Sunday, April 29, 2007
I drove without GPS!
YAY!!! Today I made a big step.... I drove into the big wild world of Sydney without the GPS Navigation system - yup - thats right - I drove ALL the way the Northbridge to do the groceries (see how exciting things can be in Sydney? Groceries were never this exciting in Melbourne!). Drove all 5km or so by myself! Didn't even get lost, not even nearly lost! Closest to lost was I couldn't find tomato sauce at Woolies! Made it all the way home too! *proud grin*
Saturday, April 28, 2007
The Rocks - Sydney
Today we spent a lovely day at The Rocks in Sydney. It was amazing that there is so much to do just 5 minutes from our house. Yes - thats right, in 5 minutes we'd left home and got a park at The Rocks.
First on the agenda was lunch, because Mr Murray was hungry - and boy did he eat! We had a great lunch at this great Italian restaurant just near the market called Caminetto. We had this great little table right up the back of the courtyard - it was hard to believe that we were in one of Sydney's busiest little spots. Its a place that we'll definetly be going back for. Murray especially enjoyed the "Sizzling Oysters on the Rocks" served with garlic, tomato, shallots, chilli and mushroom - all things he loves. As you can see by this pic, he loved the pizza too!
We walked and browsed through all the market stalls, taste testing, touching, smelling, looking at everything as we went along. Its a spot that I'll be definetly taking Mum when she finally comes up and visits me.
After having a good walk about we went down to where you can get a spectacular view of the Harbour Bridge. I thought it would be packed down there, but amazingly, I think due to the overcast weather, we were amoungst the few people there.
From there we walked down to Circular Quay for a desperately needed coffee. We sat outside and had a great view of the bridge and the Opera House.
With all the Ferries and Jetboats about, I think that we are now inspired to make that one of the next things to tick off our list. In addition to the museum at Circular Quay, and about a million other things. I'd also like to find if there is still a "Leftorium" at The Rocks for when Mum comes up - she missed out on visiting it years ago, and has never gotten over it.
Ooo-oooo-ooo! I also found DFS Galleria - but Murray took me away before I could be swooned by all the pretty shiney things.... ooooo.... On that note - Sweet Dreams! (I'll be dreaming of little blue boxes....
xx oo xx
First on the agenda was lunch, because Mr Murray was hungry - and boy did he eat! We had a great lunch at this great Italian restaurant just near the market called Caminetto. We had this great little table right up the back of the courtyard - it was hard to believe that we were in one of Sydney's busiest little spots. Its a place that we'll definetly be going back for. Murray especially enjoyed the "Sizzling Oysters on the Rocks" served with garlic, tomato, shallots, chilli and mushroom - all things he loves. As you can see by this pic, he loved the pizza too!
We walked and browsed through all the market stalls, taste testing, touching, smelling, looking at everything as we went along. Its a spot that I'll be definetly taking Mum when she finally comes up and visits me.
After having a good walk about we went down to where you can get a spectacular view of the Harbour Bridge. I thought it would be packed down there, but amazingly, I think due to the overcast weather, we were amoungst the few people there.
From there we walked down to Circular Quay for a desperately needed coffee. We sat outside and had a great view of the bridge and the Opera House.
With all the Ferries and Jetboats about, I think that we are now inspired to make that one of the next things to tick off our list. In addition to the museum at Circular Quay, and about a million other things. I'd also like to find if there is still a "Leftorium" at The Rocks for when Mum comes up - she missed out on visiting it years ago, and has never gotten over it.
Ooo-oooo-ooo! I also found DFS Galleria - but Murray took me away before I could be swooned by all the pretty shiney things.... ooooo.... On that note - Sweet Dreams! (I'll be dreaming of little blue boxes....
xx oo xx
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Birthdays and Goodbyes
We had a great weekend in Melbourne celebrating a 30th birthday (Yikkes! They have begun!) Happy Birthday Rodders! (Will try and get a pic up here later).
The night started (eventually after the worst afternoon of transport ever!) with a great meal at my favourite Red Emporer. The weather wasn't great (but we can't complain about rain these days) and so there was a last minute change of venue so from there we headed off to The Pub at Crown. It was great because next to us was private function, so hardly any people came into the area where we were! After several (too many?) Long Island Iced Teas - Rodders was well on his way to having a great night! There was lots of drinking and dancing to be had by all. Oh - and Jam Donuts! You have to try one - best shot ever!
On Sunday I said goodbye to yet another friend in Melbourne on the weekend - I hope you have a wonderful trip around the world Cheli!
