A tour in town

Angela's report ! My comments in red

The Universe favoured with a car parking spot exactly where we needed so we drove through the city seeing the old General Post Office and the pedestrian space of Pitt Street Mall, then over the little expressway to Darling Harbour, (of course I thought it was a darling harbour but Angela explained it was only named after a Mr Darling ) a quick walk and photos from the old Pyrmont Bridge (It used to open but is now fixed) and then the wind came up quite strongly. The wind came in so suddenly that it was almost incredible for me . I first thought it was blown as on a set for some purpose by a machinery! We parked in Chinatown for “yum cha”( a huge restaurants where you do not have a menu . Waiters are passing between the tables with trays . On those trays lots of goodies. You take or not. If you choose something they stamp your bill. You can eat as many items as you like .They are mainly surprises as they are hidden or wrapped in rice! I had shrimps with spinach and schrimps with mango which happen to be very good! You add up at the end) and a quick look at Paddy's Market,(cut price fashion outlet stores, food market and cinema complex. The name comes from the fact that the irish were the main customers when it opens in 1869- They are more than 800 stalls selling everything from fresh produce to electrical products, learther goods , pets, puppies, chickens ) then drove past St Mary's Cathedral, up to Kings Cross and down to Rushcutter's Bay where the first people cut rushes for the house roofs. Out around Darling Point but the ylang ylang tree was not in blossom (it is called chempaka in Bali). Through the nice shopping area of Double Bay, then Rose Bay where we stopped on the wharf for a coffee/iced chocolate and more talking. A quick look at the 'Kiss and Ride' ferry,( It is the ferry where young weatlthy wives come and drive their husbands going to work in the morning so a little kiss and they are gone ! too windy for the sea planes to be taking off but that is where the old Catalina flying boats used to land after their long, long flight from England in the olden days. Stopped at a church jumble sale - that was fun to do with someone who also likes a bargain. I found a lovely cashmere and silk and wool orange sweater for 3$ and was quite pleased .

Then we finished at Bondi Beach for more photos, I can’t believe the amounts of beaches they have right there in the middle of their cities . The breeze was up and most swimmers had gone home so did we, for a pee and a cuppa( and a quick internet check ! )and to meet my (beautiful) son James and the Kitten, Binkle. En route to the airport we drove through the very dry Centennial Park and so for me finished a lovely day with a charming new friend and for her (me!)...... up, up and away on another adventure.