School is here!

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary in Baulkham Hills

The first day of school for Margot is finally here!  Margot got up nice and early and came downstairs in her Wednesday uniform - white polo, navy gym shorts, white socks and runners  (gym days are on Wednesdays and Fridays).  She was very excited and eager to get going.  Fiona wasn't as enthusiastic and we didn't get out of the house until 8:30am and school starts at 9am!  I was a bit frantic with getting Margot to school on time on the first day and worried about getting a 'detention slip' :-)....but we made it!  

On Thursday morning, Margot woke us up at 6:30am with a huge grin, in her Thursday uniform - summer dress, grey socks and black shoes, ready to go!  We had to send her back to bed for bit.  She's very excited about school which is a great sign.  In Australia there is a no hat, no play policy in schools and in playgrounds to protect children from the hot hot STRONG sun.  It's good and the girls have complied with the rules even though they do find it extra hot with the hat on their heads.   Doesn't Margot look cute in her huge brimmed school hat!?

We have a few options in getting to school.

• Walk - the school is about 35 minutes away.
  
• Take the bus - bus stop is about a 7 minute walk but we have to cross a very busy street without lights; buses run every 15 minutes or so
  
• Drive - alternate with Fergus in taking the car but then this would requires me to learn how to drive the stick confidently
  

For now, we've been taking the bus to school and Fiona and I walking home afterwards.  The career counsellor at Fergus' school has lent us her stroller so it's been fantastic!  There is no way I would be able to get home by foot with Fiona without the stroller.   The heat is a bit much and I've felt like I was getting heat stroke a few times but I think about how fit I'm going to be, how many calories I'm sweating, and I power along in the 35 degree scorching heat!!  I'm drenched by the time I get home and I'm having about 4 showers a day right now!

Fiona and I hang out for the day.  We've had one playdate, we've found the library where they have story time daily, I'm looking into a dance class for Fiona and there is a gym at the end of the street with free childcare and at the same facility there is a pool for swimming lessons.  It will get busy soon I'm sure. 

By 2:20pm, Fiona and I make the big trek back up to the school.  On Wednesday Fergus picked us up on his way home and Thursday our new neighbour Ajidia gave us a lift.  Her kids go to the preschool by Margot's school twice a week.  We'll figure out a routine soon enough.

It's a huge change from driving EVERYWHERE in Vancouver but it's good.  Good for me and good for the environment as I'm telling myself!  I'm sure once it cools down, it'll be FAN-tastic!

Currently we're experiencing a thunder and lightening storm so luckily, Amy (a girl in the neighbourhood that Margot has befriended and is in the other year 1 class) and mom Kerry will be giving Margot a lift in the morning.  They dropped by tonight to offer us a life because of the rain!  How thoughtful.

 

As for school, the parents drop the kids off in the covered courtyard.  They line up orderly in their classes (they call it year 1, year 2, etc. rather than grade in Oz) behind their teacher.  The principal, the teachers and the kids say a morning greeting and prayer and off they go to the class.  Margot and I don't know the words to the prayer yet - something about blessing the school, etc. but I'm sure we'll learn it soon enough.  The classrooms are air-conditioned so that's nice for the kids and especially the teacher!  (Fergus' classes are NOT air-conditioned!)

Margot's teacher is Mrs. Burns - a young blonde lady that Margot has taken a liking to already.  The prinipal is Mrs. Kingsley and she has been at the school for 14 years.  The vice-principal is Mr. Steve ??  Everyone has been really nice and welcoming.  It's going to be a good year!

Surf's Up at Narrabeen

We had another grand day at the beach, where Lake Narrabeen meets North Narrabeen beach in Northern Sydney.

Narrabeen is renowned as one of the great surf breaks of the world and many big scale surfing competitions are held here.  North Narrabeen beach is also one of the longest beaches in Northern Sydney.  The waves were BIG but the water at the lake was calm and great for families.  There was a good current in the lagoon that takes swimmers out to the ocean.  The girls had fun!  Lunch was good even though we had to wait 45 minutes!  Burgers with beet root and the best chips/french fries with chili sauce.  Yum.  

