1 Year expativersary!

Yes, the 24th August 2011 has rolled around and we have done 1 roller coaster of a year on Antipodean soil.  What a ride!

We have had homesickness, turmoil, visitors, departures, joy, tears, growth, job changes, soon to be a house move, new school, swimming lessons and adventures left, right and centre.  Extreme highs and some lows.

Here we are now 1 year down the track and we have learnt so much.  Some bullet pointed thoughts, I love bullet points....so efficient and tidy....!

• Australia is expensive.  Everybody says it before you come but it really is!  However if you have a reasonable income then the life you have here is amazing and so, so rich.  You just need to be prepared for the expense compared to the UK which is admittedly in the grip of a recession.  Rent is super high and house prices are even higher!
• The climate is amazing.  We have adapted our lives over the last year around the seasons which has actually really been a joy.  Seasonal food is of the best quality and very cheap.  So we eat with the seasons.  This meant that after the Queensland floods late last year we didn't eat bananas for 8 months as they were way too expensive!  However we ate tons of pears and apples when they were in season and the same goes for pumpkins and squash.  It has made me more produce aware to live like this and I like the change.  In the heat of the Summer we didn't go for great big long walks and stuck pretty close to air con/water/the beach which was great for 3 months, then just as you feel the need for a change the temperature drops and it's 'Hello Autumn'.  Cooler, sunny days that lend themselves to exploring, walking and park playing.  Winter arrives and it's lovely to wrap up in a jumper and a scarf, maybe a coat once in a while.  Right now we are heading into Spring and I cannot wait!  The days are lengthening and becoming warm, everything is starting to wake up a bit and I am ready!
• People are friendly.  I talk to far more people here in a 'pass the time of day' kind of way.  A 5 minute chat here and there and people want to do it.  There is now stand offishness and people seem genuinely interested and are interesting to talk to.
• It's an awful long way from home.  So the catch of an expat is that you know that you have left behind.  That is hard.  There are so many super sweet spot moments but also pangs for people that cannot be abated.  Although time does help.  On the whole our lives are much richer here but it's the old adage of missing the people you have left behind.  Especially when something happens to remind you that you can't actually be with people when they need you.
• What doesn't kill you makes you stronger....ha ha ha....I have no doubt that over the last year we have experienced more stress and uncertainty then ever before, however, each obstacle we cross the better we feel about our challenges and the stronger we become.
• Oz ain't England!  It's Westernised but we are basically in Asia and that is reflected in it's culture and population.  Hardly anything is the same here from the media and shopping to cuisine. Coming from sleepy Somerset it's all very different and that broadens the mind which is good.
• There is so much to do every weekend it truly is never ending!  We were definitely in a bit of a rut before we came here and did the same old thing each weekend.  That has all changed and now we explore this vast landscape frequently.  The natural beauty of this environment is immense and we are tripping over parks to see, places to BBQ, beaches to explore, museums to visit, entertainment to experience, food to sample etc.....

There is so much more that I could write about but for now, enough.

 So, back to today.  Our one year expativersary.  Andy was at work so as the forecast was a cracker for the time of year (23 degrees and sunny) I decided a beach trip with a picnic was in order.  Palm beach is one of my favourites and that was our destination.  I loaded up the car with beach toys, picnic, rug, chair etc and off we headed.  We arrived at the beach and were greeted by a film crew and cast in the throws of filming the latest Home & Away episode.  After a quick look we headed down onto the sand and set up camp.  That was when the entertainment started in the form of a pod of around 10 dolphins in the bay 100 meters from the shore.  They frolicked and played for an amazing two hours showing me what they enjoyed to do and something you only normally see in an Attenborough documentary.  It was breathtaking and no matter how I describe it here won't do it justice.  They jumped and played and surfed in the waves.  Twice I was faced with 7 dolphins riding in a wave towards me and then they jumped out of the back of the wave and continued to splash around.  Just amazing.  It was one of those moments when I thought, Wow, this is Australia, here we are and what an amazing experience and childhood for Finn & Isla.  

 That's Isla mid fondant removal from her biscuit.

I had to include this random one because 'how cute are they?'

West Head Lookout

Today in the midst of looking for a new place to live we visited a little peace of gorgeousness called West Head Lookout in the Ku-ring-gai National Park.

It is known for being a good place to see the whales migrating, we didn't see any today but we sat and looked out over the ocean which was like a mill pond and watched the boats moving around the headland.  We were very high up and could see over to Palm Beach and around to the beaches on the Central Coast.  This afternoon has been one of those days that really makes me think how amazing the environment is in Australia and wow, we get to see this all the time.  We discover new things every weekend that we get out and about and I really love that.

 Not sure about these sunglasses....Andy says I look like Maverick....hmmmm!

Hairdresser

So, I am sat in the hairdressers last night and being forced into conversation by the hair stylist who still has not learnt that I do not want to talk. When having my hair done I relish the opportunity to relax, read a magazine and have a complete cup of coffee in peace. I would prefer not to engage in what is mostly inane and surface level conversation. Call me grumpy but I see this as my chance for a little me time.

