Blue Mountains

Mr M and I went up to the Blue Mountains at the weekend to meet up with some chums who were staying there having just competed in an event which involved running 100kms up and down the mountains in, preferably, less than 20 hours.  They did it!  They couldn't walk down stairs by the time we saw them!  They were very impressive.

Local hotel called The Carrington.

This was pointing at me.

Interesting mural on one of the buildings.

This was on sale in one of the 'antique' shops.  I love the title. 'Our Glad'.  And do you see, it's Volume Three!  There were three volumes of Our Glad!!  Can you imagine the riches?

I bought this.   This will look great in our kitchen and people who know us well will think it apt.

Loved this sign.  It needed an 'i' beofre the 'a' for Mr M's sister!

The weather was beautiful.  Clear blue skies and sunshine, though cooler than it is in the city.

Today

Our friend Alison took this picture today.  I am glad she did.  I like it!  We were in the Blue Mountains to meet up with chums, two of whom ran 100kms yesterday - up and down the mountains.  they took about 16 hours to do it in.  How amazing.  More pics of our day to follow, 

Bather's Pavilion

As part og the International Festival of Helen, the lovely Mr M took me to a special restaurant for dinner.  This is Bather's Pavilion on Balmoral Beach.  It looks out over Middle Harbour to the Heads and Manly. 

People of the Miami of the West - it's like the Cove, only without Knightstone Island to look at.



It's a special spot as you can see.  We had a window seat overlooking beach.  The service was a little fast for our liking but nothing can take away how special that view is can it?

Tonto the Wonder Cat

It's been a big week Down Under.  There are lots of things going on, not all of which I can tell you about just now Dear Reader.  All in good time.  In the meantime, here are some pics of Tonto the Wonder Cat to keep you going.

Also, we went to see One Man Two Guvnors yesterday.  If you get the chance to see this, go!  It was by far the funniest thing I think I have ever seen.  I had tears streaming down my face.  If yesterday had not been its last performance in Sydney I would be booking to go again.  Go!

It could be you .. or me

The play of the Michael Morpugo book was on in London for quite some time before we moved to the Southern hemisphere and the lovely Mr M was very keen to see it then.  I, on the other hand, was not.  I've been known to cry at adverts.  I wasn't allowed to watch Lassie as a child because it was just too stressful for everyone when 'he lost his mummmmyyyyy' *wail* so we gave up and watched Magic Roundabout instead.

Anyway, I capitulated.  We went.  I had tissues at the ready ....

And it was very good but the tissues were not required.  At no point did I lose sight of the fact that the horses were puppets - exceptionally good puppets they were too - but it didn't make me cry as it made many in the audience cry, sob, weep and wail.   I was very proud of myself. 

It was a lovely theatre too.  Quite new but with a great view of the North Shore (and our home).

Next week we are going to see One Man, Two Guv'nors.  We turning into a right pair of Luvvies, darling.

In other news, we just got an email from the National Lottery telling us our winnings will be put straight into our bank account.  No mention of how much.  I'll keep you posted.  It could be us ....!

Grand Pacific Drive

I mentioned earlier in the week our drive down the coast to Wollongong.  The route is called the Grand Pacific Drive and whilst it does, in part, drive alongside the Pacific a lot of the drive is in fact through the national park.  A very pretty drive don't get me wrong, but not quite as advertised, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, some pictures.

 The road runs alongside the coast.  Like Dawlish I suppose.  But without the beach.

Impressive huh?

Manly

I really do think Autumn is the best time to come to Sydney.  The weather is just about perfect.  Today was a fine example of that.  26 degrees and calm seas, and hardly any tourists!  We went to Manly to meet up with some chums.



Manly wharf.  A ferry docked.

The Corso

 And one of the ferries sailing away ....