We also met a dad and his little boy Connor at the beach playground.  Connor wanted to share the girl's fries!  Margot was eager, Fiona not so much!  They live in a beautiful modern, practically all glass house directly across the street from the beach.  He was telling us about the surfing culture and the large crowd at the Narrabeen Beach Surf Life Saving Club.  It was a wake for an old-timer who passed recently and they had ordered 28 kegs.  It was a busy day for the surfers!

  

Fiona is funny these days.  Probably out of all of us she is having the hardest time adjusting.  She misses her poh poh, her friend Renna, her daycare and Vancouver in general even though she says "Australia is G-R-E-A-T and so much fun".  She's fine but she does mention home alot more than Margot.  She's very anti-hair these days.  She won't let Fergus carry her if he is without a shirt.  He needs to piggy-back her!  The other night, she asked Fergus to put on a shirt before she'd give him a hug!   She then said she didn't like prickly faces!   Funny girl.  She'll learn, especially if she meets a Scottish hunk later in life!

Happy Aussie Day

   

 

  

   

    

  

       

      

   

Happy Australia Day!!  January 26th, 2008

We heard about the launching of hot air balloons at dawn at Parramatta Park on Aussie Day and thought that we should definitely check it out!  This was the plan the night before but when the alarm went off at 5am, we had second thoughts!!  This being the ONLY opportunity to witness such an event on Aussie Day, we thought we had better just get on with it.  The girls were very good and excited about it and got ready with little fuss.

We made it on time to see the huge balloons get pumped with hot air.  It was an AMAZING sight.  There were over 15 balloons in the park, flat at first and then one by one floated elegantly up into the sky.  There was a great turn out with lots of families and young children.  The cultural diversity in Australia has been a huge surprise to us.  In our ignorance we have been expecting lots of bleached blondes in flip flops and surf wear.  There are lots of beach folks, but just that, they are predominantly at the beaches.  In the city, (Syndey at least) there are loads of different cultures - Lebanese, Eastern European, Chinese from HK, Taiwan, China, Korean, Malaysian, Philippino, Italian, Irish, British, South African.  It really is alot like Canada in that aspect.  

Typical of any Aussie event, there was a barbie stand and we had bbq sausage rolls and bacon and egg rolls for breakie.  We stayed for a few hours, watched the tightrope walker/carnie performers and got home by 10am.

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In the afternoon we met our neighbours, Tony and Ajidia and their three lovely kids Mariah (4 yrs), Sammy (2 yrs),  and Adam (5 months).  They are of Italian background and their parents are originally  from Sicily.  They have a gorgeous house and pool.  Margot and Fiona thoroughly enjoyed the contact with other kids, a dip in the pool and exposure to lots of new toys !!  

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As if that wasn't a full enough day, we decided to also drive into Darling Harbour to see the Australian Day fireworks.  The harbour was quite beautiful but there were heaps of people.  We luckily found parking a few blocks away.  The fireworks started closer to 9pm and by then Fiona had fallen asleep and Margot was exhausted.  The fireworks were loud but pretty against the harbour backdrop.  

Finally we were in bed by about 10:30.  What a day!  

    

      

The Nation's Capital

On Sunday the rain stopped.  It was a good opportunity to head out to Canberra to visit Karen's Uncle Chris (Karen's Moms' younger brother).  

Uncle Chris' lemon tree

The capital of Australia  is a relatively new city and completely planned (designed by an  American architect Walter Burley Griffin from Chicago in 1912).  The population of the nation's capital is only 325,000, but it is the largest Australian inland city.  The streets are wide and empty (I REALLY should have practiced driving the stick shift!!) and Canberra is also the capital of round-abouts!  Similar to our capitals, Victoria and Ottawa (I would imagine), it is quiet, clean, full of government workers, galleries, museums, and attractions but without a soul.   

