Last Saturday we went to the city by ferry to meet some Sydney bloggers for lunch.
It happened to be the same day that 16 year old Jessica Watson returned to Sydney after sailing solo around the world non stop and unassisted. She is the youngest person to have done this.
Sydney siders came out in droves to welcome her home. (to Australia, she actually lives in Buderim near Brisbane) However she was running behind schedule to the strong winds and choppy seas outside the harbour.
So we didn't stay as we had a lunch date with the bloggers. However, we were a little early so we stopped by this Belgian Chocolate Cafe for a hot chocolate and I thought of my Belgian blogger friend Gattina and wished she could be meeting with us too.
We walked to The Rocks area and then tried to find the Glenmore Hotel. We were going off course when blogger Joan recognised me from my blog and called out to us. She then lead us to the right place. After climbing many, many stairs we found the Rooftop Restaurant and a magnificent view of the harbour.
Soon everyone had arrived and it was a fun time meeting each other and chatting mostly about blogs, bloggers and cameras. (I wonder why). This photo was taken by another patron with Julie's camera.
The happy bloggers are from L to R are Bill, Diane, Jim, Julie (the organiser), Ann, Joan, Michelle and Peter.
After lunch and many hours late we saw Jessica sailing into the harbour with a flotilla of well wishers and a water canon boat leading the way. She will land next to the Opera House, where thousands of people are waiting.
Her tiny pink yacht, "Ella's Pink Lady" is on the left under the Opera House roof.
She was a brave clever girl to be able to complete this challenge in such a tiny boat 10 m long. Apparently she was knocked over many times in rough seas.
On the way home we called in to the hospital to see our newest member of the family but he wasn't very interested.
You've got some really great shots closer to the harbour Diane.
ReplyDeleteSydney - City and Suburbs
What a precious little girl. Congrats on your new granddaughter. Looks like you had a great day welcoming home the youn sailor and meeting up with the other bloggers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a day of excitement to be in Sydney. I admit to being somewhat critical of Jessica's round-the-world attempt but have nothing but admiration for her achievement now.
ReplyDeleteI saw the arrival on TV (unfortunately not you, lol) ! How lucky you were with your blogger meeting ! It's unfortunately not always the case. I had two rather bad experiences. One showed up spend the whole day with me without any money on her (!!) and the other turned out to be mentally sick (maniaco depressive) which of course I didn't know, but I understood a lot of her behavor later when I learned this from another Blogger friend, where she had turned the whole house upside down while she was staying there and had thrown the whole content of the fridge in the street !
ReplyDeleteSince these experiences I am rather careful as you can imagine. But I would have joined you with pleasure even into the Belgian Café !
Little Fox looks like a happy little buddha on the picture !
Am I totally nuts or is he the spitting image of his father?
ReplyDeleteAnd, also, I searched and searched all my shots and not once, not once, have I got here!
ReplyDeleteSoooo envious ... sooo ...
Congratulatins! Your shiney new grandson is adorable, as is his mother. You must both be so very excited. I know I am, for you! Being a grandparent has turned out to be a real joy, one I had not anticipated as being so deeply satisfying. Welcome, Fox William!
ReplyDeleteWow! What an exciting day and a lot of fun. Sweet Mom looks like she is dreaming of when she can go home with baby and be with family. Not much rest to be had in hospital.
ReplyDeleteThat was fun sharing your day -- what a nice one it was! How fun to get together with your fellow bloggers and on such a special day. Based on the two of you I look at regularly -- you and JBAr -- you are some talented people!
ReplyDeleteAnd what a perfect way to end a lovely day! Mom and baby look happy.
Looks like three celebrations in one - fantastic! (Four if you count the hot chocolate!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful vacation you are having! A beautiful new grandchild!! Lots of time with family and friends. Lunch with bloggers. Cliff walks, beautiful sunsets! I think I want to live in Sydney now too!
ReplyDeleteWonderful pics and great to have a front-row (well almost) seat for Jessica's Welcome Home. Would have been great to meet up with other bloggers. Good to see the lunch pic and put some faces to names.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new Grand.
All the best - Jan, NSW
Hi Diane, I've always heard that the Opera House down there in Sydney is gorgeous... WOW--it truly is... Glad Jessica got a nice welcome!!! She's quite a gal... Talk about 'following your dream'..... Wow!
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good time with fellow bloggers. That is always so much fun to do.
Great picture of Mama and baby... I'm SO happy for them --and you.
Hugs,
Betsy
Good shots. NOw I know exactly where she was I'll have another look at mine, maybe if I enlarge some I'll find her there.
ReplyDeleteJulie: Yes he is very much like his Dad.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing feat for such a young woman! Glad she arrived safely and such a glorious welcome!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing the harbor and Opera House...so beautiful!
Meeting fellow bloggers is a lot of fun, isn't it? Blogging has made the world a smaller and happier place.
Mum and babe look so percious in this photo!
Oh! This is just the most precious photo! Frame it!
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
Diane sorry about the mix up! So what is your gradson name? He is still precious!
ReplyDeleteJessica certainly is a very brave girl, a credit to spirit of Australia that's for sure. All your photos are fantastic as always Diane, but that lost shot though, that's the winner :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a wonderful lunch with your friends, Diane. I was very pleased that your little sailor got quite a bit of media coverage here in the states, too. Brave little chick!
ReplyDeleteDiane what great photos and your little grandchild is so cute and I love that photo! The sailor was in the papers here too, it got quite good coverage. She certainly braved a lot to do such a voyage!
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Catherine.