Hawkesbury Reflections

 A convenient and inexpensive way for me to travel to Sydney is by rail (Seniors can travel all day for $2.50.

 Until today I hadn't boarded a Sydney bound train since pre Covid times. As I was meeting up with some schoolfriends at the Art Gallery for lunch I had ample time to hop on a train at Fassifern and make the meeting time of noon.

I had forgotten about some of the pretty scenery encountered on that 2 hour journey and was entranced by some of the reflections I spotted on the calm waters in the calm waters of the Hawkesbury River near Brooklyn.

Golden Glory

While in London this time we are ticking off  some bucket list items by visiting sites we haven't ever visited or, like the place we visited today, had only previously made a fleeting visit.

We walked from Kings Cross part of the way to our destination, St Paul's Cathedral Cathedral, and as we are avoiding the tube lest we catch Covid, we took a bus the rest of the way.

Entry to the site was ticketed and we felt very safe as we spent a couple of hours exploring the nooks and crannies of this impressive building. On reviewing my photos I noticed how much gold was in evidence in the fixtures and fittings.

Home Again

 When we finally emerged from our holding pattern somewhere near Sydney thanks to air traffic congestion this morning it was wonderful to fly past the harbour and city as we made our approach to the airport.

The congestion in the air is an indicator that things are getting back to normal post Covid. Alleluia!

All Aboard

Looks like I'll be allowed on board Coral Adventurer - Robert Ball too .

Covid test - Negative

Celebrating Health and Freedom

 

21 years ago today

Way back in time before I started blogging and before Facebook came along I used a family website to record significant events in our family's history. As my hoarding gene includes hoarding digital assets I am able to share screenshots from that now defunct website.

The most significant happy event in 2001 was the arrival of our precious first grandchild, Emily Elizabeth on the 27th March. Emily, prior to your imminent birth I remember driving up the motorway from Sydney to be ready for our first meeting. There was such anticipation followed by unbridled joy after we got the call to come and meet you. Following are snips from a few of the web pages I posted during your first year.

It is interesting to note that those pages were produced by Granny. When Emily found her voice she renamed me Gummy.

Emily and the eleven grandchildren who followed her have given their BobBob and Gummy much joy. Our lives have been enriched by our tribe of twelve amazing young Australians.

Due to my Covid situation I cannot celebrate personally with Emily so today I am celebrating in  a trip down memory lane courtesy of my huge digital photo collections. As I wander I am recalling so many fab family times we have shared.

We are so proud of you and your achievements, energy and commitment Emily. BobBob and I send congratulations and much love as you forge your future path.

And Covid came along...

 I was looking forward to a weekend of family events but my plans have been dashed by Covid.

Last weekend we travelled down to Sydney to see a grandson in his school musical. We had a super time starting with a nice Chinese meal with the family then we drove together to the school. As a cast member had tested positive to Covid our Grandson was elevated to a leading role, in "School of Rock". We were brimming with pride especially when he performed his drum solos. As it was a late evening we stayed the night with the family. 

Next day our son kindly delivered me a morning cup of coffee with the news that one of the grandkids was feeling poorly. We packed our gear and made a hasty escape in case it was Covid. We are pleased that this five year old has now had several negative tests. On Sunday evening our son called to say that one of the other family members was feeling poorly and subsequently tested positive on a RAT. By last night another member of that family had tested positive.

I usually have a runny nose and a bit of a cough so I didn't feel much different to normal. I thought I may have escaped the dreaded bug but, as I was to be in contact with several family members in coming days, I went along for a PCR test. My result was POSITIVE!

I am so sorry that I am missing my Aunt/Godmother's funeral tomorrow, my granddaughter's 21st birthday dinner tomorrow evening and on Saturday a trip to Sydney for dinner  and  to see "School of Rock" again with another offspring and her family. We were to be joined by my better half who is away in the country but I suggested he now keep his distance.

All but one of our five families has now been touched by Covid, I pray that the rest of our crew keep dodging the bullets. I'm so grateful that we are all fully vaccinated. 

Meanwhile my fingers are crossed that I have a mild dose and can use my time in isolation to chase a few more ancestors.

Main Crouse

Had a wonderful day out in Sydney last Saturday taking advantage of a Christmas 2019 gift of tickets to a live show, Nine to Five. Thanks to Covid and the show being rescheduled we had to wait over two years to use our gift.

Our daughter accompanied us on our trip to Sydney which, because we used all the toll roads, only took us 90 minutes. That gave us time for a leisurely lunch at Capital Thai, a restaurant conveniently located next door to the Capitol Theatre. We enjoyed an appetiser and two Main Crouses from the menu.

I was rather nervous about attending a show in the city but was comforted by the Covid Plan the theatre had in place. We were able to enter the theatre early and we waited until most of the patrons had left before we made our departure.

Masked up and it wasn't Phantom of the Opera

The show was lively and colourful with good vocal performances and serious messages. Can you believe that one of the stars, Marina Prior, is now 58 years old? Was it really 30 years ago that we saw her play Christine Daaé in Phantom of the Opera?