Despite this, we had a brilliant time in Canberra.  My Uncle Chris has been in Australia for over 40 years and is full of information and he is a FANTASTIC tour guide!!  He took us everywhere and fed us well.  Two days later, I am still full from the crab and prawns at Ruby's Chinese Restaurant!!   We got to meet my cousin Phil and his partner Kalie for a few dinners, at Rubys and also at the Hellenic Club.  Unfortunately we missed my cousin Andy.   We will have to catch up the next time!!

Fiona didn't want to be in the photo!

Additionally, we paid a surprise visit to Dani who owns A Bite To Eat in Chifley.  We met Dani through Uncle Chris back in Vancouver te years ago.  At that time, Dani was in Canada on a working holiday;  she worked at Tomatoes on Cambie and lived down the street from us in the West End.  She also made our splendid wedding cake (two layer chocolate with lemon/vanilla icing); it was really GREAT to see her!!  The food at her cafe/bar was delicious!!  It's a very popular and funky place.   Fergus had the Eat a Horse (what a great name!! -- bacon, sausage, tomatoes, potatoes, eggs, fried bread, mushrooms), Uncle Chris had the smoked salmon and I had the breakfast (sudjuk sausage (I had chorizo instead as they ran out of the sudjuk), eggs, rocket on flatbread).  Yummmmmy!!  Great coffees, and cakes too.  They make everything from scratch there.  If you're ever in Canberra, definitely check it out!!

As for the sights, we visited Red Hill lookout and Mt. Ainsley for glorious views of the city; the National Museum of Australia for some history and culture; and the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve in search of some kangaroos (we saw lots) and koalas (no luck); and around Lake Burley Griffin for playparks, black swans and cockatoos.  

We had many sightings of kangaroos in their natural environment.  The ones we saw throughout Canberra looked so much healthier than the ones at Featherdale (apart from the dead ones we saw off the road!).   They are such unusual creatures with large feet and funny postures.  They look like body builders when they stand upright, striking a pose. 

I like the reflection of the clouds in this shot.

The gang at the National Museum of Australia.

More photos of Canberra

Wet weekend with Canadians

What a wet weekend!  Who needs to leave Vancouver for this!? Dark, grey skies and wet, wet, wet!!  So much for our plans of Bondi and barbies for the weekend.

Another Canadian family (living in Melbourne) Jeremy and Christine Stone, and their kids Jonathan (4), and Sydney (almost 2) from Barrie Ontario, came for a sleepover.  Shortly after their arrival we also had a surprise visit from Al, Teresa, Maya and Tristan.  It appears that everyone has been rained out.  The house was busy with 6 adults and 6 kids.   What a party!  Everyone enjoyed the company and conversation - a chance to speak with someone other than their own family member!  What a treat, eh! ;-)

The next morning, we all debated what to do on a rainy day.  Indoor Pool??  Ferry ride to the city from Parramatta??  In the end, everyone decided to head home but not first without some drama.  Jeremy couldn't start the car!!  What to do? What to do?  It was going to cost $300 for someone to come by to check it out as they were not a NRMA (similar to BCAA) member.  It didn't seem like the battery and sounded more like the starter.   After an hour or so, the boys went to pick up some jumper cables and got the car running.

The best of luck to the Stones for their 12 hour journey home!!

Exploring the east and west suburbs of Sydney

G'day mates!

The weather has been a mixed bag of torrential rain, breezy evenings, and hot! and humid, sunny

 days.  After five days on the beach, we decided (or our bodies decided) that we should take it easy.  We were all fairly exhausted after Nelson Bay, so we spent most of the weekend recuperating with afternoon naps (for Fergus and Karen) and videos for the girls!  It was a good thing that it rained most of the weekend.

