Father's Day...Week

Well, it's been a busy week. The first half of it flew by with the usual combination of school runs, coffees, helping out at school and going to the gym. Then - tremendous excitement! - it was Friday and time to pick up my Dad from the airport.

I negotiated the drive through the city to get to Kingsford Smith International Terminal without incident, and we were there in just under an hour despite the heavy Friday evening traffic. Not to be confused with what us Englanders would think of as heavy Friday traffic, in that we were moving all the time and covered 30km across the largest city in Australia in that time...imagine that in London...

Anna had painted a special sign for grandad and we stood at the barrier waving it with her gold cheerleading pom poms. As a result we were naturally rather disappointed when he finally appeared and started grinning and waving enthusiastically at another family who clearly thought he was a nutter.

However...once we had reminded him who we were, and had all our hugs and cuddles, I drove dad back home taking the route over the Harbour Bridge. Dad has had a life long ambition to travel to Australia and in particular to see the bridge and the Opera House, so his first glimpse was special - to him and to us. I can't tell you how pleased I am to have him here, even if it is only for 9 days.


George and Anna playing on the lagoon sandbank

The next morning we needn't have worried about him being tired - as always he was up with the larks and raring to go. We thought we would take him out on the tinny for a tour of the lagoon. I think it is safe to say that we are really not seafaring folk. After running aground twice, the engine gave out and we had to wait for a passer by to tow us back in. I'm beginning to think the bloody boat is jinxed, but dad enjoyed the adventure (and of course it was a good laugh!).



Dad playing on the sandbank!



Dad, Anna and George having fun on the lagoon


Being towed home after the engine failed. As you can see we are quite a long way from home!

In the afternoon we had to take George to a ten pin bowling party in Dee Why so we all took the trip down that way, stopping in to get a few bits in Warringah Mall. The bowling place is in Dee Why RSL. The RSL's are the Aussie equivalent to our British Legion clubs, but the similarity ends there. This place boasts swish restaurants and bars, a huge gaming room, and a large auditorium for concerts and shows. There is not much pub culture in the suburbs here, and the RSLs are where you go for a drink and a very good value meal. Andrew and I joined with a 10 year membership for $20 each. That's about seven quid...

After that we went down to Dee Why beach for a stroll and a snack until it was time to pick up George and set off on the highlight of the day - a concert at the Opera House. We went on the ferry from Manly which meant dad got to see the spectacular view of the harbour lit up as you come around the Heads, and we had dinner at Circular Quay. The concert was really wonderful and even the children really enjoyed it. It was Charlie Chaplin's 'Gold Rush' film being shown on a huge screen with Sydney Symphony Orchestra playing the score live in front. It was very funny - I don't think I've see a Charlie Chaplin film before - the children laughed and laughed, but the most amazing thing for me was the discovery that Charlie Chaplin had not only conceived of, starred in and directed the film, but he had also composed the score. What an amazingly talented man!

On arriving back at Manly Wharf we felt a little peckish and found a cafe called that only sold chocolate things. Bliss. George had a chocolate pizza with marshmallows and banana. I think he was in 11 year old boy heaven!

Today it is Father's Day in Australia, so it was especially lovely to actually have my dad here with us. The day started with presents and a special breakfast, and then we went off to Palm Beach to enjoy the sun and meet up with friends Richard and Sharon and Paula and her brood.


George bodyboarding at Palm Beach


Anna doing the same!


Dad enjoying the Australian winter sunshine


View across Palm Beach towards Barrenjoey Lighthouse


Dad posing outside the surf club at Palm Beach where they film "Home and Away" - hence the Summer Bay sign (Dad's never heard of "Home and Away" but never mind!)

I'm looking forward to a fabulous week with dad - I'm sure there will be lots more to report on here!