However, before that they had to drop off the car in central Sydney! It had to be back by 10am as they picked it up at 10am! So...it was an early start at 6.45am to get up and ready....and they left by about 7.50......with an expectation that it might take them a while! It was a Monday morning and the schools were in and so there would be lots of mums on the school run!
So...we had Sheila for our final trip...and a list of instructions from A which was going to make things EASY! So.....we set off....1334k's so far and this last 30 were going to be the busiest and especially when you just want to get the car back safe and sound! Added to that they are particularly picky with the speeds in Sydney....and the school zones are all 40km/h....and people have been known to rack up enough points in a day to lose their licence....so people are extra careful now!
So...long story short.....they made it by about 9.25...... Although Sheila took them about 200m past the drop off on a street that was difficult to tipurn on! However, by luck....the cars disappeared after a set of lights and A was able to turn righ round in to the other direction and so the problem was solved!
So...car dropped off......it was time to head into town!
The drop off point was behind Darling Harbour and so after a short walk we entered into the Darling Harvour area and started seeing places we recognised! However, the mono rail has gone....as it apparently needed a lot of work done to it and so it was scrapped! That's a pity as it was a good run round the loop!
So..they crossed the bridge across Darling Harbour and they were going to head right for Circular Quay! They had made a pact.....no coffee without having reached 5000 steps......so......after 17000 steps today they have one cup of coffee and a cake they can use as a wild card!
So...after a decent walk down George Street they made it to Circular Quay. For about the first time in all the times they had been there there was a liner berthed and it was obviously pick up and drop off day! People with piles of suitcases were milling about and the P&O Pearl Princess was moored alongside with oil being pumped in on the water side from a small tanker while supplies and other items were being loaded on from the harbour side!
So..they went down past the Art Gallery towards the Hyatt Hotel which is located U see the shadow of the bridge in Tne Rocks area and they sat for a while looking and admiring the famous coat hanger bridge!
So....after that they made their way back round the quay towards the other end where the Opera House is located! But before heading round they had hit the 5000+ mark and so stopped for or img coffee at 'City Extra' - one of the cafes fronting the quayside and is a great place to sit ND people watch and to watch the ferries come and go!
The same ferries, including the Charlotte, the Sirius and the Colorroy are still doing the runs they have done for many years and must be true workhorses......running multiple runs daily all round the harbour! This is one of the things they are looking forward to yet......the ferry to Manly, the ferry to Darling Harbour and the best one.....the ferry to Watson's Bay where they will go to Doyle's for great fish and chips!
So...having had their break they set off to see the Opera House....again another thing that never loses its excitement! By this time the sun had been partly obscured by clouds and the light was not as good as it had been....but it made for interesting photos!
It was quiet and and there were not the crowds that you sometimes get and this was a bonus as you could walk round and enjoy the views in peace! However, there were still millions of photos and selfies being taken......but when L tried the popular one this year.....jump up....then take the photo....it didn't quite work out!
Oh,......I see they now do UGGS IN HIGH HEEL VARIETIES! Whatever next??
From there they then checked some of the shops as the rain had come on! Then they had a walk to the QVB (The Queen Vic Building) which is a shopping centre located in a very beautiful building which used to be an old meat market! The shops are very up market, well most of them, but they are great to browse round! However, they had now passed the 10000 step mark and so it was coffee time! This was a it pricey but it was nice...and then it was time to wander back down through the CBDto find Wynyard Station so they could look for where the bus would leave from? There are only a few buses that go as far as where they need to go and so have to be careful not to miss the ones they need!
They purchased two Opal Cards - the equivalent of an Oyster Card in London - and this meant they could now just scan the card as they get on or off the bus, the train or the ferry! It can be topped up if required once the funds run low!
The bus was packed....it was the 4pm bus and already many of the workers were looking at heading home! They got a seat - but next time they won't sit and wait for the bus.....as being their first for it....they were last on as by the time it had do e the others had lined up and so were technically in fro t of them in the queue!
An hour later the bus dropped them off at James Henty Road and after a short walk they were back home!
A great first day.....and now they have to make a list of the things they want to do and plan when they would be best done!
No comments:
Post a Comment