Visiting 90-year-old Grandpa Renton at his nursing home

Our first full week in Sydney has been a good one. We have had nice weather with barely a drop of rain and have spent a lot of time at the beach. We started off the week with a trip to see my Dad. He had recently turned 90 but has been in better health recent weeks than he has been all year.

At one of our favorite restaurants, the Sydney Oyster Bar, where Anna tried her first oyster

We had a great time in the city this week. We caught the Manly Ferry in and then went to the Australian Museum, one of the kids favorite places. Then on the way back we stopped at the Sydney Oyster Bar, one of our favorite restaurants that is right on the Harbour. There Anna tried her first oyster although it was not a pleasant experience for her. Jude had his third oyster ever and while he did not enjoy it he managed to eat it.

Walking on the rocks from Manly to Shelley Beach

We have been to the beach every day since we arrived. The weather has been great and while the water is chilly (around 69 degrees) it feels good on the warm days. The kids have been spending time on the boogie board catching waves and are now both able to do this unassisted. We have also spent some time at Shelley Beach where there is a beautiful bushwalk around the headland. While there is a popular walking path from Manly to Shelley Beach the kids prefer to do it the hard way and scramble over the rocks.

Grandfather and grandson playing chess

One day this week we went to visit my dad and we borrowed my brother’s chess set to bring with us. Jude is quite a keen chess player and my dad used to also be quite good when he was younger. Both of them were looking forward to playing as it is one of the few activities that a 90 year old and a 10 year old can enjoy together. Jude ended up being too good for my dad but they both enjoyed the game.

The kids playground at the zoo was a popular spot with Sarah, Jude and Anna

On Saturday we spent the day at the zoo. Aunt Robyn came along as well as Ian, Leila and Sarah. Jude and Anna loved seeing their cousin again and enjoyed watching the animals with her as well as playing on the kids playground.

Jude’s birthday celebration begins singing Happy Birthday with Uncle Mark and Aunt Robyn

Sunday, we spent the whole day at the beach. Then in the afternoon Uncle Mark and Aunt Robyn came over to kick off Jude’s 10th birthday celebration. We went out for dinner at the local pub and then came back to our apartment for cheesecake and an early birthday celebration.