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Sydney, Australia
Dec. 21st - Relaxing at the beach
Took another walk this morning before anyone else was awake.
This time I walked up into the neighborhood on top ridgeline.
The flies are a continual pest with all the sand around a
beach. They land on your face and cling to your shirt. Jacquie
was the only one awake when I got back. She a quiet little
girl. Everyone seem to want a cooked breakfast this morning.
AD fried up his usual scrambled eggs.
 We
all went down to the beach before 10. Yesterday was cooler
with the clouds. It’s going to be hot today unless they come
back! We played out in the waves again. They were on a rolling
pattern of three big ones every few minutes. Some days the
waves seem to have a regular rhythm. The surf club had an
ocean swim meet today with 100’s of entrants. My muscles
limbered up and the soreness gone quickly. DW got out in the
surf today and really enjoyed it. You have to get out away
from the shore.
A little bit of sunburn was visible when we returned for
lunch. I was happy to have generously applied the stuff. AD
was moaning about burnt arms. No one was in a hurry to return
to the beach. Naps seemed to be the main afternoon activity. I
wanted one more shot at the waves and went down around 4 PM.
Bronwyn and Eloise came down with me. None of us stayed long.
Ted’s sister and family arrived to spend the holiday week. We
ate dinner at the beach fish and chips again. Ted and Eloise
drove us back to the Claydons in Sydney. Bronwyn had Jacquie
in the other car. We were all exhausted from our weekend.
Dec. 22nd -
 Fooled
Josie, the dog, this morning as I walked toward the patio. She
saw my reflection in the DR window and thought I was in the
house not behind her. Her reaction was really cute when she
realized the mistake. She sits at my feet while I read in the
morning. We’re usually the first ones awake. AD has been
staying up way too late but rarely sleeps past 8.
Daniel has decided to do street performing. He has been
practicing his saxophone in order to play in the Chatswood. He
saw some boys doing it while shopping and was keen to try.
Linda drove us down and found Daniel a good location along the
pedestrian mall. DW & I went shopping for Christmas presents
in the huge Westfield Shopping Center. Chatswood is one of the
largest shopping districts in Sydney. Much to our surprise
Daniel was very successful and took in $84Aus in 45 minutes.
Tired but satisfied, he quit. We were all in shock.
 After
a few afternoon errands, we settled into the pool. It was
quite a hot afternoon. Ivor prepared a delicious meal of pork
tenderloins and brats with sauerkraut. AD had a hankering for
kraut. Daniel and Martin had never had any and weren’t too
thrilled. Our Christmas photo opportunity with the Opera House
took place after dinner. We rode the train down to the city
and got off on the north side of the harbor. We walked to the
Harbour Bridge to capture the backdrop for a Christmas photo.
Unfortunately the “Merry Christmas” sign didn’t shown up in
front of AD’s red shirt.
 A
ferry took us across the harbor to the Darling Harbor
entertainment district. Sydney has 12 nights of caroling in
the shadow of the convention center. A beautifully light
Christmas tree has blinking kangaroo shapes underneath it. We
sang along with familiar songs while sitting on the brick
pavers.
Christmas Prep...» |
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We
all went down to the beach before 10. Yesterday was cooler
with the clouds. It’s going to be hot today unless they come
back! We played out in the waves again. They were on a rolling
pattern of three big ones every few minutes. Some days the
waves seem to have a regular rhythm. The surf club had an
ocean swim meet today with 100’s of entrants. My muscles
limbered up and the soreness gone quickly. DW got out in the
surf today and really enjoyed it. You have to get out away
from the shore. 
Fooled
Josie, the dog, this morning as I walked toward the patio. She
saw my reflection in the DR window and thought I was in the
house not behind her. Her reaction was really cute when she
realized the mistake. She sits at my feet while I read in the
morning. We’re usually the first ones awake. AD has been
staying up way too late but rarely sleeps past 8.
After
a few afternoon errands, we settled into the pool. It was
quite a hot afternoon. Ivor prepared a delicious meal of pork
tenderloins and brats with sauerkraut. AD had a hankering for
kraut. Daniel and Martin had never had any and weren’t too
thrilled. Our Christmas photo opportunity with the Opera House
took place after dinner. We rode the train down to the city
and got off on the north side of the harbor. We walked to the
Harbour Bridge to capture the backdrop for a Christmas photo.
Unfortunately the “Merry Christmas” sign didn’t shown up in
front of AD’s red shirt. 
A
ferry took us across the harbor to the Darling Harbor
entertainment district. Sydney has 12 nights of caroling in
the shadow of the convention center. A beautifully light
Christmas tree has blinking kangaroo shapes underneath it. We
sang along with familiar songs while sitting on the brick
pavers.
