March 1

Sydney

Another poor night's sleep so that the alarm woke me at 08.00. I organised myself for a walk, had my healthy muesli and crossed the road to the bank then half way back again to the tram stop.

The weather at Circular Quay was glorious and it was already busy. My ferry was the one to the zoo so the area was heaving with children.

	A different cruise ship in the harbour
A beautiful morning in Sydney	Everyone's going to the zoo

We sailed across the harbour at speed. Steve was waiting at Taronga Wharf and we bought a couple of cold drinks at the kiosk, while the majority of passengers joined the queue for the cable car to the zoo.

Amazing views from Taronga Wharf	The path followed the coast
	The path was well marked and we followed it round the coast. Lots of trees, lots of flowers and lots of other walkers. Every so often, there would be a gap in the trees, providing superb views across the harbour. The weather was perfect. There were some bush turkeys (also called brush turkeys) wandering around, all wearing large numbered tags. We even found a medium sized lizard, about a foot long.
More views to die for
A bush turkey ...	... and a medium sized lizard

Some of the houses on the hillsides must have been worth millions, with breath taking views and huge gardens.

Millionaire's Row?	Chowder Bay

Chowder Bay was a popular spot on a Sunday morning, with lots of families enjoying the sea and the sand.

	Until we reached the view ...
We climbed up and up	... across the Heads

From there, we climbed steeply to George's Head Lookout, almost opposite the main heads and the harbour entrance.

From there, we started a steep descent on metal boardwalks. We were glad not to be going in the opposite direction.

	... to the sports fields below ...
Down the long metal boardwalk ...	... and the busy car park

At the bottom was a large sports field and then Balmoral Beach. The roads and car parks were jammed solid and there were people everywhere. This is obviously the place to come on a sunny Sunday lunchtime. We left as fast as we could on a very busy bus. Standing room only.

Crowded at Balmoral Beach
Lots of cars at Mosman	A very healthy brunch

Mosman, at the top of the hill, is a very smart suburb. We had a quick look around, selected a café and ordered lunch. Steve's was really breakfast. We both needed a rest after our morning's exertions.

Once recovered, we used Steve's expertise to find a bus to North Sydney. Steve walked back to his hotel and I took a train over the Harbour Bridge and then a tram back to mine.

I washed, had a brief rest and walked a couple of blocks up George Street to the Sir John Young, a scruffy old pub I have frequented in the past. A cold beer helped me to write my diary for the day.

I had another, longer, rest, discovered that I was expected for dinner in New Zealand - oooops - but checked my emails etc and felt that I wasn't to blame.

I then set off on the tram to Circular Quay. The cruise ship had gone, meaning that the views were much better and the restaurants less crowded.

Great view. Shame about the street light	Salted beetroot

I have eaten on the waterfront overlooking the Opera House before. Since those days, the whole area has been redeveloped, so I feared that it would have become too posh. Having chosen a restaurant which wasn't too expensive, I was given a table right at the front, where I just about managed to prevent the menu from blowing out to sea. I ordered spiced octopus in a Japanese custard. It looked fabulous, was very interesting and I think I liked it. The Pedestal Semillon Sauvignon from Margaret River was also good.

The main course of barramundi in a bisque was both good and large. It was, perhaps, slightly salty but not unpleasantly so. The salt roasted beet with a goats cheese or similar mousse was excellent. I didn't expect the meal to be cheap and it wasn't, over $110, but I'm glad I chose the place.

The tram took me back to the hotel, where I completed my packing and prepared for an early morning departure.