From Melbourne to Perth via Sydney

The look on my DB's face as he tried to work out how or why we were going to Perth via Sydney was priceless. 

But if you want the full Coast to Coast experience of the Longest Train journey in Australia, you have to start at the Beginning.  

And THAT, for this trip is Sydney. 

Prelude:

I read recently that "Melbourne doesn't have any  Landmark Building that you get that 'must have' Tourist photo taken in front of."  * 

Sydney however, has the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

So for the rest of our 'Arrival Day', Ice-cream in one hand and Camera in the other, we played Tourist.

Day 1.

I can't say that Sydney rolled out the Welcome Mat for us.  

More like a doormat with "Please Wipe your Feet" printed on it.

But who would have thought we needed to bring a brolly to Sunny Sydney?

So, instead of wandering the streets looking for more Iconic Photo ops, we spent most of the day at the Heritage Listed Queen Victoria Building. Opened in 1898 and Built in the Romanesque Revival Architectural Style.  

It certainly is beautiful.

Why stay so long?

Other than the rain, and a Coffee Meetup with an ex-work Colleague of DH's - I had forgotten to pack my belt, and spent all morning looking for one... heaven help if I had decided I also needed an Umbrella!

We did also Walk through Hyde Park and shelter in the Museum until they called time.

So, footsore and damp who was to argue with Hot Coffee and Chocolate drenched Waffles?
After all - We are on Holiday.

*Be warned - One day, I may just go out and take 'Selfies' in front of all OUR Iconic Landmarks!

Hello Autumn -

You have taken your time getting here....

Autumn's answer to Winter Puddles 

Must be Jumped in!

Anniversaries and Adventures ...

Since DH retired we have been using Our Wedding Anniversary as an excuse to have a Break from the demands of the everyday.

 

A time to go "Off-Grid", reset my Mental Health and honestly say "Sorry Mum - the phone doesn't work where we are going".

When DH insisted we go on that first trip on The Ghan - I have, I admit - been hooked on not having to do anything but turn up and decide what "Entrée, Main and Dessert" I want for Breakfast.

This Year marks our 45th Anniversary so we are returning to the Indian Pacific to do the Sydney to Perth Journey.

Can I do 10 Days in 10 Photos? - Save that for Instagram.

I am also not going to Backdate my Posts this year.

Catching up on our adventures in June!

This Post is - a bookmark - to remind me when I come back for my 'Year in Review' that we did do something during May.

Anniversaries, Adventures and ...

 And .. It's Mother's Day.

No time to Celebrate - I have to Pack for a very well needed Break.

When visiting my Mother - I had the Fun of seeing my DB trying to work out why we were flying to Sydney - when he thought we were going to Perth.  

Well you do, if you are going on the Indian Pacific Train!

No time to chat - Gotta Pack.  Nothing like leaving things to the last minute but in my defence - I was going to do that yesterday.

Anniversaries and Adventures and Saying Goodbye.

The Saying Goodbye bit came early this month with the sudden loss of a SIL. 

And the inevitable scramble to get everyone to the Funeral from all corners of the Country and Overseas.

Once again we sat in a service listening to stories about someone we realised we barely knew, even though she had been DH's SIL for nearly 50 years.

And afterwards, we caught up with Folk we hadn't seen in ages and introduced new members of the Family to their Great Aunts and Uncles and distant Cousins.  

Somehow we felt that Helen was there somewhere, making sure everything ran smoothly.

The dishes are done

Time to put your feet up

and Rest.

Australian Quilt Convention

I have been volunteering for White Glove Duty at Showcase and the AQC for .... a bit now and have never posted a photo of Yours Truly on Duty.

Today we had our Photos taken for a post on the Vic Quilters Instagram account.

With a lovely "Thank you" for what we do.

Two hours of walking around and having some interesting conversations.

Can I Help You? Not only applies to questions about the quilts but Also:-           

                    

            Sorry I don't know where they are selling the - Insert product here -

            I will find out where "the Lady selling the Book" has gone...

            The Ladies' Room ... is That way

And then there are the real treasures - 

            "I would love to do this but ...."

             "I don't have room and can't afford a Machine." 

                              

I have 2 questions for you.

            Can you thread a needle?

            Can you follow Instructions?

She answered Yes to Both - "I do Needlepoint."

I showed her a quilt made entirely by hand.

A conversation followed about the History of Quilting, and the fact that Quilts were being made long before Sewing Machines were Invented. 

She went off to research English Paper Piecing. 

Volunteering has it's moments - maybe that is why I keep coming back.

            

Easter Greetings

From My Family to Yours

We hope you have a Blessed and Happy Easter