By Tuesday with our cabin fever, we decided to venture out to the city.  Our destination was Victoria Park Pool in Glebe.  Glebe is an inner-city suburb, 3km southwest of the city centre.  It has a bohemian and new-age feeling (lots of shops like Banyan Bookstore in Vancouver) .  There are also lots of students as the University of Sydney (the oldest Uni in Australia - founded in 1850) is located in the area.  As soon as we neared the city, I realized there was no fighting it, I really am living in the BURBS for the year!!!  Newtown, Glebe, Camperdown all reminded me of home and city living.  There were wee, funny looking terrace homes closed together with tiny gardens, loads of Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese restaurants, shops, theatres, diverse faces and lots of traffic.

Our destination was Victoria Park Pool.  According to Whereis.com (which gives far more detailed directions for navigating Australia), it should be a 30 minute drive, if using the tolled roads (approx. a $10 fee to get to the city!).  Well, an hour later, we finally made it to the Glebe Point Road.  There are sooooo many suburbs in Sydney.  The map book we have is over 300 pages so although I'm usually pretty good with directions, I sucked!  We spent a good part of the drive with Fergus saying, "Are you sure?"  and Karen saying, "NO, I'm not sure, but go left, right here, go LEFT!!".  Needlesstosay, more investigation is required on how to get to our next destination!  We can't rely on Whereis, because as soon as we miss one of the instructions, we're hooped!  

Anyhow, the pool was nice!  We had pizza, walked around Glebe, went for a swim, walked 

around the Quad of the Uni looking for a toilet, drove to and wandered around Sydney Park (the third largest park in Sydney giving one a 360 degree view of the city and boy is it flat!),  and went for a Thai dinner in Newtown.  The girls ate tons of rice and beef/broccoli!

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Today we had better luck with the driving.  We got to Manly in about 35 minutes, just a few minutes more than what Whereis estimated.  What a beautiful area, especially around Split Bridge with views of the sailboats and the water to the east and west of us.  There were some gorgeous homes on the hills.  

Manly beach had waves much bigger than what we've seen so far.  However, before time on the beach, Fergus and the girls went to Oceanworld for close up viewings of sea turtles, lizards, sharks, stingrays etc. and  Karen got to wander around Manly and got herself summer dress and some new shades!  It was hot hot hot and humid!   We parked for free next to a sign that read, "2P Ocean Beach Permit Holders Excepted".  Fergus and Karen had a debate on what the heck that meant but in the end we parked.

After a move of the car, some ice-cream, and another move of the car, we finally got to the beach at 4:30pm.  As soon as our bare feet hit the sand, the

 skies turned gray and the thunder whimpered.  Hmmm, what great timing!  We all went into the water briefly before it started to rain.  The current was really strong as all the signs had warned!  The beach cleared quickly apart from the surfers and us loonies!  We changed at a covered bus-stop along with the other loonies and waited for Fergus to return with the car.  

While waiting for Fergus,  I watched a young blond business guy in a dress shirt and pants, undress and change into a wetsuit (under a towel of course), wax his board and slop zinc on his cheeks and nose by his car before wandering to the waves.  What a life Sydney must offer!

Fergus finally arrived after an hour; he had troubles starting the car.  He spent time getting to know the locals by asking them to push the car!    I was getting a bit worried, no wallet, no phone, no way of getting home.  Note to self, get cell phones soon!!

Girls are pooped, as are we.  The sun is strong even though it was cloudy.  Sweet dreams to all!

Sand and more sand...

   

Sea Snails Galore

We went over to Biguli Beach yesterday. It's a beach at the edge of Stockton Beach; a 32 km long sand dune, averaging 1 km wide, it is the largest moving sand mass in the southern hemisphere!!!!

       

The beach was particularly windy and we had some fun trying to put up the beach tent we have. The beach umbrella was a non-starter. If there is such a thing as a grumpy day at the beach then today was the day. The sand was too hot, the water slightly colder than expected and the wind blew sand in everyone's face. We also noticed that all the other people seemed to be enjoying an indulgence of alcohol that we had failed to pack! We looked at our options for moving further up the beach but then decided to leave the tent and stuff as is and go for a wander up the beach. To our amusement and surprise we spotted a bunch of tourists further up in the hazy horizon riding what was unmistakeably, .....camels!!