Anyway, let's call her Sheila, was banging on about anything under the sun while I do my best to shut the conversation down. Subtlety was not working and so obviously my grunts and 'really's' were all that were required. So onwards she went and into the marriage of the Prince of Monaco and 'that poor girl'. She sweepingly cannoned on with regard to the 2 and possibly 3 children he has fathered out of marriage, she meets my eye in the mirror and says 'one of the mothers was even black!'. Really. Truly. Honestly this is what she said like it is the most natural thing in the world to drop such a racist comment and then continue in the vein of how beautiful the brides dress was. For a moment I wondered if I had misheard her. Sadly not.

I have never heard such prejudice used in such a natural and unassuming way. She saw and sees nothing wrong in this statement. I do not understand how people can think mixed cultural and ethnic marriages or relationships are wrong. But some people do and yesterday I was reminded of this fact. Happily I rarely experience opinions like this but that once in a while makes it quite shocking.

I didn't challenge her words and I reflect maybe I should. Would it do any good? Probably not but if everyone thought like that then beliefs and opinions would never be challenged. Debate is good I think but maybe the hairdressers is not the forum for it!

What we have been doing

 We have been up to the Blue Mountains and visited the Winter festival that was mighty packed as you can see.....and oh sooooo cold...  Not used to the chill factor so much now and at 7 degrees but with a cold wind it was brisk!  We were wrapped up more than we have been in 14 months and Finn & Isla were struggling a little with colds that resulted in a lot of shoulder rides - but hey ho - a good day was had by all.  Us and 40,000 others.  :)

 The main street in Katoomba with the processions in full flow - look for the brightly coloured costumes in the middle of the throng of people working their way up the street.  There was definitely a hippy Glastonbury feel to the place.  Nice.

 Now Andy has told me what this guy is called and I forget now - but it warrants a picture on the blog.  He was pretty huge probably 6 feet 6 at least and what a costume!

 Awsome drummers and great outfits and makeup, some of them were only teenagers and they were really good.

 This one is for my MIL, June.  We saw these ladies and thought of you.  Ladies in purple with the bonus of red hats and great handbags.  A society of ladies that lunch in purple indeed!

 We have been spending this lovely sunny Wintery days in the Botanical gardens.  I am totally in love with them and could spend days on end here.  The old fig trees are gorgeous and my favourites.  The last 2 times we have been it has been clear, sunny and 20 degrees - it's the middle of winter!  Good times.

Sydney do a Family Funday Sunday which means that if you have children you can all travel for $2.50 on any of the buses and trains all the way down to Wollongong and up to Newcastle which is one mighty distance.  Kids under 4 are free.  So for $7.50 we can all catch the train into the city which I think is amazing value and makes the city so accessible for all families.  Thumbs up!

 A garden pitstop.

 Catalogue pose!

 A soft warm place for a little person to rest.

 Classic Opera House shot.  Gotta love those sails....

 Now the turn of the little people in our lives.  They did really well that day and walked all the way from the city to the Gardens, around to the Opera House, Circular Quay and then back to the train.

 Now this is today.  2 large parcels were delivered to our door by the resident delivery driver who I am on the cusp of being on first name terms with!  Gratefully received thanks Granny & Grandad!

 Oooh, the anticipation!

The proud jigsaw builders!  Very much enjoyed.  :)))

Bra boys

Following from my blog yesterday I read some more about the Bra Boys who are a surf gang based in Maroubra.  They are the guys who surf the big waves off of Cape Solander which we visited on Monday.  This massive waves don't break somewhere safe like onto the beach but in fact onto the rocks.  Anyway, I did some reading about them and found a documentary film that they did back in 2007 called Bra Boys - Blood is thicker than water.

It really is very interesting and I learnt so much about the Abberton brothers, surf culture, surf history, poverty & a different way of life really.  I have been thinking about them and their story all day actually.

Here is the link to part 1, it comes in 6, 15 minutes sections and although a little shocking in parts truly amazing to watch and understand their lives a little.  

When the video ends you will be able to see the other parts ready to be played.

Amazing, moving & eye opening.

Winter is here

...and we are wrapping up in coats and scarves for the first time in a whole year.  It's really not that cold but after living somewhere warm for some time I have found that I have acclimatised and that suddenly 16 degrees during the day can feel quite nippy!  I sound like a light weight.  I know.  Last February in the UK it was -10, now that is just ridiculous and it hurt to breathe if you were out for long.  So, we have been togging up with F & I in wellies, scarves, hats, layers and a gillet.  They look super cute.  The change in weather and season has facilitated some lovely walks in the National Parks and around the coastline.  It's refreshing and I personally find it too hot to do for 3 months of the year here so we are making the most of it.

