In the navy

Another new friend

Harry!

In the last few days Sydney has been inundated with boats, small and large from all over the world. The special occasion is the 100^th birthday of Australia’s Navy, officially called the International Fleet Review.

With tall ships and navy boats galore a few trips where made to check out the sights. First adventure was to brave torrential rain to see the tall ships arriving. Along with a couple of hundred other soggy onlookers. The most exciting bit was when one of the boats set off a cannon and the kids in the crowd cheered as they thought it was Captain Jack Sparrow. Otherwise it was pretty dismal.

On Saturday the main event was the fleet review with lots of pomp and ceremony but most important of all Prince Harry flew in to be part of it. Boats where anchored all around the harbour. We found a spot on the north side of the harbour. Big navy ships came in a line from out to sea past all the vantage points. Helicopters and planes in formation entered from the heads and went down the harbour. All very exciting.

The formal part of the event was the Governor General, Quentin Bryce travelling around the harbour on HMAS Leeuwin, reviewing the fleet. With Prince Harry on board! Swoon……. As the boat past using my binoculars I provided fashion commentary on what the dignitaries where wearing and tried to figure out which one was Harry. In beautiful sunshine on a beautiful harbour it was a great day to be out and about.

On the way back to Circular Quay we went by India’s boat and it had men in black with big guns standing at guard on all points. This looked pretty strange in Sydney Harbour. The only disappointing bit to the day was the yanks sent only one boat, a piddly little guided missile cruiser, USS Chosin. I am sure it is a very lethal boat however last time we went to one these events the yanks sent an aircraft carrier. That day we saw aircraft taking off and landing on the carrier as we went by on the Manly Ferry a pretty awesome sight that we will never forget.

Final event was today, on way to meeting at North Sydney, quick check of the Tall Ships app showed them all tracking up the Harbour. The view from the train was a perfect line with blue water and sunny skies, framed by the harbour arches. After all the effort of trying to see the tall ships arrive in  dismal weather, this was the icing on the cake.

A special shout out to my cousins, Bill and Tony who served in the RAN.

Flowers at Floriade

Today’s adventure is a sedate trip down the Hume Highway to our nation’s capital. It’s a beautiful clear day and Floriade the annual spring flower festival awaits us. First challenge for the day is too find parking amongst the throngs of other people who all decided to go to Floriade today.

Once in there are masses and masses of tulips planted in patterns, waves and a riot of colour. Everyone snaps away, we think there are more photos taken here in one minute than in the rest of Canberra today. We find a giant yellow duck, a gnome garden and lots of creativity with colour.

We now leave the tourists behind and make our escape to the National Arboretum. Officially opened in February, what was once forest has been replaced by tree plantings, sculptures and a huge village centre. Everywhere has commanding views of Canberra. We have been through this area many times on adventures in years past before the big 2005 bushfires. Its nice to see something wonderful grow from the devastation.

The wilds of Oberon

From the searing heat of Italy in the summer to the freezing cold wilds of Oberon, NSW.  The weather report predicted snow, so we got out of bed at 4pm and hit the road to the snow.  There was not as much snow as previous trips but still plenty to test out Stephen on his mountain bike. A fun day was had by all. 

Go Andy!

OMG what have I done?

Anybody know an elephant who can sit on this bag?

Ladywell Lodge afternoon tea

Today is packing day. Now its payback time for all the things that seemed very important at the time to buy. I will not need to buy a book or piece of clothing for at least 12 months.

The packing goes better than last year I have learnt a bit more but it is still a trail and error job and takes a few hours.  It’s a really hot day so we also get all the washing done. I did not know London could get this hot.

Finally its time for the traditional Ladywell Lodge afternoon tea, egg and chicken sandwiches, lurpak butter, vanilla slices, walnut cakes the works. Andy Murray is playing against Novak Djokovic in the final of Wimbeldon and we can watch it live on the TV. Bit different to being in Australia, though I suspect a few people in Australia will be watching. Jeff and Mary arrive to take me to the airport so we listen to the rest of the match in the car. Its so close Andy has one point to win and then loses the point, he then wins a point, he then loses it. The tension in our car is unbelievable; the tension down the road at Wimbledon must be immense. Finally Andy wins, the first British winner in 77 years. Everyone is elated. Jeff jokes that now we will get to watch the repeats of Andy winning for the next 77 years!

Ok, its time to depart, time to go home to Stevie and Rosco! We say about hundred goodbyes and then I push my trolley off into the depths of Terminal 3. Time for a 24 hour rest and the normal programming will recommence.

A big thank you to Jane for sharing her life and home with me, what an amazing holiday.

Carpe Diem

Outside British Museum

Matilda

The stage

Happy Birthday Lesley

Today is our last day of tripping around the fantastic places in London. First stop the temple of universe, the British Museum. Jane has booked months in advance and we have tickets to the Pompeii exhibition.  It’s the first major exhibition in 20 years on Pompeii and I think it is quite nice of them to think ahead and have it just after we have been to the actual Pompeii site.

With stacks of other people we enjoy the site, the exhibition is laid out like a house and we see first hand living rooms, kitchens and gardens from 79AD a fascinating snapshot in the rich and poor of Pompeii.

Then after a quick lunch we have a change of pace and go to Argo. I had no idea what this place was, you order what you want – cameras, gardening tools, curtains anything from the catalogues at the front of the story and then go to the counter and they go “out the back” into some kind of Tardis warehouse and get it for you. Another first time experience.

