Mainland Meanderings 3

We stayed with Margot and Breck in their Paddington unit and attended a rugby union game across the road at Suncorp Stadium, where Jim's Queensland Reds narrowly lost to the NZ Chiefs.

We exercised by walking into the city and then passed several high-rise office towers in which we had worked. The Pig & Whistle English pub at Riverside (yes, Riverside) was an old favourite so we stopped in for a drink.

We had planned to take the ferry to Dockside Apartments at Kangaroo Point, where we lived for many years, but it seemed the ferries weren't operating (no doubt a result of the floods) so we cabbed over the Story Bridge and wandered around Dockside, remarking on the changes. Then it was back to Paddington and a delicious dinner at local French restaurant Le Coin Bistro.

The next day we drove to Samford, where we lived prior to moving to Tasmania, and caught up with Jim's brother Philip and wife Meridy for a delicious 6 hour brunch at their home. 

We had planned to visit Jim's other brother John and wife Jacky on our way south, but unfortunately John wasn't well. Back in Grafton we spent time with Margot and Breck on their beautiful property and enjoyed a lunch at the Crown Hotel in Grafton and a dinner at the Lawrence Tavern, both great venues.

Sunrise over the Clarence River from 'Maritimo', Margot and Breck's property

Jim spent the next few days on the property accompanying Breck on the quad bike, navigating through post-flood mud.

Penny flew to Sydney and spent a few days walking around the city - 10.5kms on one day!

Inside the beautiful Queen Victoria Building in George Street

From the overseas cruise terminal.... where's our ship?

Street art, George Street

Trams now travel along George Street from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kingsford

Barangaroo and the Crown Casino

Darling Harbour

Penny had prearranged to catch up with her aunts Maree and Pat, and it was a very pleasant surprise to also see cousin Dale who caught the train down from the central coast. Following a late breakfast all four ferried over to Manly for a walk along the Corso on a beautiful day.

with Maree and Pat

with Dale

On the ferry to Manly

Manly Corso

Manly Beach

Dale unfortunately had to leave at lunchtime to attend a function at home, so Penny took Maree and Pat to Eastbank Café on the walk between Circular Quay and the Opera House, for fish and chips. It was a truly wonderful day!

Patrons were warned about swooping seagulls

but didn't at all mind the two stunning Rainbow Lorikeets who joined them

In the meantime, Jim left Grafton and drove south to Tamworth then on to Dubbo. Penny flew from Sydney the next day and they met up at the Dubbo airport.

On to the next chapter...