Grand Adventure Part 6 Day 8

A quiet morning of lazing around generally being sloth like. Then packing upt of the gear and headed to the airport. Said goodbye to Rick and Loni and then popped on my plane for home

Kim and James scared the bejebus out of me at the airport. Gee I missed them... Then off to Grill'd for dinner before heading home. A little bit of gift exchanging, mail opening and chatting. Now it is past my bedtime. We are well into pumpkin o'clock.

This is the end of the Grand Adventure. There will be another smaller one in November!

Grand Adventure Part 6 Day 7

Started out with a beautiful breakfast at Three Rosettas. George and his family are wonderful!

The rest of the day was spent on the couch and packing things up a bit. I head home tomorrow night.

I am very much looking forward to being with my boys and catching up with all the 'Mummy Cuddles' James has been missing. I'll be planning my return trip to Melbourne for BioMed Link 2014 in November.

Tomorrow is the last day of this adventure. I hope you have enjoyed it, I certainly have.

Grand Adventure Part 6 Day 6

I frocked up.

Yes really I frocked up. that wasn't and auto correct. I wore a frock. I bought a beautiful new frock before I headed to Melbourne and wore it for the first time When Al and Steve picked me up from the hotel. I fell in love with it when I walked into the shop and tried it on. It was a little large but it was the smallest they had (NOT a size 8). I talked myself into buying even though I don't normally 'do' dresses. I took it in a bit to fix the sizing issue. Anyway it has become known as the dress. I wore it today!

I met with the lovely Paul Snedden for lunch and talked so much I kept forgetting to eat. I then hung out in Hyde Park for a while until I saw Markham Lane and spent some time with him. After that. I jumped on a train to go and have dinner with Loni, Rick and another friend.

This may seem a little insignificant however the thing to remember here is that I have to have things planned out and my transport known inside out or I panic. I managed the ferry, a bus and two unexpected train trips without wigging out. I am mighty proud of myself for that achievement all by itself. For me it is a pretty big deal.

Fast forward to this evening where I read a post on a Uni forum asking if anyone in the biomed programme knew a beautiful model who has recently been to The Oscars and the Golden Globes. She studies at Griffith. She was in a bunch of my courses last semester and it a truly lovely woman. So I guess that not only have I had a brush with fame, I have studied chatted with and hugged it.

Image borrowed from news article

http://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/west/brisbane-model-tells-tales-from-oscars/story-fn8m0u4y-1226590124937

Grand Adventure Part 6 Day 5

Having had my plans go a little sideways, I got some washing done and sent off some mail. I decided to head in to the rocks and have a wander around.

In the ferry on the way to Circular Quay I decided I would do the pylon 'climb'. I walked to the first pylon on the Sydney Harbour Bridge and climbed the 200 stairs to the top. From there you have a pretty good view of everything. I took some pictures (on my phone) of the bridge and the bridge climb area. I went back down the 200 stairs and walked across the bridge to the second pylon, turned around and walked back to Circular Quay.

There are a number of things I have seen in Sydney that I find a little disturbing. 10-12 Police cars along George Street. 12 Security guards on the bridge. Last but not least, the security seal tape on every possible opening on the ferry.

Tomorrow sees a lunch with Paul Snedden and I believe I may wear a frock. Yes, I own one. Yes, I brought it with me. Al loves it.

Grand Adventure Part 6, Day 4

Today was pretty quiet. Just elfing and pondering and arranging the rest of my week. I was going to upload some footage onto YouTube but haven't managed to do that yet. When I do I will post it.

I spent some time today recovering from the climb. My feet were a bit sore :)

I made dinner for Rick and Loni. Chicken breasts wrapped in bacon with swiss cheese melted on top, baby capsicum stuffed with havarti cheese and a salad:

4 types of greenery
Snow peas
Avocado
Cherry tomatoes
3 different colours capsicum

Grand Adventure Part 6 Day 3

I have been very lazy and not posted yesterdays update. Mostly because I was exhausted and didn't get in until after 10.

I had a pretty quiet and restful morning. In the afternoon I headed in to the city and wandered around for a few hours before heading off to the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb. It was very very very hot. So hot in fact that we had to strip off and just ear our undies under the climb suits. It was 32 degrees at the top of the bridge at 5 in the afternoon/evening.

