Australia 2019 - Days 1 - 4

Australia 2019

On 26th June 2019 Lexie Josh and I headed to Australia for 5 weeks.

We spent the majority of our time with my parents in Sydney but also did a 2 week road trip with my parents and my sisters family.  As well as many day trips.

Day 1 and 2 - 26th - 28th June 2019 - Massachusetts to Sydney

We had a 2.40 pm flight out of Boston, but of course I always prefer to get to the airport early so we left home at about 10.30.  No issues getting booked in and through security so had plenty of time to relax at the gate before the flight.  They have really done up Terminal B, lots of new food places so we had a great lunch of an Italian Meats pizza at Wolfgang Puck.  Our plane was running about 1/2 hour late so left Boston at about 3pm headed for Dallas. Flight was pretty standard.  We had bought chips at the airport to snack on but we didn't really need them - they gave us both cookies and pretzels with our drinks, and then our flight attendant came back with a small can of pringles for each of the kids too.   It was a night short flight to Dallas - only 3.5 hours and we arrived around 6pm. We had 4.5 hours to kill at Dallas and spent at least half of it riding the train around and around.  We went right around in one direction, then got off and got on another train going the opposite direction and did it all again.

The other half of our time was spent bumming around the gate, making sure our electronics were charged, talking to Dad etc.

Our seats on the flight to Sydney were not the greatest.  Right next to the  galley, and just 4 rows from the entry door.  None of our headphones worked properly which was a bit annoying.  Josh fell asleep before they started serving dinner and missed that - not that he missed much.  I watched Bohemian Rhapsody, Captain Marvel, Mary Poppins Returns and Fantastic Beasts 2, as well as sleeping for 7 hours.

We had some turbulence about 4 hours out of  Sydney and since Josh had missed both dinner and the midnight snack he was starting to feel a little air sick - luckily he was able to sleep it off and as soon as the turbulence was over I sent Lexie to the snack bar to grab and apple - something a bit more substantial than the chocolate bars from the snack bar the kids had been susbsisting on till now.

The plane landed in Sydney about 6:30 am and we were through Immigration in 10 minutes and thought we were home free, but then Lexie's bag was one of the last off the plane so we spent 40 mins waiting anxiously for it to come out.  No issues through Customs, but then we had to find Grandma and Grandpa.  We finally found them and headed for home.

So what was the first thing we did at home - why play trains of course.  Josh was really looking forward to this.

We went up to the local bakery and bought pies and sausage rolls for lunch - oh so Yum,  I miss these.  The afternoon was spent grocery shopping at Engadine.   By 4pm we were all starting to crash so  we made dinner early - Chicken and Chips and Salad.  Josh fell asleep on the lounge.  I tried to wake him up to eat something but he just nibbled then crawled into bed for the night.  Lexie made it till 6pm before crashing andI wasn't far behind - in bed at 7:30.

Unfortunately we were then all up again at 11pm and 3am.

Day 3 - 29th June 2019 - Grandma's Birthday.

Since Lexie, Josh and I were up early anyway we got up and wrapped up Mum's birthday present.   It's her 75th Birthday today.  Mum and Dad were up early too and Mum opened up her presents before breakfast.  I made her a skirt and a shirt and Dad got her some pants.

We had our first Breakfast in Oz - Custard, Milo cereal, crumpets and vegemite - all those good things that we can't get in the US.

Since the weather wasn't great this morning - It was all foggy over the valley We spent the day just relaxing - I did some sewing  - fixing up hems and taking in skirts for Mum and Dad etc. whilst Dad and the kids played trains, then we baked Mum a Birthday Cake.

We spent the afternoon watching the Swans play and generally relaxing.

For Mum's Birthday dinner we ordered from their local Italian Restaurant - Pizzas for the kids and Calamari and Croquettes for Mum, Dad and I.

We managed to stay up till 9 pm tonight - getting better - but still away at 11pm and 3 am.

Day 4 - 30th June 2019 - Party at Mels House.

I think Dad's going to have to ban me from using electronics in this house.  Last night I blew a fuse plugging in a powerboard - today I killed the oven.  I was making sweet potato casserole for the party and as I turned the oven on I heard a pop and the coil blew. Hopefully Mel will have roon in her oven to bake the cassrole!

Anyway today we headed over to Mels house for a big party celebrating Mum's Birthday - Nicks 16th Birthday today and just generally the fact that I'm in the country.

