It's Been A While

It's been a little longer than expected since my last post but having my daughter here for a few weeks has been the best.

Worst part of it is that the 2 weeks she was here just flew by and now she is back in the UK.Whilst she was here we just had to visit Taronga Zoo in Sydney. Over the last few months there have been quite a few births so I was really looking forward to going there.

My favourite just had to be the baby elephant which at first, by specialists, was announced dead inside it's Mum but shocked the community by being alive and well when born.
What a beautiful day we had. All the family was together.
We even got a chance to feed the giraffes.

New South Wales, Australia Dust Storm 23/09/2009

What a morning we woke up to. The previous night had been stormy and windy but I don't think anyone was prepared for what we saw this morning.

As I awoke I noticed an orange glow through the gap in the curtains. My first reaction was to fly out of bed and thoughts of a massive bush fire. The sky was similar to a bush fire sky.My husband took this picture at approx 6am. We do not have a problem with our camera nor was this a trick. This was the actual sky a glow and everything was covered in dust.

Then I noticed how dirty looking our deck was. Looked like splatters of mud, I suppose it was really.
This is my outdoor glass table and even the water tank that it stands on have a thin layer of dust.

The pool got a layer too. I can just see this dust going in to the pool when we roll up the cover.
And my beautiful motor got a layering too, even though it was under the car port.

The dust remained in the air almost all day with many people needing help due to breathing problems. Personally I found that I drank a lot and my throat and nose was constantly dry.

I found some awesome pictures of Sydney on Flickr check them out here. I have never seen anything like it in my life.

PINK - Sydney, 18th July 2009 - 2

Awesome chick and fantastic entertainer.

PINK - Sydney, 18th July 2009

What can I say. Awesome chick. Great entertainer. Fantastic voice.

Well we arrived at the concert at just after 7pm, way before time, to find that her supporting act wasn't playing. Darn - no pass outs to get back in so we had to kill time until 8.30pm (PINK eventually arrived on stage at almost 9pm).
I can't wait for her to come back to Sydney. I will definitely be going again.

Chinatown, Sydney, Australia

This is another quick post. Something that I was not impressed with - Chinatown, Sydney.

Did not rate it what so ever. The street could be walked down in 1 minute. I suppose I am comparing it to Chinatown in San Francisco, which to me, was great. Felt like Chinatown, an abundance of stores, aromas and a beautiful colourful evening walk. Chinatown, Sydney is lacking something. Even though I haven't been, my husband says Chinatown in London is better.We popped in to Chinatown, Sydney for something to eat before we attended the Pink concert. I am sorry if this is in poor taste but the restaurant that we ate in got our backs up.

It was Chong Qing Chinese Restaurant. The food was lovely but to sit and eat whilst watching Barmundi fish in their tank attempting to swim up side down and gasping for air is stomach churning.

I will never be able to step foot in that restaurant again. My husband was tempted to report them but the poor things would probably be dead by now and all evidence disposed of.

The Somerset Serviced Residence

I had to post about these apartments. For my husband and I for a night in Sydney Australia it was excellent and worth every penny/cent. We just stayed here for 1 night as we were attending the Pink concert which was being held just a 5 minute walk away.

We made ourselves at home and I got snap happy.The Living Area - as you can see my husband made himself at home straight away.

Cute Little Kitchenette.

The bedroom with built in wardrobes. The bed had lovely clean white linen on it but I just had to grab the blanket. Didn't want to get cold. Although the whole apartment is kept warm by the air-con system.

The view from the balcony. Not much to look at but what do you expect in the city.

If you are interested in spending a night in Sydney I totally recommend these apartments and not forgetting the helpful staff. We even had breakfast brought to our room. Mmmmm.

You can see more by visiting http://somerset.com.

A Few Etsy Dusts' Meet At The Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair

Did we have some fun searching few those crafty goodies. My saved stash is almost non existent after buying a mass of beads and a few more sewing projects.

Where on earth am I going to find the time to do it all???

Here is a piccie of all the girlies.

From left to right Tess of Planettreasures, Kathleen of Whimsigals, Carley of VanillaPixie, Emma of NeverEver and Leanne of RainbowRevolution.

