Narrowboat AREandARE

From the 2009 & 2010 tantalising tales, traumas and stunning photographs of Barry (photographer) and Sandra (writer) from New Zealand aboard NB 'Northern Pride', to the stories of their 2013 return journey, purchase of 'AREandARE', progress on sustaining their live aboard continuous cruiser lifestyle, and Barry's quest to gain residency and 'Indefinite Leave to Remain' in UK ...

Saturday 22 May 2010

A narrowboat chat in Sydney

On Tuesday we began our journey back to England and Northern Pride via Sydney - my first visit to Australia.  After a very early start (we were up before 5am), we chilled for a few hours in the 'Koru' lounge at Auckland airport, as Barry had accumulated sufficient airpoints from travelling to UK and back twice last year.  So we had a chilled morning eating and drinking and relaxing - Barry had his first glass of wine about 10am!

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Barry looking laid back - having a massage at the airport before leaving Auckland ...

... and the entrance to 'Luna Park' in Auckland

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Arriving across the ditch (as they say down under!) mid-afternoon on Tuesday, the weather was very grey and miserable, cloudy and raining but Barry still managed to find a smile in 'Luna Park', a funfair across from the Harbour Bridge.  Can you see the scary resemblance between the two faces ...

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Luckily the rain abated on Wednesday and we had a fun day exploring Sydney's sights, including a vast array of sea-faring vessels from a P & O cruiser, a replica of the Endeavour (the ship that Captain Cook sailed to NZ and Australia) to Jessica Watson's 'Pink Lady' - the boat the 16 year old Aussie completed her nine month 'round the world' trip in last Saturday.  I couldn't believe how tiny it is - about 33 foot long.  And there's us thinking our narrowboat is small, what an incredible young woman she must be.

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 "Ella's Pink Lady" - not sure who 'Ella' is, but that's the name on the boat!

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'The Bounty' replica - up close and personal

P1200651Having a coffee break

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Inside the famous 'Queen Victoria Building' shopping complex in the city centre

 

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A view vertically upwards at one of the stained glass domes

 

 

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An interesting mix of old and new in the city

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We wandered around the town centre feeling oppressed by the huge buildings - amazing as they all are we're just not city people and both visibly breathed a sigh of relief when we arrived at the Botanical Gardens and open spaces.  These are stunning - there are 'flying foxes' in many of the trees - bats just hanging around waiting for their nightly flying missions.  Unfortunately these fascinating creatures are destroying the vegetation so they're trying to find humane methods of moving them on which is sad ...

 

One of the bats stretches its wings mid-afternoon

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There are some interesting trees in the gardens - this one looks as though it's about to fall down - it's actually tied to another tree!

 

 

Various views of spectacular Sydney Harbour

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In the evening we took the ferry to Manly to see Paul and Elaine, a couple originally from England who've lived in Sydney for many years and got in touch with us through the blog last year, as they're considering buying a narrowboat and becoming 'continuous cruisers' for a few years in the not too distant future. 

Paul sounded as enthusiastic as Barry had been in the 18 months prior to us following our (well his really!) dream, soaking up UK Waterways Sites blogs with a passion, and he and Barry chatted away companionably.  Elaine sounded a little cynical - I can definitely understand how she feels, must be a female thing - so we hope to be able to bring her encouragement through our blog in the coming five months.  Paul had very kindly bought us a bilge alarm for Northern Pride which will warn us of impending disaster - so hopefully it won't be put to good use at any time!!

We had a lovely evening having drinks and dinner at the Manly 16' Skiff yacht club -not the 14' or 18' Skiff yacht clubs which are nearby!  It's all about size you know ...

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We leave Sydney for England tomorrow evening and according to the internet the flights to UK are all on schedule so far, but of course things could change at any time.  Fingers and toes still crossed ...

2 comments:

  1. Not long noq - a hot and sunny England awaits - about 26 degrees today.
    Looking forward to seeeing you both.
    Andy

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  2. Hi San and Barry
    yes England is in its glory today and planned for the week end

    just been a 3 hour walk along the cannal down to Fazeley and up to hopwas

    walked passed Granny Buttons.... see you even got us barge spotting now..looking at all the names to see if we recognise anyone from your blogs ..x


    see you soon safe travelling mags and gaz xxx

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