The night started (eventually after the worst afternoon of transport ever!) with a great meal at my favourite Red Emporer. The weather wasn't great (but we can't complain about rain these days) and so there was a last minute change of venue so from there we headed off to The Pub at Crown. It was great because next to us was private function, so hardly any people came into the area where we were! After several (too many?) Long Island Iced Teas - Rodders was well on his way to having a great night! There was lots of drinking and dancing to be had by all. Oh - and Jam Donuts! You have to try one - best shot ever!
On Sunday I said goodbye to yet another friend in Melbourne on the weekend - I hope you have a wonderful trip around the world Cheli!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
I survived peak hour, just...
What a scary day! I had a meeting to go to for work today. It felt like a million miles away (and probably nearly was with the amount of times I got lost!) but in reality it was only about 30kms away, SW of where I am.
I enlisted my three favourite friends to help me - printed off a map, got out the street directory, and charged the GPS navigation. (YES - I still got lost! I missed the Western Distributor or something....) and braved my first day in Sydney Peak Hour Traffic.
I thought I was going to die. There are about a million roads, all weaving in and out. And then to make it worse there are OTHER cars on these already confusing enough roads. And LOTS of other cars!
Just when I thought that things couldn't get worse they guy at the toll booth asked me "Do you have a phone number to go with that smile you just gave me?" I can't deal with being hit on that early in the morning while I'm FREAKING OUT! That'll learn me for not getting in the lane where I can use the E-tag thing.
But eventually... I made it there. And only 20 minutes late too! (Rang ahead of course). And from there on it was all pretty good! Why is getting home so much easier?
I enlisted my three favourite friends to help me - printed off a map, got out the street directory, and charged the GPS navigation. (YES - I still got lost! I missed the Western Distributor or something....) and braved my first day in Sydney Peak Hour Traffic.
I thought I was going to die. There are about a million roads, all weaving in and out. And then to make it worse there are OTHER cars on these already confusing enough roads. And LOTS of other cars!
Just when I thought that things couldn't get worse they guy at the toll booth asked me "Do you have a phone number to go with that smile you just gave me?" I can't deal with being hit on that early in the morning while I'm FREAKING OUT! That'll learn me for not getting in the lane where I can use the E-tag thing.
But eventually... I made it there. And only 20 minutes late too! (Rang ahead of course). And from there on it was all pretty good! Why is getting home so much easier?
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Our house is a very very very fine house
Finally - some photos! Sorry about the mess - its not as clean as I would have liked for photos. No matter what I do though it always seems to look a little cluttered... I guess that's what happens when you downsize so much.
Kitchen - How I miss our old kitchen - it was so huge! So much space!
Lounge and dining room - we were lucky to find a house where we could actually have a lounge and dining area... so many places we looked at were so small it was one or the other.
Bathroom - most of all I miss having my own bathroom, with my own toilet! I miss the huge mirror, and all the cupboard space... and of course the spa bath. You can't see it in these photos, but there is a cupboard which hides the laundy.
Bedroom - is actually pretty good - no complaints... other than we could do with more hanging space.
Study/Office - and this is where I write my blog and spend most of my day. I need to dress it up a little still. So messy!
And that is all I have for you tonight!
Kitchen - How I miss our old kitchen - it was so huge! So much space!
Lounge and dining room - we were lucky to find a house where we could actually have a lounge and dining area... so many places we looked at were so small it was one or the other.
Bathroom - most of all I miss having my own bathroom, with my own toilet! I miss the huge mirror, and all the cupboard space... and of course the spa bath. You can't see it in these photos, but there is a cupboard which hides the laundy.
Bedroom - is actually pretty good - no complaints... other than we could do with more hanging space.
Study/Office - and this is where I write my blog and spend most of my day. I need to dress it up a little still. So messy!
And that is all I have for you tonight!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Our big day out!
We had a fantastic day out in Sydney today – and we are thoroughly exhausted!
As Murray has a several day conference to attend for work next week he needed to do some shopping so he could look all spiffy! So we boarded a bus (yes that’s right, Murray caught a bus!) and headed into the city! Last stop was Wynyard Station.
After a beautiful walk through a park, a look at a statue of someone we didn’t know, chasing a funny looking bird, and getting lost through a few arcades/malls, we found Pitt St Mall.
Boy oh boy (remember the show ‘Man O Man’?) did we shop! Well… I should probably say did HE shop! Now I know how he feels – following him around assuring him that no his butt doesn’t look fat in those pants, and that yes that shirt does match. But he got a new pair of shoes, 2 trousers, 1 jeans, and 2 shirts. And they all look great on him.
We also bought a new Darling Harbour to relax a while and get some dinner. And we had a great dinner at what I think will probably become “our restaurant” at Chinta Ria (The Temple of Luuuuurrrrvvve). Of course no trip to Darling Harbor would be complete without a trip to the Lindt Chocolate Café! I limited myself just to a coffee though… as I’m meeting a friend there for ‘afternoon tea’ tomorrow! Can’t wait!
