Tues 23 Feb - A Trip to the Blue Mountains

Emma had been keen for us to see beyond the western suburbs of Sydney so this morning we set off early to drive to the Blue Mountains. We were surprised at the severity of the congestion on the way out through Sydney but arrived at the edge of the mountains by late morning. After a stop for coffee and to check out the Visitor Centre we drove on to Wentworth Falls for our first view of the Blue Mountain scenery which was quite stunning. The main road had imperceptibly climbed on to a ridge with steep sided cliffs dropping down to a densely forested area below. Take away the vegetation and it could be reminiscent of a mini Grand Canyon. There were several viewing points along the road so we moved from one to another, enjoying a picnic lunch at one of the designated areas. Following a prolonged stop at Echo Point overlooking The Three Sisters rock outcrop we headed back to Sydney to meet up with Charlie for our final night out together. Before leaving for the meal at The Jellyfish restaurant in Manly, Emma and I had a last (for me) swim in Freshwater Bay behind the apartment. As usual the surf was pretty fierce!
Charlie had once again excelled with his choice of car for the evening – a bright red Mini cabriolet –, which though lacking the power of the previous evenings Beemer, was great fun to be driven in. The Jellyfish was a restaurant that Charlie had previously managed, so we were well looked after and enjoyed a really fabulous final meal.

Mon 22 Feb - Sightseeing in Sydney

With Charlie now back at work and leaving the flat at 7.30 am it was Emma who was to be our guide for the next 3 days. Our first stop was the Museum of Australia where we spent a very informative couple of hours learning about the history and beliefs of the indigenous aborigines and the effects of European colonisation. Additionally we viewed an exhibition of wildlife photography that was on display. Next it was off to the QVB, or Queen Victoria Building in downtown Sydney for a planned ‘afternoon tea’ with Shirley, Dave, and his son Jason. The location was set up in a similar manner to the Pump Room at Bath with white tablecloths and waiting staff, dainty teacups and sandwich/cake stands. However the prices were eyewatering – 37 dollars (about 25 pounds sterling) for tea and cakes per person! Needless to say, after some discussion with the management some of us were allowed to share the sandwiches and cakes! For a country that prides itself in its informal and laid back attitude this place came as a bit of a shock.
After bidding farewell to Shirley, Dave and Jason we returned to Manly where Mike had a quick dip in the irresistible sea before we four headed downtown again for our special meal at the Café Sydney. Charlie had acquired a very sporty BMW cabriolet for the evening so we were able to pose in style whilst Charlie demonstrated the searing acceleration of this little hot rod! Our evening at Café Sydney was unforgettable as we sat outside on the terrace overlooking Circular Quay with the Harbour Bridge on our left and Sydney Opera House on our right, eating incredible food and drinking gorgeous wines. What a climax to our stay!

Sun 21 Feb - Back to Sydney

Sadly this was to be our last morning in Manyana. Charlie had left early to return to Sydney for work and taken Shirley and Dave with him, so the rest of us went for a dip in the sea before breakfast and then started packing up. By 1.00 pm we bade a fond farewell to Manyana, Pete, Lynda and the kids having left about an hour previously. Our first stop was at Berry in order to re-visit the quilt shop passed on the way down. By this time the temperature had climbed into the mid 30s and we were relying on the AC in Emma’s car to provide us with some relief. From Berry we drove inland and up into the mountains behind the coastal plain. Our first destination was a small town named Kangaroo Valley where Emma and Charlie had previously spent a weekend horse riding amongst other things. I was slightly disappointed in that the name on the map conjured up pictures of pasture being grazed by an abundance of ‘roos. In fact there wasn’t a ‘roo in sight and the only ones we saw during our entire visit were those at Manyana. Our route back to Sydney took us through the beautiful countryside of the ‘Southern Highlands’, an area favoured by the more well to do early settlers!
We arrived back at Manly at 6.30 and enjoyed the remainder of the Whiting caught at Manyana. It should be mentioned here that Charlie not only knows how to catch fish but also how to prepare and cook them in an unforgettable manner.

Sat 20 Feb - Manyana Day 6

The sea at Manyana had by this stage calmed down so we all had an early morning dip before breakfast. After much deliberation it was decided that we should take the children over to Conjola where they would enjoy the calm shallow water whilst the men – Dave, Charlie and Pete fished around the corner at ‘Shark Hole’. We returned for an early roast meal followed by party games (“Guess who I am” and Charades), led by Emma, needless to say! There was a light interlude when Pete went outside to fetch something from the car and returned to find a snake on the deck near the entrance door. Needless to say Christine disappeared very quickly! This was the first snake that Emma had seen during 6 years in Oz – what a coincidence that she should be in Christine’s presence when it happened!

Fri 19 Feb - Manyana Day 5

It had been planned that Charlie’s mother and partner Dave would come and stay for the weekend so Charlie left early to pick them up from Sydney airport. Emma, Christine and I spent the morning in the sun at Washerwoman’s Beach where Shirley and Dave met us for the first time, on their arrival. After a late lunch we all headed back to the fishing beach where more ‘Yellow Fin Whiting’ were caught. Just as we were leaving the beach our other weekend visitors namely brother Pete and wife Lynda plus children Grace and Kirk, arrived. We were now a complete eleven in the house as the previous night Dave’s son and Charlie’s friend, Dan had made the trek down from Sydney in his van. Christine’s day was complete when dolphins were spotted from the deck outside our bedroom, playing in the bay.

Thur 18 Feb - Manyana Day 4

With Emma and Charlie off shopping in Nowra Christine and I headed south to Ulladulla, a small town with a harbour about 20 miles south of Manyana. As we stumbled across a Quilt Shop, naturally a visit had to be made; however it did not meet expectations! Nevertheless whilst in the shop Christine was asked if she wanted her blood pressure checking – so what was that all about?! These quilters obviously live high pressure lives. We were enjoying a fish and chip lunch by the harbour when Emma and Charlie arrived and we drove in convoy to Warden Head, a good spot for Whale watching. As the Whales only pass by during the Spring and Autumn migration we did not and had not expected to see any. Back at Manyana preparations were in hand for another session of early evening fishing, this time with Mike taking control of a second rod that Charlie had purchased. Surprise, surprise, fish were caught on both lines, those by Mike being a life first! How much better fish taste when they from your own line!

Wed 17 Feb - Manyana Day 3

The morning was spent again on Bendalong beach where the surf was good, and the sun very hot. Whilst Christine made friends with a ‘blue heeler’ owned by one of the surfers, Emma was busy working away on her laptop. In the late afternoon we drove around to the nearer beach at Lake Conjola and bathed in the fast current whilst Charlie cast his line just around the corner at Green Island in a place worryingly called ‘Shark Hole’. That evening we ate Tailor fish fresh from the ocean!