Walking along the beaches and headlands from Manly to Dee Why

What a great first week we have had in Sydney. The first couple of days were a little on the chilly side but we have had no rain and the weather has warmed up nicely. While we were a day late getting into Sydney we have had a full week since arriving here. We spent a lot of time at the beach and caught up with friends and family.

Jumping into the Queenscliff pool

On our first full day we did the walk along the rocks and beaches from Manly to Dee Why. It was a spectacular day, blue skies and a turquoise blue ocean and we discovered lots of interesting sea life along the way. Then we had a delicious lunch at Stellar Blu on the beach in Dee Why (where I lived 34 years ago). Along the way, we discovered a fun pool with a cliff next to it that Jude decided he had to try.

A pre-christmas lunch with the Miers family

We caught up with our dear friends, the Miers family, a couple of days before Christmas. They put on the most delicious lunch and it was great to catch up with them, having not seen them since our trip four years ago.

Catching the Manly Ferry to Circular Quay

On Christmas Eve we caught the ferry into the city to have lunch with Ian’s family. We picked a beautiful restaurant, Squire’s Landing, on the water overlooking the Bridge and the Opera House. The setting was spectacular and it was good to spend some time with some of our Aussie family.

Christmas Eve lunch at Squire’s Landing

On Christmas Day we drove out to Robyn (my sister) and Mark’s place southwest of Sydney. They live in a beautiful rural area with their horses, dogs and cats. They cooked up a true Christmas feast with chicken, pork, ham, king prawns, Balmain bugs and vegetables. It was an amazing dinner and so great to catch up with them. We were sad to leave

Anna with the watch, pearl necklace and earrings from her Australian grandma

We also went through some of my parents’ stuff and we all picked out some things to take. Aunt Robyn was kind enough to give Anna my mum’s old watch that she wore for decades as well as a pearl necklace and earrings. Jude picked some commemorative spoons and I took some of my dad’s antique bookends.

About to sit down to our Christmas Dinner

Yesterday was Boxing Day and I went to join my college friends at a long tradition dating back a couple of decades. My friend Bruce hosts a party at his house in Manly to watch the Boxing Day test match (cricket) so I got to catch up with many old friends and watch Australia dominate South Africa in the cricket.

Old college mates going back almost four decades

While I was doing that Marcy and the kids spent some time on the beach.

Marcy and Anna sporting their new swimsuits on Boxing Day

Celebrating Marcy’s birthday at home

It was Marcy’s birthday this past week. I was actually in Miami for our annual Latin America event and got the first flight out so I could be home by lunchtime. The kids were really nice to her putting up a Happy Birthday banner for her and doing whatever she asked. For dinner Marcy decided she wanted delivery pizza so we tried a new place and it was delicious.

Anna under our Christmas Countdown tree

This week was dominated by preparations for our trip to Sydney. We booked this ticket back in February and we have been looking forward to it so much. But the trip did not start off well. On the way to the airport, we noticed a text message from United telling us our flight had been delayed. We were disappointed but it still looked like we had enough time to make our connection in San Francisco. So, we went to dinner at Elways, as per our tradition. But the flight kept on getting more and more delayed and despite a mad dash to the gate we missed our flight by just a few minutes. I was bitterly disappointed, we all were, but found a hotel for a short night’s rest. Because…

The World Cup Final started at 7am Pacific Time and Jude wanted to watch the pregame so we got up at 6:30am (after getting to bed at about 1:30am). We watched every minute of the Final and it was a game to remember. We went down to breakfast at the restaurant to watch extra time and then penalties and we were all pleased to see Argentina win.

Walking along the San Francisco Bay trail

After the game we checked out of the hotel and had a few hours to kill before we needed to be at the airport. So, we went for a walk along the San Francisco bay. They have a paved walking trail that goes for miles through the heart of industrial South San Francisco. It was relatively scenic but it was great to be out in the fresh air and exercising. We were all exhausted but we it a few miles along the trail.

Anna shows off the Christmas Tree cookie tower she made

Now, we are at the airport waiting for our flight to board. Fingers crossed we have no more mishaps.