Just Days Left...

    Our time is quickly winding down now and things are hectic.  We figured we'd post a few photos of the last few weeks.  Because Chris has been out of the country and the kids wanted to spend time with friends, we haven't traveled this last month.  We've just been trying to soak in Sydney.

Mia represented her school at the zone cross country carnival.

Then she suffered the pain of running straight up 420 meters in the Balmoral Burn.

     We were all thrilled to have our first, and only, and last, visitor for a week.  We managed to keep her arrival a secret from the kids and surprised them early one morning before they headed off to school.  Their shock was written all over their faces.  Fun, fun!  We loved showing her some of our favorite places and got a bit of a farewell tour in the process.

    Vivid Sydney was underway again so we ferried across the Harbour to check it out.

 A different company was hired this year to do the light projections on the Opera House.  While the graphics were well done, they weren't as appealing as last year's projections.  There was very little color and the figures rolling around weren't so interesting.  Overall, a disappointment.

  The rest of Vivid was appealing, creative and interesting.  A great way to spend an hour or so on a mild Sydney evening.

    The Museum of Contemporary Art was lit by the same company that did the Opera House in previous years.  Mesmerizing to watch.  Put it back on the Opera House!

    A few of the gorgeous Sydney places we ventured -

 North Head

Bondi seen from the Bondi to Bronte cliff walk 

Lion Island and Pittwater 

Barrenjoey and Palm Beach from the West Head Lookout

Photography by Sam.  

     Sadly, we had our last sail with our fellow Chapel Hill - Sydney expats on a gorgeous but blustery day.  Boo!  We will miss them!

Some seagulls followed us back, staying just the right speed to get some cool photos.

 Rainbow Lorikeets love to eat nectar.  After lunch one day we watched a group of them tearing open sugar packets and wolfing it down.  They're way jacked up on sugar!

The gang obliged us and showed up nearly every morning so our guest got to feed them.  

    The goodbyes have started and will go on for the next week.  I had a great dinner out with my funny, sweet Aussie/Kiwi/Irish friends a few days ago.  Yesterday I ran for the last time with my two running buddies.  One of Sam's teachers was in tears today since she won't see him again.  Sigh.  It might be a long week.  I kinda hope so.