We went over early so I could help set up and the kids could play with their cousins.  It was nice to see them just pick up where they left off two years ago!

again with the electronics - I went to do some vacuuming for Mel and now her Vacuum cleaner won't work.......

Guests started arriving around 11 am. Alison with Marion and Ken.

Douglas and Narelle

Neil and Janette and Gemma, Geoff, Edward and August.

I had a great time catching up with everyone - had a great lunch.

Mel had made a cake for both Mum and Nick - Decorated on different sides for each person.

As is standard at a Hunter gathering there was much dessert to be had.

Everyone left by about 3pm then we had a good catch up with Mel and the Boys for a while before heading home to a dinner of leftovers.

Australia 2019 - Days 5 - 12

Day 5 - Mon 1st July 2019 - Errand Day

Today was spent pottering around.  We started with a trip to Engadine for some groceries and to get a SIM card for the phone Mel had lent me. Also needed to top up our opal cards and get a new one, get Mum's watch fixed, then we headed to Kirrawee to try and get a new element fro the oven.  Unfortunately that was a bust - after circling for ages trying to find somewhere to park the place wanted to charge over twice the price you could buy it for online - I don't think so.  We then went back to Sutherland to meet up with Dad's solicitor.  I needed to sign Dad's Power of Enduring attorney and Guardianship whilst I was here.  luckily about halfway through signing I realised that he was getting me to sign the wrong papers - so it took longer than expected cause then he had to go and find the right papers.....

Home for lunch than about 1pm Dad and the kids headed back down to play trains and Mum and I drove down to Miranda Fair so I could update my Australian Drivers license.  Amazingly I was in and out in 10 mins so we decided to check out Lincraft which was right next door to the RTA (or what ever they call it these days).  I didn't expect to find anything but I did - A beatuiful velour fabric in a fantastic jungle print. Unfortunately it rang up at a higher price than I expected (based on the signs at the table) so I only got 2 meters of it rather than 3..

Mum and I wandered down the lower floor of Miranda fair just so I could see what it looks like these days - wasn't really tempted to go in anywhere, then we had to find the car and head home.  Spent the afternoon watching old videos of ourselves.   Spaghetti for dinner.

Day 6 - Tue 2nd July 2019 - Band Fest

The plan for today was to go see Eddie play in his Bandfest concert, but first some trains...

Still couldn't get Mum to drive a train but at least she came down to watch

Lots of derailments happening this morning

Lexie like driving the Galloping Goose

Some slight track work required

At 11am we walked up to Loftus train station and caught the train to Kogarah.

A whole train carriage to ourselves.

We had hoped to have lunch at Kogarah before the concert but despite being lots of places around, finding something were we could sit down and get something Gluten free was hard.  We finally settled on a Fish and Chip shop, we figured the grilled fish would be gluten free, but when it came out it had be covered in flour too! such a pain.

The band fest is a concert where the school bands can come and play for an audience no matter what their level - we only stayed for three bands all primary schools (3-6 graders).

Eddie's band played a Queen Medley and skyfall - not too bad.

After watching the Adjudication for Eddies band (They don't get scored just a brief description of what they did well and what needs work) we headed back to the station and caught the train home to Loftus.

Day 7 - Wed 3rd July 2019 - SeaCliff Drive

We tried to get the washing done today, but it decided to rain in the morning - managed to get some of it done and dried but did have to resort to the dryer.

Lexie found my old roller skates in the closet and wanted to try them out. A bit more practicce is required.

Mum's not feeling too great today after the gluten yesterday so took it easy.  Had to do some grocery shopping so decided to go to Menai for a change.  Stopped at Loftus bakery on the way home for Pies and sausage rolls for lunch again.  Got goodies this time too - neenish tart, passionfruit tart, apple pie and rocky road.

In the afternoon the weather cleared a little and Mum was feeling a bit better so we decided to go for a drive.  We headed down to Waterfall and into the National Park.  We stopped at Otford lookout.

And then again at Bald Hill.  No one was out hang gliding today though so there was nothing to watch.  Just one hang glider on the ground.

But there were still stunning views down over Stanwell Park.

We drove down the coast over the Sea Cliff Bridge - did a short walk but was too cold to stay out long.

Finished the drive down the coast to Thirroul

And back up Bulli Pass.

When I finished putting the kids to bed I came out to the lounge room to this - Have to love a couple who still hold hand in front of the TV after 45+ years.