Our group of 14 headed out onto and up the Bridge at 5pm. we did the climb stopping every so often to look at the amazing view. Our guide Daniel was fabulous with his humour and his information about the bridge and various parts of Sydney (some of it not so politically correct) It was crazy windy as we reached the summit. The young girl in front of me looked like she was about to blow away! After the incredible experience we returned to the base at about 8:45. It was a big evening with some lovely people and an indescribably awesome experience

I wandered back 'home' and got in a bit after 10. Time for sleeps

Grand Adventure Part 6 Day 2

A fairly quiet day. Mostly 'Elfing'

Elfing is something I do a bit and has become a tradition in Sydney with my friends Rick and Loni. While they are at work I will clean, iron, cook, etc What ever I feel like doing. Yes really I do like doing housework, especially for other people.

Today's Elfing consisted of:
Ironing
Cleaning the kitchen
Dishes
Fish feeding
Grocery shopping

I became a house elf because Kim asked them to give me a piece of clothing so I could come home

So, Elfing occurred. I had one of my famous 'Sydney' phone calls. This one was fairly benign. In the shopping centre, a customer satisfaction call from the spa Al and I went to last week. It was brilliant by the way.

This evening I had the very great honour of seeing Loni pole dancing, Yes really. The off to pick up dinner from Zeus.

Relatively quiet day.

Tomorrow night is the bridge climb!

Grand Adventure Part 6 Day 1

Lovely morning!

We started off with a lovely walk at Lapstone hill to see the Lapstone Zig Zag.  The site of the Lucasville station. Spike had a jolly good time at the lookout.

Breakfast at the Crusty Loaf at Blaxland. I had the most amazing spinach and feta roll. The off to visit the resting place of Sir Henry Parkes. Next stop, The Prime Ministers' Corridor of Oaks. Joseph Jackson conceived the idea of an avenue of oak trees to be planted by all the Prime Ministers of Australia or their nearest surviving relative.

Then it was lunch at Schwarz Patisserie in wentworth Falls. 'It is not only well known in the Blue Mountains, it is famous as a specialist German bakery throughout the region with visitors travelling from far a-field just to grab one of their delights.' Absolutely amazing food!

We toddled off to Leura cascades, Wentworth Falls and Lennox Bridge. We wandered off to Glenbrook Lagoon to see some ducks for Gem. We had tea with himself's dad and then it was off to the pub for dinner and a quiet trip back to the Elf Sanctuary. Spike and I had a fabulous day in the Blue Mountains. We shall see what tomorrow brings!

Pictures here

Grand Adventure Part 5

Way early start to the day to head off on an adventure with Paul Pavlinovich, Charles Strebor and Xtian... and Spike of course. We went on track patrol and had an amazing time check out the awesome that is checking out a train line in a nifty yellow railcar.

After that it was back to Casa Christensen to do the final packing before flying out to Sydney. Al hung out at the airport with me until it was time to board. The I was off Sydney for another part of the Adventure to start!

Grand Adventure Part 4

We packed up at the Bat cave and headed to Casa Christensen. We stopped for coffee on the way and met up with Shari Mattox and Peter Sherriff. There were some mighty fine cows there as well.

After some time catching up the Steve and playing with Charli, we headed up to Sky High to take photos of the sunset with Paul Pavlinovich. Paul was a wee bit late and managed to scare us half to death resulting in a lost lens cap... We had a chat and coffee than back to Casa Christensen.

Grand Adventure Part 3 Day 5

Late morning this morning with a lovely lunch at Temuru in Rhyll. To die for BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato) and the most enourmous mugs of coffee ever. I am sure you could almost bathe in them.



Then off to The Nobbies for some amazing views and the occasional penguin. The water was stunning as was the sky. Highly recommended (wear warm clothes and wear a beanie if you have a hole in your skull)

 Pictures here

 Back to the bat cave for fish and chips!

Grand Adventure Part 3 Day 4

It was a slow morning followed by another trip to Nude Food for brunch.

