Into the inky blue

You’ll be relieved to know, I’m sure, that the lifeboat drill was serious, comprehensive and reassuring.  It also provided a little entertainment to the people standing on the wharf, gazing up at a couple of hundred people standing out on deck wearing orange lifejackets in the late afternoon sunshine.  Only once before have we actually had to put on our lifejackets and make our way to the lifeboats but it was noticeable that, on this occasion, every one of us paid attention and followed instructions to the letter.

Having changed, we made our way onto the top deck a little later and with drinks in hand, chatted and waited for the off. 

As we did, we spotted another ship leaving, just passing under the bridge.

It was the Oceania Regatta,  I think a similarly sized ship to ours, just setting off for Auckland, possibly.  The two ships sounded horns as they passed.

As she sailed past the Opera House, we were getting ready to leave.

There were people everywhere; this little group on the roof of the building opposite.  How lucky to have a roof terrace overlooking such a panorama!

At precisely 8pm, as the sun sank behind the skyline, we cast off and were away.

We looked down at Doyles, where we’d sat just last evening with Jane and Allan – that seafood was delicious!

In no time at all, it was dark and reversing away from the quay we just couldn’t stop taking photographs!  With the light changing by the minute, the sound of camera shutters was all around us.

We looked up to see another group climbing the bridge. Rather them than me!

The city twinkled and we became quiet – I thought of my parents, who sailed from Sydney just like this and here we were doing the same.  Daddy would have been 86 today and I wished him a quiet “Happy Birthday” as a tear rolled down my cheek.  Silly, isn’t it?

But it would be a hard soul to not be overwhelmed by such a beautiful place.  Such a beautiful evening.  How lucky we are to be here, to do this, to share it all in such good company.

Anyway,  there were more photos to be taken, more gasps of delight as yet another perfect scene unfolded.  Turning past the Opera House, lit against the night sky, we gazed at the view hoping upon hope that our photos would come out ok.

So we took another one, just in case.

And another.  Because even though I believe the best photos are in my head, I do want the pictures in my camera too!

And there we were, gone.

Off into the inky blue.

Must be time for dinner!

It wouldn’t happen in Hobart

Returning to our hotel last evening, we found a puddle in the bathroom, beginning a little saga which ended in a different bedroom shortly before midnight.  Disappointing service from which we’ll move swiftly along, merely noting that it wouldn’t have happened in our Hobart home!

So, sadly, we no longer had the view of the Opera House and of the wharf where our ship would arrive.  Still, we were out there first thing to check all was well and sure enough, there she was – moored right there where we’d hoped.

After breakfast, we enjoyed a stroll around The Rocks, marvelling at this little cottage which survives right there in the middle of the modern city.

We walked under the bridge and took a different route back, looking up just in time to see

a group of people just starting their bridge climb.  By the time we’d made our way back to Circular Quay and found ourselves a bench on which to sit and people watch, they were right up there at the top.

Meanwhile, it was time for us to go, collect our bags and gather with our shipmates to be herded on to a coach, to travel all the way across the road again.  Silly really, but we supposed it was necessary for everyone to identify bags and suchlike, and be there as a group rather than as 20-odd individuals.

By just gone 1pm, we were enjoying lunch on the Pool deck, watching people come and go and generally feeling relaxed.  Around 2, we made our way to our suite and unpacked.

I sit here at the desk with this view.  How lucky am I?

The champagne is on ice, lifeboat drill is in ten minutes time and we sail away just after sunset at 8pm.

Cheers!

We are here

We looked at one another and confirmed with a grin that, yes, we really are in Sydney.  The city is one of those iconic places and having last been here around 15 years ago, it was surprising how well we remembered it.  Our room wasn’t ready when we arrived so we lost no time in going straight out and down to Circular Quay and away.

The Costa Deliziocia was docked there in the Rocks, a huge and overwhelming presence.  Our ship will be there tomorrow and it’ll be interesting to compare!

The city was looking glorious in the sunshine, because we struck lucky in the weather stakes.  After weeks of non stop rain and cloudy skies, the sun put his hat on for us, for which we were thankful!  In the early afternoon, people were sitting out at the pavement cafes, taking their afternoon stroll or, in many cases, pounding the street in their best running shoes, in training for something or other. 

We turned the corner at Bennelong Point and agreed that yes, the Opera House still works its magic, doesn’t it?  No time to go inside this time (we saw Rigoletto here on our first visit, some twenty odd years ago: the first time we ever booked tickets on a long distance phone call, for us quite an adventure!)  As we walked past the sign, I did a double take and nudged Mark “Look, twins” – only now, uploading my photographs, do I see that they feature like a Where’s Wally cartoon!

We carried on around the pathway, skirting the Botanic Gardens and dodging the runners, still.  The sun was warm on our backs and we both wished we had thought to bring sunglasses, hats and so on.  Never mind, we’re here, and that’s the important thing!

Some construction work at the foot of the Fleet Steps sent us on a small detour and we were nearly at our destination. 

Mrs McQuarie’s Chair.  That first visit to Sydney all those years ago left such an impression on us, and this place in particular was etched in our memory.  I remember writing in my journal (yes, I kept one even then!) that Mrs McQuarie must have been of a similar mind to me; that even in those pre-bridge, pre-Opera House days, this must still have been a spectacular place to sit, for this is a magnificent harbour and the headland offers the most breathtaking views.

