A Fab Full Day in Sunny Sydney.....!

Good evening faithful followers (I can say that because this blog is being viewed in not only Blighty and Oz, but Ireland, Singapore, Borneo and Ireland!) and I thank you for blogging on again today!

So, where did I leave it yesterday (of this morning I should say)? Ah yes, we had gone to bed in the hope of waking refreshed and raring to go.  And it appears we did!

We have rooms opposite each other so it was a case of listening to who opened the door first and as it happened we both did it at the same time!

Today was about Sydney, sunshine, exploring and surprises.  And the first surprise was 2 tickets for the open top bus tour!!  Not much of a surprise I hear some of you say, but those who know me, know I love a bus tour.  I have done them all other the world and they are a great way to see the city you are in, whilst saving the leg muscles.  Something I needed with Pops in tow!  So after asking Pops if he was sure he wanted to wear his rugby shirt and hoodie and getting him to change his shoes, we alighted the usual red double decker to begin our tour (the driver very kindly waiting until Pops was right up top and seated before pulling away with such vigour that most of the other passengers will probably be needing a neck brace for the next few days).

It took in all the major sights, including Pops first real sight of the Opera House and Bridge, and we planned to go all the way round, then get off by Harry's Pie Van so he could try a legendary pie.

And that is exactly what we did, in sunshine and accompanied by the very informative audio tour by a man who had to be Kevin Bloody Wilson or a near relative, and a freak of a woman in full tourist get up, including silver quilted ski jacket (I shit you not).  The Opera House and Bridge drew the gasps from Pops I hoped it would, and the look on his face made me feel very happy indeed.

One full circuit later we got off at the hotel as I needed a wee and wanted to grab my something from the room and we decided to walk to Harry's as it was only 10 mins away.  Well for me anyway.  Pops did a sterling job tho, only stopping once for a breather (unfortunately in the up and coming shit hole section I mentioned yesterday, on the bench near the underpass which is normally occupied by the local vagrant who was currently sunning himself on the grass) and finally we arrived at the little pie van that is world known and visited by many a famous star (pictures plastered all over to prove it).  And the pies were just a lovely as the chilli dog yesterday).

I went for beef with peas, mash and gravy whilst Pops settled for cheese and bacon.  We ate them perched on little stools, mingling with the locals.  Unfortunately Russell Crowe dressed as a Gladiator didn't show his face to stuff it with pie, but you can always dream.....

Then the bus rounded the corner so I sprinted for it (yes sprinted, well ok, walked quickly) and made it stop so Pops could catch up (and catch his breath). Pops had now realised that he was not quite dressed for the sun that had finally appeared and stripped off the hoodie, rolled up the sleeves and hoisted up the trousers (every 10 mins) and I offered to carry it all for him.  The bus driver commented I looked like a pack horse (a reference to the fact I was carrying shit loads of clothes rather than a reference to my boat race I hope) and I replied that it was like going out with a small child,  They pester you to take the roller skates/buggy/scooter/pram/coat/bag/brolly and then promptly abandon it for you to carry 10 mins later.  I now sympathise.....

Back on the loop and next stop The Opera House to walk around Circular Quay from there, to the Bridge and finally onto my little surprise for him, more about that later.

Now, we have all seen the Opera House and Bridge a million times, but it really is one of those things that you just have to photograph, from every angle, in every light, at every opportunity.  So forgive the pictures for today but you know what I am like.  There is, however, a prime example of why I don't like getting other people to take pictures of me.  Sent my OCD picture framing brain into turmoil. 

Quite a lot of building work going on at present so there was quite a lot of drilling A LOT OF DRILLING!!  But as we wander round the quayside, stopping for an icecream, the view we were confronted with made up for it.  Opera House on the left, Bridge on the right (no the other way round) and slap bang in the middle the most hideous cruise ship.  'Not a patch on the Cunard Queen Victora' Pops noted on more than one occasion.

Then I revealed to Pops his surprise, a trip on the Tall Ship around the harbour.  He was made up.  We had half an hour to kill and he needed the loo, so we went to one of the swanky eateries that line the quayside.  On asking if we could just sit for a drink (and secretly use the loo, but I left that bit out) we were shown out through the beautiful waterfront setting, behind the tills to the inside cocktail bar.  The cellar basically.  But it was fine, the loo was there.  Almost worth the $14 we paid for 2 halves of lager....

So after navigating back through the tables full of people who were going to get one hell of a shock when they got their bill, the tall ship Southern Swan sailed into view.  The look on Pops face when he saw it, when we boarded, when he was able to take the wheel, when we drank beer watched the harbour sail by and when the sails were hoisted, warmed my heart.  He loved it.  As I knew he would.  And it was really special to share it with him,  After chatting to the crew, burning his lip on a cheese and cauliflower parcel, reminiscing about his sailing days, we disembarked with a free poster of the ship (they had no xxl t-shirts left, in fact they didn't have any.....) and another great memory.

Time for dinner.  I had done a little research and there was a pub nearby in the historic area of Sydney behind the Bridge that they are trying to buy and develop as the view and prime location these little Victorian houses have is truly priceless.  Literally.  The pub was the Hero of Waterloo and served great ale, gorgeous steak and more ale. It was a real gem, really popular and friendly, andalso full of hotties.

Pops had managed to walk there too so I was really proud and when I asked if her wanted a cab home he said he would walk a little more.  And a little more we did.  Slightly more than anticipated but what we saw was worth the slow pace and creaky knees (and that was just me!)  We found ourselves walking around the shoreline as the sun was setting, going under the Bridge with Luna Park on the opposite shore shining in the night sky, and rounding the corner to the splendor of the OH (can't be arsed to type it in full now) in the evening light.  And as we were admiring it, I just happened to turn to look behind me only to find a mahoosive cruise liner had appeared.  Literally out of nowhere and in stealth mode! We both almost jumped out of our skin as it tooted it's horn (or whatever it is called) and we could hear all the passengers whooping and cheering as they sailed into one of the most famous harbours in the world.

By now it was time for a cab, so in we got on way back to the hotel, with a pit stop in the local opposite to join in with quiz night and more beer (I was shouting the answers and the table next to us were writing them down, seemed to work for them).

Finally it was time for bed, so I dropped Pops to his room opposite, advised him on his choice of clothing for tomorrow (don't moan at me, my Mum normally does it for him!! And talking of my Mum, if anyone reads this and speaks to her, can you tell her I see what she means about his bloody walking stick!) left him sorting out a blisters and gave him a huge hug for a wonderful day.  Yes he hums louder the more he drinks, verbalises every sign he looks at, walks slowly and really needs to give me more notice when he needs a wee, but he is my Pops, 73 and on the other side of the World fulfilling a dream, and I am here with him and wouldn't want it any other way (apart from Mum being here too, then she could tut at him, choose his clothes and moan about his chuffing stick) and am very proud of him today. Love ya.

Right, that's it I must be tired and getting mushy, so it is time for me to sign off, move myself from the panoramic view of the OH and HB at night which has become my writing station (and the view I see when I have a wee with the loo door open), climb into bed and ready myself for more adventures tomorrow.

Love you all and thanks for following, until tomorrow.....

TTFN xx