So tonight we’ll sleep very very well after our big day out, but it was wonderful – we had a great day in Sydney.
As Murray has a several day conference to attend for work next week he needed to do some shopping so he could look all spiffy! So we boarded a bus (yes that’s right, Murray caught a bus!) and headed into the city! Last stop was Wynyard Station.
After a beautiful walk through a park, a look at a statue of someone we didn’t know, chasing a funny looking bird, and getting lost through a few arcades/malls, we found Pitt St Mall.
Boy oh boy (remember the show ‘Man O Man’?) did we shop! Well… I should probably say did HE shop! Now I know how he feels – following him around assuring him that no his butt doesn’t look fat in those pants, and that yes that shirt does match. But he got a new pair of shoes, 2 trousers, 1 jeans, and 2 shirts. And they all look great on him.
We also bought a new Darling Harbour to relax a while and get some dinner. And we had a great dinner at what I think will probably become “our restaurant” at Chinta Ria (The Temple of Luuuuurrrrvvve). Of course no trip to Darling Harbor would be complete without a trip to the Lindt Chocolate Café! I limited myself just to a coffee though… as I’m meeting a friend there for ‘afternoon tea’ tomorrow! Can’t wait!
So tonight we’ll sleep very very well after our big day out, but it was wonderful – we had a great day in Sydney.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Molly's Art blog
My sister Molly has started a blog of her very own, detailing all her wonderful Art work.
Its got work from her school days, and she'll be adding her Uni work as she does it.
Also any ideas or thoughts that she has over time.
Check it out at http://within-u-without.blogspot.com/
If you've got any thoughts or comments please post them - she'd love any feedback at all!
Its got work from her school days, and she'll be adding her Uni work as she does it.
Also any ideas or thoughts that she has over time.
Check it out at http://within-u-without.blogspot.com/
If you've got any thoughts or comments please post them - she'd love any feedback at all!
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter all! I hope you all had a safe one, and aren't feeling too sick from all the chocolate!
I had a great, but very busy Easter. I flew to Melbourne the weekend before Easter for a friends birthday - after which I promised to never drink again! So happy birthday Gaz!
Popped down to see Mum on Monday night before dropping Murray off at work, and after that he returned to Sydney until Easter.
I spent the week living it up on my own! Well... it was hardly living it up... work mostly - and my nights were filled to the brim with catching up with friends and family. It was really great - but I think I may have spread myself too thinly.
Friday night (Good Friday) was Mary's birthday, so happy birthday Mary! And we went out for dinner. Went to the Berwick Inn which was somewhat disapointing for everyone. With several takeovers in the last few years its really gone downhill there... it used to be much better than a regular pub meal... I wouldn't really recommened it these days.
I was the only person going to hell at our table, I had red meat on Good Friday. But it was Kangaroo, and it was delish! I figure that Jesus didn't know what Kangaroo was so that doesn't count. Right?
That night we headed off to a housewarming party - where I can say that we sufficiently warmed the house. Again - for the second weekend in a row - after a bottle of red I can say that I'm never drinking again! It was a great night though and fantastic to see everyone again.
I slept my way through most of Saturday, and after much deliberation I headed down to Mums late Saturday night. It was the best I'd felt all day. I wanted to wake up at Mums on Sunday morning so that I didn't miss the Easter Bunny!
For Easter Sunday we had the biggest "afternoon tea" I've ever seen. Between people working and us having to catch flights we could do neither lunch or dinner - so we had Roast Lamb and Roast Chicken at 4pm! As always, Mum put on a great spread of food for all 1o of us! Mum, Jeremy and his girlfriend Amy, Molly and her boyfriend Alex plus a 'homeless' friend Tiff, Myself and Murray, plus his Mum and Uncle! Phew!
After eating ourselves silly it was finally time to head off to the airport to come home to Sydney. I was really looking forward to it - it was great to see everyone, but probably even better to come home. All the Easter Eggies came with me as hand luggage, and I'm sure that the overhead cabbins that night were a chocoholics dream.
Today we had a blog day and did as little as possible, which was lovely. I can't believe I have to get back into work tomorrow - I wish I had another week off now! But thats always the way isn't it?
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Happy Birthday Jess
Happy Rainbow Blowing Dragons toooo yyyyooooouuuuuu!
I couldn't find you a rainbow blowing dragon - but I found you this cute little guy!
And I had my glass of GOLD champagne for you last night too! xxoo
I couldn't find you a rainbow blowing dragon - but I found you this cute little guy!
And I had my glass of GOLD champagne for you last night too! xxoo
Monday, April 2, 2007
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