Christmas Day 2011

We drove for almost 10 hours to go to Spicer's Hiddenvale in Queensland for Christmas Day. It was well worth the long journey. We stopped overnight at Armidale to break the trip. Up at 6:00am so we left very early on the 24th to go to Grandchester. Lunch on the verandah was most welcome after the last 5 hours of driving. To begin my Christmas Day activities I ventured to the pool for a quiet dip before breakfast. Later, sitting at the resort having had a beautiful breakfast I decided that a family photo opportunity had presented. Hence the family happy snap. We had a delicious Christmas lunch in the Board Room. I had been looking forward to this occasion for some time. Merry Christmas everyone. Thank you Santa and Elf, Ashley. Christmas lunch was a delightful experience. Thank you to all the staff who prepared and served everyone Christmas lunch.

St Clements

St Clements; not easy to find. Not in the phone book. Not known by telephone directory personnel either. Quick call to friends. It's where? Its name? We were missing a few important details. Down a dusty, unsealed, road, just on dusk. How far? At best; a guesstimate -- a few kilometres. We searched for a light or signage of some sort. Up on a hill was another clue we'd been given. A confident right turn off the gravel. Could this be it? We wound our way to the top of the drive. Car parking, easy as ... Hope this is it. Tentative entry through the cellar door. Yes, this is St Clements. Luigi greeted and seated us at a table inside the windows. Windows that rose to the full height of the timbered ceiling. A curved ceiling of new timbers. Timbers that shone in the setting sun, stretched overhead. A table set as if we were back in Italy. Blue and white gingham. I was having a memory. Luigi presented menus and the daily specials. Such a fine evening in a relaxed setting. We knew that Anne and Gary had been right in recommending St Clements. Our return dinner was the very next week and this time all four of us were treated to an evening of beautiful food, a pictorial visit to Luigi's home town back in Italy. For the novice, Luigi sings whilst he pours drinks, preps dinner or as he delivers each course. A place to enjoy an evening of good conversation with Luigi as your host and Chef Daniel surprising the palate. I have decided not to mention the grappa. OMG. Whew!!! Alcohol to burn. Metaphorically speaking. My throat still recalls the sensation. The size of the demijohn should have prepared me for the arrival of the grappa from mouth to throat. I am intrigued as to how one would ever consider a second shot of grappa. Perhaps the jug had been in Luigi's family for generations. I would definitely not recommend driving afterwards, Walking was harder than I remembered upon our arrival. Thank you Luigi and Daniel. We will return one night soon

Sydney Sights

The footpath that spanned the water front at Pier 1 featured the hand prints and signatures of famous people. I snapped Rolf Harris'. The reference to his song 'I'm Jake the Peg ...' a novel tribute to its popularity. Tom Keneally, another person of note had his signature immortalised in the concrete too. Sydney Harbour so blue, Pier 1 so relaxing. The historic Rocks area so steeped in history.

Tourist Trekking Sydney Sights

The ferry wharves beckoned. A Manly ferry had just berthed as we bought our tickets. People streamed through the turnstiles and across the ramp ways. Times had changed. From my childhood I remembered the old gangways being hauled by deckhands and tied off with ropes. Today so much was automated. The ferry seemed more spacious and dare I say, even comfortable. Inside, the old hard benches had been replaced with individual upholstered seating spaces. Past the heads the swell was interesting but not a concern. Manly shopping Corso was almost unrecognisable from the days of my childhood yet still it greeted throngs of tourists just like us. Many had journeyed to take a plunge in the waters of the ever so famous, Manly Beach. Waves and sand appealing as they were we pondered a visit to the Opera House. Once back on the ferry I imagined the white, tiled sails of the Opera House shimmering under the glare of the mid day sun. Sails that awaited our return to the southern shores of the harbour. Shade was scant and the colonnade between the speciality shops offered some brief shelter as we walked the walk to the very point of the Opera House's forecourt. Galleries of photographs lined our walk. Umbrella proud cafes and restaurants filled to capacity with hungry diners spilled across the pavements. Aromas of fine cuisine and freshly ground coffee beans finally lead us to take a break from the busy tourist, schedule that we'd set for ourselves. Duck salad for me and soft shelled crab for Stephen. The world walked by and we watched. Some strolled, others hastened and still we watched until we could watch no more. Our table was in high demand. Diners had already been turned away. We made our table available; to allow others to sit and watch too.

35th Wedding Anniversary

3 hours down the freeway to Sydney. Destination, Pier One -- overlooking Sydney Harbour. Hickson's Point, not far from the Old Coat Hanger. Time to unpack later. Downstairs for a refreshing wine before dinner. The lounge area welcomed the afternoon sea breeze as did we. The traffic had added an hour to our journey so respite was sought. The Sydney Theatre Company's restaurant was where we chose to dine for our first night. Service and menu did not disappoint. Having arrived just after first curtain the restaurant was tranquil, with only a few patrons not taking in the show. We were to play the role of tourists for the next 48 hours. Night became morning. Sun shone and the lens captured the sights. In search of breakfast we walked under the bridge to Circular Quay. We passed a tall ship and a cruise liner on our way. Breakfast taken. Next stop, the markets at The Rocks. Too early, many stall holders were still in the throws of setting up their wares.