Mar 7th - Sydney Day 4

Today is the last day we get to see the centre of Sydney so we decided to finish off a few things on our should see list plus a few extras.

We have been going at quite a rate since we got here so we had a late start but that meant we missed the last fast bus into the city by 5mins - they only run during peak hours we found out too late. We then found that the next bus to Manly was around 45 mins so it was back into the car to drive and park in Manly and catch the beautiful ferry across to Sydney Central.

We started with seeing the old Strand Arcade and for Pam to do some dress shopping plus a brunch. Mark hid in the food court whilst Pam shopped. Pam here I was looking for another fancy dress for the Queen Mary and found one in a shop called Taking Shape inside a department store called Myers.

The Strand Arcade looked very nice and made a pleasant change from everything modern surrounding it. A beautiful Art Deco shopping area.

We then moved onto Hyde Park - there is the usual copying of names from London. It also has wonderful statues and fountains. However, at well over 30c it is hot and you need to seek shade with lots of people using umbrellas not for rain but sun protection.

Statues of Victoria and Albert are at the road entering the Park

There goes Mark striding purposely towards an impressive fountain

A close up of part of the fountain - ahhh turtles

We wanted to see the Hyde Park Museum barracks which was recommended to us by Alissia as they recorded the original housing of convicts in Australia with lots of history, However, they were closed today. Are you sensing a theme for our 2 day return in Sydney?

Our last item on our to do list is Mrs Macquarie chair. There was a bus right outside Hyde Park but   although we were there for ages, and well before the scheduled time, it never arrived. Obviously like London where nothing comes then 3 come at once. The information then said another bus would be due in 30 mins. We changed plans and decided to walk halfway to the Art Museum instead.

Pam loves art and Mark does not. However, Mark loves architecture and we both adore air conditioning so this place was a winner even if we split up. The outside of the building is spectacular but the entrance hall is also just as Impressive.

Art museum entrance

More of the outside which has the names of famous artists including all 4 turtles - 2 are shown here

Zoom in on those frescoes if you can

Part of the entrance hall

Mark as a knight on a plinth

Pam went wandering to find the galleries. She found one called the Grand Court that had paintings from 1400-1900. It was a mixture of themes from sheep shearing to beautiful ladies. There were also statues and unusual displays from this period too. It was a very enjoyable quick visit.

Don’t think you are meant to take photos of paintings but this is a gallery overview shot so hopefully ok

Another 10mins walk and we reached the views of Mrs Macquarie’s chair - the place where the famous governor’s wife would come to take in the views of Sydney. It was pretty but we have seen plenty from other angles that are just as good though with this one Mark enjoyed with a chocolate nut sundae and Pam a strawberry milkshake so that always improves things to another level.

The seat or at least the plaque

And a view from it

We wandered thru the botanical gardens as we headed back to Circular Quay to catch the ferry back to Manly. They were very nice but full of people hiding under trees.

Part of the gardens

Mark does like a water feature

Once back at the house we showered and chatted with Nick, Alissia and their children before going out to dinner with them and Alissia’s sister and mum. We were meant to paying as a thank you for everything but they pulled a fast one and seemed to pay for drinks and later we discovered the starters. Hopefully they will visit England as a family one day and we will treat them properly.

The evening meal was wonderful as it was on a wharf and the children delighted at showing us the fish that swim round obviously picking up tidbits from diners. The conversation flowed and everything was relaxed and easy especially as the weather had cooled.

Mark, Nick and the kids went off to a local gelato shop for dessert - hazelnut ice cream is his go to choice here - whilst Pam spent time chatting to Alissia, Shelly (shell shell to the kids) and Nanna Sue about our travels, family and jobs etc. A real girlie chat.

We ended the night with a video call to our daughter Emily and her boyfriend Hugo - our other daughter Katherine was not up. The call included them chatting to all our hosts and it was sweet seeing Emily chatting to Nick’s daughter as there are similarities there even if there is a difference of a dozen years.