Christmas Day - Day 98 25/12/2014

In the morning Sue and Paul picked us up from Wendy's to take us on a tour of Sydney.  We headed to the Sydney Cove first and got a spectacular view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, a world heritage listed building and Australia's most recognisable landmark.  In between the two is Circular Quay where the local ferries and tourist boats moor.  From here we drove around The Rocks which was originally the commercial and maritime hub of Sydney until the late 1800's and is now a tourist trap.  We passed the Observatory which sits on top of Observatory Hill overlooking the harbour and then drove over Harbour Bridge.  The bridge was opened in 1932 and spans the harbour at one of it's narrowest points.  We stopped at Balmoral in north east Sydney and had a walk down to the beach and a paddle in the sea.  The beach is lovely and sandy and the water very clear and calm and was really busy with lots of families taking picnics and set up tents along the prom.  The weather is extremely hot (for us) and we were soon melting in the heat.  We headed back to Wendy's to help with Christmas dinner.  Will arrived with Nancy, Paul's Mum and we all sat outside enjoying champagne and hors d'oeuvres.  Wendy had cooked a delicious meal, Turkey with all the trimmings, and it was great to be with family on Christmas Day.  The time went so quickly it was soon early evening and the end to a lovely day, if a bit strange to be in such a warm climate but still very similar to Christmas at home in lots of ways.

With Paul and Sue and the Opera House as backdrop

Driving over the Harbour Bridge

Paddling at Balmoral Beach

Wendy with champagne

Simon, Nancy, Will, Wendy, Paul & Sue (and Father Christmas centre stage!)