19/7 On our 1st night at Jock & Odette's we gave them the beautiful dog-toy from Kelly. Three of us that it was way too nice to give to a dog. Number 4 said it was a dog toy, so Benji started munching. By next morning wear was beginning....
20/7 Lunch at The Grounds, Alexandria with Jock, Odette and Benji. Tiki-tour around the inner city and Blues Point.
21/7 Randwick Golf Club.
No we're still not golfers. We went to see Middo join the resident group for a set. (Kiwi) Brendon and (not Kiwi) Cath are the very professional Soulganic. Middo had been practising 3 new songs since a fortnight ago and they were very well received. We were fortunate to catch the girls and children all together. The littlies had never seen grandad perform in public before.
22/7 Ailsa's Birthday
The Newport (it used to have Arms after that but not these days.) Even in the middle of winter we got t-shirt and shorts calm and sunny. Besides a very large selection of boutique beers on tap they also had espresso martini - on tap. Vodka, kahlua and cold-pressed coffee, - on tap! They impressed us 30yrs ago being the 1st time that we'd seen the portable gizmo that tells you when your food is ready, but this is really next level. (though we had to go back and check for our meal orders as they no longer have the gizmos! They must be a bit yesterday, perhaps.
23/7
Train to Central to scope next Wednesday’s departure, then ferry to Olympic Park. For $5.65 that’s a great value trip past untold bays and moorings and historic houses. Our usual trip is to Parramatta, but their wharf is being upgraded.
26/7 First night at Mel’s last night. Heard his alarm go off at 5a.m. He’s been working 7 day weeks since staying with us in Feb 2018.
We drove up to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and up the western side of Pittwater to West Head, around )the gloriously named) Liberator General San Martin Drive to the marina at Akuna Bay. Back to Church Point and a trip around Scotland Island on the mail boat. Hundreds of private jetties all the way around as there are lots and lots of houses on the island. Plenty of boats tied up by the carpark by those commuters who didn't catch the ferry.
While there, we had to go and see the dog park that we'd only previously seen from the Newport (no arms). The sandspit is always a favourite with the water-loving breeds.

Mike cooking this eve, going Full Gourmet, with the menu including rissoles and potato gems...Mmmm..