Everything In Technicolour


London has pigeons. Trelawnyd has chickens and Sydney...well Sydney has rainbow lorikeets , the very serious and depressed looking Australian Ibis , and the chattering and spectacular noisy cockatoos.
Sitting in the Botanical Gardens today was a feast for the senses .
It's like home but every bird and plant seems to be in technicolour..and it's still only spring.
We've had a tour of the Opera House today and have booked a show and a concert there. It's a stunning building for sure. Tomorrow we do a helicopter ride over Sydney bay.......then down the Hunter Valley wine tasting with some dear old friends.
And....It's only day three

64 comments:

  1. Sounds as if you are seeing more than I have, glad you are enjoying it.

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  2. And don't forget to eat at Doyles fish restaurant in Watsons Bay. Highly recommended by Lady Magnon.

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  3. Our birds are stunning - but very few of them are precisely musical.
    It sounds as if you are having a wonderful time - and I am very, very happy for you.

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  4. Gosh, wish I was there too!

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  5. Rainbow lorikeets are the clowns of the bird world. And noisy!

    Cro is right, Doyles has a fabulous reputation though I haven't been there for many years. There is so much to do and see, you will be exhausted!

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  6. I love Rainbow lorikeets, I have many who visit my yard , and King Parrotts, black and white cockatoos , galahs and so many birds . Australia is a wonderful country.

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    Replies
    1. This little fella watched us as we sat

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  7. How could I forget the Kookaburra! John have you heard a Kookaburra yet?

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  8. London has parakeets too as well as the less colourful birds! Wow you are really packing in all the sights. I wouldn't fancy the helicopter ride but would enjoy the wine tasting with friends!

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  9. Did you know the lorikeets mate for life. So sad when you see them on their own. Kookaburras are my favourite bird. The Hunter Valley where premium wines are produced and you CAN buy them in Tescoes and M&S. You may not be able to if you are on a tour but try Sobells and Tyrells if you can. Enjoy!

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  10. Oh John - I think maybe you are having the time of your life. Thanks for taking the time to tell us all about it.

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  11. Sounds great fun! Have you seen the Tree Kangaroos? I kid you not - amazing! They do pretty good wines too!

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  12. The bird looks as though it has been made out of fabric.

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  13. What a fabulous experience x

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  14. Anonymous9:45 am

    Ibis are a reasonably recent phenomena in Sydney, coinciding with the explosion of cafes, restaurants and take away food. As you are venturing to the country, do watch out for drop bears and hoop snakes. While normally they aren't aggressive, drop bears can feel threatened when you walk under them.

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    1. Naughty! My friend's son ( who is 8) told me your animals are made up x

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  15. A great adventure

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  16. Sounds wonderful, enjoy your time there and also together. X

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  17. Jealousy is such an ugly thing.

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    Replies
    1. you got THAT right, sister! envy times eleventy billion!

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    2. Yes so far I adore

      THE WAY AUSTALIANS ARE SO DIRECT AND SO NATURALLY DRY
      HOW THE BIRDS ARE SOOO BEAUTIFUL
      HOW CLEAN AND TIDY SYDNEY IS
      THE VIEWS
      THE FOOD
      ITS ALLA DELIGHT

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  18. Try and see the bats flying enmasse over the harbour in the evening .....Claire and I sat and watched the one evening, bloody huge bats flying with thousands of their brethren ...amazing sight

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    1. We had a lovely meal at the oyster bar at circular wharf this evening.. Not a friggin bat to be seen

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    2. We went there too !! There are loads of them , try and get there one evening before it goes dark

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    3. Once in the hills of Stanthorpe in South East Queensland thousands flew over us, I have never seen so many. It was spectacular . Lots of fruit orchards in the district.

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  19. Have you guys book to climb the bridge? An amazing view to be had from the top. Glad to hear you are enjoying yourselves.

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    1. No i couldnt do it Allan too much a big girls blouse !

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    2. There is a great old pub under the bridge that you can see all the climbers on the bridge.

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    3. Anonymous10:58 am

      Leisha is on the money.

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  20. Hi John, glad you are having a lovely time.x

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  21. Sounds like this could be your next move......

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  22. The Bat colony in the botanical gardens were moved on to who knows where? The oyster bar oolala! Hope you had some bubbly to accompany them and enjoy the show at the Opera House designed by a very clever Dane.

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  23. It all sounds wonderful. I'm totally jealous .... but in a nice way.

    I hope you continue to enjoy every minute, you both deserve this. :-)

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  24. It's so good to see that you and Chris are having such a wonderful vacation ....a much needed vacation for two great people! Really enjoying the photos and hearing your itinerary!

