Rosebud xmas morning

We are now at Kylie and Pauls in Rocentretown nr Melbourne.  There are three families staying. One in each bedroom. So 12 in total.

Kylie and Sarah worked at a call centre in Brighton 15 years ago flogging electricity conversion and have not met since then until now

xxx

Watsons bay to Bondi

Its rare that I say "dont give me any more food" but there were 3 fish in each box

then bus to Bondi

Sydney & meeting a friend

Sarahs friend from 15 years ago in Brighton is training to be a doctor at the ripe young age of 41 where his osteopath qualification and life experience will give him quite a different view to a 23 year old. Jamie lives in Woolhara and invited us to meet him for brunch.

Sitting outside in a small courtyard square and surrounded by shops, the slats above us ensuring the right mix of sun and shade as we started talking. First time meeting for me. Catching up with an old friend for sarah.

Ooh this menu is a bit expensive..after a moment of uncertainty......thankfully Jamie kindly agreed to get the food for us. I am sure his generosity improved the taste!

The clientele included botox and babies and everything inbetween. Esme and Rowan played so well with their my little pony and spiderman figurines without being able to run around. It was only aftetwards that I realised how good the kids had been

When the opening drink was a kale tomato and lemon juice made this morning I knew it was going to be a treat.

So Jamie was comfortable talking about "energy" in contexts other than power generation or tiredness. He understood about being someone who sees the big picture. He was interesting and interested.  He went off "to osteo"  and we made our way through beautiful leafy streets lined with terraced houses with the common corrugated iron painted rooves.  And cast iron 1st floor railings allowing the dwellers to be shaded as they watch the world go by.

Approaching Centennial park the lights were out so a baseball cap uniformed policeman stopped three lanes of traffic each side so we could cross.

As it was 1pm it was lotion and hats on and off to find the playground

the park was so beautiful

"are we there yet?"

after ten mins we found the playground. After ten mins sarah went home for a rest. The next hour was spent hiding from the sun in a small playground house as the kids imagination ran to fires. Purple cakes. Twig burgers. Pink cakes. cups of tea. Presents

A few little pictures of Sydney

A posh dolls house.. 

Needs no introduction..

The shark pool at Bondi - tourists were too frightened to swim in the sea and so built shark pools..

Rowan.. 

Moi..

The bird and her father.. 

Sydney olympic park

There was also a kids slidy area which they loved (from the other side of this olympic pool)

then off for a stroll

it was a beautifully crafted environment but mid week not a lot going on. Headed to a playground

this one had fire coming out in 2000

Xxx

Sydney-Luna Park

Ferry ride to an old style fun park. 

rowan didnt want to go on dodgems

ticket also covered free olympic pool (smaller one, not THE olympic pool) so sarah went home to get ready for her night out and it turned into our most picturesque paddle ever as we were almost under the harbour bridge

xxx

Out and about in Sydney

The stunning Opera House: with huge flats encroaching ever closer..

The Harbour Bridge: (from Luna Park)

Luna Park entrance:

The Manly Ferry: (now much bigger than I remember)

Bondi Beach:

Just take a minute to imagine waking up to these views every morning.. Wowzer!