Now its London and there is still more to do so off we travel to the Cambridge Theatre to meet Lesley (Jane’s friend) to celebrate her birthday and see Matilda the Musical. It’s a matinee so lots of little girls dressed in cute dresses everyone is excited. We have wonderful seats and the stage is right in front of us decorated with all manner of boxes and letters a bit of a school theme. From the moment the play starts right up until the end the actors have us entertained, enthralled and at one stage most of the kids where really scared and holding onto their Mums. (I was ok, just). Most of the actors are kids they are so talented, can sing, dance and remember their lines and complicated moves and do it all with such precision. Often the acting moves into the seating area and it is like you are in the middle of the play. A truly wonderful experience we all enjoy.

Time to party now, off we go to a bar for a free bottle of Prosseco and a few more drinks, then onto a pizza dinner and one final desert. It’s so nice to meet the Lesley that I have been hearing so much about, she is fun and interesting I look forward to seeing her again.

Now its the walk to Charing Cross station for my final use of the public transport system. We are both tired and emotional and ready to go home. Jane asked me if I want to see one more invader? And I leap into life, yes please. A slight back track and we finish on a high. Then with the traditional wave goodbye to Nelson in Trafalgar Square we leave.

A dog called Angel

Primrose Hill

Angel

Queen Mary's Gardens

Banksy

So I think I am getting good at travelling on the underground, that is until I take the Northern line in peak hour. Sardines is an understatement it takes me three trains before I can get on. My first point of call is Primrose Hill, its brilliant sunshine and the 360 degree views of London are worth it. Glad I made the effort to get here.

Now time to wander through Regents Park and find Queen Mary’s Gardens. There are dogs and their owners running everywhere in the sunshine. Just as I am thinking it was so nice of Henry VIII or whoever used this park for deer hunting or something or other to leave it for the dogs to enjoy a schnauzer pops into view. His name is Angel and he originally hails from South Africa but now calls London home, with his big brother Wompy they say hello and then run off across the fields.

Queen Mary’s gardens are a delight, the roses are at their best and the bright green grass against the flower beds is dazzling. Being a rare sunny day there is even a professional photographer here doing shots using a ladder to get a better angle on the garden beds. This truly is a paradise of calm and green.

I step out of the park onto Marylebone Road and the hustle and bustle of London hits me again. Big red buses, trucks, taxis, cars and pushbikes all rushing around going somewhere a big contrast to the park. Using my trusty Global Street Art app I find a nearby Banksy, if graffiti changed anything covered in Perspex and with a Rude Pope added. Now that sentence might not make any sense to you but it does to Jane and I.

I am now down to my last few hours of free time so it’s a choice Wallace collection or shopping. Shopping wins. By the time I finish shopping I have walked all the way from Primrose Hill to Charing Cross, with detours all over the place. Hop on the train and loaded down with shopping bags I make the final steps to home. Time to freshen up for dinner with Mary (Jane’s Mum) and Jeff. Yummy food and we get to see the end of Andy Murray winning his semi final at Wimbeldon.

A wander through London

Platform 9 3/4

Roman Ampithetre

La Ghirlandra by Rossetti

Guildhall

I wake up it is very sunny and the house is quite, where is Jane? I look at the time and its 8:58am. The tourist trail is going to be late starting today.  Stephen and I catch up over Skype he is eating his dinner whilst I am eating breakfast.

First stop today is Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross station from the famous Harry Potter series. I did not realize how famous until I saw how long the line is to take your photo with the half embedded trolley.  No time for that today, its onto the British library.

Its just a block down the street, I arrive and am confused this is a normal brick building, where are the ornate columns, the over imposing statues and other British paraphernalia. I find out the library was part of the British Museum and the current library was only built about 20 years ago. As it is purpose built the library has all the right rooms for storing the precious collection. More Captain Cook, a drawing from the Endeavour voyage by Tupia (unfortunately in New Zealand). There is a Magna Carta, letter from Napolean to his brother that was intercepted by Nelson a week before the famous battle, Handels music, illuminated manuscripts. Lots of great treasures well off the tourist trail another good recommendation by Jane.

Now some fancy tube station changes and I quickly arrive at Guildhall Art Gallery and save myself a long walk. The jewel of the collection is by Rossetti. It’s a pleasure to roam around an art gallery with hardly anyone in it and lots of great art. The best bit though is the Roman Amphitheater in the basement, only uncovered in 1980’s. Then the security guard asks me have I seen Guildhall, I don’t even know what he is talking about, he directs me and I am in a massive hall built in 1411 all to myself. Then the next security guard sees I am impressed and directs me to the clock museum around a corner and up some stairs. I think I have done the secret security guard tour of Guildhall.

Back onto the tube for the final leg. Thought I better go back to National Gallery and see The Fighting Temeriane again, from Skyfall scene where Bond meets Q and I had seen the spot where Turner saw it yesterday. Its afternoon the place is packed out every room is chockers. Navigate to Room 34 find a seat and am confused, Turner, Turner, Turner, blank spot. The painting voted by the public as the most important in Britain is out for cleaning. Oh well will have to console myself with a cup of tea and cake in my favourite café.

Final stop shopping for tonight’s dinner fish, veggies and raspberries then home on the fast train to Ladywell Lodge.