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  25. My kids used to feed the Lorikeets bread soaked in water in the palm of their hand. Soon there would be 20 or more lined up on their arms,head and shoulders chortling away. For some reason the "wild" birds there seem less wild!

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  26. It's as if you're on a completely different planet.

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  27. We have a famous ice cream here called a Golden Gaytime, they are delicious!

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  28. Kookaburras are evil. They swooped at me (Bradley's Point) and tried to steal my cheese and pickle sandwich.

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    Replies
    1. It's magpie nesting time now in Oz, a swooping Aussie magpie would be a different type of tourist experience !

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  29. what a great vacation you are having!

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  30. Just wonderful! Enjoy every minute, John and Chris :)

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  31. I winder if emigration has crossed your mind - yet.

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  32. Oh wow how wonderful and beautiful ! Have fun .. Enjoy !

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  33. I can hear the joy in your heart, have well deserved holiday.

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  34. Anonymous3:43 pm

    Sounds like a wonderful adventure.

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  35. I loved it there so much a few years back and long to return some day!
    Enjoy each precious moment. . . . . take a lot of pix to share with us please John.

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  36. Thank you for checking in with your usual wonderful observations!

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  37. Oh, to see such sights! You are a very fortunate pair.

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  38. Sounds fabulous John...what a great trip....I hope you and Chris have a smashing time x

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  39. Sigh.

    You and the Husband live a charmed life, John, a charmed life...

    sigh.

    *while staring at housework to be done inside as the horses munch grass outside next to the nose smudged windowpanes..."

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  40. Sounds like you are having a fabulous time. Here, on the OTHER side of the world, (well, W. Canada) it SNOWED last night and was only 1 degree C!!! Wish I was where you are!

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  41. I would love there again. So much to see and do. You seem to be having a blast!

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  42. Oh wow this reminds me of the birds in East Africa (which I miss with a passion!) I'm gad you're having a great time. xx

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  43. So many wonderful memories to treasure John. You and the Prof enjoy every minute !
    Lots of photos please !

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  44. So glad that you are enjoying Sydney - both my girls and my grandkids live there in Bondi.

    A couple of hints - go to Watson's Bay by road or ferry and lunch at Watson's Bay Hotel - the Beach Club. The locals much prefer it to the over-rated Doyles next door.
    http://watsonsbayhotel.com.au/gallery/

    Don't bother with the Bridge Climb - expensive and scary. Instead take the steps ( surprisingly easy) to the Pylon Lookout and pay just £13 for a spectacular view from almost as high as the top of the bridge (which my great uncle helped make the steel for at Dorman Long). The pylons are the structures at each end of the bridge. http://www.pylonlookout.com.au/

    Do visit Bondi Beach - still very laid back if not as hippy dippy as in days of yore. Lots of cafes and bars. Visit Icebergs Bar for a cocktail with a spectacular view of the ocean. http://icebergs.com.au/
    And at the other end of the beach - the North Bondi RSL ( Returned Servicemen League) - absolutely nothing like the Royal British Legion! Simple food and beers/wine. Another spectacular view of the beach. And a brief remembrance announcement everyday at 6pm. Worth being there to experience. Just show your UK driving licence/passport for a day membership. http://www.northbondirsl.com.au/

    Don't worry about sharks - the volunteer Bondi Surf Lifesavers in yellow/red ( my son in law is one and my granddaughter is a Nipper) are on duty every weekend. The paid local authority ( in blue) are there on weekdays. http://bondisurfclub.com/

    Further afield - ditch the helicopter (tame) go to Palm Beach aka Summer Bay in Home and Away. Have lunch at the Boathouse and catch a seaplane back to Rose Bay. http://sydneybyseaplane.com/boathouse-palm-beach/

    No doubt you've already been introduced to the Opera Bar beneath the walkway to the Opera House. Brilliant for an early evening drink beside the two most iconic landmarks in Australia - the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

    I wish I were there again ( was there for two months earlier this year).

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  45. John, go where your instincts take you.

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  46. This all sounds glorious to me. Enjoy. every. minute.

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  47. Glad you ate havig a fantastic time.

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  48. Glad you ate havig a fantastic time.

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  49. Oh enjoy, enjoy! And thanks for bringing us along!

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  50. Spring is the best time. It gets a bit hot, dull and dry in summer, though we do still have our bright birds. :)

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  51. Love the colourful lorikeet! I always wanted to go to the Sydney Opera House. Post pictures when you have 'em!

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