Twice round the Opera House

Sun 19 July… our last sightseeing day around Sydney, as the Navigator has run out of blister plasters! A bit of a dash to the Rivercat as everyone seemed a little bit sluggish first thing, but we made it as there wasn’t a lot of traffic. It’s “Family Fun Day” today which means cheap fares on the Cat, all 5 of us for the equivalent of £6 return when it is usually £3 per person one way. Circular Quay was buzzing today---very crowded with lots going on, the usual didgeridoo musicians, street entertainers, and an “Aroma Festival” on the Rocks, Marquees / Stalls selling and promoting coffee, tea, chocolate and spices from all over the world. There were bands and musicians, a real carnival atmosphere, even camel rides. Today was our day for a trip round the bay on one of Captain Cooks’ cruises. The weather was perfect for a boat trip which lasted for well over an hour and was very good except there wasn’t a commentary as promised but we think we recognised the main points of interest. More photos to follow. We had a mooch through the Aroma Festival and managed to guide Robbie past Campos’ rugby shop before setting off for the Botanical Gardens and Government House. Us big people thought it interesting, but not so sure about the boys, though they enjoyed seeing the flying foxes, of which there are many in the gardens. We then took our last walk around the marvellous Opera House and the Opera House Bar, where unfortunately we just missed “Continental Robert and the Rinky Dinks” who had been playing earlier on the open air stage. At wharf 5 where our return Rivercat departs for home, we arrived to watch it depart ----early as it was full. The place was heaving with people out for the day on cheap travel tickets the ferry service a victim of it’s own success. We then waited for another hour, for the next ferry, and even then had to use our pointy elbows to make sure we got on. Our early evening beer was well earned today, V B Victoria Bitter, has been renamed Vanessa’s’ beer as she has taken a liking to it------bugger!!