Sunset photo taken while cruising on the Diamond Princess

 north of Queensland in December 2017.

 I cruised from Yokohama, Japan to Sydney, Australia on Diamond Princess for 22 days in November, 2017. Loved every minute of it ... didn't get to Bali because of volcano eruption so we spent 2 days in Singapore. Never bored ... shared a table with 7 strangers fabulous companions.

I have just had my house roof re-pointed after putting up with a leaky roof for some time (thought I would have had to get a new roof - happy).  The tradie did a great job as the cement merged with the colour of the tiles.

Terrigal Beach

Lovely lazy day with daughter and grand children, got very sunburnt legs whilst sitting on the steps leading down to the sand. 

The kids had a lovely time climbing on the sandstone shelf and yes they were wearing sunscreen.

 Slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat. 

I should know this by now living near the ocean.

DARWIN HARBOUR, NT, AUSTRALIA

Fabulous old Fig tree

in the grounds of Government House, Sydney.

Here is another one,

Mighty Max

 taken yesterday, showing off his Biceps.

My youngest son, Uncle Mike, a painter

getting into the act.

Fluffing around with the layout and design of blog.

Wet - Avoca Beach.

This could take some time.

Love the root system of this fig tree

 along the banks of the Parramatta River in Sydney.

On the second day of 2012 we are enjoying another
 hot, dry day after months of rain in 2011.

Summer Heat

It is currently 42c degrees (108F) at 4pm in my local area

‎42C on the coast today ...

this evening Darcy the cat as well as the dogs, Bailey and Kahlua

had a tepid water wash ... interesting ...they are re-vitalised

Sitting here at home relaxing after spending most of the day

in Sydney to celebrate Australia Day 2011.

Myself outside St Marys Cathedral keeping

Mary MacKillop

St Mary of the Cross company.

Sydney's 2011 New Years Midnight Fireworks

Thanks to imodeboi for uploading to youtube.

Christmas - Digital Version.

Thanks to ExcentricPT of youtube

Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia

Merry Christmas, Everyone.

Santa is on his way soon.

Norad Santa Tracker.

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html

Australian Christmas Painting

Santa and the Drover

by John Edward (Jack) Waugh.

http://www.collectingbooksandmagazines.com/waugh.html

Santa Claus pausing for a rest by a country wayside,

sharing a billy of tea (and some biscuits) with a wiry Aussie drover.

Darcy and I are having a night in.

I had a colonoscopy today and everything is fine. Thank Goodness.

My mum died of colon cancer and I had some problems.

Doctor said I behave responsibly and it was best to have regular tests (5 years). I'm at that age group when you need to become aware of future medical problems.

When my daughter, Natalie, bought me home from the clinic

Darcy was hiding in the clothes dryer.

Wow, Its raining in Australia

and there is lots more to come this Summer.

My usual view of this boat

which I drive past on the way to work.

So with all the rain we have had this year

they have built a low sea wall along the shoreline.

I wandered off to the local beach to update my new header photo. The walk down to the beach is quite steep so will head back for more photos when there isn't a threat of rain.

I had planned on going along to Shelly Beach which is just south of The Entrance but there was a branch carnival held today Sunday, 7th February. All available parking was taken so will head back on another day when it is not so crowded

My December 23 trip into Sydney to view the Christmas decorations and Macquarie Street Light projections.

 I arrived in the city at 3.45pm and needed to fill in time until dark so I wandered haphazardly around into stores and down arcades passing some building I would photograph later in the evening. Basically I was soaking up the atmosphere of a city before Christmas.

DAY

Pitt Street Mall Buskers

One of the Projection boxes for the 
Macquarie Street Lights display

Hyde Park Barracks - Day

St Marys Cathedral, Sydney - Day

St Marys Steps looking towards Hyde Park

Nativity Diorama - St Marys

Darling Harbour looking towards the city with an old Sydney Manly Ferry berthed beside the Pyrmont Bridge.

Darling Harbour with Imax Theatre in background.

Largest Imax Theatre in the World - Darling Harbour

The Imax's yellow/black checkered wall
 is the size of the screen.

Circus Oz - Darling Harbour

Circus Oz with Ferris Wheel - Darling Harbour

Convention Centre Tree

Maccas

Playbills outside the Sydney Entertainment Centre

NIGHT

Hyde Park (North) Christmas Tree

St Marys Cathedral- Night

NSW Parliament House, Sydney

Hyde Park Barracks - Night

Mitchell Library

Mitchell Library 2

The Mint

Martin Place Christmas Tree

Martin Place Centapah 
with Christmas Tree in background.

Sydney Town Hall

 opposite the entrance to Town  Hall rail station

Waiting for the train home at Central Station.

Early Rail Bus

The train left Central at 10.17pm amd I eventually arrived home just as Christmas Eve arrived. Exhausted after enjoying the sights the journey was enlivened by the spectators from a Mariners (soccer)Game  at SFG returning home, many vacationing children were amongst the chatty group on the crowded train. Their team's loss was now replaced by excited discussions of Santa's arrival.

Trivia: I did not use the flash on my camera at night as I noticed the light from surrounding building was enough and I am amazed by how clear the photos are.

Today I start two weeks annual leave and so tired from what has been happening these last two months
-injured shoulder, physio, work-
will just spend the first couple of days vegeing ....

Well! That was the Plan but as I am typing this I realise today I had planned to go into Sydney to see the 27th annual Woolworths Carols in the Domain  held in
The Domain, Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney
or I could stay home and in the comfort of my lounge chair
I can watch it live on television.

 The 2009 Cast of the concert include - The Wiggles,

Adam Brand, Kasey Chambers, Kate Ceberano and more
plus for the Irish/UK backpackers
- Leo Sayers, Katherine Jenkins and Ronan Keating. LOL.

Its cricket time in Australia and over the summer season many UK/US celebrities will leave their cold/frost/snow laden homeland and make the trek Down Under.

In My Garden just before Sunset.

After all the rain and humidity we have had recently my wooden steps leading down to the garden had some mildew on them, so I made up a concoction of water and bleach in a bucket and with a BBQ plate cleaning brush I spent some time getting them back to a slip-free condition.

During this time I could hear a Kookaburra 'chatting' away
( they make this sound which is not the full-throttle laugh
but a sort of 'clearing the throat' sound) lol.

Anyhoo, after I finished hosing off the steps I went for a
wander around the garden to see if I could find him/her.


Here Tis


Sneaking a little closer-


Oops! too close, he/she flew to another higher branch

The old cubby house also was affected by the rain and will need to go as the plywood walls are water-logged and spongy.

My youngest son has returned home for a while so it looks like another job for him on top of the front garden makeover he is currently doing.