Karen, Paul & Phamish

Jo's cousin Karen and her partner Paul came down from Coffs Harbour to stay with us for a few days and to enjoy the sights of Sydney. We did what we usually do with Karen & Paul (and most weekends!) - enjoyed some good food and good drink!

Jo & Karen at Phamish

We ended up going to a place called Phamish, a Vietnamese place in Darlinghurst that I had been told about years ago but never got around to trying. We managed to put our name down and took a walk up and down Victoria St before settling down to some excellent Salt & Pepper Calamari, a really tasty Satay noodles, some lemongrass and chilli chicken and a beef dish that I can't quite remember. Great food, great value and a really nice atmosphere in a quiet residential street away from the crowd of Darlinghurst Road.

After dinner we took a long walk through Kings Cross, through Potts Point and down to Wooloomooloo Wharf on a beautiful clear night. As per usual we had a great time with them both and can't wait until they can make it down again (or we can get up to Coffs).

Rottnest Island

Our last full day in Perth saw us do the obligatory trip to Rotto. The weather had turned somewhat and a wet and windy morning saw us at the wharf to catch a Ferry over to the island.

After standing around for an ice age while the mongoose doing the check-in practically hand-drew maps for each individual person with places of interest written out in their dialect of choice, we finally boarded and headed down the Swan River towards Fremantle and then to Rottnest. The island was so named as it was discovered by Dutch explorers who saw the native Quokka's (small wallaby like marsupials) and thought there were large rats and names the island 'Rat's nest' or 'Rottnest' in Dutch.

A local cute Quokka

We had an hour to wander around before some lunch and then a 2 hour coach ride around the island. Thank god the sun came out after lunch as I have to say the Island is spectacular in the sun when it lights up the water and makes everything look so blue, if it was cloudy I think I would've come away with very different impressions.

Views along the coastline

The afternoon went really quickly and the coach trip around the island was a great way to see the different landscapes it has to offer. You can stay on the island and there are resorts, cottages and camping options. The more you see, the more you think that it would be a great place for a long weekend to swim and relax.

More beautiful water views

Perth

Perth.

Perth, Perth, Perth.

I'm a bit confused by Perth I have to say. It seems it will be nice when it's finished, but in the meantime it's a bit, well, crap. It all looks to be run down and badly in need of a facelift and lessons in style. And Fremantle. Don't even get me started on Fremantle!

When we arrived in Perth it was 39C and we were all melting. Still, we only had so much time so we wanted to see what Perth had to offer the discerning traveller. Not much is the answer. After walking down to the Swan River and dying of dehydration this area that the guide book describes as 'bustling outdoor cafes with water front views' was nothing more than an odd glass tower thingy, a dodgy chinese and a pub called 'The Lucky Shag'. I kid you not. There's photographic evidence below. Still, a pub's a pub right? Right?

The "Lucky Shag" pub. Yeah, right.

We were so strapped for ideas and evidence of anywhere nice to go that I had to call Nicci for advice on where to go for dinner! She came up trumps though and we went to JoJo's at Nedlands - right by the water and obviously somewhere that no tourist would ever find by themselves.

Mum and I have a laugh at Perth outside JoJo's

Things did get a little better though as we looked around Kings Park (absolutely huge and has great views over the city) and finally found a slice of civilisation in Subiaco. Can't say I'll be heading back to Perth in next 5 years or so, give then a chance to finish things off a bit.

The Grand Hotel. Perth-style.

Margaret River

After we got back from the Hunter, Mum & Barry headed up to Brisbane for a few days before then travelling down to Adelaide. Mum has a cousin who lives near Adelaide that she hasn't seen for years and years so it was wonderful that they could catch up after all this time and they had a great time together. We met Mum & Barry at Perth airport on the Sunday were we picked up our car and drove the 3.5hours down to Margaret River (another famous wine region!).

I had booked our accommodation months before via the internet so I wasn't quite sure what to expect but when we arrived at Losari Retreat we were blown away. Set on acres of land are 6 cottages all spaced out surrounded by horses and wild kangaroos. We drove up to reception to check-in and then the lady had to drive by car and we followed her to get to our cottage as it was so far from reception! And when I say reception, I mean another cottage that the owners live in with an office at the front!

