The House

The house we are now in is two storeys. It is in a place called Dural. It has a steep drive to a double garage with a remote roller door. There is a lockable door from it to the house. There is a main entrance door to a hall with steps up to the kitchen and stairs on the left. On the right is a carpetted lounge with steps up to another carpetted area. There is door from here into the kitchen. The kitchen area can be closed off with sliding doors; otherwise the rooms are open. The kitcken has a bar sticking out from the rear wall with a large dining space. Through an archway is an even larger area. All the floors in these areas and in the hall are quarry tiled. Off the large empty area (now a playroom) is the downstairs toilet/shower and a laundry which open to the left side garden of the house. A gass area goes along the rear of the house.

Up stairs is large hall. To the left is the family bathroom with bath and shower. Next to it is the guest room which takes a double bed and a wide work bench. Next to this is a sizeable rear bedroom for Emily. Zoe has aslightly larger room looking over the front of the house. Between this bedroom and the main bedroom is an alcove which takes a large computer desk. The main bedroom has an ensuite. All the rooms have horizontal wooden blinds, plastic frames and sliding insect screen outside. All the rooms have fitted wardrobes. The house is air conditioned and heated by ducted air to vents in all the rooms.

In the bathrooms all the floor have drainage holes and the showers have high tiled surrounds.
The modem has had to be put in the kitchen for now, but the wireless signal is good to both Ian and my computer.

One evening we had the pleasure of parrots on the roof.


We have spent the time going to shops, looking after children and I have exercised by walking along the streets. There is next to no access to park type walks, but I did start on a walking track near the Cherrybrook shops while the girls were in swimming.

Two SATNAVs and Still Lost

On Monday mum and I went for walk down to the Parramatta information centre and along the river. You could get some idea of the reasons for the poor relationships between the Aborigines and the Europeans. It seems to be as the history books tell us. Whole tribes were wiped out; children were kidnapped and westernised. I spoke to an old Ozy yesterday and the fear of the Aborigines is still real.


I also saw that much of the pressure for Australia becoming a republic is from the newer immigrants (Chinese and Indian). Again this was confirmed by my friend at the park. He was pretty much not bothered either way. I wonder what the younger generation Ozy thinks.

We walked down to the rivercat stop. The river is blocked by a weir at this point.

We had a leisurely icecream at a Sudenese shop. Very tasty; we were given tastes of the different ones.

We arrived back to find out that Sally was called to take the Camry in for minor repairs 30 minutes earlier. First we had to go out to Cherrybrook to collect it. We attempted to set up both SATNAVs to get us to the Camry garage. At first Sally led with my SATNAV continuously recalculating. She gave up. I led until Sally came to the conclusion that we were heading the wrong way. I did a turn left; hoping to go around but finished on the motorway. At this point Sally overtook. The map had won. Before going back to collect the Camry I did an intersection check on Google when this was put into the SATNAV we took 15 minutes instead one and half hours. Should I tell Garmin?

Yesterday we went Featherdale Wildlife Park. It would take to long to list the variety of Australian wildlife on show. Zoe enjoyed looking and Emily enjoyed walking around. She has still not learned the lesson on taking on a kangaroo. She got away with it this time.


In the afternoon mum and I took Zoe to the park. She played, I spoke to an Australian grandad. He has story to tell. He was abought up in the back of a lorry, they then moved to live on the water before finally getting a house. His wife's family lived in two caves and had to move out when the world got to be less secure.

Sydney Tower and Darling Harbour

Sunday was one of those clear blue sky, warm Australian winter days. We all headed off in the Zafira in the direction of the Sydney Aquarium.

We travelled through a very long motorway tunnel and came out across the harbour bridge. The car park was somewhat run down, but it led out on to the modern monorail system. Seeing that the train would take us passed the Sydney Tower it was decided that today would be a good day to go up. The views, as from all city towers, is awesome.

It was a short walk to the Aquaruim from here. However, the queue for the aquarium was one hour long. Instead we explored Darling Harbour. It was thronged with people enjoying the sun. It was real sun trap set out for leisure. The main bridge is a swing bridge and you can just make ou the central pillar in the picture.

Zoe enjoyed the roundabout and they both appreciated a run in the play area.

We ended the time in the food area and set back home, starting our journey on the monorail.

