Family holiday in Australia

Oh Sheila what a lovely blog and am so glad that you enjoyed a wonderful holiday down under with your family. The endless sunshine looks beautiful and that coast line, well its stunning. Welcome home, hasn't Chiara grown? When are you going back again??

Thanks very much Gill. I'm in no hurry for another 23 hour journey! In fact, I suggested that "next time" we meet somewhere half-way, so we'll see.

what a trip eh? Oz has all the elements doesn't it? wonderful stuff SB !

Thanks Bampy . . . yes, I love it. Sea, sunshine and prawns "this big"!!

Lovely family, journeys koala and cockatoos! Glad to have you back, but I can feel your sadness at having to leave them. :)))

What a wonderful holiday,Sheila..and so lovely to be with your family,especially Chiara..such a little sweetie..Glad you enjoyed Sydney too..our daughter spent Australia Day in Manly,four years ago,when on a months holiday with her friend..she said it was a lovely place too,much better than Bondi Beach,which they thought was scruffy..ah,well great memories for you..thanks for sharing,I really enjoyed it..:o)

Bless you Karen :))

Thanks so much Bloomer. Yes, when Steve went off exploring we told him not to bother with Bondi - but it has such a 'name' that he felt he had to see it, and unfortunately got caught in a downpour too. I met an elderly lady in Manly at the croquet club, next to a 50-metre swimming pool, round the corner from the beach: "I could live here" I thought!

What a wonderful trip Sheila, its such a pity its so far away isnt it, especially with little Chiara growing up, but you obviously enjoyed your trip. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Thanks Cinders . . . and btw, I thought of you in my greenhouse as I sowed the White Mirabilis that you sent me last year! Thanks again :)

Smashing blog Sheila and beautiful Oz! Hasn't little Chiara grown, 2 already and a little beauty too. I've been looking at pics of Sydney today as our daughter and granddaughters returned yesterday from visiting our son who lives up the hill from Manly! How they loved it all, as you say good weather loads to do and so much space and aren't the Aussies up beat and positive...:)). They had pics taken with the Bondi Rescue lads too. Was your apartment in Fairlight? That's just up the road from Jim, like you we'd be there if we could more often, I can feel my money box getting heavier.....:)))

Looks like you had a good holiday, lovely photos of the Great Ocean Road and I liked the one of the cockatoos lined up on your balcony! Hope it's not too long before you get to see them again, it's hard when they're far away.

I have been enjoying the Helicopter Heroes Rescue
Australian series too. Amazed the hundreds of UK doctors who go over there to work for the good weather !
Thanks for the holiday pictures.

Yes we've enjoyed it too Diane, all those were British doctors weren't they...oh to be young again and enjoy a new sunny life.....:))

Hi Janey! Thank you, and what a coincidence that your son also lives in Oz. I don't know Fairlight . . . our apartment was in Manly itself, at one end and overlooking the vast beach.

I meant to PM you today as the White Honesty seeds you sent me have all germinated and are ready to be planted out . . . lovely, and thanks again :))

Thanks very much Geranium - you're so right.

Thank you Diane, yes it's understandable Brits emigrating, especially with the weather the UK has suffered this year.

Our younger son, Steve, who lives in Cornwall, has a girlfriend who lived in Manly for 6 months, and wouldn't mind going back :((( Luckily he says it would be too hot for him . . . phew!

Wow Sheila, it all looks amazing, what a fabulous holiday.....that's one to treasure and remember.

That coastline looks amazing, love the wildlife and that lovely Chiara smile!

You're very welcome Sheila, hope they germinate for you, I had some lovely ones from your seed also.

A beautiful time spent with your family Sheila. Goodness Chiara is a big girl now isn't she.
It's an amazing part of the world isn't it!

Hi Sheila, wasn't the weather amazing! The first week we were there the temps broke Autumn records going back 27 years. It's lovely to see your photos, I still need to sort mine out and get a few on here. Manly beach was so clean and amazingly empty on the days we visited. Did you go on the harbour ferry again?
Australia blew me away and I would love to live there but it would mean leaving people behind here. It was very emotional saying goodbye to Derek's family but like Janey my money box is out now getting ready for next time :o))x

Thank you Sticki and Scottish for your generous comments :))

Hi Annella . . . well at least you've put on your photos of the kangaroos! Yes, we went on the harbour ferry - wouldn't miss that - and had a wander around the Rocks. But as you say, it's too far from friends. x

We stayed near Frenchs Forest with Derek's brother on the Sydney part of the trip. He has 3 lovely children and they were all keen to take us sight seeing so some great family days out in the city. I think the Sydney tower was my favourite, fantastic views.
Nelsons Bay with D's mum & dad was a lot quieter but very beautiful :o)

What a holiday Sheila, family, food, weather, beach, you did it all, pleased you had a fabulous time thanks for sharing .......

Thank you Dotty . . . we were very lucky :))

lovely blog sheila and what a brilliant holiday visiting your son and family, i dread joe ever going as he does say he would love to go and live there when a bit older, with my medical history i doubt i would get insurence to go even if i wanted to, but seeing this i can understand why they want to go there to live, more out there for young families, wonderfull :o))

Pleased the seeds took well for you Sheila....I never got round to planting any myself..Lol!

Thanks San . . . good luck with Joe's decision (but don't worry too much; nearly all youngsters 'think' they would like to live in Australia but plenty don't act on it).

Janey . . I'll save you some seed this year!!

thats makes me feel a bit better sheila and a few years to go yet, anything could happen :o))

That's right San . . stay positive :))

:o)))

Love your blog, Sheila ... our daughter went travelling around Oz and spent a week with a friend at Manly beach before going to Malaysia on her homeward journey a few years ago... she absolutely loved that beach! I love those Cockatoos ... and how sweet is Chiara ... :o)

Thank you very much Shirley :))

What a really lovely blog.Glad you had such a good time!

It all looks truly wonderful and so memorable to me. It must have done so much good to be in those lovely warm temperatures with your family.

I hope you have many happy moments going over it all and reliving it - here's to the next time!

xx

Thank you Paul and thank you Chris . . . yes, the little ones always make us smile, don't they!