We’d like to dedicate this weeks blog to ‘Phil’. My sisters boss who always asks after us.. Thanks Phil !!
Well weeks 18 & 19 already, this holiday is flying by. Well the last post saw us in and around Bathurst. We decided to remain in Bathurst for a few more days and use it as a base for visits to Parkes and Cowra before hitting Sydney Town.
Parkes
“The Dish” – Parkes
Parkes Visitors Centre
Elvis’s Caddy
Yellow Wiggles Elvis Collection – Parkes
Cowra
Japanese Gardens – Cowra
Prisoner Of War Camp – Cowra
Prisoner Of War Camp – Cowra
Sydney
We arrived in Sydney a little earlier than planned, so it was great to surprise our Niece Eliana at school. She was so excited and I was a little teary. We stayed at Laura’s place for a couple of nights (and I got to see Twilight Breaking Dawn part 2 finally with my friend Jod) before we headed to my sister Belinda’s apartment in Drummoyne where we spent a whole week. We took the kids to see Madame Toussads which was probably the only ‘touristy’ thing we did. We’d done the opera house before and the rocks and darling harbour. This time Wayne wanted to really see what all the fuss is about. He’s not a fan of Sydney really but I’m happy to say that FINALLY he is. He spent a bit of time taking pictures (of course) and we drove everywhere.. All around North Sydney, then the Northern Beaches, a drive into town in the evening to see the lights at Town Hall (although couldn’t get a park) . He found many ‘prime vantage points’ to take happy snaps and have a picnic.
The girls loved spending time with their ‘Aunty Belinda’ which was great as she saw a lot of us !!! She’s happy she has her room back now I’m sure. Olivia turned 9 in Sydney and we had a massive day. Spending the morning at Pancakes and then bowling and them from 5pm we hit Luna Park with family and her BFF Ava.. We didn’t leave until after 11pm and we were all shattered. She had a great day though.
The following day my sisters arranged to have a little afternoon tea birthday party for both Olivia and Sarah and they were spoilt rotten and also put on about 12 concerts for all of us.. I love having girls !
We are now back at my sisters Laura’s house, before we head to my Nans for a week. I caught up with my awesome lovely amazing school friends last night for dinner and it was so great to see them all. I hadn’t been to Panthers for a very long time, and it’s changed so much !! What happened to Reactor 1 ??
Lots of things have happened, can hardly remember any of it as it’s been such a whirlwind.. There’s a heap of pictures though. I’ll try to be a little more organised next week although with Christmas around the corner.. who knows !
Special mention must go to Belinda for shouting me a massage at a dayspa in Glebe. I’m still hurting 🙂 ..
xo
Blue Point Reserve
Blue Point Reserve
Bradleys Head Lookout
Opera In The Day
Fox Studio’s
Fox Studio’s
Park Crawl Fun
“Home & Away” – Summer Bay – Palm Beach
“Home & Away” – Summer Bay – Palm Beach
“Home & Away” – Summer Bay – Palm Beach
Birthday Breakfast
Liv’s Birthday Breakfast
Liv’s Birthday Breakfast
Opera At Night
Luna Park
Luna Park Fun
Luna Park Views
Luna Park – The Rotor
Rustic Bridge
Liv’s Birthday Party
Our trip around Oz 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIVI!!!
Looks like you had a blast 🙂
Frankie is as cute as ever (especially with her little ponytail!!) – Sarah rocking the hair extensions!!
You all look like you’re having a good last few weeks! Jo & Wayne you both look great!
Until Next week, Chilli xoxo
(p.s have you had a few baths Jo? 😛 )
Howdy kids,
I wondered about that POW camp you visited. Was it a place where ‘the authorities’ sent Japanese people living in Australia while the war was on? I think they called it “for their own safety” but really it was an appalling display of racism that people of a certain ethnicity who had been living and working and contributing to society were suddenly persona non gratia. Did you find out much about the history of the place and the incumbents? I just get the feeling it wasn’t for captured prisoners of war.
Some great photos . Might keep some for myself ! Can’t believe you got to the Nth Beaches & no call , no drop-in , not even a drive-by & beep of the horn so I could see the travelling beast in real life !!!
Hope u had a great Xmas / NY …maybe catch you if u guys decide to do another quick lap of Oz.
Stay safe- it’s been a an interesting & fun read… Still find it hard to believe u guys actually packed everything up & really did it ! Very gutsy, very Australian & I am sure it will turn out to be a great memory as a family .
Take it easy – hope u get that bloody canoe off a bit more Wayno- that’s been a long trip for the poor thing!
We drove past your parents home enough times though!
We did have a great (busy) xmas and NY and now we are back to travelling on the road and I’ve been told I have to start writing the blog again… Have been in Sydney for so long though that it hasn’t felt like we have been travelling at all.. Hope you and yours have been well.. Have a great 2013!!!… You know you are in the perfect position to pack up and take your money making laptop and move anywhere you like in this big beautiful country of ours, we are always saying ” if only we had jobs where we worked from home”.. We would move anywhere within the Atherton Tablelands, or Noosa or Port Douglas…Shute Harbour, the list goes on and on and on….. x
Hi Jo
I don’t know where else I can write this but here. I would love to send you an email. We are a family of 4 about to set off around Australia (in 6 weeks) and would love to hear any recommendations /don’t do’s etc from you (in your ‘spare’ time). We are travelling with our almost 4 yo son and 9 month old daughter so am most interested in some of your insights. I have been reading your blog (feeling like the biggest stalker!) for the past 4 weeks or so (since we randomly decided to do this) and have loved it. I would also love to know what camera Wayne uses (fantastic shots- maybe it’s the photographer!!!) and about the apple TV. But I totally understand if you are too busy to reply. Thanks for all your stories to date. Thanks, Skye
Hi Skye
Thanks for your comment! Wow, I thought only family and friends read our ramblings?? Can I ask how you heard about our blog?
Can you pass on your email address, I’d be happy to send you some info from our experiences.
You’ll love it.
Jo
I think I found you searching internet for travelling Australia with children. I did find a site that had lots of people that had commented on a thread travelling with kids and then I just worked through their blogs/websites….I think that was where I found you! I do really feel quite stalky but I have loved reading about your experiences, the funny things, great photos etc. So no- not just family!!!!
My email is skyeeagles@yahoo.com
Many many thanks, Skye