Sydney stars

Some of our favourite things from our last few days in Sydney together:

1. Sculpture By the Sea

Is it just luck that we time our annual reunion in Sydney to coincide with Sculpture By The Sea or a matter of careful planning? Either way the walk from Coogee to Bondi and a close encounter with the sculptures exhibited on Tamarama Beach and along the coast from Tamarama to Bondi are always a highlight of our time together.

These two figures at Tamarama, looking like your average Aussie beachgoers, just personify the bliss of the perpetual state of ignorance.

As usual there were school groups everywhere. We're so lucky we don't have to visit at the weekend when the crowds are overwhelming at Sculpture By the Sea.

We all agreed that the selection of pieces wasn't as spectacular as last year. Apparently the GFC has had a delayed impact, with a significant loss of sponsorships and donation revenue over the past two years. Artists no longer receive their $2000 contribution towards the cost of producing and installing works. No wonder the number and scale of works has been affected!

It's still a wonderful experience to view and interact with the works in this amazing coastal setting.

2. Being together beside our favourite harbour

We spent most of Friday on the North Shore - Mosman (shopping, eating), Balmoral Beach and Chowder Bay.

The visit to Chowder Bay was a first for all of us. The whole area from Middle Head to Clifton Gardens (including Chowder Bay) is now part of the Sydney Harbour National Park since it ceased its naval base role in 2005. It's very beautiful (naturally!)

3. Sister time together

Including silly sister time, shopping sister time, talking sister time, sharing secrets sister time - while the boys are very sweet about enduring all the inevitable waiting time................

4. Lunches in Sydney

Including gorgeous Mediterranean salads and proper coffee from Lunchbox Cucina in Mosman, our favourite Israeli food from Sabbaba in Hall Street, Bondi and yesterday's great find: an amazing yum cha lunch from The Palace Chinese Restaurant in Picadilly Square in Castlereagh Street.

Terry Durack had published his guide to the top ten yum cha restaurants in Sydney in the smh back in August and The Palace was in his top ten. We found it the best we've tried yet (although it was very affirming to see our other favourites in his top ten list too).

5. Shopping with sisters

I learnt about belts this visit, they learnt about my favourite jewellery designer at the Paddington Markets (Ant Haus Designs), and my favourite chocolate maker (Delicaseys). I also introduced them to the joys of Military Road, Mosman and Ziera Shoes. Despite our best efforts we found it difficult to make our mark in the buzzy CBD yesterday afternoon. We even ran out of time to take a good look at the new Westfield complex in Pitt Street.

Our least favourite thing is saying goodbye. We don't like the fact that it will be a while before we can do this again..................