at Avalon Bay next Sunday. So not withstanding any more Great White Shark sightings Alex is considering entering.
Later in the day we met up with Mark and Kate over a quick pint in Manly. They are leaving soon after 5 months working for a trip around the bottom end of Australia. Last time we saw them they were bidding us farewell on our Oz Odyssey.
Tuesday 30th December - aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh more chillin
Just a chilled day with Anni, Flo and Jesse. Anni and Si are blessed with two wonderfully mannered children so it's easy to just hang out with them all.
Wednesday 31st December - NYE in Sydney, fireworks
After a morning gathering together our supplies Anni kindly gave us a lift to Cremorne Point. It was here that we were to meet up with Zoe and Ed, Eds father and his Girlfriend (Ron and Janice) and a work colleague of theirs Adelle. They had arrived earlier which was fortunate and laid out blanket and towels securing a great pitch for all of us. We had a spot under a big tree shaded from the 30deg heat with a great view across Sydney Harbour towards the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. The point was packed with revellers of all ages and abilities and was oozing a party atmosphere. We spent the afternoon whiling away the hours chatting and eating with beers in hand as we watched the more thirsty ones spirits' gradually lifting as their volumes increased in proportion.
It wasn't long until the 9pm fireworks started they were fairly short lived and understated, but gave us a good idea where to look for the main event at midnight. They probably would have been impressive only a few years back, but as is human nature we are always expecting more. So much more that this year Sydney is letting off 5000kg of explosives compared to 3000kg the year before. We heard a lady complaining about this 'waste of rate payers money' today in the supermarket, the counter argument to this is the $14million dollars of tourism money that is spent during the night!
Things took a slight dip for the Rhodesies immediately after the 9pm fireworks as our stomachs clenched tight and nausea set in. We recalled the small amount of alcohol consumed so far and discounted it immediately. Flo had been suffering with Noro virus, could it be this. The humous dip tasted suspect and who knows where our cooked chicken had been. We would never know for certain, but our alcohol consumption ceased immediately as we hung in desperately for midnight.
It was worth the effort as the midnight display was spectacular with 6 barges of synchronised fireworks and a Harbour Bridge packed with extras, including horizontal fireworks fired from the main deck It seemed to go on forever as it re created the theme of creation. We found the theme a little hard to follow apart from of course the 'Big Bang' element, but were suitably impressed with the huge white light finale that filled the night sky.
We hadnt then really given much thought to the return journey and there was much confusion over what ferries and busses were actually running. We, on the advice of the Rotary Club members who had been cooking sausages and burgers, parted company with Zoe and Ed and their crew in search of busses. They had to walk to Mossman, the next bay along, to catch a ferry back across the harbour. We made our way up to Military Road where we found loads of busses were running Better still in a sensible solution to moving hundreds of people brimming with alcohol and avoiding civil unrest the busses were all free! 3 bus rides later we disembarked a few hundred metres from Anni and Si's houses and collapsed in bed.
Thursday 1st January - The day after the night before with added Noro v
We were both feeling pretty tired and sore after last night. Alex was struggling to settle his stomach with the bug and unfortunately had to sit out a breakfast of bacon and egg rolls with Helen and Peter. The rest of the day was spent doing New Years Day stuff relaxing and reading until dinner. We had the most gorgeous lamb butterfly cooked on the barby, but unfortunately neither of us could stomach much at all and Alex flaked pretty early to speed up the recovery.
Friday 2nd January - still suffering
Still suffering with the stomach bug, managing to eat only small meals. Spent the day as easy as possible. That evening Anni tried out one of her new recipes with Beef cooked together with Quinoa in a tender coconut and corriander base. It was delicious and the first full meal Alex had managed since NYE.
Saturday 3rd January - First surfing trip, babysitting
Alex went surfing with Si, taking out the Baroness for her first ride. The waves weren't amazing, but this was Alex's first surf on the whole trip and he loved surfing with Si. They saw, but managed to avoid being stung by a bluebottle jellyfish. After lunch Alex went surfing again with Mark who popped over while Clare joined Anni and Si on a trip to Ikea to buy Flo a bed.
In the evening we stayed in and babysat for Anni and Si to allow them out on a date, something they seemed to really appreciate and of course with these perfect children was no dramas at all for us.
Sunday 4th January - A Manly breakfast at last
Breakfasted with Charlie and his friend Duncan, Anni and Si and both children. The breakfasts in Manly are so good and we went to a particularly good restaurant called Jellyfish. Everyone including the two of us had great big satisfying breakfasts.
Then just had a knocking about family day. Went to the beach, which was fab. In the evening met up with Mark and Kate to bid them a final farewell as they leave for their big trip first thing on Monday. Got some videos, swapped some videos.
Monday 5th January - Beach exped
In the afternoon we made a full expedition to the beach with all children, Anni, Si and Si's sister Nessie and partner Boatie. Tried hand surfing with a Pod and took some beachy photos of everyone. Anni cooked a mean shephards pie style dish with chicken and garlic.
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