Day 8 - Thur 4th July 2019 - Laughing Goat

The plan for today was to go and See Eddy get an award at his school assembly.  We started off the day with a Pancake breakfast, then fixed the oven with the new part that had arrived yesterday - luckily it was easier than we had expected.

We decided to head over to Mels early and get her to meet us half way at an antique shop and cafe for lunch. We got to the antique shop at 11 and browsed for a while - some really cool stuff - Dad got some new Thermos' 1950's style and very cool.  Mel joined us about 11:30 and we went to the attached Cafe - the Laughing Goat for lunch.  The food was really good - but I forgot to order Josh's fish and Chips - oops.  also their service wasn't great in that the drinks didn't arrive till after the meal had. 

Mum and I drove back to  Mels place with her - so Dad let Lexie sit  in the front seat of his car - I see nothing - I know nothing - Just don't get used to it!

At 2:15 we walked from Mels house to their local school and Mel showed us around the playgrounds.  We sat through the Assembly - Eddie got an Certificate of Excellence for English, then back to Mels house where we were serenaded by Eddie on flute and Nick on Saxophone and Ernie on Tuba.  Josh had fun trying out the instruments especially the tuba.

Day 9 - Fri 5th July 2019 - Bruce

We headed back to Mel's again today - this time to meet up with my cousin Bruce.  He had been working last weekend when we had the big get together and couldn't make it, but he was flying to China tomorrow so had come down early and could spend the day with us.

We left early to get to Mels house and stopped at Spotlight on the way for some fabric shopping - I didn't find anything I was willing to buy - but did get a new ball of sock yarn, and the kids each got a build your own stuffed animal kit to give them something to do.

Had a great time catching up with Bruce - he really had caught the travel bug - he's the last person I would have expected to go to China - let alone going back a second time!  We walked up the street  to buy lunch, chicken, chips, pies, sausage rolls - Lexie and I really like this being able to walk to places so easily  Stopped at the greek cake shop on the way back for some goodies too!  yum!

The kids got home from school around 3:30pm  Ernie was really not feeling well and went straight to bed.  We ordered pizza for dinner then got Dad's old movie projector out  and watched some old home movies from the early 80's .  The kids weren't too excited about the movies (except the one of 2 year old me trying to dance but just turning around in circles) but they loved being able to use the old projector and take turns feeding in the film.

Day 10 - Sat 6th July 2019 - Margot and Davids

We packed up out bags this morning and headed for St Ives.  I drove Mum and Dad's car and dropped them off at their friends place  They were going to have lunch with them and then catch the train home.  We headed on to Margot and David's.
After catching up on what everyone had been up to, Margot, the kids and I headed up to the village to have lunch at the Sushi train.  Kids had 5 plates of sushi each!  it was good, but different to what we get at home.  lots more cooked options and less raw fish. 

We wandered around the village, bought some drinks at Woolworths and then spent the afternoon simply catching up, watching TV and getting ready to tomorrow.

Lexie started making her teddy bear kit.

Day 11 - Sun 7th July 2019 - Ryerson Party

We got treated to a good display of Australian animals this morning - Kookaburras, magpies, butcher birds, lorrakeets - the lot.

Sue was the first to arrive for the big party - she just bought a new car and wanted to show it off - a little blue mini cooper - very cute!  Tim, Anna, Sophia, Jack and Peppa arrived at about noon.  Lex and Josh had fun playing with Peppa, but really aren't very good at socialising!

we had a great lunch - prawns and oysters and party pies and sausage rolls for entree, steak sausages, wings and salad for mains and pavlova, lime tart and carrot cake for dessert.  It was Sophias 19th Birthday so we sang happy birthday.

Josh had a great time with Tim and Jack - lots of joking around going on.

Josh had a spa bubble bath before bed - so many bubbles!

Day 12 - Mon 8th July 2019 - Back to Mum and Dads

Another easy morning - Josh is really into his Australian football - all codes - this morning he found a league match to watch.  We left Margot and David's around 10.30 and had an easy drive back to Loftus.  Drove past the old Turramurra place and down Lady Game Drive for old times sakes.  Got back to Mum and Dad's in time for lunch.

Mum and I went grocery shopping in the afternoon whilst Dad and the kids played trains again, the some trip planning and game shows before dinner (found a gluten free enchilada kit) , Watched some Australian Ninja Warrior before bed.