The Long Journey Home

Having decided to walk to the airport when we woke this morning it was chucking it down and we wouldn't have managed suitcases, back packs and umbrellas so we decided to use the hotels paid shuttle bus.  We also had time for a cheeky bacon sandwich before we left as for once breakfast was included.

This flight was a Qantas one so we could access the lounge but it was a pretty miserable affair, no fizz until 11:00 and barely any food.  Never mind we should have a good offering at Melbourne before the long flight and then of course plenty on board.

A few views as we took off from Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport which was exciting as the runway is out on the water.

I had hoped to see Melbourne's skyscrapers from the air but the airport is about 24kms north of the centre and so we never got near enough.  It's well into autumn here now so I hope they get some rain soon.

I managed to get all the letters in this time.

We both had a memory of Qantas Melbourne lounge from when we flew home via Perth in 2020 and have always said it was one of the best we'd ever been in.  Things have clearly changed as this was average to say the least; no windows (we remember a good runway view), quite oppressive and mediocre F&B offerings.  So after a while we moved to the Marhaba Lounge instead and although this wasn't perfect it did at least have comfortable seating and was bright.

The 11 hour flight to Colombo has been wiped from my memory so it can't have been either very bad or very good.  We had a 2 hour layover at Colombo Airport in the Serendib Lounge (small but quite nice) before boarding the next flight.  Unfortunately our pre ordered meals weren't loaded and there was very little on the menu I could eat but I'm sure I won't fade away.

Arriving onetime into CDG I was very anxious we'd miss the flight to London as although I'd allowed 4 hours between flights we had to enter France, retrieve our suitcases then change terminals and exit France and after the outbound experience this certainly didn't seem nearly enough time.

We were one of the first off the plane but still this is what we were greeted with at immigration - chaos!!

The signage was unclear and we, along with many others, joined the wrong queue but luckily a helpful French airport person (yes there is one) moved us through the barrier and the people we were pushed in front of didn't mind (a charming American couple).  To cut a long story short it took us over 1/2 hour to clear immigation, the luggage was out timely, the transfer shuttle was packed and slow but we made it with time to spare even though the BA desk is tucked away in a corner of the Terminal far from any others (Brexit take that!).  

We've had an amazing time, the wonderful 10 days with the family and then Sydney plus of course the bonus of a mini holiday to Colombo.  If Sri Lankan Airlines offer similar deals in the future I'll bite their hand off even if it does mean negotiating CDG.

Sydney - Day 3 AM

Wow, all of a sudden the last 3 weeks have flown by and we're on our last morning here in Sydney, but we don't have to check out until 1100 so after a brief lay in we decided to head out and walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge.  A few shots on our route to find the steps or fingers crossed, the elevator, up.

A good example of Dutch Colonial Architecture.

Built in 1881 this little terrace of buildings is known as Sergeant Major's Row

I wonder how much actually gets posted in here these days; postcards seem a thing of the past.

This building is under refurbishment so they've clad the outside with old photos of  George Street.

Under the bridge attempting to find a way up.

Fortunately there was an elevator which we found eventually.  On exiting on top of the bridge we were treated to this beautiful Common Mynah.

The bridge which was opened in 1932 is just over 1.1km long and is nicknamed "the Coathanger" because of its arch-based design.  It carries rail, vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic and the views from it are simply fantastic.

I think this brown building in the front is our hotel and we were on the top floor.

North Sydney

Once over the bridge we got another elevator down and walked down the steep hill to the water's edge for the iconic views of the CBD and the Opera House.

Back on the South side we checked out of the hotel and left our luggage to collect later.  We then spent a couple of hours in The Rocks Discovery Museum which provided a huge amount of info on the development of the area and the people who'd lived there.  This statue outside represents the basic 3 types of original settlers; military, families and construction workers.

We then took a walk around the wharf area where the Celebrity Cruise had been moored.

The Overseas Passenger Terminal which has an elevated gangway to facilitate passengers joining their ships.

Farewell Sydney Opera House - I think I've taken enough photos of you now.  So pleased to have visited this fantastic City.

By now it was mid afternoon and so we stopped for a delicious sandwich/wine late lunch in a nearby outdoor café before heading back to the hotel to collect our luggage.  The flight to Melbourne leaves Sydney at 0930 tomorrow so we've decided to stay tonight at an airport hotel otherwise we'd have to be up and on the go about 0500.

The hotel was between train stations so we had rather a long walk dragging the cases along but we got there eventually and after checking in we did our usual recky to find our way to the Terminal for the morning. 

Sydney - Day 2 PM

The trip back into town driving through the leafy suburbs was quite interesting.  Back in the centre this is Darling Square Library which although it  looks metallic is actually made of wooden slats.

Walking through a housing development at Walsh Bay.

We then stopped at Bangaroo Reserve thinking we might see some wildlife (reserve to us equals wildlife haven) but it was just another city park full of people picnicking and a few lads swimming in the harbour.

On round and under the harbour bridge, I liked this fern growing out of the bricks as the coloured brick at the bottom was shaped like an urn.

A great place for wedding photos.

A good view of The Rocks and The Southern Swan a masted harbour cruise boat.

I love the juxtaposition between new and old.

Back at the hotel we decided to spend a couple of hours on the roof terrace enjoying the sunshine.  

It also gave us a super opportunity to study the Celebrity Edge.

And using my long lens we could see exactly what was happening on the top deck.

Looking in the opposite direction, the Harbour Bridge.

Sharp-eyed Ian spotted this group who'd obviously been climbing the structure - rather them than me!

The harbour is home to vessels of all sizes.

The Southern Swan is now out on the water too and full of happy punters by the look of it.

This block of flats is the Sirius Building and exemplifies Brutalist Architecture.

At precisely 1800 the ship's hooter sounded and off she went, pulled out of the harbour by a tiny tug.

And guided by a harbour pilot.

I should imagine it's quite difficult to manoeuvre such a large vessel in this relatively small space.

Whilst I had the long lens on the camera I couldn't resist a few more shots of the sails.  How nice of that bird to perch just where it did.

There are two terraces beneath the Opera House and the bars on both were packed.

Our last evening view as tomorrow we start the long trek home.