As we wandered Fiona bursting for the toilet and far from a public one visited the great cleanser known as the South Pacific Ocean to relieve herself. We can report she was quite pleased with herself. 

Margot surpassed herself on the boogie-board today and has a knack for catching waves. Fergus was tangling with the waves again too but retreated fairly quickly today deciding that some work on the core stomach muscles will be needed to stop his back going out if he is going to continue enjoying the waves.

It seems that most people here are content with the groups that they came here with. Most make little attempt to engage in conversation with fellow beach dwellers not in their immediate company. This could be an aspect of beach life with the beauty of the surroundings and the heat putting most people in a hazy state but the sense you get is one of self possession and disinterest. My feeling is that when city people escape for a week or two they often like to escape the pressures of city living which include the immediate proximity of thousands of other people and thus when they get to the beach resorts they enjoy the social isolation of their small group without the need to interact with unknowns. I must admit to observing and being surprised by the same self possession when first moving to Canada. When you are used to a place you tend not to notice it so much because as you become ensconced in a place your life gets busy enough to distract you from these type of observations. Anyhow we will see what it's like in the bigger city of Sydney when we get back there before any opinions are formed.   

The day ended with a great pork, basil, asparagus, and nectarine recipe from Donna Hay!   It's all gooooood!

More Pix of Birubi Beach

Experiencing Technical Difficulties....

As I am new to the blog world, I have been trying to link YOU to the photos that I've uploaded to Picasa Web Albums. Unbeknownst to me, NONE of the Photo links were working!! Anyhow, I've tried again so if you get a chance to click on More Photos and see the pix, please let me know!!  The photos are taking much longer than expected to upload.  The macbook just doesn't compare to our imac at home!  ;-(

In Sydney we have a wireless network, but the router is through a telephone line so it's very sloooooow!  They call it 'broadband' but we'll have to investigate next week for a faster connection!  Here at Nelon Bay, it seems slightly faster.

Cheerio!

W-O-WWWWWWWWWW again!!!

We're settling nicely to a beach lifestyle/routine here in Nelson Bay.  

                  

We get up around 8:30am and have some fresh fruit (Australian grown -- very yummy and sweet) and then stroll down to the town in search of chocolate croissants (that's what we tell Fiona anyways).  Fergus and Karen makes their daily stop at Numerouno for their lattes and cappucinos (very good coffee btw!!).  We head to the playpark, or to a wee Nelson Bay beach, or to Coles Supermarket or the liquidation centre to pick up some art supplies, beach accessories or curtain thingys or whatever else we need that day.

We then head home for a few hours where the kids play (this morning they played going to the office) and then we have lunch.

We then pack up for the beach and slather on the sunscreen.

Today we went to Fingal Bay, again with our beach tent, 2 beach chairs, 4 beach towels, 2 boogie boards, picnic, shovels/pails, etc. 

Fingal Bay is another one of the MANY glorious beaches in Port Stephens.  This time it was a little more crowded. Lots of families, surfers, body surfers, and people fishing (I find this quite odd, fishing in the ocean....not sure what and if they catch anything).

                   

We went into the waves again;  Margot is loving the boogie board.  Late in the afternoon, we also went for a super long walk along the beach.  Fiona didn't want uppie once which was a great surprise!  When the tide is low, one can walk across the Fingal Spit to a wee island.  The tide was high but we still walked over to the other end of the beach.  Fergus went for a short swim.  Waves were a bit rougher on the other side of the bay.

The light at the end of the day was marvelous.  It is sooooo beautiful!  We were the last ones to take down our tent and pack up.  We drove back to Nelson Bay, stopped at Coles for some popsicles and went back to our wee apartment.  

Looking forward to another fabulous day in Australia!

More Pix of our day at Fingal Bay