On, over and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge...

The Sydney Harbour is magic! Each time we took the train to Circular Quay, we were greeted with an unequalled view. One morning, there was a giant cruise ship berthed! Always in motion, it was our favourite place. We also had occasion for a quiet harbourside beverage.
On the train one morning, we met a charming woman who remembered the harbour with no bridge. She recounted to us how she used to take a ferry across from the North Shore to connect to other transit in the city. (It's the 75th anniversary of the Bridge's construction.) Unfortunately, the only photo I have of her is in my memory...one of those times when I was so intent on the experience that I didn't think like a tourist, I guess!It was amazing! I've seen it a bunch of times but it never fails to take my breath away. Silly really, but I can't help it. We climbed up to the top of the Southeastern pylon to see a beautiful view of the Harbour and then in the evening, we climbed the bridge itself. It was a clear day and then a starry night.

Our first day in Sydney...

Apparently, the Sydney Opera House is the most photographed piece of architecture on the planet. We have contributed to this particular bit of tourist trivia.

We took in... every corner!

Really, we fell in love with the entire harbour. We purchased "daytripper" passes for the public transport system. They allowed us to ride the subway, busses and ferries without restrictions. We were out on the water several times, both day and night. There was no shortage of tour options in the harbour, but we just rode the ferries. It was really the cheapest way to take in the harbour.

Irish pubs we found on our journey...

Three different States in less than two weeks, four flights, lots of walking, a few tours....and pubs! Irish ones!

We concluded that wherever we go, we'll find a touch o' the Irish in Australia. A pint of Guinness goes down well at the end of a busy tourist's day.










I'll update the blog with various other experiences this weekend, but we thought these first bits would amuse!

On the road...

Huge and I are in Sydney for one more night and we're off to Tasmania in the morning! Last night we climbed the Harbour Bridge. An amazing experience! We'll post photos when we get home.

No Leafs in the play offs?!?!?!? Sigh... Huge says, "Good...maybe Ottawa has a chance!"

No tickets for "away" games, so...

It's the first day of holidays! Huge and I are off to Sydney tomorrow. (Wednesday, we climb to the top of the Harbour Bridge!) Today is a day of washing, packing....and Aussie Rules Football! We don't have tickets to Crows away games, so it's the match on T.V. this afternoon. Go the Crows!

Another blistering hot autumn day here! Feels like summer!

Touring the Barossa...

We drove out to the Barrosa Valley on the Easter weekend. The Vintage Festival takes place over seven days at this time of year on odd numbered years. It features music, food, processions, tug of war competitions between wineries and maypole dancing....but we were there for the wine tasting! We chose a few wineries to visit. Another glorious day in the low thirties. We now officially believe that winter isn't really coming!
Here's Huge relaxing at Wolf Blass. This winery is enormous! The eagle monument is in the centre of their Visiters' Centre.

Seppeltsfield Road should be named palm avenue! Huge and the Red Ripper were happy to pose!












We spotted scarecrows all over the place throughout the day.

Ahhh...the soundtrack of our lives...

Hey folks! Prepare for a collective groan! Our patriotism has climbed to new cheesy heights!

We now have a new ringtone on our mobile phone! I've spent about an hour and a half trying to figure out how to convert an audio file from iTunes into the proper format so I could use it on the phone. Stubborn, I am!

It's done! Now, there's a bit o' Canada when someone calls. I was doing the happy dance! Huge was groovin' on the horn section.

Anyone care to send us a hockey update?

A little bit of autumn...

We drove out of the city to a little town called Hahndorf. It's the oldest German settlement in the area. Huge found a replacement pair of Birkenstocks. (There's an enormous shop here...nothing but Birks!)

These little red trees made us a little wistful. We're not homesick, but our Canadian hearts felt a little twinge!

A new addition to the family....

Today we had a musical adventure. Huge finally found his guitar source here in Adelaide. The guys were friendly and knowledgeable….showed him the quiet room where he could play the tunes he felt like playing. Then, they fixed him up on an amp. I laughed because all of them nodded seriously when I told them that Huge already has about nine guitars at home.

I was the roadie….NOT the groupie….who handed him each instrument until he had it narrowed down from about seven to two. Ultimately, we walked out of the shop with a brand new Martin guitar. All the blokes agreed that Martin guitars are “the best.”

I’m no fortune teller, but… after free picks and strings and a healthy discount, Huge will be returning to Derringer’s Guitars!

Good Wishes from the Easter Bilby!

Huge and I were running errands in our local neighbourhood when we bumped into Australia's version of the Easter Bunny. (Rabbits aren't really beloved here due to the whole virus thing!)

Happy Easter everyone! Enjoy the long weekend... we know we will!

April "Fool"ishness at the Footy...

Another 24 degree day...full-on sunshine...and it's autumn!!! Here we are at the first official Adelaide Crows game. Through friends of friends, we have scored season tickets! Both Huge and I have bought the fan gear and have plunged fully into this part of Australian(Aussie Rules) culture.




A sold-out stadium...50 000 footy fans! A sea of red, yellow and navy! This has been a memorable April Fool's Day!

The car park picnic is traditional....as is the birthday toast!