Once again, we looked at one another and sighed. Yes, we really are here.

Beautiful.

We spent quite some time there, just looking, taking photographs and counting our blessings.

Returning through the Botanic Gardens, we enjoyed a little more shade, a cooling breeze and the rustle and clatter of the bamboo.  We were in no hurry and yet, we were ready to cool off, to settle ourselves in the hotel and spend a quiet hour or so before going out again.

The city rises much higher than we remember and the busy streets and motorways crisscrossing the centre were quite a contrast to the peace of the garden.

After a shower and short sortout of our luggage, we wandered out into the Rocks, on our way to meet our friends.  Alan and Jane had booked a table at our favourite Doyles and we couldn’t wait to see them again. 

We walked alongside the Quay to the restaurant, fearing that we weren’t going to have much of a view from our table

But as we squealed at spotting them at the end of the quay, there was a shudder and the ship sailed.  Perfect timing!

We sat with the perfect Opera House backdrop, cocktails in hand followed by the most delicious hot seafood platter talking twenty to the dozen as we do.  So much to catch up on – or not, since Jane gets her news here on my blog!  But so good to be with them, to remember fun times and to giggle about Mumbai, the shoe shop and that tiny little taxi we shared; to look forward to some more good times to come during the next couple of weeks. 

Oh, and to redress the balance sheet following tiffin at the Taj!

At home in Hobart

Though we’ve travelled around Australia, we’ve not made it to Tasmania on previous trips.  So, this time, it was top of the list and of course, now we wonder how we could have left it for so long, for it is a beautiful part of this vast country.

We were lucky to have Sandie to show us her favourite places too.  Not only is she a native of the island, but she’s a professional tour guide as well – who better to spend the weekend with?  Quite how we packed so much into just three short days is a mystery – but then, we did begin the minute our feet touched Tasmanian soil (new state to count - kerching!)

So, on the way home from the airport, via Richmond, Sandie stopped here, at one of the oldest towns in Tasmania and this lovely old bridge

the oldest bridge in Australia, no less.  From there, it was non-stop fun, gathering pace at Pooleys vineyard, where we needed to do a little tasting to decide which bottles to take back for supper

Saturday morning in Hobart means one thing – the Salamanca Markets, and we were delighted to explore the whole shebang.  Great fun, especially watching a bit of filming going on around part of the Masterchef competition, taking place there in the market this morning.

On the way back through the park, there was a chance to find Sandie’s rellies on the memorial to the First Fleet settlers.  There they are – William Hambley and his children.

The next couple of days whizzed by in a haze of vineyards and misty hills.

We visited fruit farms with reconstructions of the wooden huts used by the farm labourers in the 1930s.  Hard work in very basic accommodation but in the most idyllic landscape.

In another valley, there were hop bines and oast houses.  Lovely still ponds with ducks and platypuses – not that they put in an appearance for us, sadly.

We walked through native bush to the waterfalls and hoped to see platypuses here in the stream, but again we were unlucky.

We did, however, see something

How exciting is that?!

Sadly, we didn’t see a devil.  They were in evidence here and there, though!

Of course, we had to sample the other local produce, didn’t we?  Our other dear friend John came over from Melbourne to join us and finding ourselves in a bakery, well, who could resist?

Mmmmm…custard slices!

But what will I remember from those three short says in Tassie?  Well, the agapanthus, which grow everywhere and though they’re just past their best, those gorgeous blue flowers are amongst my favourites.

The landscapes are some of the most beautiful we’ve seen in Australia, lovely rolling hills with small clusters of buildings and a wide open sky.

Lovely gardens like Sandie’s with roses and cottage garden style planting as well as this rather special place with an Italianate garden to the side.

Small towns with beautiful old convict-built stone buildings – this is Ross.  Everywhere we went, a warm welcome and a delightfully friendly conversation to be had.

Especially in small bakeries, where the ladies serving us joined in our banter and fun.  Small-town friendliness which extended to everyone, not only Sandie’s friends!

A real sense of place then, somewhere special and proud to be so.

You’ve guessed right – we rather loved the place!!

Tasmania

We're here in Hobart, spending a few days with our dear friend Sandy and exploring this beautiful island for the first time.  The landscapes are looking lovely in the drizzle!  Since I haven't worked out how to upload photographs via Sandy's computer, however, you'll just have to believe me for now ;-)

We drove around the harbour when we arrived yesterday afternoon and saw three white ships moored there. One of them looked rather familiar - sure enough, there it was, "our" ship!  It's going to spend a couple of days in Melbourne before sailing on to Sydney and it was lovely to think we'll be joining it there.

Today we've been to the Salamanca market in Hobart and then out to the Hartzview vineyard, founded by Sandy's ancesters this afternoon.  Her rellies were some of the first settlers here and having lived here all her life, she knows everyone!  Hobart is in a beautiful setting and going up to the Signal Point at Mount Nelson this afternoon, we had a marvellous view over the estuary.  It was really easy to see how they would be able to trace a ship's progress from three or four days out from the port from that amazing vantage point - photos will follow!

Tonight, we're dining Greek- looking forward to that.