Newcastle Knights

To support our local team in the National Rugby League (NRL), we went to see Newcastle Knights play Brisbane Broncos here in Newcastle a couple of days ago.  Despite our cheering and clapping, they lost big time.  26-6 to Brisbane.  We had a fun night although it was a little bit chilly (by Aussie standards) and I finally got to use my lovely Canadian mittens!

Waiting for spring

The nice weather at the start of the month didn't last very long, and the last few weeks has been windy and rainy... Still, we decided to clean up on the balcony so we're ready when the sun and warm weather comes back!

As part of the clean up, Wyatt decided to finally harvest his carrots.  Despite growing for almost 7(!) months, they were pretty ridiculous looking little things.  A bit like those of the Drott family!  I don't think it's a good idea to grow carrots in a pot, however big it is.

Some luxury

When Wyatt and I travel, we normally stay in budget hotels which are ok, but nothing fancy and no extras.  However... on our trip to Sydney this past weekend we stayed at a really nice hotel and enjoyed it so much! It had a nice gym, an outdoor heated pool and Jacuzzi, all overlooking the skyscrapers of Sydney!

We've never been across to the northern side of Sydney, so this time around we took a ferry across the waters and walked on the Harbour Bridge on our way back.  It was quite different to see Sydney from the other side.  Here are some pictures.

 Waiting for lunch

 Ice cream break

 Our hotel

 On the Sydney Harbour Bridge

A beautiful view from the other side

 If you look carefully, you can see people (to the left from the top) doing the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk to the very top

Funny mirrors at Luna Park

Newcastle Museum

After being closed for quite a while, Newcastle Museum opened up in a new venue, literally next door to us in the old workshops in Honeysuckle!  It opened up last weekend so we went to have look.  It's really good with a large section on local history, but also a sort of interactive exhibition for kids, and a piece on the old steelwork in Newcastle that shut down in the 70's.  It was pretty busy since it was the grand opening and loads of events around it, and we missed bits and pieces, so we will definitely go back again.

 

The weather has turned a bit colder again, but last weekend was pretty ok, so we went for a picnic on the beach for about an hour before the rain started pouring...

Beautiful Nobby's Beach here in Newcastle

A different Sydney

We spent last weekend in Sydney, and since we've been there a few times we decided to check out some new places away from the city centre.  Kings Cross doesn't have the best reputation and is known as the red light district of Sydney.  We went there during the day just in case... In between all the sex shops and seedy bars, there were actually some really nice boutiques and trendy little cafés, a bit different but not necessarily in a bad way.  The weather was perfect, 20 above and sun.  Not much of a winter over here.

I also promised Wyatt I'll mention the meeting with his accountant in this post.  It turns out that the guy who is doing Wyatt's taxes is the father of James Magnussen, the new star of Australian swimming. His father was very proud of him and Wyatt was pretty impressed. 

On our way to Kings Cross

 Kings Cross

Botanical Gardens

Beautiful view from the Botanical Gardens

 

The cockatoos came really close  

 

Delivery through the window!