6th Sydney Vintage Show, 19th April 2009

So today we get up early - ish, bacon and eggs on the barbie and set off for Canterbury Racecourse and the Vintage Show.I have never been to one of these shows and was totally amazed at the clothing and jewellery for 1940's, 50's and 60's. I definitely want to go again.
Did I buy anything. Urmmm couldn't help it!! Just a few vintage patterns and fabric. i have so many projects waiting to be started now it will take me a life time. Times like this I wish I didn't have to go to work. Hubby had a giggle when I decided to have my hair done. looking at the pics now I can see why. I was complimented a few times though.Sunday has quickly gone by and another work day is looming.

Just Got Back From Thailand

I will spend a little time over the next few days with posts of our trip to Thailand.

We have just arrived back in Sydney today (Monday). We should have arrived on Tuesday. We spent Friday waiting in Bangkok airport to see if we could get on our flight. The problem with flying "staff" is that you are on a standby basis. You can just imagine what happened!!

The flight home was fully booked and we ended up spending another 2 days in Bangkok and $2,000 lighter as we had to arrange another flight. We actually ended up flying to Vietnam and waiting 6 hours for a flight back to Sydney. So at the moment my head is still spinning.

I have plenty to tell you about our highs and lows, likes and dislikes of where we visited and stayed in Thailand.

So watch this space for updates.

My Photograph Was Chosen

I was so excited this morning to receive an email from Emma Williams at the Schmap Sydney Guide. I was informed a few weeks ago that my photo had been short listed and was asked if I minded it being published if I was lucky. If you click on the link above you will see my photograph of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House under it.

The other thing I noticed was that if you clicked on the picture it actually takes you to my Flickr site. How cool is that.

The Sydney Craft & Quilt Fair, June 11-15, 2008

Got up a bit late today but managed to head off for The Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour,Sydney at 10.00am. Weather was yuk, very windy, big grey clouds and cold. At least the halls were warm and there was plenty of coffee places. Not sure what time we arrived but we left at about 3.00pm. My feet ached like mad but it was an enjoyable day.

Not only did I get a good little stash but a new toy to play with - drill and coiler mandrel set...yaaayyyy.

Now what did I get? Many coloured glass beads, czech glass, silver metal fancy spacers. many sizes of silver wire, gorgeous pendants, head pins, eye pins and ribbon and string necklaces. I think thats it. Oh some semi precious stones. Best of all is my new toy drill and coiler mandrel set.

Oh, and this is where we ended up before we headed off home. The Belgian Bar on Sydney Rocks. Last time we went to Sydney we knew about this place but couldn't find it, must have spent a night walking The Rocks looking for it. Barry had curried mussels and me, pork, mash and sauerkraut (I think that is how you spell it but I didn't like it). To be boring I had a diet coke and barry a glass of Leffe.

No drinking for me I have to be up bright and early tomorrow morning at 8.00am for a day of fire brigade training. Ouch!

Lightning, Thunder, Hail & Everything is Off

This is a quick post for me. Very quiet on the computer as we have had it switched off and unplugged for the last couple of hours. We have had warnings of severe storms so didn't want to risk a repeat of previous events. The last storms we had we lost our Digi Box, Modem and the pool pump went tits up, all due to a power surge from the storm. We take no risks now, never, anytime, anywhere. Computer switched off and unplugged, telephones unplugged and TV and aerial switched off and unplugged. Me?? I then sit out on the deck (covered), read a book and get withdrawal symptoms from being off the computer. LOL :-)

Dad has arrived

Well my Dad arrived on 2nd of Feb 08 and, inbetween work and commitments, we have been trying to show him around. Managed to spend 4 days in the Hunter Valley staying in a lovely log cabin and do the winery tours.

Also managed to look around Cessnock and the Hunter Valley Gardens. Barry took him up to Cabbage Tree to look at the views but it was too wet for some areas. And yes we had some more rain!! Sydney was the last port of call, obviously the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, a boat ride from Curcular Quay to Darling Harbour and the Chinese Gardens. Just managed to fit in a massage and coffee before it started to rain again!!

Another week before he sets back to the UK. Unfortunately we all have to get back to work on his last week. Let's hope the weather gets better and he can relax by the pool.