Sydney alone!......

Matt and Tara returned to work today so we caught the bus into the city on our own. We have bought a months travel pass, giving us unlimited bus, train and ferry journeys around the city. The bus dropped us on George's Street, immediately outside the Apple Store so we popped in to buy that must have up to date gadget for the iPad and receive a free lesson on how to categorise our photos. Great fun, even Helen was interested!

We took a stroll through the city and visited the city library where there was a couple of interesting exhibitions and then made our way into the Botanical Gardens. These are beautiful and they actually encourage you to walk on the grass and to enjoy them!

Helen took them at their word and did a bit of tree hugging!

We met up with a number of joggers who were on their firm's picnic. They had all been on a five kilometre run and were meeting up in the park for lunch and a few beers - the Australians seem to know how to team build!

The Botanical Gardens Palm Tree House and Tropical Centre

After a light lunch we made our way back along George's St to the Opera House where they are working on a new section.

 

The walk around the bay is spectacular with amazing views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Matt was leading a climb on the bridge so we think that he might be in this photo!

We made our way around the bay to Mrs MacQuarie's seat... You can read what that's all about!? Good photo opportunity though..

 

On our return through the park we spotted a sign saying that an area of grass had been reserved later on in the afternoon for a wedding. Of course we had to stay and see what it was all about and, yes, a white van duly arrived and set up chairs, speakers, a reception area and full champagne reception for the lucky couple! Guests arrived and we sat and enjoyed their very public ceremony in the Sydney sunshine within sight of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Apparently the couple had met in that exact spot on New Years Eve a couple of years earlier watching the fireworks... How romantic!

 

 

Waiting for the wedding!.....

 

 

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Day 1 in Oz!

Matt picked us up from the airport after a long wait in numerous lines getting through customs at Sydney airport. We arrived at our home for the next few weeks and met Di and Bish, the 'inlaws' for breakfast and then headed off into the city with Matt. We took the Paramatta River ferry - brilliant seeing the city for the first time, travelling under the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Central Business District next to the Opera House - simply stunning!


Just arrived not looking our best after 30 hours travelling!

But brilliant to see the boy again after such a long time....

Matt and Tara with her parents, Di and Bish, welcome to Sydney..

This is the view from the house....wow!

Matt with Tara, we get to meet at last....

On the ferry heading for the city.

Sydney Harbour Bridge, Matt and Tara's workplace.

 

First glimpse of the Opera House - stunning in the sunshine!

 

After a great day out we headed back to Drummoyne for a belated birthday meal for Matt..

I think that we are going to enjoy ourselves here in Sydney!

 

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An update at last!

Well, it's been a while since our last post, but better late than never eh?

A brief update on what we have been up to since the last post:

We successfully crossed the Atlantic with our Kiwi friends Chris and Irene aboard their Farr 44, Cuttyhunk. We left them early January to return back to the UK where Helen took some catering courses and Justin successfully passed his Yachtmaster Offshore exams for both power and sail.

In April we started a job as Skipper and Hostess aboard a Jeanneau 54 DS based in Port Grimaud in the South of France. Very hard work but we learnt an enormous amount!

Our contract ended early October and after a couple of weeks visiting family and friends in the UK, we are now in Sydney, Australia visiting our eldest son Matt, his girlfriend Tara and her family. I will try to keep the blog up to date of our travels here in Oz!!

Watch this space.....

 

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An update at last!

Well, it's been a while since our last post, but better late than never eh?

A brief update on what we have been up to since the last post:

We successfully crossed the Atlantic with our Kiwi friends Chris and Irene aboard their Farr 44, Cuttyhunk. We left them early January to return back to the UK where Helen took some catering courses and Justin successfully passed his Yachtmaster Offshore exams for both power and sail.

In April we started a job as Skipper and Hostess aboard a Jeanneau 54 DS based in Port Grimaud in the South of France. Very hard work but we learnt an enormous amount!

Our contract ended early October and after a couple of weeks visiting family and friends in the UK, we are now in Sydney, Australia visiting our eldest son Matt, his girlfriend Tara and her family. I will try to keep the blog up to date of our travels here in Oz!!

Watch this space.....

 

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Untitled

Test using Blogsy - our current workplace in the South of France!

 

 

Cape Verde Islands

These are a chain of islands off the coast of Gambia, and we expected there to be quite an African feel to the place. The trip down was a good test for boat and crew, with strong winds and rough seas for most of the 6 day passage. We all fared well, with no sea sickness, and apart from Helen taking a flying fall from one side of the boat to the other (ending up rather unceremoniously dumped in the toilet), there were no mishaps. Justin caught the first of several of these magnificent Mahi Mahi fish, which have a very tasty white meat, and are excellent eating.

 

Killing and filleting such a big fish was a bit of a bloodbath, and luckily butcher Irene had the stomach for the challenge. We got better at killing them quickly, with a few drops of cheap rum in the gills. Much quicker and cleaner!

We anchored in Mindelo harbour on St Vincent, and had a lovely few days resting and recuperating, and soaking up the atmosphere of this fascinating place.

There was a colourful outdoor market, but also people selling produce on every street corner, or walking round carry large baskets of produce on their heads.

The fish market was incredible, with some of the biggest Tuna I have ever seen.

 

Outside the fishmarket, they were drying some of the fish on the rocks.

Wherever we go, we make friends with other yachties who are heading off to the Carribean. Here we met Egret and Mary Ann 2, and shared a few drinks and salty sea tales.

Chris and Irene released us from deck swabbing duties for the day and we took a ferry over to the next island of Santo Antao, and hired a taxi and guide to take us round the island. Unfortunately the guide spoke very little English, so wasn’t much use, but we managed to get by with Justin’s French.

 

The scenery on Santo Antao was spectacular, with a volcanic crater, banana and coffee growing, and almost tropical vegetation.

Here they are filling oil drums with fuel.

collecting sand and rocks from the riverbed for making bricks

Lunch stop. Justin was given a condom by a young man promoting Aids awareness from a tent next to the cafe.

Next we were taken to the Grog distillery – nothing high tech here, note the oxen for driving the mill which grinds the sugar cane.

Of course it would have been rude not to sample their wares!

Back on the ferry after a lovely day out.