Sydney Bridge Climb

Monday 7 Jan

Arrived at the bridge to meet up with Cyril & Rosemary to climb the bridge!.Not sure what to expect, saw all the signed photos of various celebs that have done it - must be easy.Started with a lot of prep about safety and the various devices that we take up to connect to the safety wire that runs all along the climb.Stop on the way up for different views etc and photos by the tour guide.Fantastic feeling as you ascend the arch and reach the top, great views, breeze, superb.Takes about 3 hours from start to finish, could be a bit shorter.It was quite easy and a good money earner for the bloke who runs it, doing 1500 climbers a day at the moment.
Dinner tonight with 8 of us at a lovely restaurant terrace overlooking Chowder Bay.

Brian & Carol's House

Today (sunday) we had a wonderful day with some friends, Brian & Carol, who invited us to their waterfront house for a BBQ and boat trip.What a spot right on the water with views to die for and a beautiful house over 4 levels.Brian took us all out on his boat for a cruise and we anchored just off Clontarf beach for a swim.Back on board for drinks & bites (is this real) and then back to their house for a late lunch BBQ.Food,Wine,Food,Wine..........whats going on?

This is the view from their terrace, not bad.

Doyles at Watsons Bay

This evening we met up with Graham's sister and her husband who have lived out here for many years and took a private water taxi out to Watsons Bay and had a great dinner on the beach at the famous Doyles Restaurant.Watching the lights come on in the city in the far distance was magical as was the food.Great atmosphere here and an interesting trip back on the water taxi to Mosman Wharf.We were really lucky with the weather.

Bondi to Coogee Walk

The afternoon was spent doing a coastal walk from Bondi to Coogee beach which follows the rugged coast all the way offering absoloutly stunning views of the coastline which included a squatter home set up in the cliff rocks (how this person lives here is beyond belief) and passing by several lovely beaches and headlands (about 3 miles).

Bondi Beach

Went to see this famous beach today (saturday) where there were loads of surfers.The weather today was a bit changeable with a heavy sea and huge waves crashing onto the rocks and our first spot of very fine rain.Had lunch at the Icebergs Bar which is a very trendy place at the end of the beach with a pool and a stunning outlook over the sea.Watched a surfer who was in trouble in the large waves getting pulled way out to sea before getting rescued by the lifeguards on a wet bike.

Sydney Cricket Ground

Had a stroke of luck today (friday) discovering that the test match was on between Australia & India at the SCG.Took a chance and got a bus to the ground and bought tickets for the day in a great spot and watched Tendulkar get a glorious century before leaving to meet Julia for a cruise around the harbour.What a lovely ground the SCG is with some of the old stands still as they were.

We spent the evening at the Bathers Pavillion on Balmoral Beach, a superb cafe/restaurant right on this stunning beach only yards from the water and the shark nets!!.

Hunter Valley Wine Tour

Picked up early this morning for a full day in the Hunter Valley wine region.It is a 2 hour drive with a stop for tea at Peppers,an old ranch style guest house, where we saw some kangaroos resting under trees until we got too close!.Visited Tyrells winery for a lengthy wine tasting and tour and then onto lunch.We met a couple of Thai girls who were the only other people on the trip who were on holiday from Bangkok.

Another winery in the afternoon and even Richard was flagging and asking for water, seriously!.