Following that, Ms Al and I headed to 'Island Healing for 2 hours of bliss. It was a surprise for Al. We had a 1 hour Body Massage, 30 minute Hand & Feet Massage and a 30 minute Aromatherapy Facial!

After our blissing we popped down to the jetty for some photography. Al had an extra bit of an adventure. We picked up things for dinner and headed home.

Fantastic dinner then bed.

Edit Topped off by a phone call from my beautiful boy who missed his Mummy cuddles and a chat with my darling husband

Grand Adventure Part 3 Day 3

We took Mr Charles back to his hidey hole. Spike went with us for morning tea but hid before I could photograph him. Ms Al has the evidence.

After that Ms Al and I went down to the beach for a beautiful sunset. Playing in the water and sand was nifty. I got the legs of my pants wet. The lengths we go to to help our friends.

No photos from me today

Grand Adventure Part 3 Day 2

We started the morning with breakfast at 'Nude Food', this has become a wee bit of a ritual. We popped off to Rhyll and wandered around taking photographs.

We dropped Mr Charles off at the bat cave for a na while Ms Al and I went in search of staples. We had a lovely dinner at the bat cave, chatted then off to bed for sleeps.

Grand Adventure Part 3, Day 1

Picked up form the hotel by the lovely Al and Steve. Found somewhere for coffee and food. The 'Threshermans Bakehouse' lovely coffee, the spinach quiche was yummy as was the greek salad and the chickpea salad.

We dropped Steve off and Al and I wandered off to a school front garden to sit and chat for a while. We headed off to kill some time, fill Al with food and grab some essential food items for later. Spike came with us.

We toddled off to meet up with the ever beautiful Vikki and the amazing Mr Charles. We had a nice chat, the gang was back together. All too soon we had to split off with Vikki leaving on her own. Mr Charles came with Al, Spike and I.

We arrived at Cape Woolamai and unloaded the car. It was time for dinner so we headed to the favourite haunt, 'Magic Lands'. The food was lovely as was the company, although Mr Charles had a disappointing Parmigiana. Back to the bat cave and off to sleep after some chatting and relaxing.

Grand Adventure Part 2

Off to Rydges CBD Melbourne. I checked in, lugged my bags into my room and had a flop on the bed. That is when I found spike! He had stowed away in my suitcase.

I wandered off in search of a late lunch and found 'Self Preservation', it was the planned site for the Melbourne survivors coffee meet. I had the most amazing sandwich and coffee there. The atmosphere was beautiful. The staff were lovely. This is on my favourite places to eat in Melbourne list.

I wandered around a bit and picked up some essentials I hadn't brought with me. I took that back up to the room and then vegged out for a while. I spent some time that evening trying to decide if I would go downstairs and eat in the hotels restaurant, flop on the bed and stay there or order room service. Going down to the restaurant would mean getting 'dressed'. Flopping on the bed would mean hunger and not really being able to take my medication. Room Service would just be obscenely expensive.

I needed food. I didn't want to deal with a crowded restaurant. I put my coat on and found a subway after walking around the block and having a look at things. With subway in hand I walked back into the hotel, past all of the people in the restaurant and up to my room. I got to have food and flop on the bed!

Off to what turned out to be the worst night sleep I have had in a long time.

Grand Adventure Part 1 Day 1

Part 1 saw my brother, the lovely Claire ad little Jake coming to see me off at the airport. The gate was changed as we were almost on it and then delayed. We sat around talking, discussing planes with Jake and some of the things I will do while I am away. We have decided that when he is 10 we will do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb!

Jake was very upset when he had to leave and we had to make a couple of deals. #1 If jake is missing me he needs to have cuddles with Dad and Claire. #2 I will be back next time he goes to stay with his Dad #3 I will show him photos from my trip away but especially the climb when I get back. #4 When I was to phone him the day after I got to Melbourne.

The gate for the flight changed. The plane we were supposed to be on the go to Melbourne was delayed on its flight from Sydney. The flight was further delayed when we were boarding. Relatively smooth sailing until landing in Melbourne where the baggage claim carousel was changed.

Met up with Mon and Liz and head off to the lovely home. I got to play with two beautiful bunnies and a cat! I had the most wonderful sleep. I really enjoyed my time with Mon and Liz.

Then it was off to the hotel (Part 2)