Monday 11th

Left hostel 9.30ish headed for Ferry to Manley. Got the train to Central Quay which stops right by the ferry. As we had a bit of time before next boat, we walked across to see where the bridge climb starts for this evening.

Very hot today even with the breeze so wearing my Thailand wrap on the ferry to keep the sun off. Love it :)

The ferry was great. It's huge and you could, sit in or outside. We sat outside and the views leaving the harbour were lovely. There was a big cruise ship in at the ferry terminal. What a fabulous place to pull in. Right next to the bridge and opposite the opera house. Imagine looking out of your window to see these. Awesome!

Manley is lovely. It reminded us of the beach at Mount Monganui with the surfing bay on one side and the calmer bay on the other. The sand is very orangey and nice and clean. We went on the costal walk which started well, and rested for awhile on a beautiful little beach with a little waterfall cascading over the rocks which the children loved. Then our directions went a bit haywire. While we were walking we saw plane in the sky and he started writing. I saw a J then an E and I thought WOW Sam has pulled out all the stops. I sat on the floor to see the message completed and it wasn't a romantic gesture afterall, Jesus Saves it said. Ah well. Good while it lasted! haha

As we were tramping through what seemed to be no mans land, I kept thinking of spiders in the bracken and being in Australia, would they bite and be poisonous! Well the good news is I didn't encounter any. Then we came across a gate which led to St Patrick's estate and college. What a magnificent building. And the grounds where beautifully tended.

It was built in 1855 as a seminary and is now the ecclesiastical theology faculty. Used for weddings too and is where Nicole Kidman married Keith Urban in 2006 and it appears as the exterior of Gatsby's mansion in the 2013 film Great Gatsby. S beautiful building.

We eventually arrived at Cabbage Tree Bay. Ah that water felt good on my burning feet. Had a nice lunch scallops to share followed by chicken salad for me and pasta for Sam. Have to say, food is really nice here in Sydney.

After lunch, time to get back as its the Bridge Climb tonight. We're doing the twilight session so have to be there for 6pm. So ferry, train, shower, change and all ready to go. We noticed it had been a bit overcast when we got back and were hoping we wouldn't get caught in a shower. Coming out of the train station, it was raining but just a quick shower thankfully.

Sydney bridge here we come!

Everything works like clockwork in there. Racks with just the right amount of climbing gear on. Head phones, rain jacket, just in case and even a clip on hankey which I found very amusing. You weren't allowed to take a camera so with that in mind Sam bought a watch that also takes pictures. We thought we would beat the system and come down with some incredible shots! Not going to happen. Girl said 'no cameras, no watches, no bracelets' and unbelievably 'no hair clips'. What?? Remove hair clips? I had tied all my hair up so it wouldn't be wafting around on pictures taken on our secret camera! 'We have bobbles you can use' she said so bobbles it was. Watch, phone bracelet secret camera and clips, all had to be left in the locker. The girl talking us through the climb was from Birkenhead. Can you believe it, half way round the word and she lives only about 15 miles from where we live! Small world. Had a good old chat together at the end.

I was worrying about being chilly as we were going to be high up and it would be after 9 when we finished so put my jeans on. But when we were suiting up we were directed to the changing rooms and told to strip down to undies as it was so warm. That's me. Never dressed right for the occasion

So with our suit on and a practice run as to how to walk whilst connected to the wire, we set off. Have to say I found it rather scary to start, when we were walking the narrow gangway and I was thinking ahead wondering how I'd cope when we got up high. Well once we got off the walkway and started the climb it was fine and not at all scary. It was very strange though, when the trains came rumbling past! I'm so glad we opted for the twilight session as being able to see the city change and see the sunset was brilliant. We were also treated to a display of great flashes of lightening in the distance. Brilliant!

They organise this climb all day every day except new years eve so the guy who thought of this little idea must be well pleased with himself! Must be worth a mint. At $333 each it is rather expensive but I thoroughly recommend doing it.

