These few days marked a number of very special occasions. Gary left work as previously detailed. Tom also left his job and I’m on leave. This all worked out rather well for the latest big arrival to Sydney. No it’s not a major sports competition like the Olympics, World Cup or even Formula one it’s the arrival of Con Daly and Breda Daly. They had always dreamed of coming over here and the fact that all their kids (Conor, Gary, Dani, Mike and Tom) were here only sweetened the deal.
Emotions were running high on Saturday as the final plans were being put into place for their arrival. Would they still remember us? Would they approve of our new homes? Would they want us to return home? These were questions that they would answer.
Dani and Joe picked them up in the Airport. I’m sure things got pretty emotional there. I mean come on 24 hours of flying would get to the best of us. We attended a movie Called “Looking for Eric” staring Eric Cantona (Got to give it a thumbs up and recommend you watch it). We then headed to Wollstonecraft and waited for their arrival.
20 minutes later they arrived in high as kites. They are testimony that jet lag is non existent. We discussed lots of things like Kiloughter, how the neighbours were, recession, Sydney, plans for Asia among many other things. They were in fantastic form and we all likened it to a second honeymoon for them. It was great to see. We had a bit of food and then headed to the local for a quiet one before heading home for the night as we all had an early start the next morning.
We made our way out to Palm Beach. As I’m sure your aware by now Palm Beach is the location of Australia’s best export “Home and Away”. This was my third time here but it’s still as good as the first. We all grew up idolising this location so it’s just amazing to see it in reality. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t as good as normal as it was a bit windy. But Con and Breda didn’t complain and we all created our own heat through sheer energy and enthusiasm.
We walked through some of the filming locations like Diner, various beach shots, pier etc. After all that excitement we went for some lunch. More good fun and conversations were to be had. Spirits were so high we were nearly flying. We went home to do a little bit of packing. Asia is our destination come the end of this week. This took a while as we move out on Wednesday.
Next days tour involved seeing the two most beautiful Australian women. I’m not talking about Kylie and Dani Minogue; I mean the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Words can’t describe how amazing they are but that’s not going to stop me trying. I have seen some amazing things in South America and New Zealand like Iguaza falls, Franz Josef glacier, Hukka Falls, Lake Taupo, Milford Sound and these two structures stand with these natural beauties and fight the good fight. I really think Con and Breda began to fall in love with Sydney the moment they saw these two ladies.
Next port of call was a ferry to Darling Harbour. This ferry provided some great picture moments of the Opera House and Bridge. It’s amazing to think that 13 or 14 months ago, it was the Salmon Weir Bridge we all looked at. After a stroll around the Harbour we decided to visit the Chinese Gardens. This is a beautiful Nirvana in the city. You really could be 30 miles from the city instead of in the middle of it. Lizards, Bonsai trees, some crazy fish and rocks were on display. The real highlight of this was the dressing up though. Mike, Gary, Breda and Dani all got dressed up in Chinese attire. This provided some great laughs and entertainment. Kung Fu, Crouching tiger hidden dragon, matrix, modern man, Buddha were only some of the poses. That night we went to Bondi for a lovely meal. Con and Breda got their first sample of Bondi life and seemed pretty impressed.
The next day was our last day in Sydney before we begin the next wacky and crazy adventure. I got up early and showed Con Bondi Beach. We walked the beach and got to see all the various walkers and runners as well as the tourists. Bondi Beach is another beautiful Australian location. After this it was time for Dani to bring mom and dad to Taranga Zoo. This is one of the best zoos in the world. It’s on its own island and offers brilliant animal’s aswell as magnificent views of the Sydney Skyline. They really enjoyed the zoo and loved the seal show.
At the same time Breda and Con enjoyed the wonderful flora and Fauna we got to visit Chatswood. Gary wanted to return one last time to say goodbye to his fellow workers. This was also a chance for us to pick up a few bits and pieces before our trip. After this it was time to experience a day in the life of Tom Burke. We retraced his journey to work (Bus and 3 trains). Doesn’t sound that exciting I will admit but if you hear about someone’s work every day eventually you need to know a bit about it.
Later on that night we all met for the last supper. The location was a Thai restaurant. This was good to do as it’s the food that we will be eating for the next month and a bit. We all had a few drinks and enjoyed the meal as well as company. Then it was back to Wollstonecraft for a night cap or two or three. The entertainment was provided by Dee, Charlie and Con. Dee has the voice of an angel it does have to be said.
It was time to say our goodbyes. Gary and Mike made a speech and thanked all the Wollstonecraft gang for making their Aussie experience better. It was time to go. We made our way to Bondi.
Morning time and it was our last day in Australia. We did the necessary packed, cleaned and cleared apartment. Then all went for our last meal together. We enjoyed the view one last time. Then finally we walked the Coastal walk and all had a few heart to hearts about the future. The coastal walk is really special it leads from Bondi to Cooge but you stop off in other beaches along the way. We went as far as Tamarama Beach. It was a really hot day and a great day to be our last.
