Sydney with Jane and Tania

Despite all the risks to travel arising from the war in the Middle East we three (and our loved ones) managed to meet up in Sydney this week, just as we'd planned all those months ago. Tania had flown in from the UK with daughter Morgan and grand-daughter Avery, via Doha, only a few days before and Jane flew in, right on schedule, from the Sunny Coast on Tuesday.

It had been over two years since we'd been together and we had a lot of fun things planned for our few days together - time for catching up, big city sight seeing, some arty time to share, a bit of shopping and lots of wining and dining too.

First big ticket outing was to the new Sydney Fish Markets on Wednesday ....

With jet lag and all that's involved in settling a little one into a new timezone, new surroundings and all sorts of Aussie strangeness we didn't expect we'd meet up with Tania, Morgan and Avery so early in the week. It was a lovely surprise to meet them at the markets, get properly introduced to Avery and share lunch and a walk after in Blackwattle Bay.

Avery was very taken with Buster the Border Collie whose job it was to keep all the seagulls at bay from the outdoor eating areas at the markets.

We three were together at last for the first time in over two years.....

After our market visit Jane, Rob and I ended off the afternoon at the old Pyrmont Bridge Hotel at the cosiest little window spot on the top floor. It was nice to be sitting warm and dry as intermittent rain showers blew over this part of Darling Harbour.

We caught the ferry over to Barangaroo after, to meet up with Nicki, for dinner at Anason. We all used to teach at Canberra High in the late eighties (a long time ago!) and Jane and Nicki were housemates in Canberra for a while, way back then. We had a lot to catch up over our delicious meal at Anason.

Thursday morning dawned clear and sunny so we took the opportunity to show Jane some of our favourite walking tracks south of Coogee. First there was the Honeycomb (of course) ........... 

..... and then a takeaway coffee from the Pool Cafe at Maroubra before the long walk back to Coogee via the rocky bay north of Maroubra Beach .......

We felt like indulging ourselves that afternoon after that l-o-n-g walk, so we made our way to Kirribilli - all the way to the Sydney Flying Squadron Club for a liesurely lunch overlooking Careening Cove. 

I felt like I had died and gone to heaven with this fig and stracciatella salad on the menu - overlooking Sydney Harbour on a sunny afternoon - just amazing!

We walked some of the harbour side streets of Kirribilli afterwards - great inspiration for Jane's artwork and a visual delight for all of us. We had to get this shot of us in front of Admiralty House - but there was no sign of our lovely G-G, Sam Mostyn, on this particular afternoon (only an unwelcome, errant rat seen scurrying across the road in front of us).

Some of the best and most surprising harbour views are revealed down the streets and laneways of this classic old Sydney suburb.

I liked the detailing on the entrance to 50 Jeffreys St Kirribilli......

Tania was able to get some time away that afternoon, meeting up with us at the old school Kirribilli Hotel for a couple of drinks and an extended chat about all the things that matter to us at this amazing (and often complicated) stage of our lives .........

Friday was our day to enjoy some of the big exhibitions on offer at the AGNSW and the adjacent Sydney Modern Project.

I was thrilled to see the iconic Ngurrara Canvas (10mtrs X 8 mtrs) on display as part of the 25th Biennale of Sydney - part of the Rememory exhibition at Sydney Modern.

...... and these works byYaratji Young from the APY Lands in the far NW of South Australia.

We met Tania nd the whole family for lunch at the Gallery ..........

... and then some friends and family play time after at the amazing Mike Hewson: The Key's Under the Mat sculpture (playground??) installation in The (subterraneum) Tank of the new Sydney Modern Project building.

We had quite a long discussion about whether the Mike Hewson project was actually  "sculpture"!!! (We don't think it is!)

Áine knows all the best watering holes in this part of Sydney and she recommended the rooftop bar at the nearby State Library for sunset drinks to round out the day.

This was the view on the rooftop ...... (complete with rainbow)....

I helped celebrate the State Library's 200th anniversary with a themed cocktail (which was really amazing).

But even better was having some together time with Avery, the most chilled out (but active), curious and endearing (and cuddly) little one I've met in a long time .... lucky me!

On Saturday we wanted Jane to see some of Sydney's famous weekend markets. But first we needed a pastry stop - this time at Humble Bakery in Holt Street Surry Hills, another one of Áine's recommendations.

Thank you Áine!! I dont think Rob will ever be the same after that finger bun with its buttercream icing and slabs of butter filling.

The Glebe Markets did not disappoint .....

... and we all found some inspiration at The Merchants Warehouse in Annandale.

... ending off the day at The Rocks Markets just as the huge old cruise ship and its crowds of tourists left its berth at the nearby International Terminal.

We enjoyed our last (almost) drink with Jane at the old Orient Hotel at The Rocks at the end of another very big day.

We said goodbye to Jane at Sydney Airport this morning with wonderful memories of the week together and promises to do it all again - hopefully before another two years passes us by.