Stopped off for a drink at the Opera bar on the way home. The view was lovely
with the bridge all lit up across the harbour.

Then it was time for bed. Tomorrow it's the Coogee to Bondi coastal walk. This is the one we were going to do the other day but plans changed.

Tuesday 12th Jan
We set off for the train then bus to Coogee. About 20mins ride. We were advised to do it this way round so didn't expect much of Coogee but we really liked it. A small beach front but very nice with some bars and eateries along the front. Walking along to Bondi it took us back in time as some of the smaller bays reminded us of seaside resorts at home when we were younger.

The path took us through a lovely bay at Cloverley. Sam said it reminded him of the sixties. There was a beachy bay at one end and where it opened up into the sea, it was like a natural swimming pool with ladders going down to the water and life guards on duty. We stopped there and sat awhile to take it all in.

The coastal path is really well designed and were told it was built over 2 decades ago but it seemed much more modern. I was really impressed with the rock formations along the route. They're sandstone I think, and the weather has carved them into some really dramatic forms.

I really wish I wasn't so nesh as the waves looked real good fun.

And there it was. The famous Bondi beach! Lots of people enjoying it but not too crowded. Couldn't wait to get my trainers off and paddle along. Ooo that sand felt lovely. Nearly got caught by a wave! I thought it was really nice there. We had some lunch which if we'd have known the size of the portions, could've got one between us.

When we were heading for the bus this morning Sam was looking at his map. A lady asked were we were heading. We told her Coogee. She told us to also go a bit further to Watson's Bay and walk along the gap and get the ferry back so when we finished in Bondi we did just that. It was a quaint little place just as she had described and the gap was a lovely short walk too. We turned down a road and it was very much like when we were in Siam Reap Cambodia and the twisted trees were devouring the buildings. Well it wasn't quit like that here but I'm sure they're the same type of tree. The roots were like snakes or eels slithering along the ground.

We were going to get the ferry back but our opal card needed topping up and there was nowhere to do it so we got the bus. Got back in just enough time to get ready for our posh meal at the Landau. 7 courses with wines to compliment. One of my Christmas presents from Sam. Very nice meal and surroundings then off to bed. Early start for blue mountains trip tomorrow. Got to be up at 6am.

Wednesday 13th Jan
Got picked up at 7am for our trip to the blue mountains. First stop Featherdale wildlife park. It's not a Hugh place but its great as kangaroos and wallerbies ??? roam around freely so you can get up close and personal. You can buy a cone to feed them filled with what looks like bits of wood. They're not a bit interested in what's in the cone, just want the cone!! They're really quite gentle too and one Skippy was actually licking my hand like a little puppy. There are koalas too which are oh so cute hugging onto their branch while sleeping. We were slowed to pay a wombat who loved the attention and stroke a koala and get a photo too. They're really soft and cuddly. I believe the gestation period is very short and when the baby is born, its the size of a jelly bean! It climbs up the fur into mums pocket, latches onto a nipple and stsys there until its grown enough to see the world! How amazing is that! The wombat keeps its young in a pouch too but because it digs, the pouch is backward so it doesn't fill with dirt!!!

We saw rain forests, and the 3 sisters who legend had it were turned to stone to protect them during a battle between tribes. Unfortunately the person who cast the spell was killed in the battle and so they remained as stone for all time.

The blue mountains, as the name would suggest is blue. But not the mountains themselves more a haze all around the area. Caused by the heat haze off the eucalyptus plants growing over the mountain.

We stopped for lunch in a very nice hotel with lovely views over rainforest and mountains. And on our way home we stopped at a park and our guide brought out a coolbox with champagne and Tim tam chocolate biscuits which was a nice treat.

Got back just after 5pm and got dropped at the Opera house to see if we could squeeze a tour in but too late so we booked one for 9am in the morning so we'll have to get our skates on. Breakfast, tour finish packing, pick up the car and be out for 11!

Finished the evening off with snacks at Darling Harbour washed down with sparkling wine then to bed