Losari Retreat "reception"

We spent 4 great days exploring the region, first by heading down to Cape Leeuwin on the south coast and then visiting all the beautiful beaches along the coast line. The weather improved over the days and was mostly hot, sunny and great for the humble fly it seems, there were everywhere!

Stunning Hamlin Bay

We headed up the coast as far as Busselton where we stopped off to take a look at the Jetty (it's 2km long!) and as it was such a hot day we enjoyed one of the best thirst quenching beers I've had in ages!

Barry and I enjoy a cold one!

Margaret River wasn't without it's surprises though, we managed to get Mum into the Indian Ocean on very hot afternoon and managed to pry Barry away from the BBQ at our cottage one night so we could eat out at one of the restaurants in Margaret River town. After the Hunter we didn't go to many wineries but we did make it to a brewery! The Colonial Brewery has some great beer and Barry and I shared a 'tasting palette' of their 5 different brews - yum!

Dinners, baby showers, footy and more!

It's been a busy few days....here's a bit of recap....

Thursday Night I went to a work dinner in Surry Hills, first to the Clock Hotel for a few drinkies beforehand and then onto Aree's Thai across the road for dinner. It really made me realise what a good Mgmt team we have a work and what a great bunch of people I work with each day.

Jo went to and IBM 'hat' party in the city (even tho she's done with IBM she still gets invited to all the parties). It was a Donna Flynn special that went off with a bang!

IBM Hat Party

Friday Night
Jo's cousin Karen, her partner Paul and three kids (Luke, Matt, Cameron) returned from their 2 week trip in Vietnam to stay with us for the night. In true Karen style, no sooner were they back they were back out this time off to see Billy Elliot in the city! The next morning we awoke to literally 27 bags (most of which were North Face bags from Vietnam) lined up in the kitchen taking up the whole floor! They were flying back to Coffs Harbour on Saturday morning....just in time for Paul's 50th birthday party that night! Madness!

Saturday
Off to see the Swannies kick Richmond's ass in the AFL at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Complete with full on packed picnic with cheese, dips and crackers!!

Hunter Valley

After a few days in Sydney we took a trip up to the Hunter Valley for the weekend. We drove up after work on Friday and arrived at the Crowne Plaza at Lovedale around 6:30pm - just enough time to check in, unpack, change and head out for dinner. The Plaza is a fairly new addition to the Hunter and it has a nice feel to it. Spread out rather than built up give it a really spacious feel and the decor is modern and fresh.

We went to Harrigan's Pub for a glass of wine (surprisingly CRAP wine list for a pub in the middle of Hunter Valley wine country!) and a bite to eat. All in all, the pub was beyond average with Jo having to send back a very sorry for itself Moussaka. Still, the waiter did apologise as he knew it was so crap and he gave us a complimentary bottle of wine to make up for it. I can't say I'll be back.

View from Tallavera Grove Winery

The following day we booked into a wine tour, we were picked up on a wet and breezy Saturday at 10am to be taken around to 6 wineries in the local area. We started off at Lucy's Run - a very boutique winery that only produces around 800 cases a year. The winery is named after the owner's dog and is a really small operation. We sat in a tin shed while he talked about the wine he produces along with olive oil and dukkah (a spice mix) and we got to sample all three. Mum enjoyed it so much should bought a great bottle of Merlot and some dukkah to go.

The "Lucy" from Lucy's Run

From there we headed to Ivanhoe, where we tried a few varieties I've not tried before including a great Gewurtztraminer and a very nice but unusual Chambourcin (looks like a red, tastes like a white and served chilled). Although, the Semillon is the variety that the Hunter is most known for it's not my favourite (I prefer a Semillon Sav Blanc) and we all agreed that the stand outs for the day were the dessert wines (or 'stickies' as they're sometimes called). Fantastic, all of them!

I sample some red at Ivanhoe Winery

From there we headed to Tallavera Grove and then onto a pub for some lunch. After lunch we did three more wineries, a chocolate place and a the cheese shop! To say that we were stuffed was an understatement!

New Year, New Camera

Jo has just treated herself to a new camera (a Nikon D40X) as a new year present (with help from a work bonus). Here's a small sample of some shots.....

Zhanna relaxing

Sydney Opera House

Zhanna in the outside world

Missy in her favourite snoozing place

Quintessential Sydney