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We caught the ferry from Parramatta into circular quay. What a way to arrive in Sydney on a jet ferry going past darling harbour under the bridge designed in Middlesborough and amazing. As the actress said to the bishop It was much bigger than I expected. We alighted and headed straight to the Opera House which is one of the great icons of the world really. We were shocked that the roof is made up of kitchen tiles but the look is well fab! The number of runners was inspiring and the weather 19 degrees and sunny. Loads of people in the botanical gardens . And we were going to have lunch But we spotted some street artists and setting on a Michican kid on a giant unicycle who worked really hard but the crowd didnt give generously enough. We then set off to walk to the bridge via a place called the rocks.

A place of old warehouse buildings that have been saved from skyscrapers. There was an interesting cottage Cardmans cottage.

We walked up and onto the bridge and walked to the first pillar and noticed all the little ants doing the bridge walk for real. Apparently Angela's sister has done the walk but it looked so scary that we will have to see photographic evidence for proof.

Angela then heard spanish food was on offer so we tramped down York street during rush hour. It was very busy. Similar to London or NY. We were flagging by the time we arrived at Chinatown. Yes I did say spanish. There is a spanish corner in chinatown and we had lovely spanish food in a great barrestuarant. The Children experimented with the food and throughly enjoyed swordfish. Patrick of course ate all the olives.

Isaac awoke to being carried out of the restaurant and needed a wee. The police and the train station staff were really nice and patient with a down and out and then with us.

What happened next was a bit surreal. Crowds press and film crews. At first we thought word had got around about our blog but we realised it was a film premiere for Bruno and what an experience it was. Sacha was of course dressed up as a gladiator with a silver cod peice. The press gave him space but drat not enough batt on my phone to take one. This woke up the kids and we got back to the station in no time to catch the train back.

We had been out 12 hrs and we had no food in so the next day was always going to be quite relaxed. We stayed in our plush surroundings and after getting help with the shopping from guess who Pat and Beth we breakfasted and lunched like kings, INTERSPERSED by a trip to the swimming pool. We wondered what to do so we did something mad we caught the train to the blue mountains.

As Paramatta seems halfway to them from Sydney. It took an hour and a half and we could certainly see the blue haze that the mountains trees give off. The journey took 90 mins and because it was 3pm , the trains were full of well behaved schoolchildren.

We like the transport system in Sydney. Its extensive and families only pay for 1 child so when we travel we only have to purchase 3 tickets and Sunday is funday £1.20 anywhere on the network and network spreads 100 km north south and West

The train kept going up hill and soon we were 900m above sea level and what a view of Sydney we had. What we hadnt factored in was that it was 9 degrees cooler, we were dressed for warmer weather. We got off at Wentworth Falls and did the Darwin Walk, Yes Charles was here before us. However we ended up because of the time with a different view of the falls. A black and white one so we took our rather unique photos enjoyed the view and hiked down the Falls road back to the station. It was freezing.

Today we are off to explore Manly beach.