It was Judgement Day. It was time to say goodbye to Mum and Dad and Tom. It was like Kiloughter all over again. We all felt pretty upset afterwards but the show must go on.
G’Day Australia,
Conor
Emotions were running high on Saturday as the final plans were being put into place for their arrival. Would they still remember us? Would they approve of our new homes? Would they want us to return home? These were questions that they would answer.
Dani and Joe picked them up in the Airport. I’m sure things got pretty emotional there. I mean come on 24 hours of flying would get to the best of us. We attended a movie Called “Looking for Eric” staring Eric Cantona (Got to give it a thumbs up and recommend you watch it). We then headed to Wollstonecraft and waited for their arrival.
20 minutes later they arrived in high as kites. They are testimony that jet lag is non existent. We discussed lots of things like Kiloughter, how the neighbours were, recession, Sydney, plans for Asia among many other things. They were in fantastic form and we all likened it to a second honeymoon for them. It was great to see. We had a bit of food and then headed to the local for a quiet one before heading home for the night as we all had an early start the next morning.
We made our way out to Palm Beach. As I’m sure your aware by now Palm Beach is the location of Australia’s best export “Home and Away”. This was my third time here but it’s still as good as the first. We all grew up idolising this location so it’s just amazing to see it in reality. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t as good as normal as it was a bit windy. But Con and Breda didn’t complain and we all created our own heat through sheer energy and enthusiasm.
We walked through some of the filming locations like Diner, various beach shots, pier etc. After all that excitement we went for some lunch. More good fun and conversations were to be had. Spirits were so high we were nearly flying. We went home to do a little bit of packing. Asia is our destination come the end of this week. This took a while as we move out on Wednesday.
Next days tour involved seeing the two most beautiful Australian women. I’m not talking about Kylie and Dani Minogue; I mean the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Words can’t describe how amazing they are but that’s not going to stop me trying. I have seen some amazing things in South America and New Zealand like Iguaza falls, Franz Josef glacier, Hukka Falls, Lake Taupo, Milford Sound and these two structures stand with these natural beauties and fight the good fight. I really think Con and Breda began to fall in love with Sydney the moment they saw these two ladies.
Next port of call was a ferry to Darling Harbour. This ferry provided some great picture moments of the Opera House and Bridge. It’s amazing to think that 13 or 14 months ago, it was the Salmon Weir Bridge we all looked at. After a stroll around the Harbour we decided to visit the Chinese Gardens. This is a beautiful Nirvana in the city. You really could be 30 miles from the city instead of in the middle of it. Lizards, Bonsai trees, some crazy fish and rocks were on display. The real highlight of this was the dressing up though. Mike, Gary, Breda and Dani all got dressed up in Chinese attire. This provided some great laughs and entertainment. Kung Fu, Crouching tiger hidden dragon, matrix, modern man, Buddha were only some of the poses. That night we went to Bondi for a lovely meal. Con and Breda got their first sample of Bondi life and seemed pretty impressed.
The next day was our last day in Sydney before we begin the next wacky and crazy adventure. I got up early and showed Con Bondi Beach. We walked the beach and got to see all the various walkers and runners as well as the tourists. Bondi Beach is another beautiful Australian location. After this it was time for Dani to bring mom and dad to Taranga Zoo. This is one of the best zoos in the world. It’s on its own island and offers brilliant animal’s aswell as magnificent views of the Sydney Skyline. They really enjoyed the zoo and loved the seal show.
At the same time Breda and Con enjoyed the wonderful flora and Fauna we got to visit Chatswood. Gary wanted to return one last time to say goodbye to his fellow workers. This was also a chance for us to pick up a few bits and pieces before our trip. After this it was time to experience a day in the life of Tom Burke. We retraced his journey to work (Bus and 3 trains). Doesn’t sound that exciting I will admit but if you hear about someone’s work every day eventually you need to know a bit about it.
Later on that night we all met for the last supper. The location was a Thai restaurant. This was good to do as it’s the food that we will be eating for the next month and a bit. We all had a few drinks and enjoyed the meal as well as company. Then it was back to Wollstonecraft for a night cap or two or three. The entertainment was provided by Dee, Charlie and Con. Dee has the voice of an angel it does have to be said.
It was time to say our goodbyes. Gary and Mike made a speech and thanked all the Wollstonecraft gang for making their Aussie experience better. It was time to go. We made our way to Bondi.
Morning time and it was our last day in Australia. We did the necessary packed, cleaned and cleared apartment. Then all went for our last meal together. We enjoyed the view one last time. Then finally we walked the Coastal walk and all had a few heart to hearts about the future. The coastal walk is really special it leads from Bondi to Cooge but you stop off in other beaches along the way. We went as far as Tamarama Beach. It was a really hot day and a great day to be our last.
It was Judgement Day. It was time to say goodbye to Mum and Dad and Tom. It was like Kiloughter all over again. We all felt pretty upset afterwards but the show must go on.
G’Day Australia,
Conor
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