So today we headed down to Cape Solander which is within the Botany Bay National Park where Cook first landed on his arrival in Australia in 1770.  We made the trip as we had read that the Cape is a good place to see some great waves and Mother Nature doing what she does best.  Having done some research since we got home it would seem this locations is a little controversial.  Who knew.....

We popped into the information office and found out that this cliff top position also lends itself to whale watching and we are right in the season to see these beautiful animals cruise on past.  We got out and wrapped up as the wind literally whipped across and around us, there were rain clouds out at sea being blown towards us and the seas were rough and unforgiving.  We were only there for 5 minutes when the National Park whale researcher pointed out where a whale was in the ocean.  Unfortunately all we could see was when the whale came to the surface and blew out for more air sending water shooting up into the air.  But still, not too shabby considering we were stood on coastline and we hadn't had to venture out on a boat.  Exciting and amazing stuff.  :)

We moved away from the wind by moving around and into Botany Bay and then spent a couple of hours in the NP taking a walk around and enjoying the wildlife.  F & I managed a 1.1km walk with no whining or carrying required so a big thumbs up from us - Andy and I did the walk holding hands for the 1st time in what seemed ages.  You see normally there is a pushchair/bags/little person needing help....etc...etc and now finally we are moving into the stage where we can all just be......smile.

 They played under this tree for quite a while, it was a little like a weeping willow and a great place to play at 'dens'.  Of course sticks were also required as they are on any walk we do!

 Their trademark photo pose.

 Just the two of us, building castles in the sky....

 They partook in a little tree climbing on this fabulous peeling paper tree.

 Little Miss Coy

 A years membership to Taronga Zoo has been well used by us this year, I took them both on my own on Tuesday which is a great time to visit any attractions like this as it is so quiet!  They were so good and an absolute pleasure and I was so proud as they did exactly what I asked of them and held the buggy when asked etc... We started off with the seal display, quickly followed by the gorilla enrichment and talk and then on to our favourite the bird display.  The birds are so amazing to watch and by far my favourite part of the whole zoo - I think it's F & I's too as they always ask to go and watch it.  It was a gorgeous but fresh day and we finished it off by catching the cable car back up the hill.  What a great idea that is!

Here is evidence of my recent success in wooing Lorikeets into our garden.  I am so very chuffed and F & I love them!  In the end it was oranges cut in half that they really loved and it's these that they come back for!  Now they know where to go they come back often and they are surprisingly tame.  You can just see the slide in the right hand corner of the picture which leads up to the treehouse.  F & I can be sat in there and the lorikeets will come to the table and feed so we all get an amazingly close view.  Awesome!

Comfort in the Blue Mountains

A certain little person turned 4 this weekend and we celebrated by heading up to the Blue Mountains for some family fun.  We were going to spend the night up there but I and then Andy searched fruitlessly for somewhere that would come up to my standards and failed miserably.  I resent having to spend $300-$400 to stay in somewhere that only just does the job (at a push - I have needs you know!).  

So we decided to make 2 day trips instead and save ourselves the bill.  This actually turned out fine and it was only around 1 1/2 hours to get there.  So we visited some classic attractions:

• Leura  - a lovely little town that had a trendy ski resort feel to it.  Great main street peppered with boutique shops for gifts and kitchen stuff etc...Found a great little gourmet deli cafe for lunch and then headed off to the Zig Zag railway taking a stop on the way for a walk through the bush.

• We came across a lovely little pizza bar and grill on the way home and as it was fully booked for the evening we booked for lunch the next day - turns out it's owned by a city chef who moved out to the mountains a few years ago - Apple Bar, Mount Tomah.

• So lunch the next day was lovely but the service was absolutely shocking - probably one of the worst ever actually!  It took 1 hour and 30 minutes after entering the establishment to get our food - mine was just a pizza!  And it took a good 45 minutes to get our drinks!  OMG - awful!  Pizza was fine but no mozzarella on it and cheddar instead - what's that all about?

• The Mount Tomah Botanical Gardens were stunning.  Finn & Isla scooted around the paths and explored around the trees - an amazing place to see in the Autumn when the leaves are all changing.  We will head back here again and soon I imagine.

We drove up to Mount Tomah on the Sunday morning and as we climbed up the mountain the cloud came down to meet us.  The rain misted periodically and the mist settled in for the day.  Before Andy & I had Finn & Isla we holidayed in Scotland during the winter.  We had our boxer dog then - Jazz and we would drive up and stay for a couple of weeks in the highlands.  Escaping to a cottage, with a fire, a good box set and our wet weather gear.  As we spent the day in the Blue Mountains we were reminded again and again of Scotland.  It was so familiar and therefore oh so comforting.  For both of us.  At times we could have been in an English garden.  There were snowdrops under the trees in the wood and daffodils about to bloom.  Lichen growing on the trees and the mountain peaks surrounded by cloud.  So very lovely.  It's quite surprising that only just a few hours from our house we can see and experience something so different.  There is even snow up there in the winter so our next mission will be to see that!