It’s been a hectic week this week. Mum & Dad arrived last Monday for their first visit to Australia. Met them at the airport, brought them home, then took them on the cliff walk down to Bondi, stopping by Duncan Page Reserve so they could get a great view back over the city. Walked along the beach, then had breakfast in the Tratt.

On Tuesday, we left my place and walked along the cliffs in the opposite direction, down to Watsons Bay where we had fish & chips at Doyles, followed by a ferry ride into the city. It’s the best way to approach the city – great scenery and you pass right by the Opera House. Walked around Circular Quay a bit, then checked out the Opera House for a while, and finished off with a walk through the Botanical Gardens (where we saw all the fruit bats roosting in the trees), up Macquarie St., past Parliament House and down to Martin Place for the train home.

I worked on Wednesday, then we went to see the Sydney Symphony Orchestra perform Tchaikovsky at the Opera House. Worked again on Thursday then we played a round of golf in Moore Park with Tom on Friday. I played pretty badly, though there were a few good shots to draw solace from! That evening Mum & Dad got to meet Jacqui’s mum, Denise. Saturday saw us visit Paddington Markets, then we had a barbie back at our place in the afternoon with Jacqui’s family. A great time was had by all and I managed not to poison anyone with my efforts on the BBQ front. Sunday was another family day as myself, Jacqui, Mum, Dad & Denise drove up to Palm Beach, then met up with Mark and his friends for lunch and a swim at Whale Beach. Dad nearly got swept away by the undertow, which was bloody strong if you weren’t used to it, but we made it to shore fairly easily in the end.

They both love the place and can’t get over the fact that the weather is so great and that they sky is a beautiful clear blue every day. I also bought Mum a pedometer to encourage her to get out and exercise, as she’d mentioned one of her friends having one. She was delighted and has been tracking her progress every day. I think you’re supposed to do 10,000 steps per day. As it happens Tuesday was the first day she used it and she racked up 17,000 straight away, though we were pretty much walking almost all day.

Off to the Blue Mountains tomorrow!