Tuesday 11 March 2014

Back Home in The Cottage

Well that was Sydney and the Blue Mountains that was.  Being shown Sydney though the eyes of a British Canadian Aussie who has lived there for several decades was a revelation.  I had absolutely no idea what I was expecting so I can't say how it compared with expectations  I can say that it is a buzzing, lively, frenetic, noisy, dynamic, mellee (and sometimes it really does appear as though the dictionary definition of the word might apply) of a people-laden traffic jam of a city.  I loved the wide open spaces of the harbour, the Royal Botanic Gardens, The Centennial Park, the many beaches,  the cafĂ© culture and so so many more things.  It has good public transport.  It also has traffic that I've not seen before even in England (which, admittedly, is a place I tend to avoid these days so maybe I just don't know what I'm missing).  The houses are a really fabulous mix of old and new, traditional and modern, well-kept and run down and all pitched into one huge melting pot and existing exactly where they landed when the pot was tipped out and the contents emptied.  There are trees planted everywhere and, in some cases the houses built around them.   British town planners would have a hairy canary of a fit but, you know what, they could learn a thing or two and perhaps we'd have a much more pleasant urban environment in Britain.

I'm so glad I went to Sydney because I caught up with my almost-life-long friend and her daughter (who is the British Canadian Aussie) and I now know why so many friends who have been to Sydney rave about it.  But I'm glad to be home again in The Cottage in quiet Napierian Kiwiland.  Mind you there were three cars in front of me at the traffic lights in town this morning which was rather more than usual.  Admittedly, though, it wasn't 'rush hour'.  

Over the next week or so I shall hopefully manage to show you what it was like being a tourist in Sydney.

18 comments:

  1. What a wonderful description of Sydney GB. Welcome Home :)

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    1. Thanks Carol. I know it's brief but it sums up my thoughts after a week there.

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  2. I look forward to the pictures.

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    1. There will be plenty Adrian. I hope you won't be disappointed.

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  3. It certainly sounds like a great place to spend some time visiting, although maybe not one I'd like to live in.

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  4. That's a great summary of the Sydney Anne loves, yep. Now I know where she comes from :-)

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    1. I hope that she will see some of my posts and photos Kate and she'll soon let me know if she doesn't think I've done it justice.

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    2. I will feed them to her over the next week and give you her verdict. Which, knowing her will be very honest!

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    1. PS Thanks Kate and it has a wonderful art gallery.

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  6. Good to know that you got back ok. Enjoyed your verbal summary and am looking forward to the pictures!

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    1. Yes Monica I'm back safe and sound. Thanks.

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  7. Welcome back, GB. Your trip sounds wonderful. How are the ribs?

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    1. It was Frances and the ribs are just a nagging ache unless I laugh, cough or burp when they hurt or yelpingly hurty when I sneeze. I'm sure you know the feelings.

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  8. With such a descriptive teaser of the city, I am looking forward to your upcoming posts.
    Glad you're back safely at your home away from home.

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    1. Thanks Virginia. I hope the posts don't disappoint.

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  9. I've been out of the loop apparently. What happened that your ribs are sore?

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