Thursday 23rd, Friday 24th November & Saturday & Sunday 25th & 26th

Snow Globe Sydney

The Calyx, Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney


Botanical Gardens
Pollination Exhibition

Australian White Ibis
Mrs.Macquarie's Chair

Thursday was to be our day to visit the royal Botanical Gardens. A site of around 75 acres, so one that cannot be seen in one day. We walked around the side of The Opera House and caught the welcoming Tourist Train. The lady that took us around was an enthusiastic American lady with a high inflection in her voice. There were 4 or 5 stops to "hop on & off" on the way round. We visited the Pollination exhibition which was housed in The Calyx. A fascinating display with a wall of living plants and so much literature to read through.  our last stop was by a rear entrance and from here we walked to Mrs. Macquarie's Chair. This was hand carved from the natural sandstone rock by convicts for the wife of  Major General Macquarie, the Governor of New South Wales.
 That evening went to The Blues Point Hotel for the weekly meat raffle which is hosted by the Blues Point Yacht Club - a 10 tray meat raffle and cash jackpot.  Not to be missed!!

The following Day we had a tour on the Hop On & Hop Off Tour Bus, collecting the bus at The Rocks. A very interesting day and we got off at the famous Sydney Fish Market to have a look around. Later,we caught a train to Newtown to meet up with our son, his wife and a couple of their friends for a meal at an Italian Restaurant.  Our journey back took us over the Harbour Bridge and how different it all looked lit up.
Westfield, Sydney Tower. Allianz Stadium & SC
Saturday was to be The Rocks, the oldest part of Sydney an area steeped in history. It was the first European settlement in Australia established in 1788 as a penal colony. Today it houses the Rocks Markets where you can purchase artisan goods, gourmet street food, contemporary jewellery, leather, metals, knitting, artwork and textiles to name but a few.  A great experience which is only a short distance from the ferries and trains at Circular Quay.  
After lunching here we walked up to Westfield Sydney and went up the Sydney Tower, having a relaxing drink in the revolving bar, spotting the landmarks as they passed by.
Sydney Apartments & Living Wall
This time it was a journey home by train, stopping off at The Commodore Hotel before a supper of cheese and meats whilst watching a James Bond film.

 Sunday was a relaxing day, lunch at Billi's in the village followed by a walk to Milson's Point going around Lavender Bay and passing Luna Park.
All around one side of Lavender Bay are miniature sculptures and of course a variety of boats and yachts in the Bay itself. Agapanthus, Jasmine and Gardenia grow freely, how lovely it all looked. How lucky are we to visit and more so, how lucky are our son and daughter in law to be living in this particular suburb of Sydney.
There was a lot of activity in the Bay that afternoon as a yacht appeared carrying wedding guests, the landing stage was decorated with ribbons and flowers and a Gelato seller handed out ices to the guests.
We all wandered back to the apartment and watched the proceedings whilst relaxing in the the apartment's communal pool and latterly the balcony.


Statue at The Rocks

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