Botanical Gardens Visit for Exhibition.

I nearly didn't do a blog today, as nothing much to say but luckily decided to visit the Botanical Gardens and see an exhibition by the Gypsy Art Group. I am getting tired of being on my own, so braved it out to go and visit.

I went early and not a lot around, so I had a bit of a walk before looking. The Garden is beautiful and so well kept by volunteers

This plant was in full flower and took my eye as John had been discussing Bleeding Heart plants the night before. I don't know what it is though.

While looking at plants for sale the crow was at my feet, very friendly and used to being fed. He was answering other crows in the trees also. Very, very black and shiny.

 This was the exhibition, everything from fabric items, knitting, jewellery, art journals etc. All made from the members of the group. I am thinking of joining it as well. 

Taken from their website, wasn't game to do one of my own.

In the end I did get a plant, a couple of cards and some soap, for presents.

Till Next Time.

Trip to Burleigh Heads

 We finally made it to Burleigh Heads to choose the colours of the new van. Had to leave at 6.15am for the 3 1/2 hrs. it took which was a bit of a shock to get up at 5, but managed to pack morning tea and lunch in time. What a beautiful day it was also, coolish in the morning but the day was lovely. We had morning tea at New Italy sitting on a log in the sun and arrived in time to the Caravan place for our 10am appointment.

Entrance area

 

The office was at the end of an entrance of caravans, and a fairly large back area.

Workshop are as they do repairs as well.

Walking back down a hill to the office.

The service was great tea first when we arrived and cappucino when we finished.

We checked out the van that was at the show as I liked the colours in that. We also had a 2nd look at the outside swirls and lines as we had to choose that as well. In the end chose aqua plain stripe with the Hinterland icon which had a sun and what represented leaves and again chose aqua, with silver/grey above the black metal around the bottom, and silver wheels.

This is a red version, but painted wheels was not our thing.

 The interior is white gloss cupboards around the top, and what I thought was grey is actually a bronze colour on the leather seats and cupboard doors, and a motley bronze/grey bench, and brown grain floor. 

Extras John added were a camera for backing and seeing cars behind as we drive, a heavy duty wire to hook up the big fridge separately to an anderson plug as we drive along, and a electronic stability control system so the van doesn't accidently sway and fishtail from the car in case of some accident, this makes the insurance cheaper as well. My thing to add was two 12 volt fans in the bedroom area one on either side as it is 2 single beds.

As it was nearly lunch time we headed down to the beach area. What a wonderful area Burleigh Heads has. Fabulous board walk and the beach was very clean. Loved the seat made to look like surfboards. 

Park seemed very busy for a Friday morning.

Gold Coast high rise in the distance.

Life saving area we overlooked.

On the way home we called in at Woodburn and had a coffee at the oldest cafe. There was a huge cup and saucer and next door John took a couple of photos at a gift shop while I waited. Luckily didn't go in looked really good, but we are saving hard at the moment. 

I would have bought a little dog if I had seen them.

So true.

As we were sitting there a huge flock of  Blue Eyed Cockatoos flew and landed in all the trees on the opposite side of the road and went to sleep. Amazing to watch. 

 

 It was a great day overall and lovely to get away from the house. Now we wait till maybe late August, as there is a bit of a backlog after the caravan show. Suits us as we can save more.

Till Next Time. 

Manly Ferry Trip Sydney

Welcome back to our Weekend away and today is about the Ferry trips. Sydney uses the Opal Card system for transport and on a Sunday only costs $2.80 per trip, unless you have a seniors/pension Opal card from the Government in which case you spend $2.50 and that's it, free for all other fares. So it is not surprising that the Ferries are crowded on that day especially the Manly one. We first took the ferry alongside the Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour across to the main area of Circular Quay via four stops.

Waiting for the first Ferry

View of the buildings across from the Pier

Interesting stairs we passed to go outside

Sitting up the front while John runs around, all the  time taking photos

Passing a wharf that held very expensive private ships.

One of the stops Luna Park

Balmain having its own pier I would think an expensive suburb. You can see the main street from the bay.

My view of John in passing.

 There are at least 4 or 5 very large cruise ships in the harbour at one time, we could see two from our room. Ones that don't fit under the bridge are put in the Circular Quay area, only one at a time, so very handy for the tourists.

Looking at cruise ships from room. They only stayed a day or two then new ones appeared.

Same ships we passed

Another large ship.

Circular Quay spot, notice the swimming area on top with a water slide.

There was a large crowd waiting at Circular Quay Manly Ferry and a much larger boat.

By the time we walked around to the other side this crowd had tripled.

Up front again while John ran around. I did get up but you have to be quick so you don't lose a seat.

Both sides on ferries have seats as well.

Manly Ferry Stairs much wider.

Automated lighthouse we passed.

Looking to the "Heads" where all the cruise ships come in  and go out. Manly is to the left of the cliffs.

It is amazing what is on the water, canoist clubs that look really tiny in the waves, Dragon Boat, speed boats, family motor boats, ferries, it is quite busy on a Sunday.

Club Rowing  Boat

Another Club

The Manly Ferry takes half an hour to travel across, you go past the Opera House and  the bridge, so very popular with the tourists. I was speaking to a French girl who was traveling with a German backpacker girlfriend.

Manly Pier

Intriguing to see the  upper level drop down walkway, of the ferry, as we waited to get off. Very long pier to the street full of shops, where on the way back I found a new hat.

Lolly stand

When the huge crowd disembarked everyone all walked as one down the street, very funny. We went much slower. I was surprised how green the mall area was  after crossing the main road you headed into it. At the end was a local monthly market. John went on ahead to take a million photos and I rested and waited, then walked a but further to meet him. Lots of dress shops in the mall, and usual shops you would find anywhere. Not sure what the tourist gets out of actual Manly, except the Ferry ride of course, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera house, and somewhere to go. Every shop was open.

Area before the Mall.

A couple of these fountains were installed and the kids loved them.

Mall with Markets

John walked down to the beach area where a carnival was on. By the huge blow up things the fathers were carrying on the ferry I would say this was a popular beach for Sydney. It is a very long beach.

The Markets took up the following side street and also partway down the Mall.

Waiting for John.

The ride back much the same, same view only reversed. Ferries go every half hour approximately as there are two. We spent about an hour which included getting a cup of tea and having it on the run.

Hills filled with lots of expensive houses

I went and found John so I could have a photo of the Opera House and Bridge, after all I was a tourist.

So back at Darling Harbour after 4 ferry rides. There is one that goes to Parramatta, takes  about 90 mins. Maybe next time in the city could take the grandkids. Great way to spend the day on the water.


I was going to do the Chinese Gardens but as before this is long enough. John took 2500 photos of the trip so a great deal of choice. Will do it next week, they are lovely.


Till Next Time.