Mum Hits Town....

It's been a while since I had the chance to update my blog - but it's been a busy week.

Last weekend (the 3/4 March) Lucy & I headed into Sydney for the Mardi Gras Parade (turns out they love a parade in Sydney - Australia Day, Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras & then today it's St. Patrick's Parade - don't ask why it's a week early - then next week the walk across the bridge). It was something I'd looked forward to doing as one of 'THE things' to do in the Sydney character. Whilst both Lucy & I had a great time watching the parade pass by there was far too many people packed into a relatively small place & without the help of the Big Screens it would have been impossible to see anything. After that we met up with Ian & Sarah (who had stayed with us recently) & headed to the rocks for drinks. Several glasses of wine, cider & jagermeister later and by 4am we were on the night bus home.... needless to say we were not feeling the best on Sunday!

My Mum & Dave (her b/f for now, but thinking more news to come on that) arrived on Monday morning & it's been a busy week since as I try to cram as much of this brilliant country into her short stay. After a relaxing day on Monday - a walk into Manly & a couple of beers - we headed to the Hunter Valley on Tuesday (think I went overboard on the wine purchases but just couldn't resist), then Wednesday Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. A fair bit of driving which left my Mum gasping for her cigarettes but I think the scenery (if not the wine) won her over!

It was then back to work for me whilst my Mum explored Manly & the City (they got lost) for a couple of days.

The last couple of days have been a it of a whirlwind. Saturday we got up early for breakfast at Bower Restaurant (overlooking Shelly Beach - great views) and then rolled into the car for a drive into the car for a drive into the CBD. Sort of tried to pack as much into the day as I could so that my Mum & Dave could look around for themselves when alone this week..... so Hyde Park, Darling Harbour (complete with ice-cream), followed by a brief ferry ride to Circular Quay (via Balmain & Luna Park) & a walk around the Rocks (which has a lovely market on a weekend)....we had every intention of subsequently going to Bondi but got caught up in the Mercantile Hotel (an Irish Bar in the Rocks) & ended up staying there until heading for a great steak & on to the Warratahs game at Aussie stadium (they lost again - but a top time was had by all).

Today (Sunday) we headed to Bondi - guess it's somewhere most tourists head to - Mum & Dave were very impressed by the view (check out the pic) - and we had a lovely walk along the coast from Bondi to Bronte (& back again) before heading back to Manly for a late lunch & a dip in the ocean. After a great weekend (even Boro managed to take Utd to a reply) think we're all a little tired this evening, so having a quiet night in with a bottle of wine or two.

Mum & Dave head to Adelaide on Tuesday - back here Thursday evening.