Flying Foxes

On Saturday there was an opportunity to photograph flying foxes with the telephoto lens. Mum and I took Emily to the park while Ian and Sally took Zoe to the zoo.

This is the best that I could do.



In the afternoon I set off in search of ginger beer. (We already had Cadbury chocolate with Macademia nuts ready for the Saturday night feast). The east coast of Australia has the famous Bundaberg brewery. For quite a while I wondered if I would find any. There is a little convenience store in Parramatta and there it was; Bunderberg Ginger Beer.

Devonshire Tea on Elizabeth Farm

We visited one of the earliest farm houses in Australia. The John Macarthur family arrived in Sydney in 1790. He introduced English crops and livestock, was a principle promoter of the Australian wool trade and was credited with taking part in the overthrow Governor Bligh in 1808.

Elizabeth Macarthur lived at Elizabeth Farm until she died in 1850.

The farm is very child friendly. Zoe was able to climb on to the four poster beds. We finished the visit with Devonshire cream tea. There were tea strainers and actual tea leaves. We had to wait for the cow to be milked and the corn to be ground to flour. No rush-not MacDonald speed- but quality.

Parramatta River, Parrots and Flying Foxes

Yesterday mum and I walked down to the Parramatta River. It is wide and brown and calm with good reflections.


Near the end of our walk and close to the cafe was the roost of a flock of white parrots. They were really quite tame. I expect that they are used to being fed.


The best was yet to come. Just as we were leaving the area mum spotted shapes in the trees. In the bright sunshine was a flock of sleeping flying foxes.


I can't help wondering how it must have been when the first European settlers walked along this river and saw such things for the first time 200 years ago.

Next time I go there I will have my telephoto lens.

Today we went of to the pool with Zoe and Emily to have their swimming lessons. They are both doing well.

Parramatta Park

Yesterday mum, Sally, Emily and Zoe went to Parramatta Park. It is a large area. The muddy Parramatta River flows through.

The main feature is the Old Government House. The park and the house go back to the 1790s.

The girls had a good play on the swings and things and a walk in the park.

Birthday at the Bridge

I would never have believed that I would ever celebrate my birthday at Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Sally and family put on a good do at the apartment.

There were rugby hats, scarves and phone holder. I had already had made use of the SATNAV from all the family.

After breakfast we made the journey and enjoyed coffee by the bridge. The opera house is difficult to photograph in the wet, but it is spectacular.

The day ended with white-chocalate mud cake.

Olympic Pool Day

This morning we visited Sydney's Olympic Village - in particular the Olympic Pool. It covers a vast area with many pools including the fun pools.

Sally, Emily, Zoe and Nan togged up. Suddenly there was a small drama. Nan, who is the only person I know who can swim without a bathing hat and keep her hair dry was drenched. In the 'fun' end there is a giant bucket fed by water. The contraption is designed to topple over at a particular water level. There are warning bells, but nan did not understand what they meant.


Despite the soaking they all had fun and we ended with a feast of hot food, doughnuts etc.

Everyone is now resting, except for Sally who is charging about sorting child care and Ian who is at his second day of work.

One of the cars is in for minor repairs and we are improvising with one. It was a bit hairy following Sally along roads we were not familiar, even the SATNAV got confused, but I managed to keep the Camry in the convoy.

Arrival

It is now Monday evening at 5.40 pm. It has been dark for sometime.
We landed safely on Friday night; having circled the Australian sky waiting for a landing slot. Ian met us.The air was cold and we were dressed for the 32 degs of Hong Kong. Fairly straight to bed. Saturday was familiarisation and shopping. On Sunday we did meet some of the wild life.


Today has been Medicare and car day. You wait in a very sophisticated queue system and collect a form. On Saturday Sally and Ian return to the queue with completed form. The afternoon was more interesting. Sally collected a cheque and then we set off to the garage. The Camry was about ready for collection. The deal was done. I drove the petrolless Camry back to the apartment. Why don't they put petrol in or maybe be close to a filling station.
The car is now in the apartment garage and Sally has gone off in the Zafira to pick up Ian after his first days work.
Sally and Ian now have two cars and a house which they can move into on 23rd; furniture or no.
Emily and Zoe are coping with the move very well.